Let’s Go USA! Let’s Go!
Let’s get it on…
As Judge Mills Lane would say on Celebrity Deathmatch, its time for the US and Canada to face-off in the most anticipated game of the Olympics to date. Alas, NBC has demoted the hockey action to a Cable station (and off my HD programming). That will not deter the hockey faithful across both great nations. Hockey will be found on many TVs across the US and Canada. Faithfully cheering on the Maple Leaf or the Red, White & Blue.
How does this game turnout? No one knows. What we do know is that we will see a great game.
The young, brash, physical American boys vs the weathered, experienced leaders of Canada.
The best goalie no one talks about vs. the best goalie of the last two decades (no…not Roy).
The under achieving Coach vs. a Coach who has taken a team to two straight Finals.
The stakes in this first meeting are high, but not as high as they will be later should the two meet again. Both teams are going through to the next round. What is at stake are bragging rights and momentum.
Canada is the heavily favored home team. All the pressure is on them, they literally have everything to lose not taking the Group lead away from the US. Imagine the boos raining down from the Canada fans if the US were to win in regulation? Not sure booing the US, but mostly booing their own countrymen. That is something Canada cannot afford when moving on to take on the other top teams.
The US are the upstarts, playing with fire and determination with nothing to lose. Of course they want to win the game, but most importantly they don’t want to be taken to the cleaners. Much like the World Junior Championships this past January, the US is looking to build on big wins and hang with the Canadians. Can they? Will they be able to play a clean game and not give up 2 on 1 rushes to the San Jose line of terror? Crosby and Nash? Can they silence the Vancouver crowd till the final horn?
Can Team USA be world beaters once again? Can a young group of Americans make a statement game about the progression of hockey in America? Can they honor the 30th Anniversary of the Miracle on Ice? Will another Suter do the trick? I know this isn’t the same scenario. This isn’t Team USA fighting for a medal, this is just the last game of Group play. However, the players have to elevate themselves to that level. They need to channel the ghosts of teams past to take on the favored juggernaut and move on in the tournament.
Be ready for a good one. Grab your snacks, your American brewed beer and watch this one. I have a feeling its going to be a real good game to watch from start to finish.
Let”s Go USA, Let’s Go!
Bring home a winner for those who can’t be home to see you drop the Canadians!
