Stars can rest

Olympic title holder Canada closes the first full day of ice hockey tournament debuting against Norway, as in Vancouver four years ago when home team crushed 8-0 Scandinavian opponent; as for Russia, a soft approach on the way to the medals. “If Norway beat Canada it will be like a team from South America winning the cross country skiing.” said a realistic Nowegian coach Roy Johansen. Mike Babcock chooses Carey Price in the net, Matt Duchene and PK Subban as not dressed players, with a first line different from the announced one, with Nash-Toews-Sharp. Matt Rosseli Olsen creates the first chance, but Price is reactive. Canada seems more tense in the first minutes, threatening Haugen cage in the first power-play when Crosby doesn’t finish a smart assist by Tavares. Time passing and Canada, as expected, take the control of the game but Haugen is very alert and concedes few rebounds, well supported by defense. Along with roars from the stands (Russian fans support Norway of course), sometimes Norway try to menace Price cage, mainly to  decrease the pressure. The most dangerous at 18 on power play, when Price deflects a shot from the blue by Holos.

It’s Chris Kunitz to test Haugen reflexes after a minute in the second period, but Dinamo Minsk goalie is ready to block. Haugen doesn’t block but well deflects a power shot by Jamie Benn but then blocks on Nash in a rugged begin of period by Canada, with Norway forced in its defensive zone, except for a chance on Morten Ask stick, but the shot misses the net. The pressure results finally in Canada advantage, scored by Shea Weber at 26:20 with a precise shot from the blue, with Haugen probably covered by his defender. The goal gives Canada some more spirit while Norway seems touched. At 31 Haugen is outstanding in avoiding the puck getting in the net after a post hit by Toews, literally jumping from a side to the other of his goal. No chances instead at 35:19 when Jamie Benn receives from Bergeron and beats Haugen, confirming the sensation of a progress of Canada. Olimb earns a penalty for Norway – out Keith for holding – allowing his team to begin last period on power play . And team thanks and score after seconds: Price has problems controlling a puck behind the net, Ken Olimb steals it and shot, finding the decisive deflection of Patrick Thoresen. But the uncertainty lasts up to  41:47 Drew Doughty scores Canada third goal with a classy move. At 45 Mats Trygg is forced to leave the ice with a knee injury. Norway has a gasp at 51 with 2 consecutive shots by Rosseli deflecting by Price. Not many other emotions in a period started with fire. Canada earns three points without impressing. For Norway a good game, probably Roy Johansen squad get the best result possible, an honorable defeat against the Canada of superstars.  A good sign of progress for a team hammered 8-0 and 10-0 by Canada in last Olympics clashes

After the game one of Canada scorer, defender Shea Weber said they were surprised by Norwegian approach to the game: "They came out with a lot of life and energy, and we just stuck with it and got better as the game went on. We've got to consistently do that. The more we get comfortable with each other, chemistry comes along, and things are just going to get better."

"We got more familiar with things and more comfortable as the game went along. The fact that we can get back out there tomorrow, build off things that we can improve on would be good." said Sydney Crosby

Also Alex Pietrangelo is sure team will find the right chemestry in next games "We got better as it went on. Any time playing with a new group, there's always going to be a feeling-out period. We've only had two practices, but it got a lot better as the game went on, skated a lot better and got our legs underneath us."

Mike Babcock, instead, is not fully satisfied with the performance of his team: "It was good for our team to be in a tight game. It's reality. You don't have success here without getting better each game, competing hard. In the first period we didn't execute as good as we'd like to. We tried hard. Whether it was nerves, or just that Norway played so hard... if you look at the whole game, they competed like crazy, they made it hard on us. We probably didn't have enough traffic and enough second chances. I thought Norway played really well, and their coach had them well prepared. We had chances enough for the score to be different. So what? We didn't score. Our power play wasn't dangerous and we gave up a penalty kill goal. So we've got lots to work on. I'm always hoping to go out there and not let them out of their zone ever, but that's not hockey, and that's not the Olympic Games. If you look at all the games today, whether you're a top seed or low seed it's pretty even."

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