Canada 5, Germany 1 ...

By Ryan T. Blystone
World of Wonder Staff Writer-Editor

TURIN, Italy -- It wasn't gold-medal material, a bit rough around the edges really, in only their second game together, but Canada's men's hockey team prevailed 5-1 in an Olympics preliminary game against Germany Thursday night at the Palasport Olimpico.

Wade Redden, Joe Sakic, Simon Gagne, Dany Heatley and Shane Doan each scored a goal for Canada, whose team donned uncharacteristic black uniforms for the game. Gagne also had an assist on Redden's game-opening tally.

Penalties, however, and several harder-than-expected hits slowed this game to a crawl on several occasions. One player, Canada's Bryan McCabe, was called for checking from behind and was also given a 10-minute misconduct penalty early in the third period.

Germany, which has only a few NHL players on its roster, was still not much of a match for Canada coach Pat Quinn’s squad, which on many occasions puts a complete NHL All-Star-caliber unit on the ice every shift.

Canada (2-0 Group A) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period against Germany.

Redden scored 4:52 into the game on a cross pass from Gagne. It came immediately following a play in which Canada's goaltender, Roberto Luongo, came too far out of the crease to challenge a shot. Defenseman Adam Foote was able to knock away what would have been a sure goal.

Sakic got Canada's power play going with a goal that came off a loose puck in front after a shot by Rick Nash. Todd Bertuzzi also assisted on the goal at 7:29.

A four-on-four situation arose in the 10-minute mark. Gagne scored as he was falling to the ice. He was set up nicely by Brad Richards and Robert Regehr.

Nonetheless, the Germans were led by a respectable effort from goalie Thomas Greiss who stopped 35 of 40 shots.

Luongo's start gave Canada's No. 1 netminder, Martin Brodeur, a chance to rest one day after he beat Italy in Wednesday's opener. Luongo made 11 saves, but Germany had only 12 shots and only a few good scoring chances.

Germany's goal, a wrist shot by Christian Ehrhoff at 9:13 of the second period, cut Canada's lead to 3-1. The goal also gave German fans, which were overwhelmed by a pro-Canadian crowd among the 8,554 in attendance, reason for optimism.

Greiss' play kept Germany in the game. He stopped a barrage during one stretch when he thwarted Jarome Iginla, Rob Blake, Chris Pronger, Nash and Bertuzzi. Heatley finally gave Canada an insurance goal to make it 4-1, although it was reviewed for a high stick.

The action was grittier in the final period, as evidenced by McCabe's nasty hit 2:24 in, but Canada completed the scoring on Doan's goal with 34 seconds left, off an assist from Blake.