Vancouver 2010: America, the Scrappy.

Charlie Klein

Team USA defeated Team Canada 5-3 thanks to an incredible game from Ryan Miller last night in Vancouver. The Americans proved that their rag-tag band of scrappy players could hang with the big boys at Canada Hockey Place, re-seizing the initiative time after time following what seemed to be an unstoppable barrage from Team Canada. 

Brian Rafalski opened the scoring for the Americans 41 seconds into the first period smashing a shot past an average Martin Brodeur. The early goal set the tone for what was to come. Team Canada never led and was forced to try and make a comeback against the hottest goalie on the planet in Ryan Miller. 

The turning point in this hockey game came when right after the Canadians had tied the scoring at one, the United States re-took the lead following another lightning shot from Rafalski. The goal came right when it seemed as though the Canadians would march on to a win. 

Special praise has to be given to the triumvirate of New York based players Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, and Ryan Miller. When Team Canada had two powerplays at the end of the third period Drury and Callahan were sacrificing their bodies to prevent Canada from leveling the scoring. Miller though has to win the first star of the night making 42 saves on an absolutely loaded Canada roster.

While for me it does not match the 1980 Lake Placid USA vs. USSR game, this game was the most fun I've had watching the Olympics for a very long time. Tonight we learned that Team USA has a great shot at winning gold in Vancouver this year. What a few people, including myself, thought before the tournament is now clear for all to see. Team USA are in it to win it people, hop on that hockey bandwagon my friends and let's ride it to gold!

Somewhere I can hear Denny Green muttering the words "They are who we thought they were, and we let 'em off the hook!"