Heartland

The team is red has the Maple Leaf in front. The team in white, well, it says, "USA." But they wore their hearts on their jerseys and sleeves.

Before the match between the United States and Canada began, I kept thinking back to that Michael Jordan quote about having players with a fighting heart that will beat a more talented team any time. When the American roster for Vancouver was announced, the initial reaction from close quarters was -- they're short on Olympic experience and not that fab on paper when stacked against the Canadians and the Russians. But the plus factors that were underscored by coach Ron Wilson were this team's guts, smarts, hunger, and willingness to mix it up on the boards and throw themselves in front of the net for a save. Was Canada overconfident? Not by a long mile. Any time you play a rival you never head into a game with that in your mind. You can throw out stats and history when it comes to that. I thought that the team with all those stars hasn't really meshed. And more to it, they were nervous playing in front of a large home crowd. Hey, it's the USA. The Canadians want to shut their neighbors up after all those jokes.

The 5-3 win is huge because it gives the US more confidence as the advance further. Canada is still in the hunt albeit in a more difficult route to the Gold. Lots of heroes for the US in Brian Rafalski, Chris Drury, and Jamie Langenbrunner among others but net minder Ryan Miller was huge for them! Forty-two saves? Jeez. That last five minutes when Canada poured it on must have been the longest five minutes for the Miller and the team.Was anyone reminded of Jim Craig when the Russians were pouring it on against him in the second period of that game that sent the US to the Gold Medal match? What a harrowing experience!

I just made a reference to the Lake Placid Miracle On Ice team. But really, it's a little premature. Every team has its similarities here and there. But now, let's see how far they go. A couple more matches then we'll know. And maybe Jeremy Roenick can ease up on the team and cheer rather than take shots at Drury. I root for the woe-is-me Islanders and Drury is an, ahem... a Ranger but this a plenty good hockey team; USA is.

Somewhere. Canadians hate Rick Reilly more. See ya at the face off.

---------------- photo by Corey Perry ----------