God Bless Freedom

Today feels different. Perhaps it has something to do with yesterday's big news with a successful U.S. Mission finally getting Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.

As news leaked via Twitter (where else) before media news outlets confirmed a prosperous day in American History, the drama built to a feverish pitch. Everyone was real careful before locking in on the No.1 terrorist on our Most Wanted List. The way rumors spread, it was wise to use caution. When something like this happens, everything stops. It's already been a few years since they caught and executed Saddam Hussein. Now, on May 1, 2011 nearly 10 years after 9/11 that impacted so many innocent lives destroying families, we will not forget where we were. Just as we'll never forget that tragic day that caused heartache and panic.

It's hard to express what this means. As I watched the news with Dad downstairs, finally President Barack Obama made the trip to make an official announcement over an hour after he was expected to speak. The wait was worth it. Sure. We'll never get back that long sad day. All those lives lost. It's easy to reflect back and see where you were at that exact moment. I was supposed to be at work in Jersey City at Harborside Financial Center right across from the beloved Twin Towers. Every day, I made it a point to stop and look at them, admiring what our way of life is all about. Then, one day they vanished due to pure evil.

Oddly enough, as I crossed the Bayonne Bridge, Howard Stern announced it and to my amazement was a dark cloud of smoke coming from the Towers. A surreal scene as I saw plenty of police cars en route to 34th Street Bayonne Station, aware that there'd be no Light Rail service. A crowd gathered at the parking lot, including a co-worker Jason Riggati I knew. We stood and watched helplessly as the Twin Towers burned to the ground, killing thousands. Fresh in my memory are the screams and the, "Oh my God's," most of us echoed. The crazy aspect is that we were the lucky ones. We lived to tell about it.

Even as Obama read his well prepared statement, I felt sadness thinking back at how many died. So many NYPD, FDNY and soldiers who sacrificed for our cause. The families affected will never get back their lost ones. I can't imagine losing someone I loved. We've all had to deal with family deaths. Last year, it was a close friend who died in a car accident. It'll be a year on May 21 since Lyndsay Richburg left us. It still hurts. That kind of pain is different from a severe attack out of pure hatred and jealousy. I miss our friend dearly but know he's up there watching over us. I hope that's how Moms and Dads feel about their sons and daughters who are long gone. You can't erase memories. Wrap your arms around a memory and it's there forever. <<<333

Cherish every day. You never know when your time is up. While we can't get back September 11, 2001, we can move forward knowing our true heroes prevailed yesterday. Of course, the job is far from over with Al Qaeda still lurking along with many other evil doers. Something President Obama alluded to in a well thought out, concise statement:

“For over two decades, Bin Laden has been Al Qaeda’s leader and symbol. The death of Bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda. But his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that Al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

In that moment, I felt humble with incredible pride. Just like Post 9/11 where we banded together for our cause, we again witnessed the best of America. As word spread during the Mets-Phillies game on ESPN, suddenly fans started patriotic chants of, "USA! USA!! USA!!!" Ironically, it was a classic game that went 13 innings before New York prevailed 2-1. I'm no Met fan like Hasan. But how can one not recall Mike Piazza's three-run home run versus the Braves at Shea in the first ballgame after 9/11? As emotional a moment as it gets. Being a Yankee fan, I'm still prouder of the 2001 team that fought valiantly winning all three games at the only true Stadium, featuring dramatic home runs from Tino Martinez, Scott Brosius and Derek Jeter. Even in defeat, the Yankees made our city proud.

How about all those who surrounded the White House and celebrated in the streets with patriotic American flags while singing the Pledge Of Allegiance and God Bless America? That was something else.

While we still talk about those two incredible baseball memories on both sides, for me I can recall being at the first sporting even following the terrible tragedy. It was a preseason game between the Devils and Rangers. I'll admit to having a heavy heart and even being a little afraid. But if we stayed home, the enemies win. You have to stand up and fight for what you believe in. The national anthem by John Amirante was extra special with Rangers and Devils all looking up at our beautiful red, white and blue and stars and stripes. It's a moment I can still see from our 411 seats. On my old computer, I saved a picture of that Star Spangled Banner. It will always be special. For one night, even the bitter Hudson rivalry took a back seat for a common ground. The same is echoed for an emotional home opener versus the Sabres where Mark Messier donned a FDNY helmet in a fitting tribute. Definitely one of the cooler sports moments considering the occasion.

This historic event yesterday isn't only about our great country. But about those who believe in peace and freedom. Our northern neighbors lent a helping hand to the fight on terror. For all his insanity, Don Cherry gets it right on Coach's Corner every Saturday night on Hockey Night In Canada, honoring those who represented his country. Next time, we're upset about something, let's remember that it's not the end of the world. Thank you to all our men and women who sacrifice for our cause. The true definition of heroes.

A Day Later (Updated)

It's the day after the Olympics concluded with one of the greatest hockey games ever played. A shame that our heroes didn't pull it out. But they sure left an impression.

The future of USA Hockey is in great shape thanks to emerging stars Ryan Miller, Zach Parise and Patrick Kane with Bobby Ryan, Erik Johnson and Ryan Kesler not far behind. Along with Paul Stastny, captain Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Suter and Brian Rafalski, all had outstanding tournaments. If only they'd gotten more from Phil Kessel, who just never got untracked. Both Kess and Joe Pavelski struggled while role players such as Ryan Malone, Dustin Brown, David Backes, Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan were effective.

Blueliners Jack Johnson and Tim Gleason also impressed with both playing steady. Gleason with his usual gritty self, sacrificing for the good of the team while Johnson showed off some of that speed and chippiness which makes him a staple on the Kings' back end along with Norris hopeful Drew Doughty, who impressed for Canada. Brooks Orpik also had a good two weeks in Vancouver using his rugged physical style to make life difficult on opposing forwards. Former Pens' teammate Ryan Whitney was serviceable.

Much credit must go to USA architecht Brian Burke, who had a heavy heart following the tragic loss of son Brendan. The proud man who's very tough, did an excellent job putting together a roster that could best take advantage of the North American surface. Perhaps that more than anything explained European disappointments Russia and Sweden. Even bronze medallist Finland never seemed comfortable, lucking out against an undisciplined Slovakia, who blew a 3-1 lead falling 4-3. Olli Jokinen was the hero. Our guess is he won't score for a while when the Rangers return.

Just how big was the gold medal game with the dramatic Sidney Crosby conclusion? Battle originator and close pal Steve Lepore reports that it drew an overnight rating of 17.6 million, which is 46 percent better than the USA/Canada Salt Lake match-up.

Sunday’s game is on pace to finish as the highest rated hockey telecast in the United States since 1980.

To put the numbers in perspective, Sunday’s game drew a higher overnight rating than every World Series game since 2004 (including every game of Yankees/Phillies last year), every NBA Finals telecast since 1998, and every NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four game since at least ‘98.

More remarkable is that over 27 million tuned in, topping Salt Lake by 10.5 million. A script which probably couldn't have been written any better unless Parise scored the winner left NBC's Bob Costas and Al Michaels at a loss for words.

Bob Costas:

“That’s one of the greatest sports events I have ever seen.”

“A script so classic that if it were a movie, they would send it back because it was unrealistic.”

“With all due respect, this can never be repeated. On home soil, for Canada, in the sport that matters most, against the Americans – this can never be repeated. This can never be approached, let alone equaled.”

Al Michaels:

“You could not have written a better script for this country. The goal that will resonate throughout history in Canada.”

Non-hockey markets like Milwaukee, West Palm Beach, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland and Baltimore all made the top 25 yesterday. Not surprisingly, Buffalo led everyone with 32.6 with upcoming opponent Pittsburgh a close second at 31.9. New York finished 16th drawing 19.0 while Hartford was 17th at 18.5. Why don't they have a team again? The Wolf Pack don't count.

How newsworthy was it? Even hockey hater Mike Francesa discussed it just now with Zach Attack in an insightful interview in which he pushed the Crosby envelope. Parise's answer was interesting, referencing how the two were close earlier in their careers. When the audio becomes available, we'll add it to this post. So, how hard was it for Parise and heartbroken USA 'mates to lose in that fashion?

Parise on Francesa

Bettman talks with Francesa

"This is a group of guys I'll never forget. We battled right to the bitter end."-Bobby Ryan

“It’s devastating. It was the biggest game any of us have played in. ... You win a gold. You win a bronze. You lose a silver."-Jack Johnson


“It stings right now. ... It feels like ***."-Tournament MVP Ryan Miller

“It sucks. It sucks being that close and then losing in overtime.”-Zach Parise

“No one knew our names. People know our names now.”-Chris Drury

 Per Globe and Mail's James Mirtle:

mirtle

  

From USA Hockey: "Miller ended the tournament with a U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team record for best goals-against average (1.35)."

Good Tweep HockeyJoeGM contributes a solid piece in a letter to Gary Bettman about the opportunity he has.

The fans put up with a ton of garbage and while there’s been a host of new fans that have come to the game, it’s time to do something to pull it all together and become the overlord of the sportsman’s winter. Carpe diem Gary because this is your golden opportunity to pull it all together. Don’t sit around and wait and hope that the NFL and NBA all blow each other to hell with labor problems next year. Grab the reigns and ride this sucker for all it’s worth. By my count there were 40 superstars who put everything they had into this Olympic tournament fighting over what amounts to be a symbolic prize for a pack of millionaires. 

 Hey. He referenced one of our favorite movie quotes from Dead Poet's Society and the memorable Robin Williams' Mr. Keating character.

"Carpe Diem. Seize the day!"

I Love Zach Attack

Woohoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Zach Attack comes through tying this unreal gold medal game with 24.4 ticks left!!!!! We're headed to sudden death. What guts by Team USA coming back from two down against Canada, who controlled the first half on goals by Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry. Hometown Canuck beat opposing teammate Roberto Luongo redirecting a Patrick Kane shot through to get the Americans on the board late in the second.

Canada had two goalposts early in the third which could've sealed it. One bounced off Ryan Suter past Ryan Miller but off the lucky left post. The Buffalo goalie who's been the best man in net all tournament then robbed Patrick Marleau on the doorstep extending his right pad. Ron Wilson pulled him with over a minute. The miracle took place after Luongo muffed a Joe Pavelski shot leading to sustained Team USA pressure. Off a Kane shot in the slot with both captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise in front, it deflected off Captain America and Luongo to Parise, who swept the puck in leading to an amazing tying goal celebration.

Fifty years ago today, Team USA won gold. Twenty years later, the Miracle On Ice team went all the way. Now, it's 30 years later with another zero in the year. Is it meant to be? We'll find out in what should be a riveting conclusion to an amazing tourney.

Canada hangs on for dear life, USA-Canada dream match-up set

If you caught the frantic finish, that was something else. Who ever would've believed that Canada up three against Slovakia with 20 minutes left wasn't a lock for the gold medal game Sunday versus Team USA? Sure. They held on by the skin of their teeth, eeking out a 3-2 win over the feisty Slovaks who just wouldn't quit despite no Marian Gaborik the final period. Insert Ranger fire alarms in 5...4...3...2...1.

For 50 minutes, Slovakia still trailed by the same three-goal margin that made the Canadians look like a shoe in for NBC's dream match-up. Then things got interesting when Roberto Luongo allowed a clunker to pinching Lubomir Visnovsky, whose close backhand slipped past the Vancouver netminder with under nine minutes left. Suddenly with more jump than they had the first 40 in which they only tested Louie nine times, the more confident Slovaks won all the battles. Not shockingly, they took more shots (12 or 13) in the unpredictable third no one saw coming.

Especially a bunch of confident Canadians who chanted, "We Want USA, We Want USA," with under 10 minutes to play. Even when their country still tried to attack, Jaroslav Halak made the stops and his D led by Zdeno Chara transitioned the puck through the neutral zone without a problem. Suddenly, Marian Hossa, Pavol Demitra, Ziggy Palffy, Michal Handzus, Jozef Stumpel and Tomas Kopecky became dangerous. A couple of nights removed from one of the most heartless performances ever against the same loaded roster, here was a persistent team who exemplified what these Winter Games are about.

The stronger commitment continued to pay dividends when Handzus batted a loose Richard Zednik backhand wraparound out of mid-air past Luongo, stunning everyone wearing Canadian colors. Two goals in less than three and a half minutes had cut it to one with still four and change left. No longer were there any chants other than "Go Canada Go, Go Canada Go," by some antsy red and white fans who had to be dying at the thought of possibly being taken to sudden death.

Slovakia did everything in their power to get it tied, even forcing Luongo to come up with a couple of tough stops from in tight on Hossa. It all came down to the final 60 seconds which were just as wild and crazy as one would expect. Maybe too much so for Canada, who couldn't get out of their zone.

With Halak on the bench for an extra attacker, a couple of excellent keeps including one by Visnovsky gave them their big chance to force four-on-four overtime. A give-and-go was worked to Hossa, whose low shot from the right circle caromed off Luongo to Demitra with three ticks remaining. Earlier, Louie's teammate was stoned twice on a loose scramble. This time, with Roberto dead to rights, his shot didn't go. Somehow, the sprawling hometown favorite kept it out along with maybe an assist from the crossbar as time ran out, leaving Demitra heartbroken.

The veteran who's been banged up a lot this year had nothing to be ashamed of as did any of his 'mates with many on their final tour as he referred to it. They'd given Canada everything they could've wanted. When the two countries shook hands in still the finest tradition, Demitra and Luongo shared a laugh before the accomplished center and his proud team saluted their sticks to a relieved crowd. Canada did likewise to grant them their wish.

USA vs Canada for all the marbles. The greatest scenario NBC could've ever dreamed of. Who ever would've believed our country would be the only one left unbeaten looking to run the table and beat their North American rival twice for gold? Eight years ago, they took it on our home soil in Salt Lake. Now, the Americans have a chance to turn the tables in hostile territory much the way another Ron Wilson-led squad shocked Canada in 1996. Only this is much bigger.

Can the sizzling top line of Zach Parise, Paul Stastny and captain America Jamie Langenbrunner continue to dominate as they did earlier today combining for half the club's six tallies? Will two-goal scorer Patrick Kane get the better of Chicago 'mates Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook? Can muckers Ryan Malone, Dustin Brown, David Backes, Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan continue winning the battles in the trenches like they have all tournament long? Will Bobby Ryan burn his Duck teammates Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Scott Niedermayer? Can Ryan Kesler get the better of Louie? Will Brian Rafalski's magical Winter Games continue alongside Ryan Suter? And can Ryan Miller continue to prove that just maybe he's the best goalie in the game by outperforming both Martin Brodeur and Luongo?

All these questions and more won't get answered until 3 ET/12 PT Sunday at Hockey Canada Place. And like the rest, we can hardly wait. Drop the puck already!

USA/Canada a period away

Thus far, it looks like the much anticipated USA/Canada rematch for Olympic gold is in line. After the Americans dominated Finland with a six goal first period barrage including five in 5:54, the host Canadians lead Slovakia 3-zip after two periods. They've outshot the Cinderella 21-9, getting goals off the sticks of Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow and Ryan Getzlaf.

All three have come via simple North American style plays. Three point shots from D with the opening deuce in the first both via redirects by Marleau (video review confirmed) and hit machine Morrow, who's suddenly his country's most visible player. The third came with under five to go in the second when Getzlaf whipped a backhand rebound past Jaroslav Halak for a power play goal, cashing in an undisciplined Richard Zednik hold of the stick 200 feet away.

When called upon Roberto Luongo has stopped everything one by one as Canada's D has limited the skilled Slovaks, who have overpassed. Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik have had chances but were unable to get them on net. Down three, former Islander Ziggy Palffy had the best opportunity off a turnover but his five-hold try on a mini-break was shutdown by Louie.

Unless Slovakia can produce a miracle of their own, it looks like USA/Canada will vie for gold eight years later. But this time in Vancouver and not Salt Lake. If it comes off, can the Americans return the favor? Still one more period left before it becomes official.

Canada vs Slovakia Preview

One more game to decide who will meet Team USA for Olympic gold. Will it be the expected Canadian/American rematch from Salt Lake '02 or can the true underdog Slovakia continue their great run? Few gave them a shot against defending champ Sweden. Hey. That was one we actually had. Go figure.

Obviously, Jaroslav Halak has to be huge for his country to stand a chance tonight. He'll need plenty of help from one of the Games' best Marian Gaborik, who looks all the way back from his bad hip.The Great Gabby has finished all tournament while Marian Hossa along with savvy vets Pavol Demitra, Richard Zednik, Jozef Stumpel and Ziggy Palffy have all played superbly as has two-way pivot Michal Handzus and Miro Satan. As expected, Zdeno Chara has been a tower of strength anchoring an overlooked blueline that includes Lubomir Visnovsky, Andrej Sekera and Milan Jurcina. Hell. Even Andrej Meszaros has been okay. Can they pull another shocker?

It's coming up next.

Stay away from angry Ovie

A lot was made out of Alex Ovechkin not discussing Wednesday's Russian humiliation to the mainstream media. What really could he have said other than, 'We sucked?' After a performance like that in the national spotlight, I probably wouldn't care to talk either. Word to the wise. Too many journalists out there think they're entitled to everything. Bottom line: The Great Eight had a miserable night and one he'd rather forget. Just watch his snarky reaction to a Russian camerawoman who screams, "No. No. No. Please! Please," exiting Canada Hockey Place courtesy of PetePRose:

Angry Ovie Makes Quick Getaway

Judging from the looks of his female entourage, it seems Ovechkin had something entirely else on his mind. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that these athletes are human (insert cheesy Human League 80's music here). In other words, even Ovechkin can have a bad day. You don't think he was embarrassed along with his mismatched KHL Russian teammates? That look on Ilya Kovalchuk in an entry yesterday spoke volumes. Still can't believe the audacity of Joe Micheletti asking Ovie how he felt. How was he supposed to feel?!?!?!?!?! His team didn't even show. Between Mich's homeristic Ranger work on MSG and this, what a major league buffoon!

As for Mad Mike who foolishly referred to the Ryccku's effort as "Eurotrash," it is what it is. In this space 24 hours ago, we advocated firing him. But as Battle originator Steve Lepore noted in a well thought out PuckTheMedia entry, that would be overreaction. In retrospect, Mike Milbury should face fine/suspension from NBC. At least they sent him home early after his harsh words even left Jeremy Roenick speechless. I'll just echo what's been said about his controversial persona which emulates Don Cherry. FanHouse's Adam Gretz and Puck Daddy's Seah Leahy had even more on Mad Mike, who even had a run in with a Caps' Blog Box blogger who crossed the line following a Milbury dig at Ovechkin in a game he came back to score a hat trick in defeating Sidney Crosby's Pens in overtime.

 PensHead's Allison has a different outlook entirely on the Russian defeat to host Canada.Who can blame her? She's a Pengwhine's fan. ;-)

Although i was cheering for Russia last night i really hoped they wouldn’t win gold. A few days back i shared my point of view with MouthFullOfTang and today i will share it with you. So why if i was cheering for Russia i wished them no gold? Well, as a wise man once said … “I did it for the Pens!”

With today's semifinals starting at 3 ET with Team USA taking on Finland while Canada battles Slovakia in the night cap, can we put the other night's chaos behind us already? It's time.

Congrats Canada

Congratulations to the Canadian women's hockey team on taking Olympic gold in Vancouver, defeating Team USA 2-0 at Hockey Canada Place earlier tonight. They dominated from start to finish that included a record 18-0 rout of Slovakia in prelims.

Unlike the semis where both countries won big to reach the highly anticipated final, at least this one was competitive. The difference was two first period goals from Marie-Philip Poulin. The 18 year-old scoring hero beat American netminder Jessie Vetter twice in a 2:55 span on identical shots both to the glove side. That was plenty for surprise starter Shannon Szabados, who stopped all 28 to record the shutout in front of rabid Canadian fans. A great atmosphere which also included supportive Americans rooting on Team USA, who settled for silver against their nemesis.

A huge key to Canada's gold medal victory was their strong penalty kill which blanketed Mark Johnson's women, who took the collar in six chances. That included a pivotal five-on-three early in the second. They moved the puck around nicely but couldn't do what it took to beat a razor sharp Szabados, who didn't find out she was starting until before the game in place of '02 Salt Lake hero Kim St. Pierre. It didn't matter as the first-time Olympian stood up to the challenge and pressure by using a lightning quick glove to stop the Americans in their tracks.

"I looked up in the stands and saw a sign that said, 'Proud to be Canadian,' and that's what I am today," an emotional Szabados said after her pumped up team piled on top when the buzzer sounded making them champs again. "My teammates were unbelievable today. We played a great game, and this is an incredible moment."

Canada's team defense made it tough for the USA to generate the kind of quality chances needed to get back in the game. Despite that, they led in shots by five (23-18) after two periods yet still trailed by a deuce. Johnson's club threw the kitchen sink at their biggest rival in the third, taking risks to try to get back in it. However, Szabados remained unflappable making a nice glove save on Julie Chu's high shot ticketed for top shelf.

The extra pinching by D led to plenty of Canadian opportunities. But Vetter (27 saves) was superb, making quite a few sparklers from in tight to give her country a chance. Her goaltending was exceptional. Unfortunately, her teammates that included long-time representative Angela Ruggiero couldn't slip one past Szabados, who also plays on a men's college hockey team in Alberta.

Getting tournament MVP was top finisher Meghan Agosta, who set an Olympic record with nine goals. The outstanding 23 year-old from Windsor, Ontario earned a primary on Poulin's important insurance marker that came off a faceoff win. In '06, she was also part of Canada's gold medal Torino team- winning gold and two silvers in three world championships as well.

This was also likely the final swan song for legendary Hayley Wickenheiser, who received the loudest ovation during a classy medal presentation that saw bronze handed out to Finland with each player introduced and also given flowers. Not surprisingly, the 31 year-old who's arguably the greatest women's hockey player ever has been a vital part of all three Canadian golds ('02 Salt Lake, '06 Torino, '10 Vancouver). If it's the end, what a tremendous careeer, which would conclude with a bow.


As for the rivalry that reduced quite a few American players to tears before they received their silver medals with great chants of, "USA, USA" from the crowd. Szabados summed it up best.

"This rivalry will never end. It will keep going and going."

Canada's still on top.

Milbury needs to be fired

Everyone's talking about it over on Twitter. Apparently, Mike Milbury took idiocy to a whole new level. Even Sean Avery was stunned.

seanaverydotcom

  

Did Mike Milbury just say EuroTra$h on CNBC, not good!

Okay. Everyone knows how brutal Russia was in getting owned by Canada in the Olympic quarter 7-3 at Hockey Canada Place. But hell-o McFly! Is anybody home?!?!?!?! What a classless dumbass. I never cared for him when he ran the Islanders and well he did a bang up job hooking up the rest of the league. But wow. This guy is a joke. He's supposed to be 57 years old yet acts worse than a toddler. Grow up already.

If NBC doesn't fire him, they're really going to look bad. Case closed.

Russian Humiliation

Uh. Apparently, the guys wearing those Russian jerseys forgot that there was a game tonight. So did their coach who thought it was a novel idea to keep a shaky Evgeni Nabokov in after he allowed a crushing fourth goal on a simple Brenden Morrow backhand wraparound. Brutal.

Let's see. A team consisting of Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin and Ilya Kovalchuk essentially quit. Malkin's turnover at the blueline that led directly to Rick Nash's breakaway goal following Dan Boyle's unscreened power play tally made it 3-zip before the sloppy Russians knew what hit them. Dmitry Kalinin (really) got one back. Kovalchuk had a quality chance in the slot blocked by Drew Doughty, who also leveled Ovechkin during the Canadian onslaught. Outside of that one shot, Kovalchuk was scary turning over the puck along with many teammates, who just couldn't deal with Canada's size and speed. Still, that Morrow goal was a momentum killer.

The Russian coach might want to beef up security because there's a good chance he'll need it. Poor Nabby just didn't have it. How sad is this performance if you can call it that? Russia's goalscorers are Kalinin, Maxim Afinogenov and Sergei Gonchar. On former captain Alexei Kovalev's 37th birthday, it looks like his country could use him. Oh well.

Goalscorers for Canada: Ryan Getzlaf, Boyle, Nash, Morrow, Corey Perry (2), Shea Weber.

The third is on. I gave up when it was 6-2.

Miller Time indeed as USA stuns Canada

Nearly thirty years to the day of the greatest hockey game ever played in our country, another batch of determined, gritty Americans gave a memorable performance of their own. With Miracle On Ice heroes Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig and Mark Johnson looking on in a hostile yet chaotic environment over in Vancouver, Team USA outworked tournament favorite Canada- pulling off a 5-3 upset in the final tuneup before the medal round. The stunning win allowed Ron Wilson's club to finish a perfect 3-0 winning Group A to advance automatically to the quarterfinals.

Though it was a preliminary match that pales in comparison to the remarkable American upset of world power Russia en route to winning Olympic gold over Finland, this was a huge victory for USA Hockey. Especially in a tournament few gave them a chance to medal. Maybe one thing overlooked was the kind of character architect Brian Burke opted for on a North American rink. Unlike wider rinks, the more traditional NHL sized ice is better suited to physical play. Thus far, it's been grinders Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Ryan Kesler, Dustin Brown, David Backes and skilled yet imposing Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan who've made significant contributions. Facing one of the most talented rosters, they were instrumental last night. Especially down the stretch when a desperate Canada pressed for the equalizer, even holding the puck in for seemingly ever as our boys were out on their feet.

Thanks to heroic netminding from Ryan Miller, who was absolutely amazing- along with tremendous will from Callahan who atoned for a giveaway by reaching out with his right glove extended to block a shot before the puck was finally cleared after roughly 100 seconds, the hungrier Americans prevailed. Enough cannot be said about the Buffalo goalie who didn't wear trademark No.30 instead donning No.39 in special tribute to Dominik Hasek??? Something Sabres contributor Brian noted. Whatever the reason, in his third Olympic start, he emulated the Dominator with some def defying saves on his way to 42 saves, including a two-save sequence in the frantic final two minutes that featured a Hasek-esque twisting stick save followed by a glove committing highway robbery which shocked Canadian Hockey Place.

One of the front runners for the Vezina left little doubt that he was the better goalie, outplaying Martin Brodeur who was culpable on at least half the output- permitting four goals on 22 shots. His more talented team which featured the all-Shark line of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and goalscorer Dany Heatley plus finisher Sid The Kid, Rick Nash, Jarome Iginla, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and goalscorer Eric Staal helped outshoot Team USA 45-23. Canada's blueline also boasted vet tandem Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer, who jumped up in the rush generating chances as did younger tandem Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty late. Despite an edge that included Dan Boyle and Shea Weber, the Canadian D struggled defensively against the Americans' feisty forwards who pounced on their opportunities.

One of the keys to the great win was Brian Rafalski, who had a tremendous night tallying twice and assisting on team captain Jamie Langenbrunner's third period power play decider with less than 13 minutes left. The former Devil defenseman was brilliant scoring 41 seconds into the contest, setting the tone. It was vital for Team USA to get out quickly against such a lethal opponent who still had the majority of the support even if there were plenty of Americans cheering on their heroes. Rafalski one-timed a Ryan Suter pass off Sidney Crosby past Brodeur. It would be a hint of things to come with Crosby finishing minus-three in spite of his late power play goal that made the ending more dramatic. That both Zach Parise and Langenbrunner, who was a beast, would be out celebrating a goal from their ex-teammate was pretty cool.

Canada responded when Staal neatly deflected home a Brent Seabrook point shot tying it 8:12 later. But before the pumped up crowd could get back in their seats, Rafalski did it again scoring his fourth consecutive goal for Team USA. This from a guy who had the same amount in 57 games with Detroit this season. He got a little help from Brodeur, who apparently must've thought Raf was still on his side. MB30 made a careless blunder aggressively paddling a loose puck right to the former Wisconsin standout whose fanned shot snuck through only 22 seconds later.

Afterwards, the Americans couldn't muster much else as the ice tilted with the hosts pushing the pedal to the mettle, outshooting the red, white and blue 19-6. Trouble was they couldn't squeeze another by Miller, who by this point was demonstrating the 2009-10 form that carried Buffalo near the top of the conference before a late slump had them a point behind Ottawa. Nothing seemed to distract him. Still, Canada came back to tie a second time early in the second when Heatley banged home a Jonathan Toews rebound off a mad scramble. Toews- who faced Blackhawk teammate Patrick Kane- was easily one of their best players. His great skating and playmaking was on display.

Every time you waited for Canada to surge ahead, Miller stood in the path as did gritty 'mates who sacrificed by finishing checks, diving to block shots and winning battles in the trenches. The intensity of Team USA was apparent. They desperately wanted this game. In the words of hometown Canuck Ryan Kesler who wisecracked that he hated Canada even guaranteeing victory, their willingness to get dirty was a noticeable difference along with Miller's clutch play in net. With the game still knotted and the crowd enjoying the physical firewagon hockey that always is associated when these rivals play, the hitting picked up. Nash had a ferocious hit. Even if it didn't compare to Alex Ovechkin's highlight reel clean shoulder that took Jaromir Jagr off the puck, leading to the Russian winner in a 4-2 triumph over Czech Republic to win their group. To quote pal John who we were over in Old Bridge:

"He sent him back to the 80's."

That game was an enjoyable appetizer that included Evgeni Malkin's sweet finish on that huge turning point. Even if Jagr came back playing an inspired third, drawing three bodies to him on Petr Cajanek's goal that made it interesting before Pavel Datsyuk sealed it. Ironically, hated one-time Blueshirt Dmitri Kalinin saved Russia's bacon with a great defensive play might've resulted in the tying goal. But hey. It was a good day for Rangers with Henrik Lundqvist pitching another shutout (3-zip) this time over nemesis Finland to win Group C. Plus Drury, who scored a money go-ahead off a wild sequence that saw Brodeur flopping around with Backes and Ryan each getting whacks before the revived Ranger captain finished off his second at 16:46. Did we mention how good the controversial Burke selection was in his usual checking role alongside PK partner Callahan? Both were standouts, making key blocks late to preserve victory.

Remarkably, it was Team USA that took over late in the second and continued to push the action initially in the final stanza. Using a relentless forecheck to finally challenge Canada's D, they drew three consecutive penalties. After Canada killed off the first two including an undisciplined Crosby hi-stick in the offensive zone, they couldn't make it three-for-three. With Perry in the box for a slash, the former Devil combo went to work again with Rafalski sending another one-timer from the left wing towards the net which went off Langenbrunner's skate past Brodeur. While Parise celebrated by jumping up and down, the insurance that Suter also netted his second helper on gave the U.S. just enough margin.

From there, it was Miller Time. On a day where the team in front of him were very disciplined, they handed the Canadians two straight power plays. After killing off the first thanks to timely stops from their meal ticket along with splendid PK work, Erik Johnson was nabbed for a questionable trip. They nearly had it back to even strength when Crosby went to the net and nicely deflected home a Nash feed, sneaking it just through Miller's waffle, slicing to 4-3 with 3:09 left. Keith added a helper.

That's when it got hectic. Chaos ensued on the next shift as Canada threw the kitchen sink at Miller, trying to get it tied. For what felt like an eternity, they had Team USA pinned deep. Eventually, they got tired and Canada moved the puck quickly for pointblank chances. Somehow, Miller made the saves which ranged from a tough glove save with traffic that he turned routine to a one-timer in the slot that he got a toe on. Eventually, the puck came to a wide open Weber, who fired but Miller said no.With his dead team unable to get the puck out following a Callahan clear which was gloved down, the hardest working Ranger made up for it by making a sprawling block of a one-timer. Eventually, they cleared the zone finally getting a change.

The play-by-play from Doc Emrick was as good as it got, describing the furious action as only he can. It still wasn't over with Team Canada pulling Brodeur for an extra attacker with over a minute left. However, the American's fire won out, eventually with Parise wisely pushing the puck out off the boards to avoid icing. Then, the amazing happened as Kesler outraced Perry somehow getting his stick on it for the empty netter that sealed it with 45 ticks remaining. But down two, the Canadians still came forcing Miller to make one more save before it ended.

It's amazing to think that this was a preliminary round game. The way it was so highly contested spoke volumes about how much the players cared. It was exactly the kind of hockey which is why they must commit to 2014 in Moscow. Regardless what Gary Bettman says, this game was a homerun. Even if it wasn't on NBC. MSNBC still did a phenomenal job not screwing anything up and making it a must watch. These games matter. I don't care who you are. That was truly special.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Chris Drury, USA (2nd of Olympics for go-ahead tally)
2nd Star-Brian Rafalski, USA (2 goals and assist-leads all Americans with 5 Pts)
1st Star-Ryan Miller, USA (42 saves incl.13/14 in 3rd)

Olympic Hockey Sunday Preview

If you've been waiting for some big games, then today's terrific trio over in Vancouver should do the trick. Plenty is on the line in each.

First up at 3, Russia and the Czechs do battle with Group B hanging in the balance. A Czech Republic OT win clinches first as they'd be a perfect 3-for-3 in preliminary action. Russia needs it badly due to their shootout loss to Slovakia, who finished with wins in regulation and OT plus a loss to the Czechs for five points. If Russia loses, they finish third in the group and would be in a difficult position. They'll have Malkin reunited with Ovechkin in an attempt to boost offense against sizzling duo Jaromir Jagr and Cze captain Patrik Elias. We'll see if they can slow them down.

At 7:40 tonight, the main event takes place when Team USA takes on host Canada. It's the Americans and not Canada who's in the driver's seat. Ron Wilson's squad looks to make it a perfect 3-for-3 when they step up in competition against Crosby, Iginla, Shark trio Marleau, Jumbo Joe and Heatley, Niedermayer/Pronger and MB30 in net. Thus far, the favorites haven't looked sharp struggling mightily on the power play. Their overpassing almost cost them again against the pesky Swiss, who edged Norway yesterday 5-4 to finish third. If reunited Devil duo Parise and Langenbrunner can spark the offense, USA can win the group outright. However, if they earn only a point, it could come down to goal differential. It should be a thriller with Ryan Miller going face to face against Marty. We'll see if shifting Kane to Ryan Kesler's line gets him going in what will be an unreal atmosphere.

In the finale tonight at 9, a rivalry is renewed when Finland faces nemesis Sweden with Group C up for grabs. Both enter 2-0. So, something has to give. The Finns have been sharper with Teemu Selanne recording an assist for a new Olympic record 37 points (20-17-37). The Finnish Flash has participated in five Winter Games. Congrats to one of the classiest and best finishers the sport's had. Hope you keep playing. It should be great to see him and Saku Koivu team up against The Sedins, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, The Mule and Backstrom. Plus Foppa even if we feel he took Mikael Samuelsson's spot. The Finns will need good performances out of Olli Jokinen, both Ruutus, Joni Pitkanen and Jere Lehtinen. Plus there's the great match-up in net between Miikka Kiprusoff and Henrik Lundqvist.

Is Henrik playing hurt this year? If you go by this article back home, he might still be nursing a bad groin. How does one play 54 games and only miss a couple of starts? Plus play in the Olympics. He did rest for a shaky second game in which they held off Belarus. One thing we've noticed all year is his tendency to flop to the ice whenever the action is near his crease. Imagine if it's true? Yikes.

Anyway, the games should be great. Just one more thing. NBC. Don't screw this up!

Olympic prelims rolling along

Some random thoughts from my cocoon after almost five days of the men's Winter Olympic tournament:

-Who would have thought the US would be ranked #1 after two games (barring a four-goal Finnish win tonight against Germany)? They've certainly had a couple of workmanlike victories so far, beating Switzerland 3-1 doesn't look so ho-hum after the Swiss almost stunned Canada in two straight Olympics though, this time on home ice! Team USA wasn't quite as good as the 6-1 score against Norway and if anything was trying too hard to roll up the score, giving the Norwegians too many opportunities in the second, but put up a few goals late to pull away from a Norwegian team that's pretty much looked hapless so far.

And I'll admit I was wrong for questioning why Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan were both selected to the team, Drury despite his rep was just having such a terrible year and I thought someone like Brian Gionta, for example, deserved the nod over Callahan but taking both gives Team USA one of the best penalty-killing units in the tournament, something Brian Burke no doubt took into consideration. Especially since chemistry is an issue for teams that have just come together this week.

-O Canada, they certainly are good for melodrama aren't they? Jarome Iginla being benched provides instant controversy...and you just know the critics who want the hometown boy to start were sharpening the knives there after Roberto Luongo got a yawner of a shutout while Martin Brodeur gave up two goals (oh, the horror!) against the Swiss. Of course, Brodeur did what he usually does when the game goes to a shootout, by stonewalling four straight Swiss shooters and giving Sidney Crosby time to convert on a second penalty shot attempt, which would be just enough for the winner in the most dramatic game of the Olympics so far.

-Nothing against Jamie Langenbrunner, who is doing a fine job for Team America as well as with the Devils...but it is nice to see Patrik Elias run with the C again for the Czech Republic. He's played inspired, with three goals thus far. Despite Team USA's start, it's the Czechs who look the best of all the teams to this point. After a 3-1 win over a tough Slovakia team, the Czechs jumped out on Latvia early 4-0 but had to withstand a late surge by the underdogs after giving up a couple of goals late in the second period and wound up winning 5-2, with Elias sealing the deal on an empty-netter from his own end of the ice.

-For years I've been hearing about how Slovakia was going to be a darkhorse and really they should be with players like Zdeno Chara, Marian Gaborik, etc. However it never seemed to materialize in past Olympics. This year it might be, after a tough loss to the Czechs where two goals in the final couple minutes of the second period was the difference they stunned Russia, who was riding high after an 8-2 win over Latvia. After a 1-1 tie through overtime, Pavol Demitra got the best of Alexander Ovechkin in the sudden-death shootout and showed the Slovaks might have some teeth this year after all, especially with Jaroslav Halak continuing his good play this year.

-The other Scandinavian countries seem headed for the inevitable showdown with the group (and an automatic bye) at stake after Finland's convincing win against Belarus in their opener. For their part Belarus continued to give the Swedes headaches, especially with Henrik Lundqvist taking a seat after his opening shutout against Germany in favor of the shaky Jonas Gustavsson. Sweden nearly blew a 3-0 lead before Daniel Alfredsson finally sealed up a 4-2 win with seconds to go.

As far as the coverage goes, I have a couple of bones to pick with NBC. First of all I get wanting to show team USA in any sport (even if it is curling) over two foreign teams playing, at least in a vacuum but MSNBC, CNBC and USA Network delaying hockey coverage for curling time and again has become a running joke. However, why is curling cutting into the start of a Team USA game?! Maybe I'm wrong, but I think people would rather see some of the world's best hockey players over a sport nobody's ever heard of, prelim games or not. The curling matches seem to take five hours and there's little going on there. And it would be nice if you are going to delay the start of every game in favor of curling to put the start of the game on another of your 9324 networks and flash something at the bottom of the screen of the curling to go to this channel for coverage of the game. God forbid Dick Ebersol misses an opportunity to shoehorn a commercial in though, routinely missing faceoffs in the process.

Speaking of the coverage can we just get Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury in a steel-cage match and get it over with? And I love Doc Emrick, if you don't you're not a hockey fan. That said, there is such a thing as too much...when I heard he was going to be doing in the neighborhood of 28 games in 16 days I rolled my eyes. With that kind of schedule the poor guy's going to be seeing double by the end of the tournament. It's already started as he called #10 in the Czech uniform Gaborik twice (problem being Gaborik plays for the Slovakians). I mean it's bad enough he has to call two men's games per day, did they really have to have him doing a few of the women's prelim games as well before the men got there?

There are some things about the Olympic format itself I like...for instance the point system is kind of what it should be in a post-shootout world. Three for a regulation win, two for an OT/SO win, one for an OT/SO loss and zero for a regulation loss. The only reason the NHL isn't changing to that is (ha!) the sanctity of points records. So the sanctity of goalies' won-loss records or team winning streaks affected by the new rules don't count? Or having some games worth two points and others three?

Of course it's nice to see no trapezoid of doom, but the shootout format is kind of warped. After picking three shooters apiece like they do in the NHL you can basically hit reset and send Zach Parise out ten times in a row. If the game's going to come down to a skills competition at least make it a team activity. Maybe in the prelim rounds I can understand it since you don't want Canada throwing out ten All-Stars against the Swiss' ninth and tenth shooters (not that their first four were anything to write home about) but still, when you use the whole team in a shootout you get moments like Marek Malik nearly embarrassing Olaf Kolzig into retirement.

And speaking of the shootout...can someone send a memo to the Russian coach that Viktor Kozlov's actually better than his stars at the skills competition?

Olympic Puck Later Today

Later today, Olympic Hockey drops the puck with six countries in action on Day One in Vancouver. Team USA faces off against Switzerland at 3 ET on USA Network. It'll be our first chance to see how the Jamie Langenbrunner captained American bunch featuring Devil teammate Zach Parise, Buffalo's Ryan Miller, Patrick Kane, Bobby Ryan, Joe Pavelski and Ranger PK duo Ryan Callahan and Chris Drury look. Islander defenseman Mark Streit leads the Swiss along with Jonas Hiller in Ralph Krueger's final swan song as national team coach. Something he's done for 13 years.

Strong host favorite Canada also gets underway against Norway in primetime on CNBC at 7:30 ET. A star studded roster features Devil netminder Martin Brodeur, who'll get the day off due to "playing a lot." Haha...Roberto Luongo gets the first start with MB30 in for Game 2 against the Swiss. While much of the attention will be on the two goalies, it'll be hard not to keep our eyes glued to All-Star talents Sidney Crosby, Rick Nash, Jarome Iginla, Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Richards and Shark trio Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Did we mention a D that includes Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer along with Norris hopefuls Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty? Scary to say we didn't list everyone which is why Canada has to be the favorite. Especially playing on home soil. Look for them to get strong competition from defending champion Sweden, Russia and Finland. USA, the Czech Republic and Slovakia could fly under the radar.

In the late game, the mighty Russians take on Latvia. Sometimes, the super skilled Rycckuc take lesser opponents lightly. But does anyone seriously see that happening against a roster loaded with high end skill. A look at Russia's five-man units per Bob McKenzie is enough to make you drool in envy:

Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Semin
Grebeshkov-Korneev

Kovalchuk-Malkin-Afinogenov
Tyutin-Gonchar

Fedorov-V. Kozlov-Radulov
Kalinin-Volchenkov

Zaripov-Zinovyev-Morozov
Markov-Nikulin

Nabokov
Bryzgalov

Does Latvia have any shot? About as much chane as we do with Brooklyn Decker. If anyone wants to see the onslaught, 11:55 ET on CNBC.

Here's a look at the rest of the schedule. We'll take our shot at predictions later.

Bravo Team USA

Bravo Team USA on dethroning Canada in an electrifying WJC gold medal game with Cap D prospect John Carlson winning it in overtime 6-5. Congratulations to our best team since 2004 when they also captured the world championship by stunning their North American rivals in Saskatoon.

It's a great victory for USA Hockey that should be celebrated by everyone. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it as I had to attend a close friend's wake for their grandmother. Condolences. On such an emotional night for our boys to shine through was great. I knew they had it in them but to actually do it in enemy territory after blowing a two-goal lead speaks to the character of this championship team. That Ranger prospect Derek Stepan led them to such a huge triumph is extremely gratifying for a fanbase that hasn't had much to get excited for. The USA captain paced everyone in the tournament with 15 points (5-10-15), tallying a goal and helper in the third en route to getting named with Carlson to the All-Tournament Team. Canada's Jordan Eberle, whose eight goals tied for the tourney lead, took MVP honors. Very deserving since he scored both of Canada's goals to force sudden death. He was dominant.

A lot more can be said about how special a tournament it was for Team USA, reestablishing themselves. We'll review it in better detail later.

USA comes back to beat Sweden, play Canada for Gold

Maybe someone forgot to tell Team USA that they were supposed to roll over at the sight of a more experienced Swedish team that was expected to challenge Canada for the gold. Playing for a second consecutive day against a rested and favored Sweden, USA took their best punch to string the upset- coming back to win the second 2010 WJC semifinal 5-2.

By scoring four unanswered and eliminating a very good team, it allowed the Americans to advance to a rematch with Canada. They played the best game of the tournament on New Year's Eve with the hosts digging out of a 4-2 hole to win 5-4 in a shootout. That time, it just determined who won Group A. Tomorrow night, the stakes are a lot higher with the two North American rivals vowing for a gold medal in Saskatoon. For Team USA, it's the first time they'll be vying for the WJC championship since 2004 when they came back from a 3-1 deficit to stun Canada 4-3. The infamous game where Marc-Andre Fleury misplayed a puck off teammate Braydon Coburn and in for the decider. Now, a new chapter will be written.

It sure wasn't easy getting to this point for Dean Blais's scrappy bunch who were decidedly outplayed in a flat second period that saw Sweden use their superlative skill to go in front. Consecutive goals by Anton Lander eight minutes apart off rebounds erased an early USA one-goal lead. Only 84 seconds in, Tyler Johnson took full advantage of a forced turnover by teammate Kyle Palmeiri to bury the chance. In a period they started strong in holding an 11-8 shots edge, they allowed Sweden to mount a good attack for the second half, leading to a few chances which steady netminder Mike Lee stopped in their tracks. Oddly enough, he became the story over last year's top goalie Jacob Markstrom. He didn't make as many saves as his counterpart but when called upon, Lee was cool finishing with 27 stops.

Sweden came close to tying it but a shot rang off the far post. They were just getting started. Using their speed and skill, last year's runner-up came in waves at a shaky USA who had problems dealing with the Swede's attack. Eventually, Lander got it tied when he rebounded home an Anton Rodin shot at 4:17 of the second. Peter Andersson started the rush and fed Rodin, who took a tricky low shot on Lee that caromed right to Lander for the gimme. With renewed confidence, Sweden killed off back-to-back American power plays, even using their aggressiveness to generated shorthanded chances. Superb work done by Magnus Paarjavi Svensson, Marcus Kruger and Jacob Josefson.

Unable to rebuild momentum from special teams, Team USA continued to be a couple of steps behind. Only some last second backchecks, blocked shots and Lee saves kept it tied. However, they couldn't hold off Sweden for long with Lander again striking for his second off a similar play. This time, Jakub Silfverberg forced Derek Stepan into a turnover, allowing Rodin to come out with the puck. He outmuscled Stepan releasing another low shot which Lee kicked out. But nobody took Lander, who deposited the garbage for a 2-1 Swedish lead.

At that point, it seemed like Sweden would prevail. Then Blais sent out Luke Walker for a momentum turning shift. During a scrum, the gritty Walker got into it with Martin Lundberg. Each received matching roughing minors. The unsigned kid who impressed in Ranger camp, seemed to envigorate his teammates. On the very next shift, they tied it 64 seconds later when Jeff D'Amigo finished off a two-on-one with John Carlson for the first of two on the night. A smart defensive read by Jake Gardiner behind his net got it started, feeding Carlson who then dished off for a streaking D'Amigo in the neutral zone. He then undressed David Runblad before beating Markstrom thru the pads for a huge goal with less than five minutes left.

"This is a great opportunity for us to show that we're a good team and we're here to win gold," explained the hero who was tabbed as his team's top star for his two goal performance.

Team USA hung tough after Stepan took an undisciplined minor for delay of game, relying on solid penalty killing and timely Lee saves to keep it all knotted with one period left in regulation. As the game developed, it became chippy with players from both sides mixing it up, including captain Stepan who tried to lead by example following a hard shift. Perhaps that bothered their opponent because just 39 seconds into the third, captain Marcus Johansson received a major and game misconduct for hitting a player from behind. The Swedes lost one of their best players but still managed to kill off the major. Draft eligible defenseman Cam Fowler came close a couple of times but couldn't beat Markstrom, who also got help on a point blank opportunity from his D. A Fowler slash gave the Swedes a man-advantage but they couldn't capitalize either.

With the game still tied, something changed. Suddenly, Sweden stopped attacking. Part of it was due to the US team defense with everyone coming back. Svensson used his skating to generate a couple of quality chances including a backhand wrap try Lee snuffed out. But his team just didn't come as hard. Mattias Tedenby was invisible finishing with no shots and a minus-three rating.

Instead, it was Team USA who were more poised, finally using some grunt work to surge ahead when Carlson connected from the right point with 7:26 remaining. It started with Jeremy Morin winning a battle in the corner to keep the play alive, eventually getting the puck to a vacated Carlson. He patiently waited before firing an innocent wrister which fooled Markstrom due in large part to Chris Kreider, who was in the vicinity screening. A goal Markstrom should've had instead gave the Americans a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Ryan Bourque, who had an inspired PK shift earlier in the stanza, took a delay of game minor- giving the Swedes one more chance. All tournament, Stepan has been dangerous shorthanded. On the next shift, he nearly scored before setting up D'Amigo for the nail in the coffin.

After coming close, an active stick by Stepan intercepted a pass at the point for a two-on-one. As the Ranger 2008 second rounder came down the right wing, his eyes went to Markstrom as if he were going to shoot. Instead, he made a no look pass to D'Amigo, who went upstairs for the backbreaking shorthanded goal that gave a pumped up USA a 4-2 lead with 4:28 left. The play drew praise from the NHL Network color analyst, who went out of his way to talk up our three American prospects (Kreider, Bourque). It was pretty cool. If only they could get here now instead of 2-3 years down the road.

"For us, we set a goal in Lake Placid this summer and in North Dakota where we had our tryout camp and our goal was to come out with a medal and the other was to win that gold medal," Stepan pointed out.

Desperate, Sweden pulled Markstrom with over two minutes left for an extra attacker. However, they couldn't make it interesting. Thanks in large part to some yeoman work from our players who wouldn't allow the Swedes a sniff, A.J. Jenks sealed it when he one-timed a Morin feed into the vacated net with 55 ticks to go, ensuring a USA/Canada rematch for all the marbles.

"Nobody really expects us to win because Canada has won five years in a row, so you have to tip your hats to them,"draft eligible forward Jason Zucker added. "We're going to go out there and give it our best and hopefully win a gold medal."

They'll get their shot at redemption.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mike Lee, USA (27 saves incl.10/10 in 3rd) 
2nd Star-Anton Lander, SWE (2 goals, 4 SOG, +1)
1st Star-Jeff D'Amigo, USA (2 goals incl.GT and SHG, 3 SOG, +1)

USA-Sweden WJC Semis 9 PM

At the top of the hour, we'll be keeping an eye on the 2010 WJC second semifinal between Team USA and Sweden with the winner playing five-time defending champion Canada for all the marbles. Not surprisingly, the Canadians were too much for a cinderella Swiss team that stunned Russia yesterday, pulling off a 3-2 upset in overtime thanks to Nino Niederreiter's game-tying and sudden death winner. Benjamin Conz- who we praised earlier this tournament for his work between the pipes- was brilliant making 50 saves in the huge upset. Despite giving up six on 44 shots to Canada earlier today, he'll likely be named the tourney's top goaltender. Switzerland can finish no worse than fourth and will draw the loser for the bronze medal.

For Canada, Jordan Eberle scored and hotshot Taylor Hall lit the lamp twice. We'll try to update the condition of Islander prospect D Travis Hamonic, who left with a shoulder injury due to a hit from behind. The second Islander blueliner to be hurt on Canada. Calvin de Haan returned after missing two games but played sparingly. He'll likely see an increased role if Hamonic isn't back. Colten Teubert anchors the back end while Ryan Ellis and Alex Pietrangelo run the point on a power play that's only converted once in their last 11. That could be bad news for tonight's winner.

Team USA enters on the heels of a 6-2 quarterfinal triumph over Finland. Jordan Schroeder tallied three assists, shattering Jeremy Roenick's American WJC record 25 points. The Vancouver Canucks '09 first round pick (22nd overall) has totaled 26 points (6-20-26). Great stuff. We'll see if he can hike the total and help lead the Americans to an upset over a talented Sweden team that features Devil duo Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson along with Magnus Paajarvi Svensson, Andre Petterson, Oliver Ekman Larsson, Tim Erixon and Jacob Markstrom.


Our side has gotten inspired performances from many including team captain Derek Stepan (3-8-11) and Chris Kreider (5-1-6). Two Ranger properties along with Ryan Bourque (2 A). Keep an eye on Danny Kristo and Jerry D Amigo as each has had a strong showing. It all starts now. We'll also look in on Hasan's Jets to see if they get it done. At last check, Gang Green was leading the Bengals 7-0 at the end of one. Good luck bud. :)

Quote Of Day: Jordan Schroeder

So, what did Jordan Schroeder think about how close USA came to pulling off the upset of Canada? He basically said what we thought:

"I think we showed tonight we were the better team. We had a lot more chances and we were up 4-2. I think we should have won, but it's part of hockey. Hats off to them. They won in a shootout."

Here's hoping there's a rematch with a lot more on the line.

Canada beats US in classic

For at least one more night, Oh Canada was played as fans cheered their hockey heroes one more time for rallying back from two down to beat Team USA 5-4 in the skill competition. In front of over a record 15,000 jam packed at Saskatoon for what's looking to be a traditional WJC New Year's marquee attraction, the five-time defending champs overcame a 4-2 third period deficit to pull out the victory- winning Group A for an automatic bye into the semis.

Earlier in the day, Sweden earned the other free spot by routing US quarterfinal foe Finland 7-1, with Devil properties Jacob Josefson scoring twice and Mattias Tedenby tallying a goal and assist. Russia also defeated the Czech Republic 5-2 to setup the other quarter versus Swiss. Islander property Kiril Petrov scored a goal and assist while Blue Jacket product Nikita Filatov added two helpers. Vladimir Tarashenko had two goals and a helper.

As for the latest American-Canadian showdown, it lived up to its billing with both teams skating ferociously finishing every check in a barn burner. If last year's Canada 7-4 comeback from an early 0-3 hole was great, then this was even better featuring more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Both came out ready for this crucial test after laughers. Early on, the USA established their forecheck. But it was the hosts who got on the board first when Stefan Della-Rovere slammed home a Jordan Caron shot that got redirected by Luke Adam, caroming off Jack Campbell to Rovere for the gimme just 2:03 in.

However, the lead lasted only 1:37 with the Americans getting it right back on a power play goal from Philip McRae. With Brayden Schenn in the box, McCrae started the play down low coming out for a stuff try which Jake Allen got a piece of. But it rebounded to Jerry D Amigo, who also was denied. The puck caromed back to McRae for an easy finish. Tied up, both clubs took turns attacking. But in a seesaw period that saw Canada hold a slight 10-9 shots edge, the USA did a good job shutting down their dangerous power play by killing off two penalties, including one taken by Ranger prospect Chris Kreider that negated a man-advantage. Our great attention to detail saw them not only disrupt Ryan Ellis but blanket Taylor Hall, who was closely shadowed by junior 'mate Cam Fowler.

Sound backchecking, blocked shots and breaking up plays at last split seconds allowed the Americans to catch the Canadian points deep, generating plenty of shorthanded opportunities, including a near miss from Ryan Bourque off a nice Derek Stepan set up. A common theme throughout. Still deadlocked at one, Team USA finally made it work when Jordan Schroeder got behind for a breakaway and went five-hole on Allen for a 2-1 lead. The play was made possible by standout teammate Tyler Johnson, who after breaking up a chance, turned around in one motion and threaded the needle to the Vancouver No.22 overall '09 pick. A great heads up play for the lead.

This game had everything, including nasty hits like the one Colten Teubert delivered on an American. Both teams didn't give an inch. Trailing for the first time all tournament (they hadn't been scored on till tonight), Canada struck back thanks to Jordan Eberle's fancy backhand tuck job. Taking a Schenn pass, Eberle dashed around a D and then went to the backhand, deking Campbell for the equalizer 4:07 later. Amazingly, less than a minute later, a huge play took place when Teubert took down a cutting Kreider for a penalty shot. He had completed a hat trick versus Latvia with an off the grain forehand. He made the same move but Allen gave him nothing to Canadian fans' delight.

Team USA then ran into penalty trouble handing Canada consecutive power plays. What probably was frustrating was that while A.J. Jenks got nabbed for interference, Nazem Kadri threw him down moments earlier with no call. It didn't matter. They had to kill it. As time wound down in the second, our guys continued to attack exploiting Canada's overpinching. They again connected shorthanded when this time Johnson was the beneficiary of an inspired D Amigo rush. He flew down the left wing forcing Allen to make a stop but the puck went up in the air right off Johnson's stick and in for the shorty, coming with under 11 seconds left. Most amazing was D Amigo's presence of mind to look up at the clock as the play developed, putting them back ahead. Great stuff.

It set up one heck of a third. With Canada still on the PP, Hall nearly tied it twice on the opening shift just missing wide after slipping behind and then also coming close on a wrap around. However, as the penalty expired, Stepan made a nice defensive play and then found Danny Kristo for a big goal 61 seconds in. One of the most dangerous finishers on our side, Kristo beat the D with a great one-on-one move inside and then went five-hole pumping his fists and cheering as he passed the bench.

The problem was there was still plenty of time left. Too much for Canada to give up. Stepan came close to making it 5-2 but Allen shut the door. That gave his teammates a chance to comeback. For a while, nothing was going on except sound defensive play from Team USA. But that all changed when with under 10 minutes left, Eberle got a stick on a Schenn shot for his second of the night, cutting to 4-3. Brandon McMillan started it with a good cycle, getting a key secondary helper. With the crowd suddenly alive, the US took a timeout. Unfortunately, they couldn't stem momentum. Not even after denying Canada on another PP and getting their own with over five minutes to go.

Instead, they were way too tenative. Just as I was noting it to my Dad, here came Alex Pietrangelo taking full advantage of a sloppy turnover and then roofing a perfect laser to know it at four apiece with 4:05 remaining. The roof nearly came off the place. Amazingly, they almost won it in regulation but a goal was wiped out due to a player in the crease with like two minutes left. It would go to four-on-four overtime.

Unfortunately, nothing was decided, forcing a winner take all shootout for tops in the Group. Nothing separated the North American combatants thru two rounds with Eberle, Kristo, Kadri and Jeremy Morin all scoring. Brandon Kozun put Canada back ahead when he shot thru Campbell's wickets, leaving it all up to Schroeder. He had a fantastic game but went to the same move that worked prior. This time, Allen closed it up, allowing his team to celebrate a great victory to improve to 4-0 and an automatic bid into the Final Four.

As the Canadian anthem played, the dejection on our kids' faces said it all. They knew they had it but let Canada off the hook. Stepan still composed himself to do an interview on NHL Network. Didn't catch it. They have nothing to be ashamed of but were oh so close. Now, they must go out and beat the Finns for another possible crack at their archrival. At least it was a classic.

New Year's Puck

Tonight, 2009 ends for good. For us East coasters, it's less than seven hours till the ball drops. Apparently, that already has happened for one of our Battle teams.:P There actually is a game between the Habs and Cats now. And for any WJC followers, Tedenby and Josefson scored for Sweden against Finland. The big one takes place at 8 between USA and Canada in Saskatoon. I hope our boys pull it off silencing those nimrods who boo our team. But not holding out much hope there.

Three of four BONY teams do battle tonight. The Rangers visit the Candy Canes at 7:30 while the Islanders are in Ottawa at 7. And a possible Cup preview in the Windy City between the two best teams at present, the Devils and Blackhawks going off half an hour after the big game I'll be locked into. What? You really thought I'd be glued to my pathetic team after last night.


I'd say more but am about to head out and finally sign up for Planet Fitness. Part of my 2010 New Year's Resolutions. I want to thank Hasan, Brian and Underdog for their contributions and of course our fans. Without the readers, this blog would be useless. Thank you to all. Wishing a Happy and healthy New Year!