SOCHI, Russia – This was the night where we wanted to see if Team Canada had the mettle to win another Olympic gold and ended up getting a gold-medal performance. This was the night where we saw for sure that the business-like approach around this group was more than just bluster.
It was only a 1-0 win over the U.S. when the horn sounded in Friday’s semifinal at Bolshoy Ice Dome, but man was it a powerful statement. What a performance.
Canada has the gold-medal within reach in Sochi. It should be favoured against Sweden on Sunday afternoon – and favoured with some confidence despite the fact the game will be close. The Americans were thought to be the only team that could derail this journey and even they found no answer for Canada’s stifling all-around game.
“They probably did a little bit of what we wanted to do,” said U.S. forward Patrick Kane, offering a backhanded compliment.
Have we ever seen Team Canada play so responsibly?
There have only been three goals against in five games of make-or-break hockey. Carey Price has been very good, the defence has been great and the forwards legitimately care in their own end. This is how you win a gold medal if everyone buys in.
“Hopefully we find our best here when it matters most,” said captain Sidney Crosby.
These players don’t want to hear it or hear about it, but this could be historic. Canada hasn’t won back-to-back gold medals in men’s hockey at the Olympics since 1948 and 1952 and they might run the table to do it here. Usually we see some real struggle before the glory – and we’re not talking about tight wins over Finland and Latvia.
The influence of winning in Vancouver is impossible to miss among this group, from Babcock to Crosby and the 10 other players who are looking to double up on gold. There were all kinds of jokes about ball hockey at the orientation camp in Calgary last summer, but no one is laughing about the level of preparation now.
“That’s a sign of a good coaching staff and smart hockey players,” said forward Patrick Sharp. “Everyone knows what we can do individually and offensively back home. But it’s nice to see offensive player playing as well defensively and buying into the team game. We don’t care who scores the goals in our locker-room, as long as we’re scoring and win the game.”
The Russians wouldn’t be mourning an early exit at their home Games if they came together in the same way.
There was only a razor-thin line between Canada and the U.S. in this game. The Americans were fast and skilled and out for a little revenge. Canada had yet to earn the confidence of a demanding nation.
But once the puck was dropped and we could evaluate this thing with a little perspective it was clear that Canada was ready. They were better.
In a literal way, Price won the game with 31 saves and Jamie Benn made the difference with a lovely tip on the Jay Bouwmeester shot. Now this team is dreaming big. “We come here to win a gold medal, and it’s kind of hard not to think about,” said Benn.
Babcock’s game plan has made a huge difference. He looked at the wider international ice surface and decided that goals would be tough to come by. It was the right call. Getting the NHL stars to buy-in was key.
The success of this particular team was all about maintaining belief in the system and belief in the results as well. That’s why you saw Jonathan Toews, Jeff Carter and Patrick Marleau so willingly shutting down the line of Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk and Joe Pavelski. That made a real difference in the Sochi semifinal.
Somehow this collection of players has come to believe it needs to win 1-0 games. It might just be right.
“We’re not a high-flying team that’s going to score six, seven goals a night,” said centre Ryan Getzlaf. “We learned to play in these games and these are the ones that are going to win you championships.”
Added Toews: “It was tight and close, but obviously we are right where we want to be.”
Right where they felt they’d be all along. Now we turn our attention to Canada and Sweden, and the chance to win a third gold medal in five Olympics since the NHL arrived.
That is what everyone in red and white believes will happen. When you spend time around the folks at Hockey Canada, you know that there is no other choice.
“Are you really asking me that?” said Carter, when asked who should win Sunday’s gold-medal game. “I think we’re going to win.”
Of course he does. And he’s not alone on this version of Team Canada.