TORONTO, 6 September 2004 — A Russian team moved by tragedy could not beat an inspired Martin Brodeur as Canada claimed a 3-1 win over their rivals on Saturday to finish unbeaten in round-robin play at the World Cup of Hockey.
Brodeur underlined his credentials as the hockey’s top netminder with an acrobatic display, turning aside all but one of 28 shots as Canada clinched top spot in the North American Pool.
“There are so many memories between Russia and Canada and I’ve never had a chance to play,” said Brodeur, whose trophy case includes the Vezina trophy winner as the NHL’s top netminder, an Olympic gold medal and three Stanley Cups.
With every team in the eight-nation tournament advancing to the quarterfinals, Saturday’s contest lacked the importance of past clashes between the two hockey superpowers but none of the intensity.
Canada, however, also did not lack for motivation.
With a labor dispute threatening the start of the NHL season, hockey mad Canadians have been savoring every moment of the two week tournament eager to see their team reclaim the World Cup title they lost to the United States to 1996.
Following a scoreless first period, Canada stamped its authority on the contest by capitalizing on a pair of Russian turnover to score goals 97 seconds apart.
Brad Richards opened the scoring with a short-handed goal converting a two-on-one when he ripped a slapshot past Maxim Sokolov.
As Canada roared into the Russian zone with another two-on-one, Sokolov was able to make the initial save but Kris Draper was there to pounce on the rebound.
Joe Sakic pushed Canada ahead 3-0 early in the third period before Sergei Gonchar ruined Brodeur’s shutout bid.
In European Pool play, Nordic rivals Sweden and Finland battled to a 4-4 tie to remain unbeaten through round-robin play.
The Finns, however, secure top spot on goal differential setting up a quarter-final meeting with Germany while Sweden will take on the Czech Republic.
