VANCOUVER – Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo will take over in goal for Martin Brodeur when Canada faces Germany on Tuesday for the next matchup in Olympic men’s hockey.
"I’m pumped," Luongo before the announcement today. "The adrenaline is really going. I can’t tell you how excited I am."
Canadian coach Mike Babcock made the announcement today at a post-practice press conference.
Luongo shut out Norway 8-0 in Canada’s Olympic opener, before giving way to national-team incumbent starter Brodeur. But the veteran, who started at the last two Olympics, looked poor on two of the four goals that beat him during Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the United States.
Fan reaction on Twitter was instantly in favour of the move.
Said Babcock on goalies: "We are in the wins business. We believe Lou gives is a big chance to win."
Luongo was told Sunday night that he would play the game against Germany.
Team Canada is also shaking up its lines for Tuesday’s hockey playoff against Germany.
The Canadians are practising in East Vancouver with a new top line of Sidney Crosby between wingers Eric Staal and Jarome Iginla.
Rick Nash has been moved to a line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
The third and fourth lines are unchanged, with Patrice Bergeron being the fourth-line spare.
Despite outshooting the Americans 45-23, Canada’s loss forced them into Tuesday’s elimination-round of playoffs. If Canada beats the winless Germans, it will face Russia in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.
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