Canada beats China to face Sweden in the men’s Olympic quarter-final – National
Canada’s men’s hockey team will meet Sweden in the quarterfinals on Wednesday after defeating China 7-2 at the Winter Olympics in Beijing on Tuesday.
The Canadians took advantage of China’s penalty problems throughout the match and scored four goals on powerplay and one on a penalty shot.
But to begin with, China came out swinging and captured Canada off-guard with three breakaway opportunities within the first four minutes of the opening frame.
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On one, Jiang Fu was stuck and got a penalty kick, but the Canadian goalkeeper Matt Tomkins saved to keep the score even.
Penalty problems followed afterwards, and almost seven minutes into the period, forward Jordan Weal opened the scoring for Canada on powerplay. Teammate Adam Tambellini’s shot rang outside the post and the puck found an open Weal, who put it in the net. Tambellini and Maxim Noreau were credited with assists on the game.
Weal scored again on a five-on-three powerplay almost 10 minutes into the frame. Captain Eric Staal and Tambellini were assisted.
With five minutes left in the first period, China’s An Jian found the meshes to reduce Canada’s lead to one.
With an even match after the first 20 minutes, Canada finally found its track and scored five more goals throughout the match – twice on powerplay, once on a penalty kick and twice on even strength – to increase its lead.
China managed to score once again, and it ended 7-2 with the host nation bouncing out of the tournament.
Canada now has a total of 3-1 record heading into the quarterfinals – including a 4-2 loss to America’s top rivals.
The team is looking to bounce back from the bronze medal it won at the Pyeongchang Games 2018 and return to the line of gold medals it had in previous matches.
Canada plays against Sweden in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 8:30 ET / 5: 30 PT.
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