Team Canada's, from left, Martin St. Louis, Ryan Getzlaf, Shane Doan, and Jason Spezza lament their overtime loss to Russia in the gold medal game. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
At the world hockey championship
Sluggish Canada settles for silver
By Alan Adams, Special to CBC Sports
QUEBEC CITY — Team Canada paid the ultimate price for being passengers on the bus as Russia drove the coach to the gold medal at the 2008 world hockey championship.
It's not often you see a Canadian team lose a two-goal lead in the last 12 minutes of the third period, on home turf at that, and then lose 5-4 in overtime on a power-play goal by Ilya Kovalchuk.
But such is life for the defending world champions and this loss is something they'll think about for a long time. They say you don't win a silver medal and the Canadians got what they deserved.
Don't place the blame solely on the shoulders of Rick Nash, who was banished to the penalty box early in overtime when he inadvertently sent the puck into the stands and received a delay of game period. Kovalchuk's second goal of the game gave Russia its first world crown in 16 years.
"I didn't see it (go into the stands) but the guys told me the puck ended up down the hallway [leading to the dressing rooms]," said Nash.
The blame is to be spread around the Canadian line-up.
Hockey is a game where you should be moving forward to win. You are supposed to me moving your feet at all times, at least that's what the experts say.
Canada, however, had it in reverse and were at times glued to the ice. They could not nurse a two-goal cushion, thus disappointing Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his seat behind the Canadian bench and millions of fans across the country.
"Nobody wanted to make a mistake," said Ryan Getzlaf. "And as much as you tell yourself not to stand around, you sometimes do.
"We sat back and let them come and come and look what happened."
Heatley breaks record
Trouble was it wasn't just the third period in which the Canadians had a hard time getting their act together. There were plenty of times in the first and second periods when the slick Russians were making the Canadians look slow.
The gold medal game between Canada and Russia was what everybody wanted. Hockey's two greatest powers were playing in the birthplace of the sport Canadians hold close to their heart and it was the fitting finale to the International Ice Hockey Federation's 100th birthday.
It was an entertaining game for lots of reasons. There were great rushes, great saves, solid hits and a party atmosphere in Le Colisee.
The Russians scored on the first shot of the game, and the Canadians rallied to take a 3-1 lead at one point. Then it was 3-2 before Dany Heatley netted his 12th goal late in the second period, setting a modern day record for most goals by a Canadian in a world tournament.
There were a lot of people holding their breath when the third period started and at times it look as if the ice was tilted on the Canadian side of centre. Goalie Cam Ward was brilliant but he could only do so much.
When the Russians went on the power play, they sent the firepower over the boards. Kovalchuk, who returned to the Russian line-up after serving a one-game suspension for a match penalty in the quarter-finals, was joined by Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Sergei Fedorov.
Kovalchuk tipped a shot by Ward and the Colisee crowd was in shock as the Canadian players bowed their heads in disbelief. They blew it and they knew it.
"It is tough right now," said Ward.
"It sucks," said Getzlaf.
Tough decisions for 2010
The home country curse lived on. Canada was looking to become the first team since Russia in 1986 to defend its gold medal on home soil.
The Russians showed a lot of drive and character. They never gave up.
"We are world champions and to win it on Canadian soil, in a country that is mad for hockey, is special," said Ovechkin.
"This is huge in Russia and people will be drunk in the streets," said Kovalchuk.
The Canadians headed back to the dressing room to regroup, and if this was an audition for the 2010 Olympic Games, some hard decisions will have to be made.
Jay Bouwmeester has been living off this "next great defenceman" thing for years and he likely played his way out of the mix for the Vancouver Olympics.
"Brent Burns is a keeper, as is Jonathan Toews and Mike Green.
Heatley, meanwhile, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and the top forward, while Burns was named the best defenceman of the tournament.
More from Alan
- Sluggish Canada settles for silver
- More than gold at stake for Canada, Russia
- Canada sets up dream final with Russia
- Russia close to being a world power again: Fetisov
- Leclaire focused - not stressed - ahead of semi
- Game Norwegians no match for Canada
- Where would Canada be without Dany Heatley?
- Rout helps Canada into quarter-finals
- Team Canada a work in progress
- Blue-line could be Canada's undoing
- Where is Team Canada's depth?
- Slovenia no match for Canada
More on the world hockey championship
- Russia takes world hockey gold in overtime
- IIHF names top hockey moment, all-century team
- Teemu Selanne retires from Team Finland
- Finland blanks Sweden for bronze medal
- Canada to play for world championship
- Impressive Russians beat Finland in world semifinal
- Roy leads Canada to easy win over Norway
- Canada unbeaten at hockey worlds
- Controversial goal helps Finland top U.S.
- Staal scores 4 in Canada rout
- Ovechkin scores pair in Russia win
- Nash scores late to save Team Canada at worlds
- Heatley gives Canada win over USA
- Germany upsets Slovakia at hockey worlds
- Heatley passes Yzerman in Canadian romp
- Sweden avoids another Belarus upset
- Heatley nets hat trick for Canada
- Standings
- Schedule & Scores
- Rosters
