World Cup of Hockey Recap Sept 21

NORTH AMERICA WINS GAME, SWEDEN CLINCHES GROUP IN OT THRILLER

Nathan MacKinnon scored on a skillful deke at 4:11 of overtime as Team North America defeated Team Sweden 4-3 in a thrilling conclusion to the teams’ Round Robin schedule. Sweden, who received a sterling 45-save effort from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, clinched Group B and advanced to the Semifinals with the one point it earned with the overtime loss. Team North America’s playoff fate hinges on the result of Thursday’s Group B finale between Team Finland and Team Russia. (For Thursday’s clinching scenario, see below).

MacKinnon’s highlight-reel winner was the 87th shot on goal of the wide-open contest (Team North America 49, Team Sweden 38), the most ever in a World Cup of Hockey game. The previous high was 86, set by Canada-Sweden in 1996 and Czech Republic-Germany in 2004.
Lundqvist, who stopped 36 shots in blanking Finland 2-0 on Tuesday, made a total of 81 saves on back-to-back days after missing the first game of the tournament due to illness.

After being denied by Lundqvist on a penalty-shot attempt in the opening minute of the game, Team North America forward Johnny Gaudreau converted on a breakaway for his second goal of the tournament. He later earned an assist on MacKinnon’s overtime winner.

The North America-Sweden result eliminated Team Finland from Semifinal contention.

TEAM CANADA CAPTURES GROUP A IN FIRST-PLACE SHOWDOWN WITH TEAM EUROPE

Jonathan Toews tallied a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and an assist as Team Canada defeated Team Europe 4-1 and clinched first place in Group A. Canada finished Round Robin play with a 3-0-0 record — the only undefeated club among the eight World Cup contestants — and outscored the opposition 14-3. They will meet the second-place finisher in Group B, either Team North America or Team Russia, in the Semifinals.

Toews leads all World Cup of Hockey goal-scorers (three) and his four points is tied for the tournament lead with teammates Sidney Crosby (2-2–4) and Matt Duchene (2-2–4), Team North America forward Johnny Gaudreau (2-2–4) and Team North America defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (0-4–4).

Team Canada outshot Team Europe 46-20 and has recorded 130 shots in its three Round Robin games, an average of 43.3 per game.

Mike Babcock, Team Canada’s head coach, on how he feels about the team heading into must-win game scenarios

“[I feel] good. Let’s get ready and play. I think it’s what it’s all about. That’s why you get ready. That’s why you build the program, so that you think you’re prepared and ready to go. Our guys know what we want them to do, now we’ve got to do it, though. I think the best-of-the-best deliver when it matters. And to me in the end, that’s the measure of the coach, that’s the measure of the goalie, that’s the measure of the players, it’s the measure of scorers – what you do in the big moments. What I’ve found over time is if you just do your job, your simple job and everyone else does theirs, you have a lot of success together. That’s what we’re going to try and do.”

Crosby on Canada’s ticket to success internationally

“When you play for Team Canada, [everybody] understands that their role may change, minutes may change, but ultimately it’s just about winning. Right away that helps; that goes a long way.

“You need to find different ways to win, and whether it’s goaltending or special teams or someone different stepping up and getting a big goal, I think that the depth that we have has allowed us to have success.”

World Cup of Hockey Standings as of September 21, 2016

x – Advances to semifinals

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Team North America 4, TEAM SWEDEN 3 (OT)
TEAM CANADA 4, Team Europe 1

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Team Finland @ Team Russia, 3 p.m.
Team USA @ Team Czech Republic, 8 p.m.