The team that many expected to roll through the competition in a lockout year will return to Canada without a medal of any colour around their necks. Â Russia capped a crazy Bronze Medal game with a 6-5 overtime win in a game that Canada never led.
Jordan Binnington, in a move that will be second-guessed in the post-tournament analysis, lasted just over 8 minutes, allowing three goals on five shots. Â Two of them were of the weaker variety and although Canada dug out of the hole, it obviously put them on their heels and they had to fight from behind. Â Malcolm Subban was good in relief, but not good enough.
Other thoughts on the disappointing result:
The future of the Edmonton Oilers was on display as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov combined for 6 points. Â All of the points came on the power play, and as dominant as RNH was with the man advantage (1 goal, 3 assists), he didn’t do much 5 on 5, which nobody seems to be pointing out.
Canada fails to medal for the first time since the drastic 8th place finish in 1998, a string of 14 straight years.
Ryan Murphy had a goal and two assists, but it was his defensive ineptitude that resulted in the OT goal as he misplaced the Russian winger and gave him a lane to the net.
Die hard Sens Fan, who prides himself on being relatively objective in most cases, but can sometimes get caught up in Fandom.
Jared Crozier
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