In the preliminary round of men's ice hockey, Team USA outruns rival Canada
Translate This News In

On Saturday, Team USA beat Canada 4-2 in the opening round of the Olympic men’s ice hockey competition in Beijing, outskating their adversaries and capitalizing on Canadian mistakes.

Captain Andy Miele scored a goal and an assist, while goalie Strauss Mann made 35 stops for the United States (2-0-0), who moved ahead of Canada in Group A. (1-1-0). The United States last defeated Canada in men’s Olympic hockey on February 21, 2010, in the Vancouver Winter Games.

The Americans made a statement with their victory. While Canada took a veteran-laden squad to Beijing – their captain, Eric Staal, is a 17-year NHL veteran – the United States’ lineup is mostly made up of NCAA players. Against Canada, their inexperience was masked by their pace and persistent forechecking.
“We didn’t give in to their physical play,” Miele added. “I’m impressed with our team’s response. I’m quite proud of this bunch. We were pummelling. They continued going forward, we kept coming back at them, and we got what we deserved.”

READ:   Thousands protest COVID mandates in Ottawa, with many being reprimanded

Canada scored the game’s opening goal at 1:24 in the contest. Following a turnover at center ice by US forward Ben Meyers, Canada’s Josh Ho-Sang fired a pass across the attacking zone to forward Mat Robinson. He sent a long-range shot from the wing that goaltender Strauss Mann misplayed, unable to get his stick down on the ice to prevent it, giving Canada an early 1-0 lead.
Rather than retreating, the United States responded promptly, courtesy to two of the team’s professional veterans. Miele broke in on a 2-on-1 just 1:10 later, thanks to a fantastic touch pass from Brian O’Neill. Defenseman Alex Grant dove down to prevent a possible pass to the US forward Kenny Agostino, but Miele held the puck and fired a backhand shot over goaltender Eddie Pasquale, who had fallen to the ice too soon.

READ:   Report: Leading scientist responsible for Russia's "Strangled" Covid vaccine

With 1:16 remaining in the first stanza, the United States seized the lead. Jake Sanderson, a defenseman who arrived late to the Olympics after being in the COVID-19 process, skated the puck deep into the Canadian zone. His ball was intercepted by Canada and fell to Sean Farrell, who scored five points in the Americans’ victory against China. He sent the ball to Meyers for a goal and a 2-1 lead into the second period.