Two goals from Doughty bend Finland
16 Feb 2014 | Davide Tuniz
Canada wins at OT a brave Finland
Canada and
Finland closes the preliminary round of ice hockey tournament in Sochi in front
of 11.200 spectators. Both teams already gained their bye to quarter-finals but
the game is important to determine the next opponent. Coaches choose the best line-ups
, with Price and Rask as starting goalies. Opening the period with two chances
by Selanne, Finland wars Canada: it won’t be an easy night. Canada heats up
Rask pads with Weber and almost opens the score in a freaky way: a shot by
Pietrangelo is deflected and lands on the top of Rask net, Rick Nash hits the
net by dropping the puck into the goal, but after video review the goal wasn’t
allowed. In the first superiority, Canada scores: the shot from the angle by
Drew Doughty leaves no chances for Rask. Finnish goalie is superb at 16 when
catch a without-fail shot by Kunitz after a mistake of Finnish defense and two
minutes after diving to block a wraparound work-magic by Getzlaf. With 2 minute
to play Finnish Olli Maatta leaves the ice for an high sticking by Rick Nash.

In a second
period without many chances, Jeff Carter misses the net for few inches after a
classy move and Finland could equalize with Selanne but his shot also misses
the net before Teemu Ruutu’s deflection
on an Ossi Vaananen shot gives Finland
the deserved 1-1. Some seconds before the siren Grandlund comes in front of
Price but his shot hits the goalie.
In the last
period Finland changes its style of playing trying to open Canada defense with
speedy actions and long passes from the defensive zone. Canada has great chances
with Corey Perry at 53 but Rask is reactive on forward one-timer and Jeff
Carter one minute later, when Rask is superb to say no to the dangerous shot.
At 33 seconds from overtime the best chance of the game: Vlasic has time to aim
the shot but Rask is fantastic in deflecting with the catch. Overtime smiles to
Canada: at 62:32, after a brilliant action by Finland, Drew Doughty repeats the shot of first goal: this time Rask
deflects but the puck enters into the net closing a enjoyable and balanced game
by flying Canada at the top of the group
Scorer Tuomo Ruutu:
"They are the best team in the world right now; they won the last Olympic
Games and we need to do a bit more to win. We got under 20 shots and we need
more shots.
Jeff
Carter: “They give you the outside and clog up the middle. It's not easy. It's
different and you really have to work for your space."