Canada survives scare against Germany, moves to 4-0 at the 2016 World Championships
It was yet another win for Canada Thursday evening in Russia, but not without a surprisingly tough fight from the Germans.
A quick goal from Taylor Hall 3:54 into the period got the Canadians going early with a 1-0 lead, but they were unable to maintain the pressure throughout the period – perhaps checking out mentally playing in their third consecutive game against a comparatively weak team.
That’s not to say Canada didn’t have its chances to expand the lead, recording eight shots in the opening frame. But German netminder Timo Pielmeier was up to the task, stopping the deficit from growing any larger while his teammates attempted to draw even, sending six shots toward Cam Talbot who was making his third start for Canada at this year’s tournament.
Talbot was once again tested early in the second period after a Max Domi tripping penalty just 30 seconds in sent the Germans to the power play. Much like Pielmeier in the first period, Talbot stood his ground on the penalty kill long enough for Germany to take a penalty that negated its power play.
Canada took advantage of the extra room on the ice, keeping the puck in the German zone until its power play started. Not long after it was Corey Perry, on a great deflection from just in front of the net, that netted Canada its second goal and, more importantly, some breathing room.
But as it was in the first period, Canada eased up on the pressure, giving the Germans an opportunity to get back in the game – one they wouldn’t waste. A fantastic kick pass by Marcel Noebels set up Patrick Reimer for the one-timer to get Germany on the board with still half of the period to go.
Sinan Akdag then completed the mini comeback with a goal just minutes before the end of the period – stunning the Canadian team and fans heading into the second intermission in a tied game. Canada appeared to use that scare as motivation going into the third, killing off an early penalty before unleashing an offensive explosion to take a commanding 5-2 lead.
Hall opened the third period flood gates with his second goal of the game shortly after Connor McDavid left the box, which was followed by a Boone Jenner tip-in off a point shot from Morgan Reilly. Cody Ceci cemented the win for Canada with his team’s second powerplay goal, picking up his fifth point of the tournament in the process.
Talbot, as mentioned, was sharp throughout, stopping another seven shots in the third period (17 overall) to pick up his third win of the tournament. Canada is now a perfect 4-0, tied for top spot in Group B with Finland heading into its game against Slovakia on Saturday (1:15 EST).
