There are a number of ways to describe how the Canadian men’s hockey team defeated France 10-2 Sunday.
“Obliterated.” “Destroyed.” “Annihiliated.” “Demolished.” “Eviscerated.”
However you want to say it, Canada won big – as in by eight goals in scoring 10 big.
Nineteen-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini led the way, potting two goals — including one on a penalty shot — as nine different players scored for Canada. Here’s a look at six of the best.
Tom Wilson had plenty of action to look out for in this contest — we’ll get to more on that later — but to start, he opened the scoring in this contest with some nice hustle to knock in a rebound.
Just before the end of the first period, Mark Stone had a great stick in the neutral zone with Team Canada shorthanded before breaking away and finishing with under four seconds remaining. It gave his team a two-goal cushion at that point, and just the type of breathing room to pile it on come the second period.
With under three minutes remaining in the second period, Celebrini earned a penalty shot and head coach Jon Cooper gave the kid scoring rights, too, with a chance to take the shot as well. He faked the backhand before going forehand chip to make it 5-1.
Now, come on. Did you really think Canada could hang 10 on an opponent without Sidney Crosby adding his name to the list of scorers? It came with a bit of fortune, but you earn your luck when you’re ‘Sid the Kid.’
Naturally, when a team scores 10 goals that means that a lot of points are going to be put up, and records will be put in jeopardy.
Starting with Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers superstar added to his historic chase by adding another three points in this contest, bringing his total to nine for the tournament. McDavid is on track to match or even surpass the record for most points by an NHLer in an Olympic tournament. Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu are tied for the distinction with 11. McDavid has already recorded the most points by a Canadian at a single Olympics (among professionals).
As well, captain Crosby became Canada’s all-time Olympic points leader with NHLers participating, racking up a goal and two assists to bring his total to 15 points in his Olympic career, surpassing the great Jarome Iginla.
Also of note, Team Canada tough guy Wilson did what he did best and got into a fight with France’s Pierre Crinon. The skirmish was seemingly in retaliation for a hit to Nathan MacKinnon’s head delivered by the French defenceman a few plays earlier.
Most notable about this tussle Wilson found himself in, by getting assessed a fighting penalty, is that he completed a Gordie Howe hat-trick as he scored the game’s first goal, assisted on McDavid’s marker and then went for a little dance with Crinon.
Overall, Canada’s performance Friday was overwhelming and sometimes downright cruel to a clearly overmatched French side.
Running up the score was necessary, however, because Canada was in a battle with the U.S. for the No. 1 seed heading into the playoff, with goal differential being the deciding factor.
Though a little mean-spirited, Canadian fans were quite pleased with the performance.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive score-line, fans weren’t so kind when giving their assessment of Canadian starting goalie Jordan Binnington. He allowed two goals on 14 shots.
Canada will play in the quarterfinal Wednesday against the winner of Tuesday’s qualification playoff between Czechia and Denmark.