Mini-Miracle? U.S. Hockey Team Beats Canada in Olympic Hockey
As hockey victories go, Team USA's victory over Canada in Olympic hockey certainly doesn't compare to the 1980 Miracle on Ice. And as the Sporting News' Andy Hutchins says, it's also not as big as the team's upset of Canada in 1960.
But the 5-3 victory for the Americans Sunday was certainly an upset, and upsets are the reason people watch the Olympics.
The favored Canadians have more star-power, but as NHL fans have seen in the playoffs, a hot goaltender can often trump superior talent in hockey. Ryan Miller, seen by many as the key to any success the Americans hoped to have, was as good as advertised, saving 42-of-45 shots.
Brian Rafalski scored two goals, Jamie Langenbrunner had the game winner, Chris Drury scored and Ryan Kesler added an empty-netter.
The U.S. might go into Wednesday's quarterfinals as the No. 1 seed. Canada, meanwhile, needs to win Tuesday against Tuesday to get into the quarterfinals.
Follow Technorati