It was not the second coming of the Miracle on Ice (or anything even remotely close to it) but Team USA did beat Canada, 5-3, led by a pair of Brian Rafalski goals.
Ryan Miller’s Heroics Lead Improbable USA Win Over Canada
Ten minutes into Sunday night’s game between Canada and USA, you knew this was building to be a historically entertaining game. The United States jumped out to an early 1-0 lead off a Brian Rafalski goal, and then immediately answered when Canada tied it. It was a fast-paced, nail-biter of first period and it was but a taste of how incredible the rest of the game would be.
Canada would eventually tie the game again at 2-2, yet the United States dug in and instead of allowing the momentum to completely slip away continued their aggressive approach and entered the third period with an improbable 3-2 lead. With three straight power plays, the USA opened up a 4-2 lead off a Jamie Langenbrunner goal that was inches from being a Rafalski hat trick.
Read Article >Miller’s Guts, Kesler’s Diving Goal Seals USA Victory Late In Third
Ryan Kesler’s diving empty net goal with 45 seconds remaining sealed the upset victory for the scrappy young American club and silenced the crowd at Canada Hockey Place.
More: SB Nation’s full coverage of the Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics Medal Count Tracker.
Read Article >Langenbrunner’s Power Play Goal Puts USA Ahead 4-2
Team USA captain Jamie Langenbrunner had a Brian Rafalski shot go off his skate and past Martin Brodeur, as the Americans open up an improbable 4-2 lead over Canada midway through the third period. It looked as though Rafalski had a hat trick, but replays showed the shot go off Langenbrunner and in.
A masterful performance by Ryan Miller has USA’s confidence at an all-time high, as they continue to take advantage of each mistake Canada makes.
Read Article >Drury’s Garbage Goal Restores USA Lead
After living through the beginning of a second period where Canada ramped up the pressure on the Americans and evened the score, Team USA decided turn up the heat on their own.
With the puck in the Canadian zone, USA was able to get it in front of Martin Brodeur’s net. The goaltender leapt out of his crease to poke the loose puck but missed. From there, three Canadian defenders tried to suffocate around the puck in an attempt to get it away from the goal mouth.
Read Article >Dany Heatley Ties Game, 2-2
Dany Heatley scores on a rebound to tie the game up at two in the second period for Canada. Jonathan Toews shot on Miller and Heatley scored on the subsequent rebound.
The Canadians are outshooting the Americans 23-9, including 19-6 in the first period. Ryan Miller has been playing a really good game, but also has been giving a fair share of rebounds, which is not like him.
Read Article >Staal Ties It, Rafalski’s Goal Puts USA Right Back On Top
When Eric Staal’s tip-in goal tied the game at 1-1, it seemed inevitable that the Canadians would grab control of the game and put the Americans back on their heels.
But another Brian Rafalski goal, just 22 seconds later, put the USA back on top and erased any momentum that the Canadians had built.
Read Article >Brian Rafalski’s Goal Has USA Off To Perfect Start
Ryan Miller has already made several big saves, but the Americans are continuing their aggressive approach that has worked so well for them in the Olympics.
Follow along and discuss the game with other hockey fans in SB Nation’s live game thread.
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