Numbers speak for themselves
Canada focused on its own game ahead of semifinal at World Cup of Hockey
One by one, the Canadian players strolled into the media room at Air Canada Centre on Thursday afternoon for an offday availability at the World Cup of Hockey.
The team’s semifinal opponent had yet to be confirmed so questions and answers were broad in nature. There was talk about the process, doing the little things right, and sticking to what has worked in three straight round-robin victories.
The Canadians have been playing so well in this tournament, it really seems like it’s up to the opposition — it was determined later in the day it would be Russia — to figure out a way to beat them rather than the opposite.
That went unsaid Thursday, but the numbers speak for themselves.
Canada (3-0-0) is the only team with a perfect record. It has allowed just three goals overall, controlled the play for extended stretches and is averaging almost five goals and over 43 shots a game.
The Russians were in control of their own destiny entering play against Finland on Thursday afternoon. A 3-0 win assured them of second place in Group B and eliminated North America, a high-octane squad of players age 23-and-under from Canada and the United States led by Oilers phenom Connor McDavid.
There are several reasons why the reigning Olympic and World Cup champions are favoured to win again. Canada’s goaltending has been strong, the team rolls four strong lines and the defence is top shelf.
The Russians, meanwhile,
have a solid netminder in Sergei Bobrovsky and are anchored up front by forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. There will be no shortage of motivation on Saturday night for a team eager to eliminate the favourites on their home ice.
“The opportunity is huge,” Ovechkin said. “They have a pretty good team with solid players. We just have to match it.”
The Canada-Russia semifinal offers a renewal of a classic hockey rivalry, though fans will likely be disappointed they won’t get to see the Canadians
take on the highly skilled young guns on North America.
It made no difference to Team Canada.
“We’re more focused on playing our game, our system,” said Canada forward Brad Marchand. “You might have to tweak a couple things here and there but for the most part, we’re more concerned about how we play.
“Our style, how our effort is. Just working hard and normally when you do that, good things can happen.”
Head coach Mike Babcock said his lineup will be announced
after practice today. Ryan Getzlaf, Shea Weber and Carey Price are good bets to return after getting a rest in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Team Europe.
Russia finished round-robin play with a 2-1 record, scoring eight goals while giving up five against.
“It’s going to be a great, great challenge and we accept it,” said Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Team Europe will play Sweden in the other semifinal on Sunday. The best-of-three final series begins Tuesday.