Eberle scores twice for Canada

Team Canada has stated that the team is going for gold this tournament and they started their campaign by beating Belarus 4-1. It was a bit shaky for a while but in the end it was a solid win for the Maple Leafs.

Canada came out really strong and after some pressure they opened the score already at 1:53 when Jordan Eberle found the net from close range. But Belarus stood up well after the early goal could also create some chances. Canada had a great chance to extend their lead on a long powerplay with a half minute two men advantage but Andrei Mezin made a good work keeping the score at 0-1. Instead Belarus could tie the game with 34 seconds left to play of the period. In the aftermath after a power play they stole the puck and Stepanov had an easy finish for 1-1.

Canada had problems taking back the momentum after losing it before the 1-1 goal but halfway through the second period a nice play and a nice finish by the NHL rookie of the year candidate Jeff Skinner gave Canada the lead again. Even if Canada felt like the stronger, faster and better team Belarus made a good effort and had some chances to tie the game again. The best one by Mikhail Grabovski who skated past several Canadian defenders for a nice effort but his Toronto team mate James Reimer made a good save.

When John Tavares made it 3-1 five minutes into the third period the game was over and a few minutes later Eberle scored his second with an easy tap in after a shot in the post by Dion Phaneuf on a power play. Chris Stewart had a double chance to make it 5-1 but he was hooked on the breakaway and missed the penalty shot.

Canada had three players with two points, Eberle, Tavares and Skinner, all born in the 1990's. The future is bright for Canadian ice hockey.

 

Advanced player search

Tweets by @eurohockey