Canada Downs USA in North American World Cup Opener

Team USA came out flat in the first period of the first North American matchup in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and it cost them the game, as two power-play goals carried Team Canada to a 2-1 win Tuesday night.

The Americans managed only six shots in the first twenty minutes of play as the Canadians controlled the game. Canada got the game’s first goal with 3:59 remaining in the first period when Martin St. Louis scored on the power play.

Joe Sakic added another goal with the man-advantage just 3:05 into the second period, giving Team Canada a 2-0 lead.

The US pulled within one when Bill Guerin put a shot over the shoulder of Canadian goaltender Martin Brodeur but that wouldn’t be enough. The remainder of the game would be scoreless as Canada picked up the victory.

Canada will next be in action against Slovakia on Wednesday night in Montreal. The United States’ next game is Thursday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, when they host Russia.

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In Tuesday’s European game, Sweden defeated Germany, 5-2. In the tournament opener on Monday, Finland surprised the Czech Republic with a 4-0 victory.