Be careful what you wish for.
A week ago removed from the preliminary round battle, Canada will have their re-match against the U.S. tomorrow in Vancouver. This time it's for gold. And this time, Martin Brodeur will not be in net. In that game, Broduer didn't know what to do with himself without the trapezoid. He played the puck so much it led to two goals. Two goals for the U.S. Brodeur dug his team a hole early that his team could not dig him out of. Brodeur tried to do way too much and it backfired on him. I am surprised about how bad Brodeur played. In the preliminary round I criticized the decision by coach Mike Babcock to even give Luongo a game. That's why I am here and he is there. Luongo looks so much more relaxed in the crease and controlling of rebounds and is the clear better of the two right now.
But on the other side of the ice stands U.S. goaltender Ryan Miller, who has stood on his head all tournament and has carried his team all the way to an improbable shot at gold tomorrow. Something I thought, and I'm sure a lot of other U.S. hockey fans thought, was not possible. It was bad enough they were matched in the same pool as Canada. But after that win a week ago, and the play of Miller, it jump started the whole team. They were playing much more aggressive, and much like a team that has been here before, instead of the team who's average age is 26.
After the win over Canada, the U.S. had a first round bye and faced the Swiss in a re-match of the preliminary round in which the U.S. won a tight 3-1 game. The Swiss, known for some big Olympic upsets, hung around with the U.S. all game, but once again it was the Ryan Miller show and he would not be beaten. Zach Parise (Hey Mike Milbury, what do you think of Zach Parise now?) scored both U.S. goals (one an empty netter) and lifted the U.S. to the semifinals against Finland, who won Silver in 2006 in Turin as they were defeated by Sweden. Led by goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, the Fins were no pushover. Or so it seemed. Kiprusoff was awful in net for the Fins and let in 4 first period goals before removing himself from the game. He was not comfortable, playing very deep in his crease and not moving well at all. Before the first period was over, the U.S. put in 5. They would cruise to a 6-1 win and a shot at gold tomorrow.
By losing to the U.S. Sunday, it meant Canada would not have a bye and would play Germany in the first Qualifying round. No sweat for Canada as they won 8-2. But a sweat was coming, and it would be from the Russians who they would play in the Quarterfinals. Led by Alexander Ovechkin and goalie Evgeni Nabokov, the Russians were a huge favorite to medal in these Olympics. A showdown I thought would be for gold, would send one of the favorites home without a shot at a medal. Much like Kiprusoff for the Fins, Nabokov was equally as bad in that game giving up 6 goals not even half way through. Canada would win 7-3 and face Slovakia led by Zedeno Chara and Ziggy Palffy in the Semis. Canada had a 3-0 lead in the third but gave up 2 goals in the final ten minutes. Slovakia had a chance to tie the game with under a minute left but missed a bad angle shot on the right side of the net and Canada held on for their shot at the re-match.
Last Sunday, Canada put 45 shots on Ryan Miller and the U.S. They dominated play and controlled the puck for a majority of the game. The U.S. can not allow this to happen again tomorrow. You can only rely on a goaltender for so long it is only a matter of time before those shots start going in if he is under that amount of barrage. The U.S. has to get their forecheck going early and try and sustain it throughout the game. Keep the play in the Canadian zone. Make them play defense. With all those stars on their team like Crosby, Getzlaf, Staal, Heatly and so on, get them frustrated early. Make them play in their own zone and limit the opportunities for Canada. Do that, and I think the U.S. will have their first gold since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.
Your thoughts on the game in Comments. LETS GO USA!
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