BEIJING | Faced with a very weak opponent on paper, Sunday, Canada played gallant. Very gallant, even. A 5-0 victory over China, without much panache. Not even enough to excite the hundreds of local supporters in the slightest.
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It’s an understatement, because one of the world powers on the ice could have destroyed this team. This is largely made up of North American skaters with suddenly Chinese citizenship.
Only a small handful of them were actually born on Chinese soil.
You can also locate them on the score sheet noting the ice time. Three of them played less than three minutes.
If we had relied on the first five minutes, the representatives of Xi Jinping would have spent a very long evening on the ice of the National Palace.
Unable to touch the puck, wandering at lightning speed through their disorganized and messy plays, they quickly saw Canada stretch to 3-0.
And the atmosphere?
This first period largely dominated by the maple leaf will have been the highlight of the evening.
Finally, for those less familiar with the Canadian national sport. The Chinese supporters had little to wax since theirs were not in on it.
Cricket sound at the presentation of the game and during the first twenty, they sometimes came to life when their favorites touched the puck. But nothing extravagant.
Worse than a game between the Canadiens and the Coyotes in Arizona on a beautiful sunny afternoon on a holiday.
In the second period, Canada slowed down, started to blunder and present a game almost as messy as their weak rivals. They also missed several good chances to score.
“The second was ordinary,” admitted Quebec forward David Desharnais. There is always a kind of looseness at 3-0. Seems like it’s human nature. We managed to score at the end of the period and in the third. We have to build on that. »
Asked about the level of play of his rivals of the evening, he answered with a small smile.
“They rely on KHL players and they show a lot of pride. Do not look down on them, because it is dangerous. »
Not fully satisfied
Head coach Claude Julien also noted the slackness in the middle period while considering that the efforts were better balanced than in the loss against the Americans.
“I’m happier with this performance, but we can’t be completely satisfied,” suggested the Franco-Ontarian instructor who saw his team give away 26 shots towards Matt Tomkins’ goal.
“I observed several good things, including our transition game. The Chinese worked hard and didn’t give up. They will come back prepared for our next match. »
Indeed, this next duel is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Quebec time.
Huge challenge
It will be another huge challenge for Ivanno Zanatta’s men. On Sunday, he expected a worse result. Truly.
“We had a fantastic time. After all, we weren’t so bad, he said after this short shutout under the circumstances. In facing Canada, we faced our biggest challenge as a team. We started off badly, but it got back on track. »
In goal, Yongli Ouban lived his dream. Really known as Paris O’Brien, the BC-born goaltender battled well in front of Eric Staal’s boards.
“A lifelong memory,” he confirmed, happy under his mask.
Nothing is less certain that Canadians will keep this moment in their memory.