Golden Effort Falls Just Short

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short

 

By Brad VanFossan

 

I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.

 

It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.

My in game thoughts from the penalty box:

 

-In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics.

 

-Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, they just need to win more offensive end face offs and hope to get some power play

chances.

 

-Roberto Luongo sounds more like an Italian skier than a Canadian goalie, Alberto Tomba anyone?

-The worst thing that could have happened for the U.S. was a Bobby Ryan penalty shortly after the Canada goal but the US was able to kill the power play, and after one period Canada leads 1-0, and has the advantage in shots at 10-8.

 

-After Corey Perry’s goal made it 2-0, I was telling myself the U.S. looked dead in the water, their power play was terrible, then almost immediately after, Ohio State’s own Ryan Kesler scored off of a re-direct of Patrick Kane’s shot, putting the U.S. right back in it.

-Roberto Luongo’s saves have not been clean, they’ve been bouncing around before he’s been able to fully control the puck, it will be interesting to see if the U.S. can capitalize on this as they try to tie the game in the 3^rd period.

 

-I’m surprised I haven’t heard the name Sidney Crosby mentioned much yet in this game, but the key word is yet.

 

-I was also surprised to hear the name Eric Lindros during the game.

 

-Again, the U.S. continues to amaze, scoring a goal with 24 seconds left to tie the game at 2, while goalie Ryan Miller was pulled for an extra attacker. Zach Parise might be smaller in stature, but his heart and determination are immeasurable. On to OT we go.

 

-Ouch, I should have knew that little Sidney Crosby remark was going to come back and bite me.  Crosby scores in overtime off of a nice pass from Jarome Iginla giving Canada the win and the gold, 3-2.

 

This United States team can hold their collective head up high as they provided us with nothing but excitement for two weeks, and played at the highest level possible, exceeding most our and even some of the media’s expectations. Technically this series is tied at 1, and the United States outscored Canada 7-6 in two games. I say let’s play Game 3 tomorrow night at the “Q”, I’m sure the Lake Erie Monsters won’t mind. This U.S. team was the youngest in the Olympics, they’ll be back even stronger in 2014.