Recap: USA 5, Canada 3

In case you have not heard, US hockey is having a pretty good 2010 in games against the Canadians. After a heartbreaking loss on the last day of 2009 in the World Juniors, the US has responded with two major upsets of their rivals to the north. Tonight was one of those upsets. The USA had a great all around game, withstanding flurry after flurry from a hungry Canadian team trying to avoid embarrassment on their home turf.

Some thoughts on the game:

• We have pointed out that Ryan Miller needed to be spectacular for the USA to have a shot in these games. Well, he realizes that too, and put in a truly sensational performance in a game in which the US never trailed, largely due to his efforts.
• Brian Rafalski has been Team USA's biggest offensive threat so far. And like we have mentioned before, its not the power of his shot or the quickness of his release, its the accuracy with which he directs the puck towards the net. Both goals (and the assist to Langenbrunner) were low, accurate shots that seemed to be placed just perfectly.
• What an effort by Ryan Kessler. I think Corey Perry forgot he didn't have Marty back in the net, because he tried to block Kesler's body off, which simply allowed the Vancouver Canuck the room to sweep the puck into the empty cage. It was a killer for the Canadians, who seemed on the verge of scoring for the previous minute and a half.
• How about Captain America? Jamie Langenbrunner got a crucial deflection off that Rafalski shot and put the US up by 2 and started the beginning of the Canadian panic attack. His presence was felt elsewhere as well, with his energy, quickness, and leadership propelling this US team.
• Speaking of energy, Chris Drury was supposed to be an afterthought and many criticized his inclusion on the team. Two big goals for the US has put an end to that kind of talk.
• No one can ever convince me that Canada doesn't need Mike Green. I am convinced that during that late flurry with two minutes in the third Greenie would have found a hole in Ryan Miller's armor with that patented snapshot of his, especially with how exhausted the USA forecheckers were. That's his forte.
• Crosby got two of his own patented goals, a garbage goal in front of the net and a deflection from around the same area. Too bad that second one was against his own goalie.
• Sweet move by Dustin Brown, faking the pass then going back between his legs a' la Ovechkin. Almost worked too.

So, Team USA stuns everyone and yet does what everyone was saying they had the potential to accomplish. If these two teams meet in the medal round, it will be a game for the ages. Right now though, the US gets to wait while Canada takes on Germany. I'm sure the Canadians are shaking in their skates.

But at this point for these guys, who knows?

USA vs. Canada

If you are a fan of U.S. Hockey, then today feels like Christmas. At 7pm EST the US mens hockey team will take on the heavily favored Canadians. The game, being in Vancouver, will naturally have a very pro-Canadian crowd on hand, and the depth of the Canadian squad is unparalleled in these games. They have arguably the greatest goalie to ever play the game in between the pipes. They have a ridiculous offense (in which Toews is on their forth line) and a punishing defense. Most people in hockey community will say advantage Canada. Those same people will predict a victory for Canada and a bye into the quarterfinal round.

I must however take a page out of ESPN College Football analyst Lee Corso's book and say, "not so fast my friends." The Canadians have struggled at times in this tournament and posted a very unimpressive win against the Swiss in a shootout. The US should not be looked at as the same team of your fathers generation; this team is comprised entirely of NHL caliber players. They may not have the depth of the Canadians but they are certainly capable of beating any team in this tournament. They are lead by a world class goaltender in Ryan Miller and by one of the best natural goal scorers in the game in Zach Parise.

The Canadians will be motivated early by their lackluster performance against the Swiss as well as the raucous crowd. If the Americans are not able to weather the storm early then it could get ugly. But, if they escape the 1st period in a close game (which I predict they will), and if Ryan Miller stands on his head (which I predict he will), then I expect to see the upset in full force tonight in Vancouver.

USA 4 Canada 3.