What a game. What a tournament. What a finish.
Canada's 3-2 victory over the Americans may have left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Red, White & Blue contingent, but the game - the tournament, even - was a landslide victory, not just for Canada, but for the entire game of hockey.
Canadian fans got exactly what they wanted - a gold medal victory in the sport that is entrenched within the past, present, and future of their people - as well as redemption for their ugly seventh place finish in the 2006 Games in Torino.
American fans - passionate and casual followers of the game, alike - were treated to a great six games from their hometown squad, a run that, when compounded with the American victory at the World Junior Championships, brings hope and attention to the future of American hockey. And, most importantly - hopefully - the National Hockey League will see some much-needed attention directed towards their great game.
With NHL players' participation in the Olympics, the number one goal as far as the NHL was concerned was exposure of the game of hockey to the casual sports fan. With the games in North America, fans were able to watch the games at reasonable and convenient times, and in an atmosphere that was understandable both culturally and geographically.
If two great games against Team Canada, a 5-1 record, and a Silver Medal finish won't elevate the NHL and the game of hockey, itself, to further prominence amongst the casual sports fan in America, I'm not sure what will (aside from NHL games being carried by Versus, but that's a rant for another day).
Here's a few thoughts on the game from a purely hockey perspective...
- How about Sidney Crosby? A Stanley Cup less than eight months ago, led the playoffs in goal-scoring, is currently tied for the lead league in goal-scoring, and has now scored the game-winning overtime goal to give his hockey-crazed country their 14th gold medal of the Vancouver Games. Was he at his absolute best during the tournament? No, probably not, but great players come through in the clutch. With a shoot-out winner against the Swiss and his most recent strike to the back of the twine, "Sid the Kid" did just that. And to all the Crosby-bashers out there - shove it.
- Ryan Miller - what do I even need to say? The current-Vezina favorite took home "Tournament M.V.P." and "Best Goaltender" honors. He was phenomenal from start to finish for Ron Wilson's squad.
- Speaking of Ron Wilson, like him or not (I've never been a huge fan), you can't deny that he did a great job with a youthful group. He got the most out of Erik and Jack Johnson - two very young defensemen who played some great hockey in Vancouver. Despite Erik Johnson's faulty puck handling that resulted in Canada's first goal of the game, the tournament will be a major confidence builder for the 2006 1st Overall Pick. This was the best hockey he's played since the freak-golf cart incident that caused him to miss the entirety of what should've been his second NHL season. Jack Johnson, who had really began to ramp up his play with the Los Angeles Kings over their last handful of games heading into the Olympics, proved that has finally begun to understand the finer points of playing hockey at a high level. His raw skills - skating, stick handling, and shooting - are off the charts, especially for a defenseman.
- Zach Parise, named to the "All-Tournament Team," is a freakin' animal. As a Rangers fan, it was a treat to root for him, as opposed to against him, throughout the last two weeks.
- Say what you want about Chris Drury's bad contract (and yes, it's ugly), but the guy gives it 110% every time he touches the ice. It's clear concussions have taken their toll on the Rangers' Captain, but the guy will stand in front of a bus or a Shea Weber Slapper (not sure which one is worse, actually) for his team. That effort level is there every night for the Rangers, too. You'll never hear me say a bad word about the effort level of the player I've considered my favorite since his rookie-season when I was ten-years old, watching him in the playoffs with the Colorado Avalanche.
- Patrick Kane is well on his way to becoming a big game player. He was excellent throughout the last two games, and already has nine goals to his credit in 16 NHL playoff games.
- Brian Rafalski ("Best Defenseman" of the tournament) and Ryan Suter were unbelievably calm and poised throughout the tournament. Shea Weber had a great tournament, but Suter could've arguably snagged that spot on the "All-Tournament Team" over his Nashville teammate. Suter finished the tournament with four points and was a plus nine in six games.
- Jonathon Toews really is a heckuva player. His designation as "Best Forward" of the Olympic Games is well-earned. He was on for just one goal against all-tournament, despite going up against the other teams' top guns for the majority of his shifts. What does it tell you about a team's talent level when their "fourth line" center takes home "Top Forward" honors?
- Joe Thornton can rack up all the regular season assists he wants. He is S-O-F-T, soft.
- Drew Doughty is going to be a Hall of Famer. Yeah, that's right; I just predicted a 20-year old defenseman is going to be a HOFer. It is absurd that Doughty turned 20 in December.
- Roberto Luongo was really shaky all game, and really, he was a little iffy over the last two games. Parise never ties the game at two if "Bobby Lu" is able to snag an easy shot to his glove hand. But hey, he made the big saves he needed to make. That save against Pavol Demitra in the semifinals will go down as one of the greatest saves in Canadian international hockey history.
- Thankfully, we didn't see this contest conclude with a shootout. This game should serve as a reminder why a team-game fought between 40 or so players shouldn't be decided by a skills competition that typically involves four players from each side. The shootout may be entertaining in regular season games (still not a fan of ending any game with a shootout, myself), but I think everyone can agree that it has no place in playoff or championship games.
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