The Canadian men’s field hockey team wrapped up the 2017 Pan American Cup with a 2-0 loss to the reigning Olympic champions, Argentina, in the final men’s matchup last week.
It was a repeat of the 2013 Men’s Pan American Cup Final but Canada closed the gap, having lost 4-0 in 2013.
Along with the medal, Canada pocketed a couple of other acchievements – like seeing three young rookies gain experience in their first international matches against the world’s best, and having goalkeeper David Carter named best in the men’s tournament.
Argentina came out strong in the first half, forcing Carter to make numerous saves. By the fourth minute, Argentina established a lead it would build on.
The Canadian roster includes national team veteran Brenden Bissett of New Westminster, and Burnaby brothers Iain and John Smythe. Since his debut with the national squad in 2011, 24-year-old Bissett has represented Canada 82 times, including at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“It was a really tough match for us,” Carter said following the game. “We came out a bit slow, when you’re facing a team that’s as good and as classy as Argentina – world’s No. 1, they were just so much sharper in their skills than us in the first quarter and we got behind the 8-ball.”
The first half saw Argentina control the tempo, with some fleeting chances for the Canucks, but mistakes on turnovers left it up to Carter in the back to save the team from a barrage of Argentinian shots.
In the second half Canada came out and “played with that Canadian grit that we’re known for, upped the physicality a little bit and never quit,” said Carter.
