CANADA

UNITED STATES

Game Notes:

Under pressure. The Americans came out strong, but the Canadians withstood the onslaught, turned the game with some thunderous hits and dominated for the final 40 minutes until the US team provided a scare in the waning minutes of the game.  Canada was successful in using speed, physicality and stretch passes to expose the Americans defensively.

Special teams.  The Canadian penalty killers gave up their first goal in 15 opportunities. But the power-play maintained its torrid pace with a goal in two chances.

Solid in goal. While some questioned the call of coach Benoit Groulx, Eric Comrie was solid in goal for Canada. Comrie did a superb job controlling rebounds.

Streak. The Canadians have now won the last six New Year’s Eve matchups between Canada and the US.

Plus / Minus

▲    Sam Reinhart, Max Domi, Madison Bowey, Josh Morrissey, Shea Theodore, Eric Comrie, Darnell Nurse

▼

• CAN:  Max Domi
• USA:  Thatcher Demko

• “The [United States] came out flying. They got the early odd-man rush with [Jack] Eichel alone in the slot to open the game and got momentum out of that. They had chances and possession in our zone. We took a few shifts to figure out what we needed to do and we got some rushes and puck possession time in their zone that gave us confidence. That kind of shifted momentum for us.”
• “I thought [Eric Comrie] was very solid, ready for the game right from the start. We have no set plan [for the goaltending.]”

Sam Reinhart

• “They came out firing with a lot of speed and I thought we handled it well and fired back in the second period. We took it too them a little more.”

Max Domi

• “These fans were unbelievable. We wouldn’t have gotten four wins without them, so it’s a shout out to those Canadiens’ fans for sure. They’re a first-class group. It was fun to be a part of that atmosphere.”

USA captain Jack Eichel

• “We didn’t do enough to get the win so we’ll learn from it and get better. I think I can get better too. They played physical and if that’s the way they’re going to play, you have to battle through it.”

USA coach Mark Osiecki

• “Canada has unbelievable depth and they were well-prepared. We had a good first 10 minutes and really tried to push the pace, tried to play to our strength. They didn’t back down and you wouldn’t expect it any other way, so hats off to their group.”
• “The one thing about our group is the resilient part of it in terms of the ebbs and flows of that game and being able to stay with it and having a good push back.”