Canada and the United States are fierce hockey rivals, no matter the scene.
Sidney Crosby, Tony Amonte, Cammi Granato, Hayley Wickenheiser and many more have battled for continental supremacy.
Monday afternoon at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing won’t make the top-10 and won’t go down in the history books – there was no referee, no time on the scoreboard or even official scorers – but the men’s Olympic teams of the two countries gave it their all in an improvised preparatory match on the eve of the start of the tournament.
There were checks, big saves, a little bloodshed and a certain level of mutual respect.
“We just needed to play,” said Canadian head coach Jeremy Colliton. “We wanted to play this game and tried different things. »
Both sides, however, have been put in a tricky position as they prepare to face off in Group A, while preparing as best they can. Canada will face Germany in its first game of the tournament on Thursday, while the United States will play China before the two North American rivals meet for real on Saturday.
“It’s probably not perfect,” Colliton noted. ” We work together. We use them to prepare and vice versa. »
The teams went two periods without scoring before USA finally found the back of the net in overtime at 3-3.
“We’re in the same position,” observed American head coach David Quinn after the confrontation between the two teams. “There won’t be many secrets.”
Colliton and Quinn recently coached in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers, respectively, which helped them formulate a plan. Both teams had two power plays each and worked hard at 5-on-5.
Refereeing was handled by Canadian reserve squad members Chris DiDomenico and John Gilmour, who were mostly there to maintain some order.
“I think we’re doing well,” Gilmour told DiDomenico with a laugh during a break.
“I was not convinced before playing,” said American striker Justin Abdelkader. “I had never participated in such a match without real referees. I was impressed. »
Canada pulled out a loudspeaker for the warm-up inside the cavernous enclosure – which hosted artistic gymnastics, trampoline and handball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – in front of a handful of reporters, from volunteers and officials.
” [La musique] wasn’t strong enough,” joked Canadian captain Eric Staal, who skated on the first line between Mason McTavish and Josh Ho-Sang. “But the effort was there. »
Resurfacer drivers, impatient and on tight schedules – as they have been since practices began in Beijing – honked at players to get off the ice so they could do their jobs.
“It’s all part of the experience,” said Canadian forward Adam Cracknell. “It’s something a lot of us won’t forget. »
McTavish, who has played nine games with the Anaheim Ducks this season, pushed past NCAA University of Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber the first time on the ice to set the tone.
“It’s a grown-up game,” said Faber, who, like the majority of his team, plays college hockey. “I didn’t necessarily expect it, but it was a good wake up call. »
Later in the game, Canadian forward Jordan Weal took a high stick that caused him to bleed, but he quickly returned to the game.
“It’s just guys who are dying to play,” Cracknell said.
“A Canada-USA game is always intense,” added Staal, who won gold at the 2010 Olympics on Crosby’s goal in overtime against the USA.
Edward Pasquale and Matt Tomkins shared the work in the Canadian net, while Quebec’s Devon Levi, who is having an incredible season with Northeastern University in the NCAA, was not in uniform.
“It doesn’t mean he’s out of the picture in any way,” Colliton swore of the 20-year-old. “We trust him. We wouldn’t have brought him in if we didn’t think he could play.
“I can’t tell you how it’s going to turn out. »
At least one thing was clear on Monday: both teams left the rink satisfied.
“We didn’t want a game without stakes,” Colliton said. “But we also didn’t want it to be a wild ride, especially without a referee… the game probably ended at the right time.
“If we had played another period, I’m not sure how it would have gone. »
