Men's hockey: US and Canada will meet again, this time for the gold

by FrankD on Feb 27, 2010 12:08 PM EST

Slovakia put up one hell of a fight but in the end fell just short in a 3-2 Canada win. Canada jumped out to an early start thanks to goals from Patrick Marleau and Brendan Morrow, not even two minutes apart. For most of the second period it remained scoreless, but Canada had the obvious upper hand in terms of shots, puck possession and defensive traps. It wasn't until the final three minutes ticked down that Ryan Getzlaf made it 3-0 in what seemed like the final nail in the coffin.

By the 10 minute mark of the third, Canadian fans started their Go Canada Go chants and "We Want U-S-A." But many were stunned when Lubomir Visnovsky cut the Canada lead to two. While still a healthy lead, I think the confidence was more based on how much control Canada had throughout the entire game. At times it looked like Slovakia couldn't get anything going. Luongo was, of course, playing well in net, but he only faced 21 shots at game's end. I suppose that was enough to go on to think that this one was in the bag.

But lo and behold, not long after Visnovsky pulled Slovakia within two, Michael Handzus made it a one-goal game. Suddenly, Canada wasn't sitting so comfortable.

At this point Slovakia went into desperation mode. Heaves at the net, bodychecks to keep the puck in, some sleek passing to set up great scoring opportunites - you name it. The best chance Slovakia received came with less than 10 seconds to go, nearly right in front of Luongo. I don't remember who had the puck on his stick, but the shot was in a great position with a sliding Luongo way out of position, only it went wide left and ultimately brought the game to an end.

The game was great to watch, but now the outcome of this sets the stage for an even greater rematch. USA and Canada will meet again Sunday night, this time for gold. Canadian fans are already addressing the last game as "practice," while US fans (myself included) are confident n USA's abilities. I will say this though: Canada looks like a totally different team with Luongo in net. I wouldn't say they felt less confident in Brodeur because, well, his resume speaks for itself. But they just seem like a more efficient and well put-together team with Luongo in net than with Marty. I'm sure Canadian fans would be better suited to address the differences than I.

If you haven't watched a single olympic game this entire run, Sunday's game is not the one you want to miss. So mark your calendars for 3:15 EST and get ready to see one of the two take home the gold.

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I believe it was Demitra who had the puck on his stick at the end of game. It sure brought back memories of Marian Hossa.

I think the switch in goaltenders really sent a message for Team Canada. Sure, Brodeur was terrible during the US game, but the team in front of him wasn’t a whole lot better. Sid and the boys have to take some responsibility for the change, which I think has shone through their improved play. Luongo has been pretty good as well, though I wouldn’t go so far as to say he was great. Deep down, I kind of hoped he would falter, so Babs would hand the reigns over to the Flower, but I’d put up with the LUUUUUUUUUUUUs if he could bring us gold.

Sorry Americans, I still love you, but the constant spamming of “5-3 5-3 5-3” on some sites really makes me want to beat you guys. Y’know, that and gold. :D

by Hatt the Moople on Feb 27, 2010 12:39 PM EST reply actions

Yeah I thought it was Demitra but I also had a feeling it could’ve been Handzus. Either way figured I didn’t want to pinpoint a choke artist by accident. heh

This is going to be a great game tomorrow. Definitely looking forward to it.

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by FrankD on Feb 27, 2010 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Demitra

On a side note, it sounds so weird to hear British guys doing the commentary (I live in Europe and was watching the BBC feed via Eurovision on the internet).

Admittedly, Luongo played that the way he was supposed to—pad down and extended, glove hand just above it, and blocked the puck. But man, he looked shaky in the 3rd. Whoda thunk it, Canada with the question in net?

Ovechkin = Green Backs

by red army line on Feb 27, 2010 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

5-3 5-3 5-3 5-3 5-3

:) go USA!

by Ulf Murphy on Feb 27, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

I couldn't resist...

but seriously, now you know what it is like to be a Flyers fan! How does that feel? Again, kidding.

I was kinda shocked by the comeback last night. I believe the talent on the US squad is head and shoulders above that of Slovakia. We will be OK. Ryan Miller is the glue that holds this team together, and the forwards are really starting to gel. The one thing I noted that Slovakia was able to do consistently was keep the Canadian power forwards on the edge. The few times they were allowed to roam free, they tipped one in. Good Luck tomorrow.

by Ulf Murphy on Feb 27, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Give Luongo the credit he deserves! That was a SAVE, not a missed shot!

by LastSonOfKrypton on Feb 27, 2010 3:26 PM EST reply actions

Now now, no reason to get so defensive. One can argue any shot is as much a save as it is a missed shot. Demitra had a lot of net to work with. He had more a chance of scoring a goal than Luongo had of making the save I think. Percentages, low as they may be, just happened to work in Lu’s favor.

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by FrankD on Feb 27, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions

Win/WIn

I see this as a win win for American pens fans. Either SIde wins or America gets another Gold. Either way you can root for a good game. Ovi failed to take his team anywhere so that’s just the cherry.

by JerseyGuy77 on Feb 27, 2010 4:05 PM EST reply actions

I’m wtih you. If USA wins great, go America! If not, then Crosby wins the gold which is just another thing to add to his already great list on accomplishments. Your spot on about Ovi failing being the cherry on top. Especially because he ad what was a really a pretty bad tournament for him. I love it!

by packallday555 on Feb 27, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Very excited.

This will be a great game. It would be really nice to see the Canadians (and Sid and Flower) win their coveted gold medal, but it would also be really nice to see the resurgence of hockey in America.
Either way, it’s setting up to be a great game.

I just had an lol moment when I stumbled upon some article on the NY Post:
“This is the classic Canadian style — get the puck in deep, then crash the net — and it may account in part for why the immensely gifted Sidney Crosby, though skating hard and well, has been such a puzzling nonpresence in these Games. He clearly misses the equally talented Evgeni Malkin, his linemate with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But Crosby’s flair and creativity don’t always fit very neatly with the grind-it-out habits of some of the others, and Babcock has all along been juggling lines trying to find some combination that works with Crosby.”
Well, someone has never watched Sidney Crosby before the Olympic games. There’s a reason why people call him the best grinder in the game.

871

by PensFan8725 on Feb 27, 2010 6:09 PM EST reply actions

I didn’t see the article but I think I’ll take a shot in the dark and suspect that the writer of that article was Larry Brooks?

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by FrankD on Feb 27, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions

The USA has already gone farther than they were expected to so even tho I want them to win, I won’t be dissapointed with a silver

by stoopidtom on Feb 27, 2010 10:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I’m sick of people saying that Sid is a no show in these Olympics. He has been the focus of the opposition’s best defense and has still generated some of the best scoring chances for Canada. It’s not like Canada is full of a bunch of third and fourth liners either. These are the best players on their own teams and the ice time has been split up pretty evenly. Sid is used to several more minutes ice time and much longer shifts.
That being said, I would be hard pressed to pick out any player on Team Canada that has performed better than any other. The offense has been provided by numerous sources. If I had to pick an MVP, I would go with the defensive play of Drew Doughty or Shea Weber.

by eurydice_krg on Feb 27, 2010 11:46 PM EST reply actions

Totally agree with you. Those who think he has been a non-factor must think a player’s impact can only be seen on the score sheet. Granted, I’d love to see him out there getting hat tricks every game, but it isn’t working out that way. I’m not here to criticize his linemates, but very rarely do I see Sid in a situation where he is the recipient of a clean pass where he can actually make something happen for himself. I have seen him in there digging in the corners and making great passes. He is #6 overall in face offs at over 64%, and he has been called on to take more draws than anyone else on the team. He isn’t racking up the points, but he is still tied for 7th overall, and tied for 5th in goals.

by PensAreYourDaddy on Feb 28, 2010 12:10 AM EST up reply actions

They should just be grateful at this point that he saved them earlier in the run with that shootout win. Otherwise the US would’ve bumped them from the gold medal game earlier than planned.

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by FrankD on Feb 28, 2010 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Canada should be regarded as the underdog here and not to add more pressure to Canadian men, but if they win today that would give Canada 14 gold medals to break the Winter Olympic record.

When they showed the guys watching the women’s gold medal game, they looked serious and at the same time “holy crap we really need to win gold”. The look on all of their faces was priceless.

I hope they come through today.

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by shmuck1 on Feb 28, 2010 1:19 PM EST reply actions