Canada won the World Cup of Hockey on Thursday after defeating Europe in two games, coming back in the third period to win Game 2 of the final 2-1 on a short-handed goal by Brad Marchand.
The host nation's opponent put forth a valiant effort, and led from early in the first until late in regulation. After largely controlling play in the first few minutes of the game, Europe was rewarded with an early lead thanks to a pinpoint wrist shot off the stick of defenseman Zdeno Chara and past Carey Price.
Canada’s play began to pick up at that point, and the Game 1 winners came out more determined in the second period, with John Tavares ringing the puck off the near post when presented with a wide-open net late on a power-play opportunity.
Still, at the end of 40 minutes of play, Europe held the 1-0 lead while outshooting Canada in each of the first two periods.
The underlying possession numbers, however, suggested the host nation was carrying the play - Canada led in terms of total shot attempts, and it was Europe’s inspired defensive effort that helped keep the puck away from Jaroslav Halak, as evidenced by the bevy of blocked shots in front of him.
The fact Europe had more actual shots on net was a testament to an aggressive forecheck and Canada’s propensity to turn the puck over rather easily.
Canada continued to press for the tying goal over the course of the final period, and finally broke the shutout on a deft tip by Patrice Bergeron off a Brent Burns point shot while European captain Anze Kopitar was in the penalty box late in regulation.
The Europeans were afforded a late power play of their own, only to see Marchand tally a short-handed goal with 44 seconds left in the third period. Canada would not relinquish the lead in the game's dying seconds.
The overall possession chart indicates Canada did deserve to come out on top in this one.
Price made 32 saves on 33 shots, while Halak stood strong for Europe with 32 saves on 34 shots.
The win kept Canada's run of international dominance intact. The World Cup winners now have 16 straight wins in best-on-best competition dating back to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
