Canadian captain John Tavares was a popular man in the mixed zone after Saturday’s game as he fielded questions about the 4-3 comeback win over Finland, in which he had two assists, tomorrow’s game against Switzerland, incoming Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube and former coach Sheldon Keefe.
Firstly, about the win over Finland …
“It was a hard-fought game. Obviously, not a very good start for us, but I like the way we responded. We keep fighting, keep staying with it, there was still a lot of hockey to be played and a lot of trust in our team and the depth we have. Everyone did a really good job to contribute, stay with it, and then we earned the winning goal in the third period, defended really well, and got the empty-netter to seal it.”
You had a hand in the winning goal. How did you see the play develop?
“I think it was a great process from our own end all the way on to the forecheck. Pierre-Luc (Dubois) did a tremendous job of earning the puck back and I just tried to find open ice and they did all the work getting it to me. I knew I had some time and I was looking to go around the goalie – I thought he challenged really aggressively from his net. As I was going around, I saw Hags (Brandon Hagel) there, so I thought that was the right play – just give it to him so he could tap it in. Just happy to see it work out.”
You don’t have much time to rest with a game tomorrow against the Swiss, who are also unbeaten ...
“Switzerland’s playing very well. They’ve become a very strong hockey country and have some of their players from the NHL who are playing very well, so it’s going to be a tough test. For us it’s important to regroup here, go over their strengths, see where we can get better and rise to that challenge.”
Their captain is Roman Josi, with whom you developed a friendship while playing together with SC Bern during the 2012 lockout.
“I had a lot of fun playing with him but tomorrow, we’re on opposite sides. He’s not my friend on the ice and we’ll have a good battle. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for him as a player – he’s shown to be one of the best defensemen in the world – so he’s a player we have to be aware of and to make it hard on him.”
Big news today with the Leafs hiring Craig Berube. What do you know about him?
“I don’t know him at all. I just connected with him via text early this morning – that’s what I woke up to. It’s very difficult to see Keefer go but it’s part of the game at times and, as players, it’s on us to do a better job, and with Craig coming in, he’s going to help us with that and I’m excited to work with him. He’s got a tremendous pedigree.
Have you talked to any of the St. Louis Blues on the Canadian team about him?
“Yeah, I’m trying to focus on this tournament right now but I’m sure the odd discussion will happen. Obviously, they had a tremendous amount of success with him. Even before he was hired, I know there were a lot of rumors and they mentioned how much they enjoyed playing for him and the good things that he does.”
Did you have a chance to speak with Sheldon Keefe after he was fired?
“I think that was the day that I left so I just sent him a long note, really, as I was taking off. It’s still really difficult – he’d been around five years with the team and everything we’d been through. And from a personal perspective, how he helped my game grow and challenged me, I think back and forth you develop a lot of trust, so as a player, you feel that. But as time goes on and Craig comes in, the page turns and we’re looking forward to what he brings and how he can help us get to where we want to get to.”