Sports

Canadiens vs. Canucks game recap: Hard times are over – Habs Eyes on the Prize

Published

4 years ago

March 21, 2021

Dominique Ducharme made three changes, two of his choosing and another one that he was forced to, from Friday night’s overtime loss. Leading Canuck slayer Tyler Toffoli picked up a lower-body injury late in that game, which sidelined him for Saturday. He was replaced in the lineup by Artturi Lehkonen, making the third line once more completely Finnish. Meanwhile, Carey Price moved into net to replace Jake Allen, while Victor Mete replaced Xavier Ouellet on the blue line.

With that overtime loss still lingering and Toffoli being out, the omens went from bad to worse when you could see the Canadiens dress in their dreaded Reverse Retro jerseys. However, the game started better than expected. The Finnish line drove to the net and was awarded with an interference call on Joel Armia’s old nemesis, Tyler Myers.

Since Alex Burrows took over the power-play duty from his predecessor Kirk Muller, man advantages are actually exciting to watch again. This one was no exception. It started off with a hard slapper from Shea Weber close to the slot, which Braden Holtby caught in his glove. It continued with Nick Suzuki demonstrating why last night’s pinpoint equalizer was by no means a one time thing. In an eerily similar manner, he took a few strides forward from his position out right before he struck with laser-sharp precision past Holtby, whose sight was efficiently blocked by Phillip Danault. Montreal got the early lead, and it is relieving for the remainder of this season to see Suzuki score on a regular basis again.

Vancouver seemed to still be on Pacific Time during the first period, creating next to no offence at all. If only Montreal had slightly more efficient timing and offensive awareness, the lead could have been more than just one goal going into the first break.

As it turned out, the Canadiens really could have used a bigger lead because it took only 22 seconds of second-period action before the Canucks had tied up the contest. Suzuki lost the puck in a moment of bewilderment behind his own net and J.T. Miller quickly served a surging Jake Virtanen in front of Price. This was Virtanen’s fourth goal of the season and, incidentally, it was to this point Vancouver’s fourth shot of the entire game.

Vancouver would subsequently take the lead as well. With Brett Kulak in the penalty box for a hold, Brock Boeser got enough time to breathe, load, and release from his favoured position to the left of the net. It felt like the Canadiens had a well-functioning penalty kill up until that shot, pressuring the Canucks high and not letting them create high-quality chances.

Regardless, Montreal suddenly found themselves one goal down, and Saturday was starting to feel like a Groundhog Day affair for the home side.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait until the last minute of the third period for the 2-2 equalizer on this evening. Speaking of players who need to get going in the scoring column, Tomas Tatar hadn’t found the net for 11 games heading into yesterday. That streak is not relevant anymore.

The goal occurred during a sequence that demonstrated just how positively frustrating Montreal’s offence could be to face when working as expected, as the Habs cemented themselves in Vancouver’s zone. With a delayed penalty call lingering, the Canucks could not get hold of the puck as the Canadiens players swarmed like bees around the white-and-blue net. Finally, Mete worked the puck around the net to Danault, who found Tatar on the right side of the slot. The Slovak picked the near corner, and Holtby was beaten.

There was nothing pointing to this game being tied after two periods. The expected goals-for percentage was at this point close to 70% and the high-danger chances were nearing 80% in favour of the team wearing blue. Therefore, it was by no means unfair that the Habs regained the lead toward the end of the period.

Once again, the Brendan Gallagher-Danault-Tatar line was at the centre of the attention. With their ferocity, Tatar and Gallagher gained possession in the offensive zone. After passing the puck back to the blue line, Weber quickly found an unlikely sharpshooter in Joel Edmundson. Holtby was efficiently screened once again, and the shot itself was perfectly placed above the netminder’s shoulder. This was Edmundson’s second goal in a Canadiens jersey. His first was scored nearly two months ago, on January 24, against the very same Canucks team.

It took Vancouver 22 seconds to tie the contest up in the second period. Well, in the third they repeated that feature. Bo Horvat won a faceoff, which went back to Quinn Hughes, who fired from the point. Horvat was quick to the net and steered it past Price.

Half a minute later, Vancouver scored again on their second shot of the period. Tyler Motte was left all alone in the slot and found the right gap. Should this end up as another one of those impossible losses?

Thankfully, there is Brendan Gallagher. On a clean faceoff win from Danault, he took one step and blazed the puck up over Holtby’s shoulder. A beautifully placed shot and, boy, was that important.

Vancouver seemed satisfied with just playing out the remainder of the game while waiting for Montreal’s inevitable implosion in overtime. The Canucks finished the third period with four shots on goal, of which two went in. There was no way that this game deserved to even be close after 60 minutes, but it was.

Ducharme elected to start Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jonathan Drouin instead of Paul Byron and Danault. An interesting choice, propelled by Kotkaniemi’s stellar form. An interesting choice was also the way these teams played during the five minutes of overtime. It was cautious hockey, like two wavering boxers knowing they’re both on the brink of losing an important fight.

Things heated up during the very last minute, and both Holtby and Price had to dig deep and demonstrate their talents. If Price hadn’t been quick as a cat on Boeser’s breakaway with nine seconds remaining, it would have been another night ending in despair.

Instead, this odd game continued on into an odd shootout. Corey Perry and Boeser scored on each team’s first penalty shot. This was then followed by eight straight misses from the ensuing shooters, including a couple of exquisite saves by Price.

Since Tatar had been red-hot all night, it was strange that he wasn’t selected for a penalty until the sixth round. Considering how perfect he administered his attempt, I think it’s safe to say he will be further up the pecking order the next time a shootout comes around.

Nils Höglander missed the subsequent shot, meaning that the Montreal Canadiens had done what seemed impossible; they had won in overtime whilst wearing their blue jerseys.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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