Vintage Efforts From Sweden and Canada to Open the World Cup

The North American pool of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey got off to a spirited start, as Canada defeated the USA 2-1 in Montreal. The Canadians were full value for the win, but both teams can look back on the game as a significant step forward.

Meanwhile, the Swedes started strong against Germany, although goaltender Tommy Salo let in a couple of ugly goals. Where have we seen that before?

Martin St. Louis and Joe Sakic scored power play goals for the Canadians, who wore gold-colored, vintage jerseys in tribute to the 1920 Winnipeg Falcons, which won the country's first Olympic hockey title.

Bill Guerin closed the gap with the only USA goal. All the scoring was done before the midway point of the game.

Canada dominated the first period with 19 shots, lost that momentum in the second and played a solid but unspectacular third to preserve the win. The American team, down 2-0 early in the second, regrouped nicely, stepped up the physical play and looked good for about the last 35 minutes of the game.

The first star had to be Team USA goalie Robert Esche, who single-handedly prevented what could have been an early blowout in the first period. American center Mike Modano and Canadian defenseman Ed Jovanovski both left the game with injuries, and did not return.

In Stockholm, Sweden served notice with an impressive 5-2 win against Germany.

Mats Sundin drove the attack with a goal and two assists. Other scorers were Kim Johnsson, Marcus Nilson, Tomas Holmstrom and Fred Modin. Daniel Alfredsson and Peter Forsberg were also conspicuous, as the Swedes combined physical and finesse play.

The one dark cloud hanging over this game for Sweden: Tommy Salo did not look good on either German goal, both of which came short-handed. Germany's second goal deflected in off Salo's catching glove, a scene eerily reminiscent of the goal that sank the Swedes in their 2002 Olympic upset at the hands of Belarus.

Wednesday's Games:
1:00 pm ET: Czech Republic at Sweden
7:00 pm ET: Slovakia at Canada

Complete World Cup Resources: The schedule, the format, the rosters, the prediction, and more.