U.S. defeats Canada in men’s hockey, 5-3
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A subdued crowd watches as the U.S. goes on the power play with 18:15 left in the third. U.S. has been 0 for 2 on power plays so far this game.
Make that 0 for 3 as they really can’t get anything going. Drew Doughty of the Kings, playing for Canada, took a hard shot off the hip, though, and seemed to be in pain. You have to hope it’s nothing serious.
U.S. gets another power-play opportunity with 13:55 remaining, as Corey Perry is called for slashing. And this time they convert, as Jamie Langenbrunner scores on a shot that deflected in off of Shea Weber of Canada’s skate. 4-2 U.S. And the crowd is eerily quiet.
Midway through the third period, the U.S. leads, 4-2, as Ryan Miller continues to look like Jim Craig in the ‘Miracle on Ice’ game. Canada has seemingly outshot the U.S. about 107-8, yet trail by two.
Now it’s Canada’s turn on the power play, as Patrick Kane is called for holding with 9:11 remaining. By the way, there are two Canadian and two U.S. officials calling the game, so there’s equal homerism on both sides.
And Canada can’t convert, as the power play ends with Sidney Crosby tripping over Miller and landing in the net. Still 4-2 U.S. with seven minutes to go.
Canada goes on another power play with 5:13 to play, and swarm Miller, but again he stands tall, stopping a couple of point-blank shots and making saves that seem impossible. Until, with six seconds left in the power play, Crosby deflects a Rick Nash pass across the slot. U.S. still leads, 4-3. And the crowd jumps back on the bandwagon, making noise, Canada has outshot the U.S., 40-21, so far this game.
The last two minutes were some of the most amazing hockey you will ever see. The U.S. couldn’t clear it out of their zone. Canada just peppered the net. With a minute left, Canada pulled Martin Brodeur for the extra attacker, and the U.S. gets control and Ryan Kesler puts the puck in the net with 44.7 seconds left. And the crowd jumps back off the bandwagon.
And that’s how the game ends. One of the more exciting games you will ever see. Final score: U.S. 5, Canada 3.
-- Houston Mitchell in Vancouver, Canada