Yes. We. Can.
For the hockey fans of North America…has there been a better game recently? Has there been a game that had it all (minus a good fight)?
Frantic first period.
Punch and counter punch.
Amazing goaltending and unlucky bounces (or redirects).
Big hits.
…and a cry baby Captain after the second period.
Team USA broke the scoring open in the first with a great shot by Rafalski that was tipped past Martin Brodeur…or so it looked. Rafalski was credited with the goal. Canada surged back and sent in their own goal courtesy or Eric Staal. Rafalski answered and made it 3-1 USA at the end of the first. The pace settled as Heatley and Drury exchanged goals to make it 3-2 USA after two periods. Canada ramped up the pace again in the third. Ryan Miller turned away 13 of 14 3rd period shots to allow the US to win 5-3 behind goals from Langebrunner and Kesler.
It’s interesting how this team was scrutinized for adding in a veteran like Drury, a Captain in Langenbrunner, and a smaller Rafalski. It’s also interesting how all three was the most influential skaters for the US. Drury was on the ball as an energy player and penalty killer. Langenbrunner was solid in both ends in front of his own net. Rafalski was the best puck mover the team had. Not to discredit the role and ability of other players, but the veterans lead the way in the biggest game for this team to date.
Ryan Miller was just simply amazing. At times he looked tired, beaten, and worn down. Then he would come right back and make a flurry of solid saves. If not for his effort the game would have been lost. Miller stopped 42 of 45 Canadian shots. The “experts” said it would come down to goaltending and Miller stepped up.
Kudos to Ron Wilson (and Torts) as well. The US was plagued with odd man rush after odd man rush in the two previous games against lesser opponents. The US Defense settled in and made the safe (and smart) play in terms of when to step up to take away space. There were few pinches resulting in rushes back. Not to say Canada didn’t get some odd man chances, but you can’t keep a team that skilled from ever doing it.
David Backes and Erik Johnson played well in their respective roles. Johnson saw lesser time, but that is likely a good thing. Not sure if he could have been able to sustain wave after wave of Canadian attack. Backes went back to his Blues roots with his energy role. Get in and bang the body. He did contribute an assist on the Drury goal by establishing solid net presence in front of Marty.
Pardon me for doing this, but….QQ more Neids. You’re cry baby act after the second period was a little too much. JJ (Jack Johnson) didn’t do anything wrong and you went after him. Easy to be a “big tough guy” when you can’t drop the gloves to man up. Too much entitlement with the Canadians. They just didn’t want it enough. That said, they played an amazing game.
What a game and what a way to end Group play. The USA wins all three Group games in regulation and moves on with the Bye. Schedule of games for the next round will be out today.
