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This may have been the tightest most cohesive team Canada we've ever put together, and that's saying a lot considering all the absolutely legendary teams we've had in the past. The Canadians put aside any ego they might have had coming into this tournament, and followed Babcock's lead and philosophy of not being a group of "stars" but rather a team who supports one another. And the result showed it.
Sweden had the best powerplay of the tournament but it was no match for Canada's D. They were allowed very little offense and barely had a shot on goal in the 3rd period. There's the difference I guess. When Canada is down 2-0, 3-0 etc, our players never quit, It's never over until the last whistle blows. The Swedes looked deflated and dejected by the 3rd though, and were stymied by Canada's dogged resilience and their machine-like penalty kill.
Canada never trailed in the entire tournament. Never had to come from behind. Only allowed 3 goals the entire tournament. Many European teams tried playing their 'big ice trap' style of game on the Canadians, to no avail. We had too much size and speed, and were able to dump the puck in and then go get it. We shut down the USA's massive offense as well.
The reffing was about as impartial as it gets --- just like I said it would be. All those squawking beforehand about there being Canadian refs were out to lunch and simply have a lot to learn about how they're trained at that level of hockey in Canada.
Now come the "Ya but's" --- Ya but team Sweden had a bunch of their best guys out due to injury. --- Yes, so what? To that I would say where's their depth? Canada could have TEN guys get injured and fill those gaps with ten other guys who are just as solid. In fact Canada could have put a second entire team together with the depth we have. And the fact is there were quite a handful of guys Sweden left off their roster whom could have been there to step in, several NHL'ers in fact.
--- The KHL really shined in this tournament, like usual. They really showed up the NHL --- Anyone saying this simply doesn't know what they're talking about. Fact is, of the final 50 players in the gold medal game, forty-nine of them were NHL'ers. Argument over as far as I'm concerned.
Congrats to Sweden on their Silver, they played a great tournament and deserved 2nd place.
And congrats to Canada on defending their 2010 medal and once again winning the GOLD. :D
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