Miller Time

What a fantastic game!

Team USA began with a power play, which Canada adeptly killed, but a high stick from Sidney Crosby to his Penguins teammate Brooks Orpik less than two minutes in gave team USA another two minute man advantage. Canada killed that one, too. But Corey Perry was whistled off for slashing at 6:05 and the US had another power play. Canada would not escape this penalty kill unscathed as Jamie Langenbruner redirected a Bryan Raflaski drive to put the Americans up by two.

Canada's miscues could be chalked up to pressing. Down by a goal with a period to play, on their home ice needing a win to secure a bye in the playoff portion of the tourney, the mistakes eroded a third of the time Canada had to erase their deficit, and worse at the end of the trio of penalties, their shortfall had doubled.

"U-S-A" chants began to drown out the "Go Canada" near the midpoint of the period as the American fans could smell the brewing upset. But the enthusiasm of the Americans was quickly hushed.

Patrick Kane's tripping penalty just after the midway point of the period gave Canada a Power Play opportunity to halve the American's lead. Canada was very tentative on the man advantage, with their best opportunity coming seconds after Kane had been freed from the box.

Canada continued their attack, but team USA challenged their every movement, pushing the puck to center ice at every chance. Eric Johnson's tripping penalty with just over five minutes left opened the door for Canada to reclaim the game. Ryan Miller nearly slammed that door shut. Stopping Rick Nash and then recovering and getting back to deny Jarome Igilna. But with five seconds left on the kill, Nash fed Crosby who redirected the pass past Miller.

Team Canada set up target practice on Miller following Crosby's goal. The play turned totally to Canada's relentless assault on the US netminder. Unable to clear for the better part of two minutes left the Americans scrambling. But Miller held. With Brodeur pulled for an extra attacker, Ryan Kesler, who was known for playing great defensively as well as offensively, found the empty net an worthy target.

Ryan Miller was exceptional in net.  For all the efforts of the American forwards and defensemen, no one stood taller than their goalie, who played out of his mind.

Scoring Summary

• 7:09 Jamie Langenbruner from Bryan Rafalski and Ryan Suter
• 16:51 Sidney Crosby from Rick Nash and Duncan Keith
• 19:15 Ryan Kesler (Empty Net) from Zach Parise

Penalties

• 1:44 Sidney Crosby High Sticking
• 6:05 Corey Perry Slashing
• 10:49 Patrick Kane Tripping
• 14:56 Eric Johnson Tripping

Shots

Canada 14
USA 3

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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Sidney Crosby redirected a pass from Rick Nash to beat Ryan Miller and it's a one goal game with just under three minutes to play.

Mercy!

Second Intermission Thoughts

Patrick Kane's stinging one-timer was one of the few bright points of the first half of the second period, as the teams focused on denying each other opportunities. Canada failed to put the puck on net for stretch of seven minutes and forty seconds after Dany Heatley's equalizing goal.

The aggressive play marked the period with hard hits on both end of the rink. A scary collision among three Canadian players sent Corey Perry to the training room with just under four minutes to play in the period.

The Americans were opportunistic beating Brodeur to take the lead back with just over three minutes left. The odd man rushes following Drury's goal felt like a tennis rally with Brodeur and Miller trading stellar netminding work. A little chippiness between captains Scott Neidermayer and Jamie Lagenbruner may signal a tone for the third and deciding period. USA has to hold on for twenty minutes to guarantee themselves a one of two seed in the next round of the tournament. Canada is looking to control the tempo and solve Ryan Miller, who despite Rafalski's pair of goals is the first star of this game thus far.

Scoring Summary

• 3:32 Dany Heatley from Jonathan Toews and Shea Weber
• 16:46 Chris Drury from Bobby Ryan and David Backes

Penalties

• 19:06 Eric Staal Holding

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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First Intermission Thoughts

From the opening face off, Team USA established the tempo. Quick and aggressive. They challenged Brodeur when he handled the puck. They aggressively pursued the puck in both ends. When Canada answered Rafalski first goal, Rafalski potted a second. After ten minutes the Americans held a one goal lead.

Team Canada showed their overwhelming skill on killing the first power play of the game. With the exception of the Joe Pavelski scoring chance, they kept team USA confused, out of sorts and unable to mount a credible attack.

Team USA was equally effective killing the second penalty. Canada had more opportunities, but Ryan Miller, who is playing a phenomenal game in net, kept Canada from capitalizing on the man advantage.

Forty minutes remain to determine the winner of Group A. The USA has taken the advantage by playing an aggressive game and getting a ton of stellar play in net. Team USA will need to contain Canada's scoring chances to hold this lead.

Scoring Summary

• :41 Bryan Rafalski from Ryan Suter and Jamie Langenbruner
• 8:53 Eric Staal from Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews
• 9:15 Bryan Rafalski unassisted

Penalties

• 3:41 Ryan Getzlaf Interference
• 6:07 Joe Pavelski High Sticking

Shots

Canada 18
USA 6

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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Bryan Rafalski again with the goal, this time slipping under Brodeur's blocker.

USA 2 Canada 1

Ten minutes to play in the first.