Canada Narrowly Stops American Comeback to Begin Maccabiah

The 2017 Maccabiah Games in Israel started with Canada holding off the Americans 3-2 in overtime to take their first victory of the five-team open division event.

Despite numerous good scoring chances by the Americans in the early going, Canada struck first with two quick goals on the power play. At 9:46 with the two-man advantage, Dartmouth College centreman Corey Kalk finished off a play through the cycle that beat the American netminder, giving Canada the 1-0 lead early. 

Then, before the power play was complete, Canada took their extra man effort in stride by having Kyle Becker scoring their second goal, giving them an unexpected advantage early in the contest.

The Americans were faced with penalty trouble throughout the game, but it didn't matter as the contest wore on. With three minutes left, Nick Rivera scored while shorthanded, sitting around the net before making it 2-1. Then, seconds later, his brother, Luke, escaped from the penalty box and found himself on the breakaway. Luke Rivera was able to beat Canada's netminder on the rush and score the goal, forcing the game into overtime.

In the overtime, Canada fought back and secured the victory. The team got a lucky goal after a floater from Zachary Sternberg at the blue line somehow made it's way into the net, giving Canada the 3-2 lead to finish the first game of the tournament.

The defending champions from 2013, Canada, will get four days off before meeting up with Germany on July 9th, while the United States will get just two days to rest before meeting up with Russia on July 7th.

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