I want to be very clear on one thing. I am in no way comparing what happened last night in Vancouver, to what happened 30 years ago today in Lake Placid from a social-big guy defeated by little guy-totally mind blowing once in a lifetime thing. Last night, a team of very good American NHLers, defeated a very good group of Canadian NHLers in one of the most thrilling hockey games I have ever witnessed. It was in no way a win of the magnitude of USA over USSR, despite the similarities.
These two games were similar in so much as in 1980 the United States had a goaltender that stood on his head (Jim Craig) and took advantage of their opportunities when they were presented. Last night Ryan Miller had the game of his life between the pipes for the United States, and when the US did get scoring chances, they capitalized on them. I feel Marty Brodeur was very underwhelming in goal for Canada last night, as Vladislav Tretiak was for the Soviets 30 years ago. While this was a big, huge win for the United States, I would rank it third behind Squaw Valley in 1960 and the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
Either way, was that some kind of hockey game last night or what?! Can we talk about the three breakaways they traded for a second? Oh my God. I thought for sure Doc was going to blow a gasket. Oh, and then the shooting gallery in the last 4 minutes? I even caught MOL secretly watching the third period last night! I am not sure how this tournament is going to wind up, but the United States certainly impressed the hell out of me last night. Do not count Canada out though. Even though they made their lives difficult by having to win four in a row, including having to go through the powerhouse Russian Club to win gold on home soil, they definitely have the squad to do so. Was last night the Miracle on Ice Part II? No, but it was one damn fine hockey game!
I am with you 100% Chris. 1980 was one of my earliest memories, I remember everyone going nuts and that’s all the adults were talking about. That being said, the games so far have been fantastic, the pace of the games, the hitting, the goaltending all reminds me of the NHL before it got watered down by too many expansion teams. I wish NBC hadn’t dropped the ball and put the USA v Canada game on MSNBC, what that game could have done for their network viewership of regular season NHL games was off the charts. The Russia Czech Republic game was pretty fantastic as well, seeing Jagr and Kozlov out there on the ice at their ages making contributions was pretty impressive, almost makes me wish the B’s would make an offer to Jagr.
I do think that the Americans can beat any of these teams on any given day, it just comes down to Miller’s goaltending and metal toughness, the bye will definitely help them, playing at the intense level these teams have been at has got to be a serious drain. Also, the less time Kessel spends on the ice the better, he seems to be the only one not playing tough hockey at both ends of the ice.
After watching the Russians get smoked by Canada yesterday, I’ve got to say that they will be impossible to beat again if they play like that in their next two games.
The Canadians do seem to be able to win at will. I really am on the fence on if I like Olympic hockey. On the one hand I love the up and down, on the other, I hate how the Euros get to run around without retribution. I used to like Saku Koivu, but he is a dirty little bugger. Alex Semin too. I am going to Connecticut in a few minutes, but I have a full post panned on the subject.
Keep in mind that when Tretiak was pulled the game was tied, and the tying shot came at the end of the 2nd period. I agree that 2 goals on 6 shots wasn’t very good for the best Goalie in the world, but why put his backup in when he hasn’t lost you the game yet? BTW Myshkin allowed 2 goals on 6 shots in the third.
I still consider that to be the biggest bonehead play by a coach in any major sporting event ever.