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February 25, 2002

Canada Celebrates Hockey Gold Okay,

Canada Celebrates Hockey Gold

Okay, seriously I have not read any stories breaking down the game,
so I will attempt to give my unadulterated analysis of Canada's Olympic
victory today over the USA. As far as the game goes, this was a good
match up. Both teams are extremely talented and strong. This seemed to
come down to how they played this particular day. Canada definitely was
passing more accurately during the first period. Both teams seemed to
play even during the first 20 minutes -- I'd go so far as to guess that
shots on goal / shot opportunities were pretty even. USA struck first
with a breakaway goal to lead 1-0 after one.
The second period might have been the most exciting period of hockey I've ever seen.
Amazing. Though it was during this period that Canada asserted
themselves and took the lead for good. The Canadians (is that right? Do
I need any funny accents on that?) definitely applied the pressure and
just out hustled the Americans. It was so frustrating watching the USA
team try to simply dump it into the Canadian zone and chase it with two
guys or less. I'd guess on average Canada cleared these pucks from
their zone in 5 seconds or less.
When the Canadians were in their offensive zone, it seemed like they had 22 players on the ice,
I swear. Anytime USA defensively knocked the puck loose around the
boards, it seemed like at least two other Canadians jumped to it and
beat Americans there. Sure, USA must have been very tired from playing
in the defensive zone so much, but this momentum was difficult to
watch... and I'm sure even more difficult to battle as a player. After
2 periods, Canada takes the lead 3-2.
The Americans used the short break between periods as their momentum
shift, coming out in the 3rd period attacking. Despite increasing their
shots on goal and opportunities, Canada's defense still played nearly
flawlessly and continued to clear the puck well. Usually in Hockey and
other sports, when you are playing well, things go your way... or maybe
you just notice it more, but Canada did seems to always have a man in
the rights spot, or get a puck in the right area.
Final score: 5-2. A bit misleading as they did add two goals in this
final period, though USA was attacking during the majority of it. A Joe
Sakic breakaway salted it away with about 18 minutes gone. Canada
played really well. They had the story - 50 years *to the day* since
their last Hockey gold. This is a country that claims Hockey
supremacy... so while an Olympic gold medal was an important dream to
all players on all teams... the Canadians seem to have more attached. Gretzky, eh... sort of turned whiner
earlier during the Olympics. I guess he won't be so frustrated anymore,
and winning probably cements in his mind that he's that much more right
about everything he vocalized. In some ways I respect him for what he
said... in others a little luster came off... the great "quiet" one,
who used to say it all with the stick and puck. Now in retirement, we learn he's got a mouth. Well, here is someone else's take on the meaning of victory for Canada.

later -- tom

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Posted by gcrgcr at February 25, 2002 12:16 AM

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