Canada dominates Danes, Visentin allows two
Posted December 29, 2011 10:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON, Alta. — Team Canada retained its perfect record with a 10-2 victory over a winless Team Denmark.
The Canadians were led by defenceman Scott Harrington, an unlikely point producer. Harrington scored the fifth goal of the game on a one-time slapshot from the blue line that ricocheted off the post early in the second period. Harrington appeared to have scored his second of the game on a wrist shot, which was later credited to Mark Stone for his second of the game and sixth of the tournament.
It was a dominant performance throughout for the Canadians, who were playing the weakest team in their group. The Danes were hoping to keep it close and make a game out of it, but often looked like they were killing a penalty in their own zone at even strength.
Neither side looked very inspired in the first two periods. The Canadians hardly celebrated goals, failing to raise their arms more often than not. Danish goaltender Sebastian Feuk simply shook his head after Stone scored the third goal of the game on a giveaway from his defenceman, who was being pressured by Jonathan Huberdeau.
The second goal was a direct result of the lack of hustle from Nicklas Jensen. After missing a clear-out attempt by his junior teammate in Oshawa, Boone Jenner, Jensen leisurely skated back, allowing Brett Connolly to beat him to the puck and give Canada a 2-0 lead just past the six minute mark. Canada led 4-0 after one period on goals by Connolly, Stone, Quinton Howden and Ryan Strome.
All three goals scored in the second period had Harrington’s hands on them. The seventh goal came on a beautiful tip from Freddie Hamilton, who was cutting to the net where the pass was placed perfectly by Harrington.
There were a few bright spots in the game for the Danes in the first two periods. They came out strong to start the third period and snapped Canada’s shutout streak as Nicolai Meyer hammered a loose puck near Visentin’s crease to the blocker side.
A small gathering of fans at Rexall Place began to boo after Visentin allowed the goal.
More at Buzzing the Net: Thursday coast-to-coast: Connolly turns corner, Wedgewood stakes claim | Read it here
The goal motivated the Danes, who wound up scoring another a few minutes later. Jensen sent a shot from the point that was tipped in front by Emil Kristensen.
All of a sudden, both teams began playing inspired hockey.
Brandon Gormley eliminated any Danish hopes of a comeback with a surgical finish on a one-time pass. Gormley’s shot beat Feuk over the glove and hit the post/crossbar on the way in for an 8-2 Canada lead midway through the third.
Gormley then scored another with less than five minutes into the third to extend the lead on a well placed point shot. Brendan Gallagher then scored on a breakaway shorthanded to bring the goal total to double digits for Canada.
At one point in the third period, a small pocket of fans could be heard chanting for Team Denmark. It was later drowned out when the majority of the crowd chanted for the home team.
Canada’s final round robin game is on Saturday against the Americans (1-1). Should the Americans beat the Czechs on Friday, a regulation win would give them top spot in their group and a bye to the semifinal. A win by Canada or overtime/shootout loss would mean Canada gets the bye to the semis.
