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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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