Inspired by the Ultimate Showdown

That was the ultimate showdown, of gold medal destiny. Hip checks, big goals and explosions, as far as the eye could see. Only one could survive, and it was Canada you see. That was the ultimate showdown, of gold medal destiny.

The Russian bear was hoping around
Vancouver City like a big playground

When suddenly Slovakia burst from the ground
And took the bear out in a shoot out show down

Russia got pissed and began to attack
but didn't expect to be block by Halak

Who proceeded to open up a can goalie fu
When in came Canada out of the blue

The beaver started beating up the Russia bear
and they got slammed by the American glare
but before they could make it to the gold medal game
Slovakia came back and put them to shame
But they ran out of time and they faded away
because Canada was back to save the day

That was the ultimate showdown, of gold medal destiny. Hip checks, big goals and explosions, as far as the eye could see. Only one could survive, and it was Canada you see. That was the ultimate showdown, of gold medal destiny.

Sweden took a bit out of Finnish pride
Like Americans take a bite out of pizza pie
But then Slovakia came back on the power play attack
and there was a surprise Czech comeback
Canada caught Russia in their bear trap
And took them out with a goal shaped thawp

America saw Switzerland sneaking up from behind
And peppered them with goals that they just couldn't fight
They took out the Canadians with style and grace
Then turned around punched Finland in the face

The stage was set for the ultimate game
and skaters took the ice to fight for fame.

An overtime comeback too the Americans sky high
But then Sidney Crosby put on past Miller's thigh
and the Americans fell in sadness to the ground
While the Canadians dances and partied up the town

That was the ultimate showdown, of gold medal destiny. Hip checks, big goals and explosions, as far as the eye could see. Only one could survive, and it was Canada you see. That was the ultimate showdown, of gold medal destiny.

Gray watches the San Jose Sharks from the couch for Couch Tarts in addition to contributing both stories and artwork to Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

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So, I had this blog post all worked out ahead of time. A nice little gimmicky "Winners and Losers" column that I had pretty much written in my head over the weekend, pending the results of the fantastic Gold Medal Game. Then I go to write it and what do I see: Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports doing the same gimmick. For F^&k's sake.

Wait... did he do this for the Olympics, or hockey players at the Olympics? Hmm just the Olympics themselves? Well I guess I can go ahead and wirte about the Hockey Winners and Losers can't I? So I'm doing it. so here's your Hockey Winners and Losers of the Olympics.

Loser: Russia
No real way to sugar coat this one for the Ruskies. They looked awful. And not just against Canada. They beat exactly one good team in the tournament: The Czech Republic. FYI: The Czechs were the second most underwhelming team of the tourney. Losses to Slovakia and the debacle against Canada must have officials scratching their head.

More after the jump

A fantastic overtime period ended suddenly when Jarome Iginla while falling put the puck towards the net and Sidney Crosby scooped up the puck to beat Ryan Miller.  Despite allowing the gold-medal winning goal, Ryan Miller is the tournament MVP.

Congratulations to team Canada on joining the ranks of nations defending the home soil with a hockey gold medal.

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Game Thoughts

It took overtime, but Canada avenged their only loss of the tournament topping team USA in the gold medal game and putting a blemish on the record of America's otherwise outstanding netminder.

Ryan Miller played phenomenally. But in the end the spotlight was more a glare. The tournament MVP carried his team to the gold medal game. He kept them in the contest as they fell behind early. But in the extra time, the light shined brightest on the face of the National Hockey League and if you weren't paying attention, that Sports Illustrated cover jinx is dead.

In Pittsburgh he's the most popular player since his boss, Mario Lemieux. Sidney Crosby has a Stanley Cup. He now has a gold medal. And as if it was ever in doubt, he'll drink for free at every watering hole in Canada for the rest of his life. That's what Gold Medal Winning goals mean.

An even sixty minutes was extended for another 7:40, but the difference was Crosby who took a beautiful pass from Jarome Iginla and slid it under Ryan Miller's pads. Pandemonium ensued as the crowd at Canada Hockey Place

The victory meant that Canada would join the United States as the only nations to win the Gold Medal on their home ice. Team USA had won gold medals when the games were held in Squaw Valley, California in 1960 and more famously in 1980 in Lake Placid's Miracle on Ice. Canada denied America the honor eight years ago when they took home the gold in the Salt Lake City games.

Scoring Summary

• 7:40 Sidney Crosby from Jarome Iginla

Penalties

Shots

Joe Tetreault blogs about sports, culture, business/technology and current events at TetreaultVision in addition to being the Editor for Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

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Besides being tied at two, both teams have been whistled for two penalties and both squads have put 32 shots on goal.  In addition there's an odd symmetry.  Canada scored first and added with a second.  Team USA was whistled for the first infraction and then piled on a second.  But it has been a mirror opposite since.  Team USA has answered with two goals and Canada has been shorthanded a pair of times.

Next goal wins the gold.  Mercy!

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Third Period Thoughts

Back and forth. Back and forth. Play carried from end to end, odd man rushes, flurries of shots. The final act of the final game of the Olympics had it all. In fact it was so good, they extended it for an encore.

Team USA felt the sands sliding through the hourglass faster and faster in the third period. Each tick of the clock erased time to tie the game up. But with 24 seconds left, Zach Parise knotted the game up and forced the overtime.

The Americans took advantage of the one mistake that had plagued Canadian goalie Roberto Luongo all afternoon. He'd stop drives with the glove, but couldn't control the puck.  The free puck found Parise who gave his team life with less than half a minute to go.

Scoring Summary

• 19:35 Zach Parise from Jamie Langenbruner and Patrick Kane

Penalties

Shots

Joe Tetreault blogs about sports, culture, business/technology and current events at TetreaultVision in addition to being the Editor for Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

Email Joe This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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