Patrick Kane and Team USA made their debut today against some familiar faces from Slovakia. Many people have questioned the American’s ability to score goals coming into this tournament, but scoring was not an issue in the 7-1 beating of the Slovaks. Team USA led 1-0 after the 1st, but gave up a tying goal early in the 2nd period. The United States would score six unanswered goals to close out the period and cruise to the win. They got two goals from Paul Statsny and single goals from John Carlson, Phil Kessel, Ryan Kesler, Dustin Brown and David Backes. Patrick Kane assisted on Kesler’s game winning goal and the Brown goal as well. Marian Hossa assisted on Slovakia’s lone goal by Tomas Tartar. Michal Hanzus was held off the score sheet.
Blackhawks Stats
|
Team |
Player |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
SOG |
+/- |
TOI |
|
USA |
Patrick Kane |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
15:38 |
|
SVK |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
17:41 |
|
|
SVK |
Marian Hossa |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
18:59 |
The final three Blackhawks made their Sochi debuts when Canada took the ice against Norway. This was the game that should have been the blood bath but somehow the Norwegian squad kept it close. Canada got goals from Shea Weber and Jamie Benn in the 2nd period after the teams battled to a scoreless tie in the opening 20 minutes. Norway cut into the lead with power play goal by Patrick Thoresen just 22 seconds into the 3rd period. Drew Doughty would score just over a minute later to ice the win for the Canadians. Duncan Keith was the only Blackhawk to pick up a point with the primary assist on Weber’s goal.
Blackhawks Stats
|
Team |
Player |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
SOG |
+/- |
TOI |
|
CAN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
14:21 |
|
|
CAN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16:15 |
|
|
CAN |
Duncan Keith |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
16:39 |
There were two other games in Thursday’s preliminary action. The host team Russia beat Slovenia 5-2. The Russians got goals from Alex Ovechkin, Evegeni Malkin, Illya Kovalchuk, Anton Belov and the “talented Soviet” Valeri Nichushkin. Both of Slovenia’s goals were scored by Ziga Jeglic who plays in Sweden.
The final game of the day saw Finland double up Austria 8-4. Finland got two goals from Mikael Granlund and Jarkko Immonen and single goals from Olli Maatta, Jussi Jokinen, Petri Kontiola and former Blackhawk Sami Lepisto. Michael Grabner scored a hat trick for his native country and the other goal was scored by the most Austrian sounding Austrian ever, Thomas Kindertpfund. Tuukka Rask gave up four goals on just 20 shots.
Blackhawks Olympic Totals
|
Player |
Country |
GP |
G |
A |
P |
|
Patrick Kane |
USA |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Marian Hossa |
SVK |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Duncan Keith |
CAN |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Michal Handzus |
SVK |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Patrick Sharp |
CAN |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Jonathan Toews |
CAN |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
SWE |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
SWE |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
SWE |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
CZE |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |