The wait is over.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price made his much-anticipated return to the crease on Friday night as the starting goaltender for Team Canada’s first pre-tournament game against Team USA.
It was his first game action since Nov. 25, as he was sidelined for all but a dozen games of the 2015-16 season due to a knee injury. Though the 4-2 loss wasn’t the outcome Canada was hoping for, Price was glad to get his first start of the year under his belt.
The No.1 netminder spoke to reporters following the matchup in Columbus to share his thoughts on how he felt after 60 minutes.
“It was a little bit of an adventure at times, but I kind of expected that,” said Price. “It’s not easy to be out for that long and just pick it up right away. I knew there was going to be some work to do, but I’m glad to get that one over with.”
All told, Price faced 24 shots — including 18 in the first period alone — and let three pucks past him. He said that although he felt ready, his game might have a little catching up to do.
“I knew I was ready. I just don’t think my game was quite ready,” he said. “I’ve got some more work to do. I’ve got a long time before my next start, hopefully.”
The netminder said his ability to pick up on various plays and battling traffic were two of the biggest challenges in Friday’s game — “things you don’t get to see playing shinny hockey in the summertime,” he said.
Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Kane scored for Team USA, with Derek Stepan adding an empty-netter late in regulation. Patrice Bergeron and Drew Doughty contributed goals for Canada. The Canadian squad had a tough time getting pucks past starter Jonathan Quick in the first two periods and Ben Bishop in the third. The U.S. goaltenders stopped a total of 41 shots.
“The third period I started feeling good, finally. I wasn’t really expecting to go in there and play like I was in the middle of November,” said Price. “It was nice to get my feet wet.”
Price will have plenty of time to clear any remaining cobwebs. Braden Holtby is expected to start Saturday’s rematch between the two pre-tournament opponents.
