The 1960 throwbacks works as it takes 50 years, but it is a sweet 5-3 U.S.A win over Canada guaranteeing at least a 2 seed in the knockout portion of the tourney.
Canada will have to win 4 games in 4 days to win the Gold.
U.S.A. will have to win 3 games in 4 days to win the Gold.
Canada starts with Germany in a 6-11 match up.
USA will either play the winner of Slovakia / Belarus or a Swiss / Norway depending on the Finland / Sweden game. Because of the 5-3 victory against Canada the US needs a Sweden victory or a Finland victory in overtime to gain the # 1 seed. I’d rather see them play as the 2 seed and let Finland play the Slovakia / Belarus winner. We’ve won against Swiss / Norway, and I’d rather play Norway.
Tonight’s game was a tale of 5 sections.
Section 1 : Quick US Score followed by Canada equalizer then the lead back for the US.
The US in the first period used counter attacking to a T and whenever Marty Brodeur decided to get away from the crease, he was punished with shots and two goals.
Section 2: Canada attacking with organized attacks as the US fell into the trap of defending a lead. They gave up the equalizer and so many times Canada had open looks and Ryan Miller shut them down.
Section 3: The key of the game was here… ACTUALLY scoring on a Power Play. The US can’t let the man advantage go away with bad passing and barely any shots with a man advantage. Canada played inspired until the last PP.
Section 4: The Brick Wall of Miller. You can’t see the Miller Time logo on the back of his helmet but Ryan was IMPRESSIVE! The Buffalo Sabre goalkeeper was everywhere in the crease and made several incredible stick and glove saves. At any time Canada COULD HAVE tied it up, but every time they had a chance, Ryan just got enough of the puck to send it somewhere else. By using the Brick Wall of Miller the US had enough counter attacking to change the tempo and momentum of the game.
Section 5: Empty Netter and celebration. Laying down to score a 5th goal may have seemed without value but that 5th goal could be the difference in seeding for the US team. Now they sit back and get to ice down those injuries.
For the entire game I kept trying to explain penalties and players to Joanna. All she wanted to talk about was pretty boy Sydney Crosby, and with the exception of the one goal was a non entity in the game.
My three stars:
3. Chris Drury Goal and overall attitude!
2. Ryan Miller 42 saves Nuff said.
1. Brian Rafalski 36 year old grandpa of the US team with 2 goals.
In other Olympic news, the US Curling team still sucks. My favorite goat still found a way to blame everyone else but HIMSELF! He even had the gall to challenge Brian Smith to make a tough shot and bet him $20 if he couldn’t make it.
Win consistently and then have fun with the side bets GOAT!
But then , that’s my opinion and I’m still waiting for the Goat fanclub to show up and tell me what kind of great guy he is.
Sean is the proprietor of http://www.donahue.org . He's been a skycap, private security, student, Radio Shack store manager, radio personality and now writer.
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Canada pwned the podium. Only in North America do they count total medals to determine first place. In many sports, you may as well add 4th and 5th to that match up. In Hockey, there is only 1st and maybe 2nd + the rest.
Most other countries count Gold medal finishes first.
They should do away with Silver and Bronze and just have “Champion + honorable mention”
As a Scot, this makes sense to me… and we only won one Gold!
Then why did Canada admit defeat? Owning the podium = OWNING EVERY PLACE , TOTAL Metal Count. The US wasn’t supposed to win the total metal count, not come even close. As host country they were expected to make a showing.
They didn’t and thus they were PWNED!
Thanks for visiting!
Math called. They wanted you to know that winning, means winning GOLD.
Therefore, CANADA PWNED!!
Sorry Schaubs… They don’t list the rankings in number of Gold, they list it in TOTAL medals won. And Canada admitted defeat. Why don’t all of you Canada lovers check with your PR people first