Frankly, there wasn’t a better way to open a Winter Games than this.
Team Canada’s men’s team was awfully close to perfect in its dominant and composed destruction of a strong Czechia squad with a 5-0 route on Thursday.
And not to get ahead of ourselves, but this was supposed to be Canada’s toughest opponent/challenge in the opening round of the Olympics. Our lads get Switzerland on Friday then enjoy a day off before facing France on Sunday.
The quarter-finals follow later next week.
That 5-0 score also will do well for our nation if the goal-differential plays into the seeding in the later rounds.
But for now, we can look back and savour what was an absolute gem of an opener.
Canada got the expected outstanding performances from guys like McDavid, Mackinnon, Makar and Crosby. But the real tasty bite came from the net where questions surrounding starter Jordan Binnington were answered . . . with an exclamation mark. Granted the St. Louis Blues can’t provide the same level of defence in front of him that Canada’s best can, but Binnington was steady, and here’s that word again – composed – in stopping all 26 shots he faced.
The Canadian effort was quite similar to 2014 when standout Shea Weber led a merciless defensive front (he was Canada’s best player that Olympic year).
There’s a lot to like and admire with this current group. Management was savvy enough to load the roster up with skaters featured at the 4 Nations one year ago. They did not disappoint. Ironically, three of Canada’s scorers, though – Macklin Celebrini, Bo Horvat and Montreal’s Nick Suzuki – were all fresh to the national team.
It was one helluva start and puts Team Canada on the right course.
Saying so long to a great hockey man
A word or two or many, many more to end this week’s column on the death of an old, dear friend.
Former Ottawa 67’s assistant Vince Malette passed away mid-week after a long struggle and battle with Alzheimer’s.
Horrible news.
Vinnie was one of the very first ‘hockey people’ I met when landing in Ottawa back in late 1999. I was too late to witness – in person – Matt Zultek scoring the winning goal at the Memorial Cup just a few months back, but rolling into that fall’s training camp, I knew the story well.
I knew the story of Vince leaping off the top of the bench in his leather street shoes onto the ice five or six feet away after Zultek’s tournament winner. Vinnie didn’t stumble or slip; a miracle that we chuckled about on many an occasion.
In the 1999-2000 season many of the returning champs were heading back to the 67’s for another run – Mark Bell, Dan Tessier, Joe Talbot, Seamus Kotyk and one of my personal favourites, the late and great Lance Galbraith (another gone way too soon).
My first entry into the Civic Centre, as a part-time reporter for the Ottawa Sun, was to meet and introduce myself to Brian Kilrea (I’m quite sure you know who that is . . .).
Once the regular schedule commenced, Killer was kind enough to invite me to the post-game hot stoves in the vacant dressing room across from the 67’s home post.
This is where I first met Vince and fellow assistant, Bert O’Brien.
With Killer puffing on a stogie (Bert, too), the stories would flow. I’d love to share them too, but this was top-secret stuff.
But man-oh-man were there some dillies.
The quietest guy in the room was generally Vince who’d take his usual seat next to Bert while cracking a Molson Ex.
He was quiet, but Vince was deadly with a softly spoken quip, and his huge laugh could likely be heard throughout the rink.
I got to know the man a whole lot more during those long, long roadies through towns like Sault Ste. Marie, Plymouth, Windsor and my old home, Owen Sound.
There wasn’t much else to do but talk on those killer (no pun here folks) bus rides that could last up to nine hours-plus. Sure, we saw our fair share of movies on the tiny TVs, but the chatter is what steered us away from the humdrum and the boredom.
I learned about Vinnie’s family. And boy, did he ever cherish his kids – Alyssa and Amanda – and his charming, lovely wife Joana.
I learned about his history in hockey; mostly with the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL).
Ahh, the stories.
Later on, a few years later, Vince was named head coach of the Peterborough Petes. It was a tough gig as the Petes were basically in a rebuild and the team was young and untested in the OHL waters. In other words, he didn’t have much to work with.
But as hard as that season was, Vince always showed his face for hugs and handshakes when his new club returned to face off with the 67’s.
The first time he came back?
He made it a point to seek me out and hand me a spanking new Peterborough Petes’ ballcap.
It was right up Vince’s alley – a thoughtful and kind gesture that definitely did not go unnoticed.
As you and I can imagine the last decade of Vince’s life was trying. His diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was a blind-side hit. Who expects this kind of news when you’re in your early 50s?
Unfortunately, I didn’t see much of my old friend in the final years. The last time I saw Vince in person was at Brian Kilrea’s 90th birthday celebration. The event was held on the Civic Centre grounds.
A fitting spot to say goodbye.
Vince Malette was a hockey man, but more to the point, Vince Malette was a good and kind and generous man.
And that’s what truly counts.
thegrossgame@yahoo.com
Photo: Courtesy GlobalNews
