Andrew Mangiapane carries many aliases within the C of Red. Nicknames such as, Mang, Bread, and Andrew Eats Bread, are all synonymous with the Bolton, Ontario native and Calgary Flames forward. Now, Mangiapane can now add a couple more nicknames to his arsenal.
Andrew Mangiapane poses with his recently awarded MVP trophy
GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images
The Flames newest “Golden Boy” sounds very fitting after Mangiapane helped capture gold with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, despite missing the first three games due to travel and quarantine protocols.
Mangiapane’s addition could not have come at a better time, considering Canada kicked off the tournament with three straight losses. What was even more surprising than the Canadians slow start was the teams who managed to defeat them. Canada dropped the first three games to Latvia, the United States, and Germany.
With Mangiapane in the lineup, the Canadian team looked rejuvenated and managed to secure the fourth and final playoff position in Group B. Mangiapane was a pivotal force for Team Canada, as he found immediate success with his line mates, Connor Brown and Adam Henrique.
In the tournament’s playoff rounds, Mangiapane continued his brilliant performance, scoring the overtime winner against the Russian Olympic Committee in the quarterfinals as well as the game winner against the US in the semifinals.
Team Canada went on the defeat Finland 3-2 in overtime to claim the prestigious World Championship trophy and its accompanying gold medals.
As the dust settled in Latvia, Andrew Mangiapane received one last nickname. Arguably my favorite of the bunch, Mang was soon dubbed “Most Valuable Bread,” as he was named MVP of the tournament. Notching 11 points in seven games, scoring a handful of game winners, and righting the metaphorical ship for Canada was more than enough evidence to award him tournament MVP. Mangiapane was also named to the tournaments All-Star Team.
What a way to begin your international tournament career. What other exciting opportunities are in store for the Most Valuable Bread?
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