Larry Fisher

Rob Ford said it best: Drew Doughty is playing like Bobby Orr!

I’m sure Don Cherry agrees. They come off as like-minded men.

Larry Fisher

Nevertheless, Doughty did channel his inner Orr to score twice on Sunday, including the overtime winner, as Canada defeated Finland 2-1 to finish the preliminary round unbeaten (3-0) and in third place overall at the Sochi Olympics. With that, Canada will next face the winner of a qualification game between Switzerland and Latvia — which should be Switzerland — in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.

Carey Price will likely remain between the pipes as the playoffs begin, having only allowed two goals in two starts — both wins — so far. That said, I fully expected Mike Babcock to stick with Roberto Luongo for Sunday’s first-place showdown against Finland after he shut out Austria 6-0 on Friday. But instead, it was Price who got the call after previously beating Norway 3-1 on Thursday.

Price didn’t have to be great against Finland — I can’t even recall five difficult saves that he was forced to make — but he was “good enough” and that’s all it should take for Canada to repeat as gold-medallists going forward. After all, it only took a “good-enough” performance from Luongo to top the podium at the 2010 Winter Games, when Canada also prevailed in overtime, 3-2 over the United States in the championship game at Vancouver.

First things first, though, Canada must get past Switzerland — or perhaps Latvia — as this tournament shifts into win-or-go-home mode.

I once again live tweeted today’s game and here is that mash-up of thoughts courtesy my Twitter feed (LarryFisher_KDC):

9:06 a.m. = Canada’s Jonathan Toews loses opening face-off to Finland’s Jarkko Immonen (who?)…and we are underway in 1st-place showdown! #Sochi2014

9:08 a.m. = Believe it or not, Immonen is serving as Finland’s No. 1 centre today…lost their top 3 NHLers — M. Koivu, Filppula and Barkov — to injury.

9:11 a.m. = Immonen’s claim to fame: The former Maple Leafs draft pick was part of the trade that brought Brian Leetch to Toronto. #truestory #Wikipedia

9:11 a.m. = That said, through a couple shifts, this Immonen guy — a 31-year-older KHLer — has been best player on the ice for either team.

9:12 a.m. = This is obviously a step up in opponent and pace for Canada. The Finns have lots of jump and I fully expect Carey Price to be tested today.

9:13 a.m. = Shea Weber, with 2 goals in 2 games, just rocketed another one-timer that didn’t quite get through to the net. #differencemakerondefence

9:15 a.m. = Canada is on board…kinda…Rick Nash hits puck off top of net, off Tuukka Rask’s back and in. But stick over crossbar (duh). Under review.

9:16 a.m. = Strange one but common sense says if you swat puck off top of net’s webbing, your stick is blatantly above the crossbar. Ruling is NO goal!

9:16 a.m. = So we’re still scoreless 8 minutes in and Canada is still without a quality scoring chance. That doesn’t count!

9:18 a.m. = Now if Nash would have only made contact with the mesh and not with the puck, causing puck to bounce up and in off Rask, then good goal!

9:19 a.m. = That Weber bullet from before — which had to be travelling over 100 miles per hour — hit teammate Patrice Bergeron in the mid-section on replay. #ouch

9:20 a.m. = Retweeted pic of Riders fan in attendance at Sochi (@JasonPHT “Oh for god’s sake. Rider Nation. Everywhere.”).

9:25 a.m. = Drew Doughty jumping into the rush, generating offence again today. His partner Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s job to stay-at-home. #defencefirst

9:26 a.m. = Immonen roughs up Crosby, well pushes him over anyway, and gets called for interference. Canada getting game’s 1st power play.

9:27 a.m. = Chris Kunitz is on top power-play unit? You’ve gotta be kidding me! Took him off Sid’s wing this game, but guy should be healthy scratch!

9:30 a.m. = 1-0 Canada! Drew Doughty is a machine! Scores his 3rd goal in 3 games (1 each) as high wrister beats Rask over shoulder for power-play goal.

9:31 a.m. = Robbery by Rask off Kunitz! Yes, Kunitz..took a feed from Patrick Sharp in slot and smartly got off quick shot but Rask flashed the leather!

9:32 a.m. = Both goaltenders came as somewhat of a surprise to me today. Thought Canada would stick with Luongo and Finland with Lehtonen.

9:32 a.m. = That said, when I really think about it, I believe the coaches got it right and went with their best in Price and Rask. #goalietalk #showdown

9:34 a.m. = Jonathan Toews with a determined wraparound attempt while falling almost makes it 2-0 for Canada. What an effort to hook the puck like that!

9:35 a.m. = In reply to: @MichaelFarber3 “Through the prelims, this really has been a D-man tournament. Doughty, Karlsson, McDonagh and Suter.” — “have McDonagh and Suter been better than Weber? Weber is in beast mode at both ends of the ice!”

9:37 a.m. = Seems to be lots of trash-talking on the ice or chatter between the teams. Selanne was giving Crosby an earful earlier!

9:38 a.m. = Rick Nash off for high-sticking Olli Maata, draws blood but only gets 2 minutes. Things are different under international rules. #thankfully

9:40 a.m. = On the trash-talking front, the Finns must have learned that trait from watching Esa Tikkanen. He was constantly chirping but gibberish!

9:41 a.m. = Retweet: Angela MacIsaac ‏@that_angela “Excellent first period. Time to re-up the coffee. You bastards in Ontario are probably on your second beer.”

9:42 a.m. = 1-0 Canada after the 1st. Doughty with the power-play goal from Crosby and Weber. That was only Sid’s 2nd point of Olympic tournament.

9:46 a.m. = Carey Price had a relatively easy 1st period, not overly tested, but looked solid when called upon. Big game for him!

9:47 a.m. = Don Cherry, wearing another Halloween costume on his head, believes Luongo still ends up being Canada’s starter for medal round.

9:47 a.m. = Grapes also has a beef with Canada’s line combinations and healthy scratches (Martin St. Louis, P.K. Subban). Have to agree with him there!

9:48 a.m. = Subban brings offence but so far Doughty and Weber bringing more than enough of that from back end. St. Louis is simply better than Kunitz.

9:51 a.m. = In reply to: @darrenpuppa “if St Louis is so good why isn’t he playing?” — “good question..I guess only Mike Babcock has that answer. Kunitz is bigger and brings a bit more “jam” I’d assume is reasoning.”

9:56 a.m. = Second period is underway and Marleau almost made it 2-0 on first shift as his shot was deflected but Rask still kicked it out.

9:59 a.m. = Dan Hamhuis gets a rare shift and gets walked by Antti Pihlström…short shift for him, back to the bench after Price freezes puck.

10:06 a.m. = In reply to: ‏@JayoftheDead “Wasn’t Crosby pretty quiet in 2010 except for their first game and then the gold medal game?” — “pretty quiet, yes. Point-a-game player in Vancouver with 4 goals and 3 assists in 7 total games. But he’s better player now!”

10:09 a.m. = Canada is really outplaying Finland through 1st half of this game. Still only 1-0 but Canada controlling the play and puck possession.

10:13 a.m. = Pietrangelo with a shot on goal there. Is that Blues pairing not getting much ice-time or just not noticeable? Quietly efficient?

10:16 a.m. = I do think Crosby has been better this game with Bergeron and Benn as his wingers rather than Kunitz and Carter/St. Louis.

10:16 a.m. = I also like Matt Duchene with Getzlaf and Perry, his speed really gives that line an extra element and makes them more dangerous.

10:18 a.m. = Toews centering Nash and Carter is another solid trio. They are all big but can skate and cycle opponents into submission.

10:18 a.m. = If those 3 lines stick, I would probably go Sharp-Marleau-St. Louis as a 4th line going forward. Kunitz to the press box.

10:19 a.m. = And I bring Subban back in for Hamhuis…and I guess ride it out with Price in goal. So far, so good today again with 6 mins left in 2nd.

10:22 a.m. = One-goal game scares me tho, as much territorial dominance as Canada has displayed, Finland is one bounce away from a tie game/fresh start.

10:23 a.m. = Canada needs to create better scoring opportunities, not many Grade-A chances again today. Or at least need more “Finnish” on these shots.

10:25 a.m. = 1-1 Finland, Tuomo Ruutu with a deflection of Sami Salo point shot for goal. Kinda saw that coming…GAME ON NOW! 2 mins left in 2nd.

10:26 a.m. = Finland comes close to taking lead on ensuing shift as Juhamatti Aaltonen fires wide on odd-man rush. Momentum is a funny thing in hockey…

10:28 a.m. = Canada, suddenly in survival mode, relieved to hear 2nd-period buzzer sound. Tied 1-1. Canada nothing to show for all that zone time in 2nd.

10:38 a.m. = Here we go, 20 minutes (and possibly OT/SO) to decide 1st place in Group B. All 12 teams make playoffs but easier road to gold if win group.

10:39 a.m. = I think Jamie Benn has been fine/good on Canada’s top line with Crosby and Bergeron, but interested to see if Babcock tries somebody else.

10:40 a.m. = I could see Babcock giving Kunitz a couple shifts with Sid in 3rd or maybe even Tavares. Canada needs to find a better fit for Tavares!

10:41 a.m. = The other big thing to watch for rest of this game is the play of Carey Price. If he’s a difference-maker, he’s starter going forward IMO.

10:43 a.m. = Finland looks like a different team since scoring, even on 1st shift of 3rd you can tell they are more confident and sense chance to win!

10:47 a.m. = Bergeron-Crosby-Tavares seems so natural to me, really hope Babcock tries that combo in 3rd. Benn can play “4th line” with Marleau-Sharp.

10:48 a.m. = Bergeron-Crosby-Tavares, Nash-Toews-Carter, Perry-Getzlaf-Duchene, Benn-Marleau-Sharp would be my lines with St. Louis as extra. Kunitz out.

10:51 a.m. = Some of these non-NHL forwards for Finland have been really impressive. Have to think they will have offers to cross the pond again.

10:55 a.m. = Canada’s brass — Steve Yzerman, Ken Holland, Peter Chiarelli and Kevin Lowe — looking a little nervous in press box. #tensetimes #stilltied

10:56 a.m. = 1-1 with 10 minutes left in regulation…who steps up?

10:59 a.m. = Getzlaf and Perry came close to connecting on go-ahead goal but Perry whiffed on one-timer. 6 mins left now…

11:03 a.m. = Canada does seem to be carrying the play again now after weathering that brief surge by Finland to end 2nd/start 3rd. Chances are coming…

11:07 a.m. = 2 minutes to go in regulation, Rask been far busier than Price, which might not be a good thing if Finns get a late scoring chance!

11:07 a.m. = As a former goalie, you want to feel like you are part of the game and at least get weak shots to stay involved physically and mentally.

11:08 a.m. = Sitting back at the other end and watching opponent’s goalie make save after save can be difficult to keep concentration and confidence. #goalietalk

11:09 a.m. = Vlasic just got stoned point-blank by Rask. If that’s Doughty, is Canada celebrating? Was a good shot, but better save.

11:10 a.m. = If this game goes to OT, win or lose, Finland will finish 1st in Group B according to play-by-play man Jim Hughson.

11:11 a.m. = 1-1 after regulation. Next up: 5 minute sudden-death overtime, followed by shootout if necessary…this should be fun!

11:11 a.m. = As mentioned, result no longer impacts standings or playoff picture now. Finland will finish 1st in Group B, with Canada 2nd.

11:12 a.m. = That seems strange, that Canada can win all 3 games and finish 2nd, while Finland can be 1st with an OT/SO loss. #youdothemath

11:13 a.m. = OT winner predictions: Bergeron for Canada. Jussi Jokinen for Finland.

11:13 a.m. = Retweet: Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC “Winner of this game plays Switzerland-Latvia winner. Loser plays Russia-Norway winner.”

11:13 a.m. = Retweet: ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie “Olympic standings: 1. SWE 2. USA 3. Winner of CAN/FIN 4. Loser of CAN/FIN 5. RUS 6. SUI 7. CZE 8. SLO 9. AUT 10. SVK 11. LAT 12. NOR.”

11:16 a.m. = Correction: Jim Hughson is wrong (I think) in saying Finland has locked up 1st in Group B. Others tweeting the winner here is 1st.

11:18 a.m. = 2-1 Canada, OT win thanks to Drew Doughty! Call him the BIG RED MACHINE! Snap shot goes 5-hole on Rask after taking Carter feed off rush.

11:19 a.m. = That is Doughty’s 4th goal in just 3 games. He didn’t have any goals in 2010 Olympics. Frontrunner for 2014 MVP!

11:20 a.m. = Doughty only has 8 goals in 59 NHL games for the Los Angeles Kings this season…he’s really bringing it here in Sochi! #A-game #whatastud

11:21 a.m. = Canada is unbeaten at 3-0 heading to the quarter-finals. In good shape, but still room for improvement. Too close for comfort today.

11:21 a.m. = Can we assume Canada sticks with Price in goal for the quarters? I can’t see them going back to Luongo even though Price wasn’t tested much.

11:22 a.m. = It sure looks like it’ll be Switzerland in the quarters — they will beat Latvia — so that’s a pretty scary matchup. Swiss goalies are unreal

11:23 a.m. = All three Switzerland preliminary-round games ended 1-0, with 2 wins and 1 loss. Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks has yet to be scored on.

11:23 a.m. = Retweet: Mayor Rob Ford ‏@TOMayorFord “Drew Doughty is playing like Bobby Orr! Canada beats Finland to stay undefeated. @CDNOlympicTeam @HC_Men #GoCanadaGo #WeAreWinter”

11:25 a.m. = Rob Ford has spoken, I think my work here is done, stay tuned for the Twitter mash-up recap within the hour!

11:26 a.m. = In reply to: Sean McEachern ‏@sportsfanspeaks  “I’m all for that (sticking with Price in net) and moving #DrewDoughty on to Sid’s line!” — “haha nice call, he’s a riverboat gambler out there and definitely getting it done. I’m sure he can handle the extra mins!”

Larry Fisher is a sports reporter for The Daily Courier in Kelowna, B.C. Follow him on Twitter: @LarryFisher_KDC.