Olympics men’s hockey: Canada defeats South Korea, 4-0

Canada finishes Olympics men’s hockey group play as the top second play qualifier following a 4-0 victory over South Korea.

South Korea put up a fight, but Canada’s talent was too much for the home country to overcome in Olympics men’s hockey group play.

The crowd cheered every time South Korea put anything on goal. Unfortunately, Kevin Poulin was there at every turn, stopping all 19 shots he faced. Canada put 49 shots on Matt Dalton, who gave up four goals in the contest.

Canada got on the board 7:36 into the game with a wrist shot off the rush by Christian Thomas.

Following the goal, Canada showed a lack of discipline in its play, racking up eight minutes of penalty time between the end of the first and beginning of the second. Despite its best efforts, South Korea could not put one past Poulin.

Eric O’Dell made it 2-0 late in the second, knocking home a rebound that came hard off the end boards. Dalton went the wrong way, thinking the puck was going to bounce out the other side, allowing O’Dell to slide the puck into an empty net.

Maxim Lapierre and Gilbert Brule added goals in the third period. Canada did not take a penalty following Mason Raymond’s double minor 1:12 into the second, cleaning up any sloppy play that could come back to bite the team against a better opponent in the quarterfinals.

Dalton did all he could to keep his team in the game, but could not steal the victory without a goal in his favor.

Highlights

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What’s Next

South Korea will play Finland in the qualifying round of the tournament. Canada, as the top second place team in group play, will receive a bye into the quarterfinals. They’ll meet the winner of South Korea and Finland.

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