Amazing Effort in Loss to Canada

The games between USA and Canada are always a classic. Although this one started slow it gathered speed as it progressed and finally exploded. The final score would be a mind-blowing 10-16 in favor of the Canadians.

The numerous penalties drawn by both teams made it hard for the teams to find their flow but the first period had most things a floorball spectator can ask for.

It took Canada less than two minutes to score but both teams had an equal amount of chances throughout the period. The Canadians where simply the more efficient in the first. About halfway through Chris Haig scored his second of the game, giving the Canadians a two goal lead. But the Americans had several good chances not least in the power play where Andrew Kratsios had a shot sneak under the Canadian goaltenders leg that hit the post. Captain Alexander Miller had some good shots from the point and Brij Singh caused a lot of trouble around Canada's net. In the US goal Max PÃ¥lsson had a number of nice saves. Not least towards the end of the period when the Canadians where hunting for their third goal.

In the second period the game would explode. Canada came out of the gates strong and Max Pålsson would have to stand on his head initially to keep the game tight. And tight it would become. After about three minutes Adrian Arbil breaks in by the right post and scores, 1-2. A few minutes later with USA on the power play Felix Ström has the ball at point, takes a moment and then blasts a slap shot into the net, 2-2! But this is just the start of the scoring. Canada comes back taking the lead on a shot from a tight angle to make it 2-3 after 7:01. On the following faceoff Felix Ström breaks in alone making it 3-3 only three seconds after the Canadian's goal. And less than half a minute later Adrian Arbil gives Team USA the lead after a tight situation in front of the goal. After 12:45 Adrian Hiram get a pass on the left side and blasts it on the power play and the US has a two goal lead. The Canadians would fight back and tie it at 5-5 after 16:50. But after Andrew Kristos pressured the Canadian defense the ball would find its way into the net via the Canadian goalkeeper. The period saw Team USA fight hard in the defense and fly forward in the offence setting up an exciting third period.

In the third the Canadians would score two quick goals in the first minute of the third, giving them a 6-7 lead. Felix Ström would be the one to answer for Team USA, scoring two in a row and taking back the lead. But the Canadians are a strong team in the third and are able to score five unanswered goals giving them an 8-12 lead with just under nine minutes to play. The highly touted Canadian player, drafted by the Lightning, Cristiano DiGiacinto, having scored five by then. Team USA takes a timeout to gather their forces and try to push back the Canadian storm. With Team USA on the power play the Canadians get a breakaway to score 8-13 after 12.51. But the penalties just keep coming and Team USA gets a chance at 4 on 3 but are unable to score. But with just over five minutes to go Adrian Hiram strikes again, making in 9-13 while playing 4 on 4. But after 17:42 with team USA leaving their net empty Canada can score 9-14.

But the final goal had yet to be scored. Felix Ström scores his sixth of the game as he finds the net from the top right side 10-14. In the last thirteen seconds of the game the Canadians score two to make the final score 10-16.

As the final bell sounds both teams can be proud of the effort put in. The two teams showed the world what floorball is all about. Speed, physicality, goals, saves, penalties, penalty shots, and a crowd that got into it.

Statistics

Now Team USA has one final game. Tomorrow morning at 10:00 CET they play a placement game and it is time for a win!