Lets Start with the Toews goal. I love Hartman's ability to read their breakout. As the third man he is watching Hedman's eyes to see where he is going with the breakout. When Hedman turns it over he moves the puck quickly. Toews has his head up and knows where he's going before the puck gets to him. Before you know it, back of the net.
(1:41) On Boyle's goal, he finishes his check on Keith at the point and then gets his legs moving to split the D. Hjarmallsson and Keith are split too far apart and neither has the urgency in this situation to close the gap. Gilbert like goal from Boyle. Takes puck right to the net.
(4:00) This is just a classic exchange play. We want to see more of this, we need more of this. its a 2 on 3, but with a simple exchange they freeze the D and Johnson gets a great shot off. On the Defensive end, TVR needs to make a better read there.
Elite teams have defensemen that integrate into the offense often. Chabot was the MVP of the tournament to me because of his impact on every shift. Here he makes a defensive play and hustles up to join the attack. If you pause the video at the :24 second mark, you can see that his defense partner recognizes his jump and stays back. The winger on the left side of the screen also stays high in the case of a turnover. In hockey, you have to act quickly on opportunity and when you have D who can anticipate successfully and integrate into the offense, you add killer instinct to your identity. D, don't be content to watch your forwards on offense!
Canada scores to go ahead 2-0
Here you have a bad miscue from the USA defensman (#9). He panics with the puck behind the net and coughs it up. When you are in trouble defensively it is always better to eat the puck in your skates or put the puck to the boards than it is to whack it away. The Canadian shooter takes advantage by putting the puck in a shooting position and firing quickly while on the move. It is crucial that he is moving while setting up for this shot because it makes defending the attempt more difficult for the defense and goalie.
USA stays calm and nets the next one 2-1
Nearly 20 minutes passes until USA can capitalize on a chance. They whether the storm by playing their game and staying calm. It goes back to an old saying I love, "It's like Novocaine, give it time, always works". This goal is scored as a result of a bad change by the Canadian forward. He finishes his check and goes to the bench. The USA D reads this and jumps into the play for a wide open slot attempt.
Momentum shift 2-2
So much to love on this goal. First off, watch the face-off help from the winger (2:15). He comes through the circle and wins possession back to the point D cleanly. Then the D does a great job "walking the line" laterally until he is at the top of the key. Watch the subtle fake at 2:20 with his feet. He fakes the forward by faking the pass and floats a quick, hard wrister on net.
Canada back on top 3-2
This is a great job by the Canadian forward without the puck. He calls for the pass and distracts both USA defenders. This opens space for the shooter. Sometimes calling for the puck and alerting their D will actually create space for the puck carrier. The scorer adds to this by staring at the pass and selling it to the D-men.
Canada up 4-2
Nice example of not having to over-handle the puck. Awesome individual effort but all he did was put the puck to space and then skate through the USA D.
USA Stays Patient, Sticks to the process 4-3
This one is simple. A must have counter punch for USA. All he did her was get the shot on net and quickly. Boom 4-3. (nice pass too).
Its a fight! USA ties it 4-4
Momentum, momentum, momentum. Unreal pass/shot from the defenseman after a long time in the offensive zone. Once again, he isn't considering the big wind up. Head is up and he finds his guy with a beauty pass.
One game and tons to pick apart. Pick any game in the USA and look for the small things that guys are doing to make plays successful.
