The first period started with the Canadians building momentum early. However, they were held at bay by Japan’s goaltender, Mitsuru Nagase. Nagase was spectacular, turning away nine of the ten Canadian shots he faced during the loosely played opening frame. Canada's only goal came of the stick of Marc Dorion on Canada’s second powerplay of the period. Dorion's goal came when he picked up his own rebound and slid it under a sprawled Nagase. Japan generated 6 shots of their own but Canada's defence ensured that the Japanese offence was limited to perimeter shots.
Japan Evens the Score
In the second period, perhaps buoyed by the performance of their goaltender, Japan began to push back against a frustrated Canadian team that was called for 3 penalties during the frame. Japan was led by defenseman Takayuki Endo, who led all players in time-on-ice, playing nearly 34 minutes. He provided a calming and physical presence for the Japanese squad. Midway through the second period, Endo also showed his offensive skill, scoring the tying goal shortly after Canada killed off an elbowing penalty to Todd Nicholson. Endo intercepted a dangerous pass up the middle by Canada's Nicholson and had a clear path to the net and let loose a low snap shot that eluded Canadian goaltender Paul Rosen's glove.
After the tying goal, both teams were content to play cautiously, icing the puck frequently to avoid making a mistake that might result in the go-ahead goal.
Japan Completes Comeback Against Canada
Canada again experienced penalty trouble to start the third period. After successfully killing off Raymond Grassi’s early penalty, Canada began to aggressively pursue the Japanese defense but Japan kept the Canadian players to the outside and prevented many close opportunities. Whenever Canada did manage to break through, Nagase was ready, even blocking one shot, on a Canadian breakaway, with his head. Canada’s aggressiveness would prove costly on the tying goal as Japan was able to break away on a 2-on-1. Although Canadian captain Jean Labonte defended the breakout well, Daisuke Uehara and Kazuhiro Takahashi were able to complete a series of passes that ensured Uehara had a direct lane to the net. Uehara made no mistake on his shot, firing it into the top corner past the outstretched glove of Rosen with just 1:13 left to go in the game.
With so little time on the clock, Canada elected to pull their goaltender in favor of an extra attacker. Although Canada pressed to score the tying goal, the empty net proved to be Canada’s final undoing as an errant pass by Canada’s Greg Westlake found its way back into the empty net. This goal was credited to Endo who finished the game with two goals and a +3 rating.
Japan was winless against Canada in their prior 11 meetings. After the game, Japan’s coach, Kojin Nakakita told ctvolympics.ca: “Canada would beat us if we played them 1,000 times, we're going to lose 999 […] but not this one.' Japan will face the United States in the Gold Medal game Saturday afternoon while Canada meets Norway Friday night to determine the winner of the Bronze.
Jordan Cripps - Born in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, and currently residing in New Westminster, Jordan became fascinated with writing at a very early ...
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