A duel of giants, from two major ice hockey schools took place at the Stade National Couvert early in the afternoon of this Saturday, between United States and Canadavalid for group A of the men’s tournament Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

A confrontation of a lot of history, of two countries of reference in the modality and which have already made the final of the Games. On the ice, 11 Olympic titles. O Canada again in search of glory, having clinched bronze at PyeongChang 2018. United Stateswhose men’s team wants to end the Olympic title quickly, having been last at Lake Placid 1980.

Both teams were coming off victories. You Americans made eight to zero with regard to the People’s Republic of Chinawhile the Canadians passed the Germans by five to one.

Fraud of big names who act in the NHL (abbreviation in English for National Hockey League, modality’s main league), the teams played an interesting, hotly contested game with young athletes taking on Beijing 2022 to establish themselves in the sport at the international level.

With focus on the American keeper Mann (USA)who closed his team’s goal, especially in the third and final period, the United States outscored Canada by four to two, with partials in the periods of 2 to 1, 1 to 1 and 1 to 0.

The match which started eventful, with a goal of Robinson (CAN) less than a minute and a half. Almost the same time later, the United States was tied with Andy Miele, which operates in Europe. At 6:44 p.m. when the Americans come with Ben Meyers. Back to school with very intense hockey. Two to one for the United States and end of the first period.

The intensity continued into the second period and, in a misguided start for the Canadians, the forward Brendan Brisson, 20, takes his chance and extends the score: three against one. The United States dominated all action, but facing Canada leaves no room for error. That’s what happened. At 12:40, the Canadians were down one, but they still reduced the score with a goal of Raven Knight at 2:13 p.m. still had one power play in favor, but they didn’t know how to take advantage of it. End of second half, Three to two for the United States.

Play in the final third and tense. A well applied knock of 10m very well applied by Augustine (USA) at 6:13, he went straight to Canada’s goal. The United States went four to two. From then on, it was just pressure from the Canadians. With 15 minutes in that span, there were 11 defenses by the Americans to four by Canada, which kicked 12 times to five.

The goalkeeper Mann (USA), with great fanfare, avoided what could have been a Canadian triumph. He was responsible for the victory of the United States over Canada.

Four against two for the Americans and final figures.

In 18 games between the two countries at the Winter Olympics, it was only the fourth victory for the United States, against 12 for Canada. The last was in the group stage at Vancouver 2010.

In the other game of the round, the People’s Republic of China were beaten by Germany 3-2 earlier on Saturday night.

Sentences

“A lot of people talk about physicality and size, but you can be a physical team in many ways. We have a handful of guys who know how to compete, they don’t lower their heads. When we can combine stamina and heart, and when we we have good skills, and I think if we apply those skills tonight, we can do well,” the coach said. David Quinn (USA).

About the youth of the team, the author of one of the American goals, Kenny Agostino (USA)added: “Boys can play, that’s safe to say. Of course we have talent and speed, but today’s game was an adult game.”

next games

The next round is the last of the group stage, where the top two teams advance directly to the quarter-finals. Canada will face hosts the People’s Republic of China on Sunday, February 13 at 9:10 p.m. Beijing time (10:10 GMT) at the National Indoor Stadium.

The United States will face Germany, also on Sunday, February 13 at 9:10 p.m. Beijing time (10:10 GMT), at the Wukesong Sports Center.

The quarter-finals of the Beijing 2022 men’s ice hockey tournament begin on Wednesday, February 16.

You can follow the emotions of Beijing 2022 ice hockey with broadcasts from the Olympics.com and Globo/Sportv channels for the Brazilian territory.

Click here to find out more.

data sheet

Canada 2: Pasquale, Tomkins; Power, Robinson, Staal (C), McTavish and Ho-Sang; Wotherspoon, Noreau, Knight, Tambellini and Weal; Barberio, Demers, Street, Johnson and O’Dell; Grant, McBain, Winnik, Cracknell and Desharnais. Coach: Claudius Julien.

United States 4: Commesso, Mann; Kampfer, Ness, Agostino, O’Neill and Miele (C); Warsofsky, Faber, Beniers, Abruzzese and Knies; Sanderson, Cooper, Farrell and Coates; Perbix, Smith, Brisson, McLaughlin and Shore. Coach: david quinn

Arbitration: Andrins Ansons (LAT), Tobias Bjork (SWE), Daniel Hynek (CZE) and Dustin McCrank (CAN).