By Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The excitement levels were off the charts in Hockey Canada Place for Canada’s opening game against Norway, a game the Canadians won, 8-0, after a scoreless first period.
Every line and defense pair Canada put out there was staggeringly good.
Sidney Crosby was centering for Rick Nash and Patrice Bergeron, the San Jose line of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley was intact, Ryan Getzlaf – showing no ill effects of the ankle sprain he suffered last week – centered for Anaheim Ducks teammate Corey Perry and Carolina’s Eric Staal, and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews skated with Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow.
On defense, the Ducks’ Scott Niedermayer had Nashville’s Shea Weber as a partner, though Niedermayer also had some shifts with 20-year-old Drew Doughty of the Kings. Doughty also got some time with Chris Pronger.
Iginla scored three times, Heatley twice, and Getzlaf once. Perry and Mike Richards also scored.