Luongo gets start against Germany

Last Updated: Monday, February 22, 2010 | 11:24 PM ET

Dan Robson, CBC Sports

Roberto Luongo stretches at Team Canada's Monday practice. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

Roberto Luongo will be in net when Team Canada takes on Germany in the qualification-round of the Vancouver Olympics.

After much speculation that the Vancouver Canucks' captain would replace Martin Brodeur, Luongo confirmed it for CBCSports.ca's Tim Wharnsby after Monday's practice.

Much of the blame for Sunday's 5-3 loss to the United States has fallen on Brodeur, who looked shaky throughout the game. Earlier, Brodeur backstopped Canada to a 3-2 shootout victory over Switzerland, stopping 21 of 23 shots.

Luongo spent Monday's entire practice working at one end of the ice while fellow goalies Martin Brodeur and Marc-Andre Fleury shared the other net.

Earlier Monday, Canadian head coach Mike Babcock told a Vancouver radio station that he was not ready to make an announcement on which goalie would be in net for the crucial elimination game.

Babcock was responding to a report from Yahoo! Sports that quoted an identified source who said Luongo would replace Brodeur.

"All athletes, especially proud ones that have been successful many times, want to be good every single night, and sometimes it doesn't go the way you want it," Babcock told the station of Brodeur.

"And when you look at it, I guarantee you his preparation was fantastic and he was ready to be the best he could be. It didn't happen for him, but there's nothing we can do about yesterday and it's time to move on."

Luongo was the starter in Canada's 8-0 opening game against Norway, making 15 stops for the shutout.

The winner of Tuesday's match between Germany and Canada will move on to face Russia in the quarterfinals on Thursday.