Conklin the Show in Slovakia!

Perhaps back in their youth some members of Team Canada remember the thrills and spills of the midway whenever the travelling Conklin Shows called on their hometown.

Friday in Slovakia, Team Canada found thrills and spills of a different kind as Ty Conklin, provided a one man show of survival for the USA, Conklin faced an amazing 52 shots before the game ending shoot out which gave Canada the 4-3 victory.

The workload for Conklin provided for more shots than most goaltenders might face in two games, all wrapped up into 65 minutes of play through three periods of regular time and one extra five minute overtime frame.

Conklin at times seemed to be the only thing standing between Team Canada and a rout of their American cousins, the American goaltender frustrated Canadian shooters over and over during the game, his team mates finally taking advantage of his stellar play by continuing to battle back to take the game past over time and into the IIHF shoot out.

The game itself was a more traditional game between the rivals, resembling a high energy NHL game with teams that were very well acquainted with each other.  Added into the mix of the qualification round match the bonus prospect of bragging rights was once again on the line.

There were some solid and legal hits, little in the way of stick work for the most part and with the wider ice surface that the IIHF games provide, a bit more free wheeling than might be seen in your average NHL game.

Despite the wide margin of shots held by the Canadians, the Americans never seemed to be on the cusp of being put away, thanks for the most part due to the yeoman's effort of their goaltender, who was given his first start in this year's World Championships.

James Reimer in the Canadian net didn't face near the number of shots that Conklin did, facing but twenty potential markers through the game, though the American side were full value for the scoring opportunities that they were provided with.

In the end however, it was Canada that prevailed scoring two goals in the shoot out session to keep their record intact and giving them an upper hand in this qualification round of the tournament.

Among the highlights of the offensive side of Canada's game was Jason Spezza firing some rockets at Conklin, John Tavares once again showcasing some of his skill and captain Rick Nash marking the winning goal in the shoot out.

Canada's path towards the Gold medal continues on Saturday when they play Norway (10 AM ET, 7 AM PT TSN), the Americans (who if they plan of making any noise at these games will call on Conklin again) play France at (1 PM ET, 10 AM PT TSN/Versus) 


Full HockeyNation coverage of the World Championship can be found here.


National Post-- Canada rallies to top U. S. in shoot out
Globe and Mail-- Canada needs shootout to beat U. S. at hockey worlds
Toronto Star-- Eberle, Nash rescue Canada in shootout against U. S.