In the midst of a tumultuous summer, the PHL took a break
from CBA negotiations for the 2008 World Hockey Challenge in Ottawa. Ottawa was
the first North American city without a PHL team to host the tournament in the
new 18,000-seat Canadian Airlines Place. The host Canadians entered the
tournament as favorites with a solid young squad led by Brad McNair and Joe
Murdock, and featuring young stars Nathan Sibley and Erik Camden, with Travis
Sweet in net. Team USA, led by PHL superstars Darren Reid and Ryan Shelton,
figured to be Canada’s stiffest competition.
As the tournament began, it was the Americans who came
flying out of the gate, routing Slovakia 8-0, then Germany 7-1. After defeating
Finland, The Americans faced their biggest test against the Russians, who were
also undefeated. Russia was led by Ilya Rusakivich, who led the tournament in
scoring with 7 points in only three games. Rusakivich scored just 13 seconds in
to open the scoring against Team USA, then assisted on a goal from Sergei
Gulinov early in the second. The Russians entered the third period with a 2-0
lead, when Reid scored on a breakaway to bring it within one. With 43 seconds
left, Jake Wilson beat Alexei Rolonov to tie the game and send it to overtime. Wilson
would be the hero again near the end of overtime, giving the US a 3-2 win to
clinch first place in Pool B.
Pool A was headlined by the defending champion Swedes, as
well as a young Canadian team determined to claim their first title since 1988.
Sweden was led by veterans Thomas Sandberg and Henrik Akerman as well as young
stars Filip Linden and Andreas Ekbom, while leading the charge for Canada was
Brad McNair, Joe Murdock, Brendan Marlo, and budding superstars Nathan Sibley
and Erik Camden.
While Canada stormed through their first three games, Sweden
lost a shocker to Czech Republic in the opener. At the conclusion of the Round
Robin, Canada and Sweden clashed to decide first place in the group. Sweden
would hold the tie-breaker advantage if they won. The Canadians dominated the
first period but Mats Ossler held strong in the Swedish net. Finally, with just
three minutes left, Sean MacDonald hit Brad McNair with a long pass, giving
McNair a breakaway. McNair beat Ossler to give Canada the lead. A late push
from the Swedes came up short and Canada clinched the top spot in Pool A.
The playoff round was predictable for the most part. Russia
defeated the Czechs, USA routed Switzerland 7-0, and Canada survived a scare
from Slovakia to squeeze out a 2-1 win thanks to two goals from McNair. The
Swedes were heavily favoured to defeat their arch-rivals, the Fins, but a big
third period goal from Teemu Niskanen gave Finland the upset.
The Fins went on to face Canada in the semis and came out
strong, taking a 2-1 lead into the third period before McNair hit Camden with a
long pass to send him on a breakaway. Camden buried it to tie the game. Four minutes
later, Camden scored again as Canada took the lead. Garret
Lowendawsky’s empty-netter sealed it and Canada advanced to the final.
Meanwhile, Team USA faced Russia and jumped to an early 4-0 lead. But the
Russians stormed back to within a goal in the second period thanks to a
three-point effort from Ilya Rusakivich. The Russians almost tied it in the
third when a Sergei Gulinov shot was stopped by Mark Davis’ glove. Jake Wilson
sealed the nail bitter in the final moments to set up an all-North American
final.
The final game was one of the most hyped-up
games in WHC history. Canadian Airlines Place was packed to standing room only
while 3,000 more gathered outside to watch on a big screen. Fans across the
country tuned in for the game, which would be the most watched TV program ever
in Canada. South of the border, American hockey fans hoped to see their first
world title since 1992. The game remained scoreless into the third period, with
both teams exchanging chances and Travis Sweet and Mark Davis both standing on
their heads. Finally, three minutes into the third period, Joe Murdock bead
Davis to give Canada a 1-0 lead. The Americans pressed as fans across Canada
held their breath. Finally, Derek Ewin beat Davis on a breakaway to make it
2-0. The clock ticked down as fans belted out “Oh Canada”. The Canadians were
world champions for the first time since 1988. Brad McNair was named tournament
MVP, but it was 18-year-old Erik Camden who had stolen all the headlines. Camden
had 11 points in seven games and had dominated the tournament in all aspects at
only 18 years old. “He’s going to be something else, look out PHL” said
Canadian head coach Rex Hull.
