Iginla double fires Team Canada past Germany and into ice hockey quarter finals

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

 CANADA men's ice hockey team vented their frustrations on Germany as Jarome Iginla's double fired the hosts into a quarter-final showdown with world champions Russia.

RED-HOT: Jarome Iginla scores two as Canada cruise past Germany and into quarter finals (Getty Images)

Germany felt the wrath of Canada, a wounded animal after the 5-3 defeat to rivals the USA, who finally hit their straps at Vancouver 2010 - romping to a 8-2 victory with a performance that boosted their hopes of Olympic gold.

Iginla took his tournament tally to five while there were also goals from Joe Thornton, Sidney Crosby, Mike Richards, Scott Niedermayer, Rick Nash and a stunning strike from Shea Weber that ripped through the German net.

From the get-go Canada flew out of the blocks. Whereas against the USA they began like deer caught in the headlights, the hosts roared into action, shooting on sight in search of an early lead.

In the early stages, Canada found Germany goaltender in Thomas Greiss in fine form but the breakthrough eventually came in the 11th minute when San Jose Sharks' Thornton slammed home.

The relief in Canada Hockey Place was palpable but it was nothing short of what the hosts deserved.

Germany held out until the end of the first period but the Canadian onslaught was cranked up a notch in the second and after just three minutes the lead was doubled.

Weber unleashed a stinging shot from just inside the blue line that flew past Greiss, high to his right, and ripped through the net - Canada were only awarded the goal after the umpires replayed the incident.

It typified Canada's intensity. While very easy on the eye against the USA, dynamism was lacking but it was present in abundance from the Big Red Machine against Germany.

And Iginla, a surviving member of the Olympic gold medal winning team of 2002, had his first less than a minute later, capitalising after Germany failed to clear their lines.

Five minutes later a fine second for sharpshooter Iginla, who plies his trade for the Calgary Flames, put Canada 4-0 up and cruising.

The hosts were enjoying themselves at Canada Hockey Place. The shackles had been broken. It was as if the defeat to the USA wiped the slate clean and as the red wave continued, Sidney Crosby had the chance to make it five with a penalty shot.

Greiss denied the Pittsburgh Penguins captain but Marcel Goc became the first man to score past Canadian goaltender Roberto Luongo - restored to the line-up after Martin Brodeur's abject performance against the USA.

But nothing could stop Canada romping into the last eight. Early In the third period both Crosby, his third of the tournament, and Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers got on the scoresheet as a carnival atmosphere engulfed Canada Hockey Place.

Captain Niedermayer then fired past Greiss and with three and a half minutes remaining Nash scored his first goal of Vancouver 2010, high past Greiss to round off a comprehensive victory with Germany's Manuel klinge scoring a late consolation.

The defeat to the USA has not been forgotten in Vancouver and may not be for a long time but as all eyes turn to a quarter final with Russia and after a morale-boosting victory, for the time-being at least it has been forgiven.

 

AS IT HAPPENS: Follow day 12 of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver