The saddening overtime loss of Team Canada to Team USA in the Olympic gold medal game is one of the largest NHL news speaking points. Canada lost 2-1 in sudden death after an expensive sequence tore the England goal on the other side, despite dominating long periods of play.
Much of the instant response was focused on Edmonton Oilers star player Connor McDavid, who had tried a brutal offensive attack a few seconds before the turnover. But according to the former Edmonton Oilers general manager, Kevin Lowe, the criticism has been placed in the wrong direction, which has given a new dimension to the debate.
Kevin Lowe questions Cale Makar’s Team Canada decision
In a more elaborate public release, Kevin Lowe has justified the mentality of attacking that Connor McDavid has by stating that the Oilers captain was only doing what elite-level players should do in stressful situations. Lowe says that the breakdown was not caused by the push by McDavid to create a scoring chance.
Rather, Lowe used the read by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar at the blue line. The play switched to Makar coming in, trying to break up an ensuing rush between New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. The gamble did not work and left space behind him, leaving the United States to attack speedily.
Lowe opined that situational awareness in overtime was crucial since Canada has been bearing a lot of play. Having three American skaters, but in front, he suggested a more conservative strategy was a better idea. A retiring and defensive setup would have avoided the odd-man opportunity, which finally terminated the game.
It also included a Colorado Avalanche star, Nathan MacKinnon, who could not gain control of the turnover.
In a matter of seconds, the Americans took advantage and clinched the gold, leaving Team Canada with the silver, even though the tournament on the whole was quite dominant.
McDavid is a member of the Edmonton Oilers, and despite the fact that he had no points in the final, he had an excellent, impressive performance at the Olympics. In the meantime, the split-second decision made by Cale Makar keeps being polarized with the Olympic gold debate still taking place.
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