Canadian coach Julien should consider goalie change after Pasquale's implosion against U.S.
CBC
Claude Julien won the 2009 Jack Adams Trophy as the National Hockey League's top coach. He hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2011 with the Boston Bruins and has more than 1,200 career NHL games on his resume.
So the Team Canada bench boss hardly needs advice from armchair general managers — and cynical media pundits — on which goalie to start Sunday against China in the men's Olympic hockey tournament.
But Julien will hear plenty of opinions, regardless. And should he fire up Twitter on his mobile phone, he'll see the clear consensus among Canadian hockey fans.
Give Devon Levi, a top goaltending prospect of the Buffalo Sabres, a chance between the pipes.
Let Levi show he can duplicate his NCCA success at Boston's Northeastern University, on the Olympic stage.
And do not, under any circumstances, go back to the beleaguered Eddie Pasquale, who fought the puck mightily in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Team USA.
It was certainly an afternoon to forget for the Toronto-born Pasquale. With Canada leading 1-0, Pasquale overplayed the pass on a two-man rush, allowing USA captain Andy Miele to roof the puck short-side.
It got worse. In the second period, American forward Nathan Smith stripped the puck from the wandering Canadian goalie behind the net.
In what will surely become a meme, Pasquale scrambled to his crease, spun 360 degrees and slid right past the far post, allowing American forward Brendon Brisson to pop the puck into the open cage.
WATCH | Highlights from Canada's loss to U.S.:
The misfortune continued in the third period. With the USA leading 3-2 and Canada pressing for the equalizer, Kenny Agostino — previously best known in this country for being traded to Calgary in a package for Jarome Iginla — uncorked a slap shot from just inside the blue-line.
There was no screen. No tip. But the puck squirted through Pasquale's pads to restore a two-goal lead for the Americans and kill momentum for the buzzing Canadians.
"They are a strong team, and we gave the too much room on some of those goals," said Canadian defenceman Maxim Noreau. "We'll have to learn from that. There's no excuses. We have to get better."
After the game, Julien pointed out that a loss can never be pinned on just one player. And he's right.
