Congrats to our neighbors to the North

Congratulations to the Canadian Hockey Team for their gold medal win today.  Also some accolades go out to the USA team who never backed down from the challenge, tieing the game late and taking into overtime.

All I know is, this was what hockey was all about.  Great game.  Sidney Crosby, once again, became the hero of the nation as he scored the game winning goal in overtime.  I can't tell you how many text messages I got right after that goal from various friends of mine who aren't hockey fans telling me how much Ryan Miller was horrible.  Problem is, I have seen Sid do this 1000 times against every goalie in hockey.  Ryan Miller played the game of his life.  He was almost unflappable.  Despite the score, he was the best goal tender on the ice.  If there is one thing that a team learns quickly is that you don't leave Sidney alone anywhere near the net or he will make you pay.  That's exactly what he did.

I was kind of torn at the end.  The initial reaction of the goal was an immediate urge to throw something through the TV.  However, after realizing it was Sidney Crosby who scored, I then felt some redemption.  After all, he is a Penguin.  Still, it was a tough loss after watching Team USA through the entire tournament get better game by game.  Eventhough I have always been inclined to view second place as the first loser, in the Olympics, there is no loser.  I'll take a Silver medal anyday.

Congratulations Canada!!!

USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!

All I can say is WOW!!!

If you aren't a hockey fan, I'm sorry.  I truly am sorry.  You are missing out.  Even if you aren't, today's games could easily convert the non believers. 

The Team USA vs. Team Canada matchup has had the epic battle label attached to it since the Olympic games were announced to be held in Vancouver.  There was so much hype leading up to this game that I was so skeptical that it would fail on an epic scale.  Thank God I was wrong.  I think the majority of the game, I spent standing on my feet in nervous anticipation.

This game had it all.  Great scoring chances, awesome goaltending, hard hits, and plenty of emotion that you usually only see in NHL playoff hockey.  For these guys, it was a playoff game.  A playoff on a global scale.  This, afterall, is Canada's game.  Not only is there a certain pride involved with winning this thing, but the winner will get a bye through the first round of the semi finals.  The losing team may actually have to play an additional game in the preliminary round.  The USA had everything to win and Canada had it all to lose.

The crowd was into the game from the opening face off.  Chants of CANADA and USA went back and forth throughout the game.

All game long, it was back and forth with each team trying to top the other.  My favorite play of the game had to be with less than 4 minutes left when Canada was on a power play.  Miller made three beautiful saves in a row as he was sprawling across the goal crease.  Crosby was able to redirect a Rick Nash pass less than a minute later to bring Canada within 1 goal.  Sometimes a little bit of luck makes all the difference. 

It didn't matter though.  Ryan Kessler was able to race down the ice and make a diving swat at the bouncing puck into an Brodeur-less net.  The USA came out with the win, giving them either 1st or 2nd place in the division. Canada will have to play Germany on Tuesday and their elephant just keeps getting bigger.

I don't know what else to write.  That game was phenomenal!!  This was the best birthday present I could have ever asked for.  I need a nap.  USA!!  USA!!  USA!!!

Ice Time: Olympic Edition (USA vs. Switzerland [Men's])

VS.


Finally the men's round of the Olympic tournament began today with the USA facing off against the sleeper pick Swiss team.  Despite the final score of the game, the two teams seemed pretty even matched with a slight edge to the USA. 

In the opening stanzas of the game, the Swiss were bound and determined to make something happen and played as physical of a game as they possibly could.  The score board didn't relect their play because the USA put one on the board by Bobby Ryan to close out the first period.  By the end of the first, you could tell the Swiss were getting worn out.
Five minutes into the second period, David Backes put up the second goal for Team USA.  The Swiss went a man down at about the 8 minute mark on a hooking penalty that proved costly.  Ryan Malone scored a power play goal, making it 3-0.  The Swiss team missed a great opportunity, one of the best of the game, when Sprunger missed a wide open net, shooting over the crossbar.

Switzerland was charging hard in the 3rd period, emptying the tanks of all they had.  They scored their only goal on a powerplay to Ryan Suter for roughing.  It was a strange play that looked like Ryan Miller stopped it but somehow was poked through his legs into the net before the refs blew the play dead.  That was it for their scoring. 

It was actually somewhat of a boring game without much excitement or "razzle dazzle" plays that we have come used to in Olympic hockey.  I will say that the exchange at the end about the merits of pulling a goal tender in the last few minutes was entertaining.  While Doc Emerick and Eddie O were contemplating the extra attacker at the end, Pierre butted in saying that is exactly what you don't want to do, stating the fact that points for and against count in tournament play.  Doc voted to pull Hiller anyway.  Good thing he isn't a coach.

USA wins!! 3-1

Ice Time: Olympic Edition (USA vs. China [Women's])

VS.

In today's matchups, the USA women's team takes on China for a chance to move on in the round robin tournament. Hopefully, NBC has the kinks worked out of their broadcasting so that we don't get the lapses in coverage like yesterday. I'm not sure if these teams are an even matchup, though. Who am I kidding? I didn't even know China has a hockey team. Apparently there area total of 166 registered female hockey players in China. This is their 21 best. Some thoughts...

--Most of the game would appear like a practice session for the US women. It seems like they are toying with them the entire time.

--From what I have seen so far, there isn't a team that can compete with either the US or Canada.

--China's goalie is named Shi. I wonder if her first name is Sue because she is being sliced and diced up like a spring roll. I will give her this...she is a wall on her glove side.

--This ice surface is in serious need of a snow plow. Poor preparation.

--Jocelyne Lamoureux's goal in the 2nd was a thing of beauty. A dink and dunk, between the legs pass to herself around the defender and through the five hole. Highlight film!!

--Shots on goal at the end of the 2nd = 43 USA, 4 China. I feel sorry for both goalies. One isn't playing and the other one is the only one playing.

--Speaking of goalies, the USA put in their backup with about 5 minutes left in the third. She gave up the only goal China scored. I was cheering for China at that point. No one wants to see the destruction of a team like that.

USA wins 12-1!!