USA all the way?
Matt Hallahan
Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: Sports
It was no Miracle on Ice. You could consider it a "miracle" that the USA Olympic hockey team escaped with a 5-3 win over heavily favored Canada despite trailing them in shots 45-22. You could also stretch a miracle out of the fact that Canadian goaltender Martin Brodeur, lauded statistically as the greatest goalie in NHL history, let pass four unmethodical goals considering his 91% career save percentage. But by no means is this recent upset comparable to THE upset over the Soviets 30 years ago. In fact, such allegation would be an insult to both parties.
It would be insult to this year's 23 American Olympians (keep in mind they are professionals now) to be snubbed as a matter of luck getting into the tournament round. My previous column prematurely bashed the USA, saying that they were a long shot to stand toe-to-toe with the Canadians, but Sabers goalie Ryan Miller called my bluff. Just because hockey isn't exactly America's sport does not mean the boys can't hang, noting that they are now in ideal position to contend for a medal.
We also should not insult the will and determination of those young 1980 amateurs. This year's team is far from redeeming the gold of 30 years past. Do not forget, similar to 1980's miracle, USA still has unfinished business. That win over the Soviets would have been no less memorable had it been followed by a loss to Finland in the finals, but they had the grit to finish the dream and stand atop the podium.
Considering every circumstance, this year's pursuit will be no easy task. They must first get past a Swiss team hungry to avenge its 6-1 loss to the Americans earlier this Olympics, which would likely produce a match up with a punishing Czech team looking to win its second gold medal in four Olympics. Given the hypothetical they whether that storm, the USA is likely to butt heads with yet another measure of intimidation.
How about Canada, eh?
Likely embarrassed by having to play a qualifying game just to reach the medal round, Canada swept the ice 8-2 against Germany on Tuesday night. Look for them to sneak past Russia in a highly anticipated semifinal game and get to the gold medal game.
So should I say I'm confident the Americans can repeat against the Canadians? That's a tall order - but a long shot? No, I learned my lesson the first time around. And no, even Olympic gold for the USA in 2010 would fail to attain miracle status, but it would sure give us something to talk about for the next 30 years or so.
It would be insult to this year's 23 American Olympians (keep in mind they are professionals now) to be snubbed as a matter of luck getting into the tournament round. My previous column prematurely bashed the USA, saying that they were a long shot to stand toe-to-toe with the Canadians, but Sabers goalie Ryan Miller called my bluff. Just because hockey isn't exactly America's sport does not mean the boys can't hang, noting that they are now in ideal position to contend for a medal.
We also should not insult the will and determination of those young 1980 amateurs. This year's team is far from redeeming the gold of 30 years past. Do not forget, similar to 1980's miracle, USA still has unfinished business. That win over the Soviets would have been no less memorable had it been followed by a loss to Finland in the finals, but they had the grit to finish the dream and stand atop the podium.
Considering every circumstance, this year's pursuit will be no easy task. They must first get past a Swiss team hungry to avenge its 6-1 loss to the Americans earlier this Olympics, which would likely produce a match up with a punishing Czech team looking to win its second gold medal in four Olympics. Given the hypothetical they whether that storm, the USA is likely to butt heads with yet another measure of intimidation.
How about Canada, eh?
Likely embarrassed by having to play a qualifying game just to reach the medal round, Canada swept the ice 8-2 against Germany on Tuesday night. Look for them to sneak past Russia in a highly anticipated semifinal game and get to the gold medal game.
So should I say I'm confident the Americans can repeat against the Canadians? That's a tall order - but a long shot? No, I learned my lesson the first time around. And no, even Olympic gold for the USA in 2010 would fail to attain miracle status, but it would sure give us something to talk about for the next 30 years or so.
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