A medal will not be coming home to the Tri-Cities from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Canada's men's hockey team, after playing an extra contest to get to the playoff round, lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals early this morning (Feb. 16) by a score of 2–0.
This means Port Moody's Adam Tambellini and Kent Johnson, as well as Coquitlam's Ben Street, have been eliminated from medal contention.
It's also the first time since 2006 that Canada will not make the podium in men's hockey at a Winter Olympics.
The three local players combined for 15 points in five games, including six goals, that led to a 3–2 record.
The results for Canada's matches at Beijing 2022 were as follows:
- 2–0 loss to Sweden (quarterfinals)
- 7–2 win over China (knockout stage)
- 5–0 win over China
- 4–2 loss to United States
- 5–1 win over Germany
Adam Tambellini recorded seven points in five games — the most among Canadian scorers, as well as all other Olympians in the men's hockey tournament as of this publication.
The forward potted three goals and added four assists in his international debut with Hockey Canada.
Kent Johnson was arguably a breakout star for the Canadians. He was first named an alternate before being added to the roster before the opening match against Germany on Feb. 10.
The Michigan Wolverine and former Port Moody minor hockey athlete averaged a point per game, totalling five in the five tilts in Beijing which included a goal and four assists.
Johnson’s first Olympic tally came in the 2nd period to give 🇨🇦 a 4-0 advantage over the host nation… an absolute rocket from the 5th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft | #PortMoody #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/Udfwe4iV0Z
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) February 13, 2022
Johnson, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, was among a youthful blend to a veteran-heavy roster as he was also with Canada's World Junior squad for two games before the Edmonton event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
He was paired on the same line as Street throughout the Olympics, who contributed three points to Canada's stats sheet.
The 34-year-old product tallied two goals and an assist to his international résumé. He last played with Hockey Canada at the 2004 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Meanwhile, China's first-ever Olympic men's hockey appearance included two Coquitlam connections.
Goaltender Paris O'Brien — originally born in Coquitlam — played two games between the pipes for the host country, making 62 saves on 72 shots in that span.
Chinese captain and former Coquitlam Express forward Brandon Yip amassed just one assist in four games.
It was the country’s first entry into the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, with most of its players comprised of North American ex-pats and dual citizens who’ve been toiling for the Kunlun Red Star, Beijing’s pro team that plays in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
The Canadian women's hockey team is going for gold tonight at 8:10 p.m. PST against the United States.
- with a file from Mario Bartel, Tri-City News
