Canada 3 - Czech Republic 2

The Canadians bounced back after two tough 2-0 defeats over the weekend to beat the Czechs in a good nail-biter near the end.

Canada can thank their lucky stars that Martin Brodeur was still steaming after his loss to the Swiss on Saturday, 'cuz his focus was amazing. Easily the number one star of the game, Brodeur made tons of key stops, even after tweaking his knee in the second period.

Canada still lacked consistency in their play, which has got to be addressed. The first period was great Canadian hockey... dump and chase with a touch of physical presence that kept the Czechs running scared. But once the second period started, already up 3-0, the Canadians failed to grasp the style of game which allowed them to dominate the period previous.

With the impending opponents of Sweden or Russia, the Canadians should get it through their heads that if they continue to focus on physical play and then the game after that, they will force their opponents to make bad decisions and unforced errors in the neutral zone or in their own end. Only then, it seems, do we use the country's great talent to punish mistakes and capitalize on errors. The smaller European opponents flourish in open Euro hockey... but once the Canadian game kicks in, then the domination can begin.

Don't be afraid to take physical penalties... our penalty killing has been good.

My player of the tournament thus far... Shane Doan. Talk about a guy who hasn't given up the style of play throughout the games. Top forward of the bunch... it's a shame others don't follow in his footsteps.

And in the hindsight is 20/20 department... the inclusion of Eric Staal and Dion Phaneuf would have been key to the Canadian style of game in both ends of the ice. Faster, stronger and like to put the puck at the net... they would have been perfect.

Bring on the knockout round!!