Canada Grabs Gold

Sidney Crosby rejoices after scoring the game winning goal for Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Canada claimed hockey as its sport after winning Olympic gold against the U.S. Sunday with a score of 3-2.

This game came a week after the United States overtook Canada 5-3 in a group A match. Canada, embarrassed at losing in its own country, was determined to not to let such a loss happen again. After losing, they had to win games against Germany, Russia and Slovakia to qualify for the gold medal game.

The United States fared better overall throughout the Olympic tournament. Because the team lost no games until the gold medal match, the Americans only needed their win against Finland.

Having not won an Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the Miracle on Ice in 1980, the United States was not expected to win the silver, or to even place in this Olympics. The favorites for the Vancouver Olympics included Russia with Malkin and Ovechkin; Sweden with Forsberg; and Canada. The Americans overcame the disadvantage of having a young team by having talented players this tournament. One of which was the goalie Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabers. Miller had 139 saves throughout the Olympic tournament with 36 of them from the last game.

Miller’s goal keeping was not enough to hold off Canadian’s offence during Sunday’s game, however. Canada led the first period in shots on goals which allowed them to assert dominance over the Americans. It also broke the American’s streak of never trailing in goals during a game. Unlike the first game between Canada and U.S., the first goal was not scored until there was only seven minutes left in the first period by Canada’s Jonathan Toews, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The U.S. was shut out during the first period but Ryan Kesler managed to slip a goal passed the Canadian goalie, Roberto Luongo. The U.S. also had two power plays but they provided no assistance since Canada had 88% power play kills.

With Canada leading 2-1 at the end of the second period, time was running out for team USA. With a minute left in third period, the U.S. pulled Miller from his spot at the goal. The extra man on the ice gave Zack Parise of the New Jersey Devils the chance to tie the game for the U.S. It also forced a four on four, sudden death overtime period.

Seven minutes into overtime, the gold slipped away from the hands of the Americans. Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburg Penguins, shot the game winning goal for the Canadians. This is the eighth Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey for Canada.

Finland won the bronze medal Saturday against Slovakia.