TAIT: Canada bests strong Czechia squad in para ice hockey in Milan |
Did you hear that huge sigh of relief across Canada Wednesday morning caused by the Canadian para ice hockey team?
There were a few nervous seconds caused by the Canadians, who came within a few ice chips of giving up their first goal of the Paralympic games by – are you sitting down? – scoring on themselves, which would have been – don’t get up, yet – their first goal against of the Paralympics.
TAIT: Canada bests strong Czechia squad in para ice hockey in Milan Back to video
I am not making this up.
In a scoreless game against Czechia, Canada pulled goaltender Corbin Watson for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty. Canadian captain Tyler McGregor, deep in the right circle in the offensive zone, and passed it back to the right point.
But … nobody was there.
The puck zoomed down to the Canadian zone. Empty net, remember?
The puck whizzed by the lonely cage, barely – and I mean, barely – missing the net.
Canada survived, and went on to a 4-1 victory, with three power play goals, improving to a perfect 3-0 record in Pool B of the Paralympics. They now face the second-place team from Pool A, China, in the semi-finals Friday.
After outshooting their opponents 107-2, outscoring them 22-0, Czechia was the first real test of the tournament.
Canadian head coach Boris Rybalka said Tuesday’s game helped build character for his team.
“We have great leadership, obviously, where they know on the bench and in between periods and in the dressing room,” Rybalka said. “They knew that. They turned around and were prepared. And it was nice to see in the dressing room where guys were talking about that.
“So that was a big one today as, it was nice to see the veterans take control.”
For the first time, Canada didn’t score in the opening 20 minutes in the tournament.
From the opening five minutes, you knew this would be a rough one.
The Canadian bench was angry with the Czechia bench for not locking the door.
Two Canadians were checked into the bench, right where the door was.
Head games. Shoulder pain.
Czechia goalie Patrik Sedlacek kept this game from Canada scoring in double digits. He was stellar on many occasions.
Canada came out flying in the first three minutes, including James Dunn getting alone by himself.
Then he was re-introduced to Sedlacek.
There was, Rybalka predicted, bumper cars on ice with rough stuff after whistles.
With just over a minute to go in the first period Liam Hickey jarred free on the right side for a good chance.
Sedlacek, answered the bell, stopping nine shots in the opening 15 – yes, periods in Para ice hockey.
James Dunn put Canada on the scoreboard on the powerplay 1:25 into the second period. The Wallacetown, Ont. native put a bow on a nice passing play from Zach Lavin.
“I’m playing with some great players with great hands – and I just got in a good spot,” Dunn said.
Then, the Vincent Boily factor entered the game. After being punched in the head drawing a Czechia penalty, Boily, from Alma, Que., went after his own rebound and roofed one to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead.
The newest version of Captain Canada, McGregor, roofed one to put the Canada up 3-0.
“It was nice to play a game with some energy and emotion. We slugged through it together,” said McGregor, who added two assists. “It was a bit sloppy at times, but that is the type of game you need in a short tournament to prepare yourself for the medal round. We know China is going to come at us. They have some speed and are physical, but that doesn’t matter to us. No matter who we face, we want to do what we do better than anyone in the world. They will bring everything they have and we will be ready.”
Canada gave up their first goal of the tournament, seven minutes into the third period, when Zdenek Habl served up a low-flying knuckle ball which skipped by on the left side.
The game marked the first contest Canada was scoreless after the opening period.
Watson rose to the occasion with 29 seconds, stopping a bullet from 15 in a 3-1 hockey game.
McGregor scored his second of the game, an empty-netter with 10 seconds remaining.
“We stayed composed, found a way to win, and that was the big one today. And I just like to see that we were put into a corner a little bit with some adversity and how we reacted because now, again, leading into the semifinals.
“We have our forecheck that we’re gonna be going after them hard and obviously try to expose their goaltending with lots of shots.”
Canada has beat China in their last three meetings, including a 7-0 victory at the Para Cup in Dawson Creek, where Watson captured a shutout in his 100th career game.
Canadian forward Greg Westlake did not play Tuesday’s after leaving Monday’s game against Japan with a lower body injury.