Canadian captain finishes with three points vs. Czechs; Price pitches 27-save shutout
Posted Sep 18, 2016 07:16:49 AM.
Last Updated Sep 18, 2016 07:16:57 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Sidney Crosby couldn’t be stopped in Team Canada’s World Cup of Hockey opener.
The Canadian captain was on the ice for four goals against the Czech Republic, finishing with one goal and two assists in a 6-0 win on Saturday evening.
It was the same kind of dominant performance Crosby offered at the end of the last NHL season, in which the now-29-year-old won the Conn Smythe Trophy in helping the Pittsburgh Penguins to a second Stanley Cup.
Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Joe Thornton, Jonathan Toews and Alex Pietrangelo also scored for the Canadians, while Carey Price pitched a 27-save shutout.
Michal Neuvirth made 44 saves in defeat, with Canada outshooting the Czechs 50-27.
Heavy favourites heading into the tournament, Canada took care of its first preliminary-round opponent as required. Division rivals from the United States couldn’t say the same earlier in the day, dropping a 3-0 afternoon affair to Team Europe.
