HabsWorld.net -- 

After an intrasquad scrimmage on Tuesday, Canada returned to exhibition play against the United States.  Avenging a loss earlier in the week, Team Canada defeated the US 3-1.  Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Sakic and Brad Richards all scored 2nd period goals en route to the win.

Battling for the #2 goalie spot, Roberto Luongo made saves on all 8 shots he faced, while Montreal Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore stopped 12 of 13 shots he faced while protecting the league.  Jose faired much better than he did in the previous day’s scrimmage.

Robert Esche played shut-out hockey in the first period for the US, while Ty Conklin allowed all 3 goals after taking over in the 2nd period.  Chris Drury scored the lone US goal.

Note: Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Simon Gagne, and Martin Brodeur did not dress for Team Canada, while Rick DiPietro, Brett Hull, Brian Rafalski, and Paul Martin sat for Team USA . . . Paul Martin replaced Jordan Leopold on the American roster after Leopold suffered a concussion in Monday’s game . . . Team USA plays Team Russia on Friday in Columbus, Ohio and Canada faces Slovakia on Saturday in Ottawa.

Photo from the CP