KIDWCKED
02-24-2010, 11:21 PM
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ESPN.com news services
Updated: February 24, 2010, 1:25 AM ET
Olympic Hockey PreviewJarome Iginla scored twice and new goalie Roberto Luongo was good enough to get the Canadians back on track in an 8-2 win over Germany on Tuesday.
The win moved the Canadians into a colossal quarterfinal game Wednesday against Russia, a matchup many expected for the gold-medal game.
"Hopefully it's not our biggest game this week," Luongo said.
Luongo had 21 saves to move to 2-0 in the Games.
Eric Staal had three assists for Canada, while Duncan Keith assisted on two goals.
Canada must hope that a new line centered by Sidney Crosby can help end half a century's worth of futility against Russia, which needs to continue riding reigning two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin's scoring -- and hitting.
Regardless, one of the countries will see its medal dreams end Wednesday night in the quarterfinals.
"I mean, that's a big rivalry. We all know it," said Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins who is tied with the Washington Capitals' Ovechkin for the NHL goal-scoring lead with 42. "It's something everyone's been talking about. It's something at we thought that sooner or later it was going to happen.
"I don't think anyone believed it would be in quarterfinals."
The Canadians and Russians have each won 12 medals in men's hockey, the most by any country in the sport. Russia has taken home eight golds -- two more than Canada, which figured it would have a good chance to narrow that gap with the Olympics being held on home soil for the first time in 22 years.
Instead, Canada ended round-robin play with its first loss to the United States in 50 years, and was forced to play in the qualification game Tuesday.
A problem for Canada has been finding suitable linemates for Crosby, a first-time Olympian. Iginla, the captain of the Calgary Flames, has five goals -- all on Crosby's wing. Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes' captain, has four assists and five points so far.
"You don't want to play [Russia] in the quarterfinals because it means your record isn't as good," Iginla said. "But it could definitely be good for us. I think it's good for our whole team. Each game, you feel more comfortable."
ESPN.com news services
Updated: February 24, 2010, 1:25 AM ET
Olympic Hockey PreviewJarome Iginla scored twice and new goalie Roberto Luongo was good enough to get the Canadians back on track in an 8-2 win over Germany on Tuesday.
The win moved the Canadians into a colossal quarterfinal game Wednesday against Russia, a matchup many expected for the gold-medal game.
"Hopefully it's not our biggest game this week," Luongo said.
Luongo had 21 saves to move to 2-0 in the Games.
Eric Staal had three assists for Canada, while Duncan Keith assisted on two goals.
Canada must hope that a new line centered by Sidney Crosby can help end half a century's worth of futility against Russia, which needs to continue riding reigning two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin's scoring -- and hitting.
Regardless, one of the countries will see its medal dreams end Wednesday night in the quarterfinals.
"I mean, that's a big rivalry. We all know it," said Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins who is tied with the Washington Capitals' Ovechkin for the NHL goal-scoring lead with 42. "It's something everyone's been talking about. It's something at we thought that sooner or later it was going to happen.
"I don't think anyone believed it would be in quarterfinals."
The Canadians and Russians have each won 12 medals in men's hockey, the most by any country in the sport. Russia has taken home eight golds -- two more than Canada, which figured it would have a good chance to narrow that gap with the Olympics being held on home soil for the first time in 22 years.
Instead, Canada ended round-robin play with its first loss to the United States in 50 years, and was forced to play in the qualification game Tuesday.
A problem for Canada has been finding suitable linemates for Crosby, a first-time Olympian. Iginla, the captain of the Calgary Flames, has five goals -- all on Crosby's wing. Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes' captain, has four assists and five points so far.
"You don't want to play [Russia] in the quarterfinals because it means your record isn't as good," Iginla said. "But it could definitely be good for us. I think it's good for our whole team. Each game, you feel more comfortable."