Crosby lifts Canada over USA in classic gold medal game
Evan Slavit
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Sports
In one of the more exciting gold medal hockey matches in recent memory, Team Canada put the United States' squad away 7:40 into overtime on Sunday afternoon. Coming into the match-up Canada was the heavy favorite, despite losing to the United States 5-3 a week before. Led by star forwards Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton, and Jerome Iginla, Canada seemed to have enough fire power to overtake any opponent. For the United States, Brian Burke, the team's general manager, was hoping a roster full of young NHL stars with little to no Olympic game experience could right the wrongs from the 2006 Olympic Games, where the United States failed to medal.
Burke's decision paid off for the United States, as they went 3-0 in the preliminary round to earn the first seed in the tournament, despite being projected to finish sixth. Led by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, the U.S. continued their strong play with a quarter-final win over Switzerland and a decisive semi-final win over Finland.
Following the disappointing loss to the U.S. in the preliminary round, Canada had a harder road to the gold medal game than they had expected. Without a bye thanks to the United States' win, they had to face three potential spoilers in Germany, Russia and Slovakia. As if inspired by the loss, Canada won their next three games handily, with their only close match-up a 3-2 affair with Slovakia, but only after staking themselves to a 3-0 lead.
These games marked the thirty year anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice," so despite being heavy underdogs, the U.S. believed they could achieve the impossible. The start of the game did not go the way the United States had hoped as midway through the second period they were down 2-0, the first time they had trailed all tournament. They responded well behind phenomenal goaltending by Ryan Miller, and they were able to keep it close, only trailing Canada 2-1 in the final minutes of the game. With only 25 seconds left in the game, the U.S. was able to tie it on the strength of a Zach Parise goal after Miller was pulled in favor of an extra skater. It appeared that the U.S. was poised for another miracle going into the overtime frame. But, it was not to be as Canada's favorite son Sidney Crosby had other plans, slipping a wrist shot under the pads of Miller to clinch the gold medal for Canada in overtime.
The tournament ended with Canada winning gold, the U.S. winning silver, and Finland taking home the bronze. While the loss stings for the Americans, the team should be proud as they far-exceeded most people's expectations. A big reason for their success was Ryan Miller, whose outstanding goaltending earned him MVP honors for the tournament, despite a silver medal finish. For Canada, the win vindicated a tough loss to the United States in the preliminary round, and provided the gold-lining for the nation hosting the Olympic Games.
Burke's decision paid off for the United States, as they went 3-0 in the preliminary round to earn the first seed in the tournament, despite being projected to finish sixth. Led by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, the U.S. continued their strong play with a quarter-final win over Switzerland and a decisive semi-final win over Finland.
Following the disappointing loss to the U.S. in the preliminary round, Canada had a harder road to the gold medal game than they had expected. Without a bye thanks to the United States' win, they had to face three potential spoilers in Germany, Russia and Slovakia. As if inspired by the loss, Canada won their next three games handily, with their only close match-up a 3-2 affair with Slovakia, but only after staking themselves to a 3-0 lead.
These games marked the thirty year anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice," so despite being heavy underdogs, the U.S. believed they could achieve the impossible. The start of the game did not go the way the United States had hoped as midway through the second period they were down 2-0, the first time they had trailed all tournament. They responded well behind phenomenal goaltending by Ryan Miller, and they were able to keep it close, only trailing Canada 2-1 in the final minutes of the game. With only 25 seconds left in the game, the U.S. was able to tie it on the strength of a Zach Parise goal after Miller was pulled in favor of an extra skater. It appeared that the U.S. was poised for another miracle going into the overtime frame. But, it was not to be as Canada's favorite son Sidney Crosby had other plans, slipping a wrist shot under the pads of Miller to clinch the gold medal for Canada in overtime.
The tournament ended with Canada winning gold, the U.S. winning silver, and Finland taking home the bronze. While the loss stings for the Americans, the team should be proud as they far-exceeded most people's expectations. A big reason for their success was Ryan Miller, whose outstanding goaltending earned him MVP honors for the tournament, despite a silver medal finish. For Canada, the win vindicated a tough loss to the United States in the preliminary round, and provided the gold-lining for the nation hosting the Olympic Games.
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