VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Martin Brodeur is out as Canada’s starting goaltender and will be replaced by Roberto Luongo for today’s qualification game against Germany.

Canada Coach Mike Babcock is benching Brodeur, the NHL career victories leader, after Brodeur allowed four goals on 22 shots during a 5-3 loss to the United States on Sunday. Babcock told Luongo he would play the next game.

”I’m really pumped up and ready to go,” Luongo said. ”I’ve been taking shots on the side to stay sharp, just in case, and when you’re excited and the adrenaline is going, you don’t have any problems finding that rhythm.”

Babcock was critical of Brodeur, saying Canada needed better goaltending.

”We’re in the winning business, and to win the games at any level, at a high level, you need big saves,” Babcock said.

Canada has gone from being a big favorite to a big question mark. If the Canadians beat Germany, their quarterfinal matchup Wednesday would be against Russia — a game that was widely predicted for the finals.

The winner of that game could face Sweden, another pretournament favorite, in the semifinals.

”We’ve got to take this longer route, but we’re still confident that we’re going to do it,” Canada defenseman Drew Doughty said. ”It’s going to be a longer route, that’s for sure. But there’s no doubt in our minds we can still do it.”

The United States is the No. 1 seed for the elimination round and will play Switzerland or Belarus in the quarterfinals.

 

SKIING IN SHIRTSLEEVES: The sunshine over Whistler Olympic Park led to a slightly unusual dress code for some of the cross country skiing fans.

With spring-like temperatures of about 50 degrees, some fans ditched their thermal jackets and knitted hats in favor of short-sleeved shirts. Or, in some cases, no shirt at all.

Even a few skiers followed suit, with Frenchman Cyril Miranda competing in a short-sleeved top.

In a sport where races are often held in subzero temperatures, it was a welcome change for fans and athletes alike.

”It’s a beautiful day, beautiful sun, beautiful snow, and we are happy in our hearts,” said Russian skier Nikolay Morilov, a bronze medalist in the men’s team sprint.

 

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