In the dying minute of Canada’s semi-final game against Russia on Saturday, his team was scrambling for a goal to tie the game. The Belleville Bulls’ defenceman was carrying the puck through the neutral zone and made a spin move that left his defender standing still at the blueline and brought a roar from the 19,000-plus crowd at ScotiaBank Place in Ottawa. Canada didn’t score on that play but seconds later, Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats found the back of the net to tie the game and set up Canada’s shootout win.
Subban has made similar moves countless times with the Bulls, including last year when he helped them to game seven of the OHL finals and then into the MasterCard Memorial Cup. But this time, there is no question that the pressure was as great as it’s ever been on the 19-year-old from Rexdale, ON.
Subban laughed it off after the game and said that he honestly didn’t feel the weight of a nation of hockey fans desperately wanting a goal. He did his best Bull Durham impression after the game.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a game,” Subban said. “When I step on the ice I think of it as another walk in the park. People are going to make mistakes. The puck’s going to bounce. You’re going to shoot, it might hit the net. It might go in, it might not. There might be a rebound. There are a lot of things that can happen out there. You just have to stay calm, keep the game simple and keep it in front of you. Just try your best. It’s your last shot. The coaches put you out there for a reason.”