US-eh?

Team USA vs. Team Canada for Gold 2010 Winter Olympics

    Team USA and Team Canada battling it out for the gold medal. The hockey game to trump all others. Headlines read "USA storms, Canada stutters, into final matchup". Truly, Canada had barely scraped though the tournament, while USA was a machine of dominance, only allowing a total of six goals in five games combined. But only this game mattered, and a strong start by US found them all over Canada in their zone, going against a goalie who was deftly making save after save.
    12 minutes and 50 seconds later, Canada's Jonathan Toews took control of the game as he nailed the puck over the catching glove of Ryan Miller, giving Team USA their first deficit of the 2010 Winter Olympics. USA tried to quickly regroup and storm the net, but there was just no eluding Roberto Luongo, and their efforts were returned fruitless.
    Seven minutes into the next period, Corey Perry gracefully flipped the puck over a sprawled out Miller, turning a rebound of a blocked shot into a 2-0 lead. Any nerves Team USA had entering the game were shot completely as they tried to cope with this upsetting turn of events.
    Five more minutes had gone by and with a seeming lack of confidence, Ryan Kesler skated the puck back into the offensive zone once again, expecting just another failure. After a bit of fine dribbling, he closed his eyes and prayed fervently as he blasted the puck in the direction of the goal. Surprisingly, it slipped under Luongo's grasp and bounced in the crease before rolling tantalizingly into the net. USA found themselves back in the game, with the assistance of a one-timer nonetheless.
    Even knowing how important that cut into their lead could end up being, Team Canada entered the third period playing at a very relaxed, uncaring pace. It was clear from their style that they thought it was only a matter of killing time.
But what they didn't count on was Team USA coming out fighting like a team that was down by one and not close to done. Every player started throwing all they had at the net, never taking their foot of the gas as shot after shot had to be deftly blocked by Luongo and cleared quickly away by his team's defense.
    With a minute and a half left to go, Canadians fans felt they had this one in the bag and began rising prematurely to applaud a victory. Sounds of an "O Canada!" chant appeared to be forming while Ryan Miller skated to his bench after being pulled. So up one man but down one goal, the US swarmed the net furiously and shot at every opening, no matter how improbable success would be from such attempts.
    Down to mere seconds, Team USA knew it was going to take a miracle to pull this one out. With a bit of bad decision making, Canada iced the puck, knowing full well that US would be receiving an offensive face off from such a blunder.
    USA won said face off and the puck was dropped to Patrick Kane, who was left to decide how to play it out. With the clock draining down to half a minute, he knew this was the last chance for America. Canada's defense finally realized what they were into now, and were providing such acute coverage that there was no openings. Feeling the pressure, Kane took a blind slapshot, but groaned when it too was deflected by Luongo.
    But Zach Parise saw the puck come back out. With no time for finesse, he jammed his stick into the crease and was rewarded with the sight of the black rubber disk rolling around inside the net. He was immediately mobbed by his team. Right now, the pride of America had just done the unthinkable and tied the game.
    Sudden death over-time was next after a swift ice change. When the teams took to the rink again, you would've thought that hockey was the pride of USA, with the way the Canadians were faltering.
    Passes were tight and controlled by the US, who were already tasting victory. Chris Drury attempted a quick strike to Parise but was intercepted by Sidney Crosby, who stormed down the left side to Miller. He let go a mean wrist shot that he hoped would exit as a top shelf score.
    When the puck blasted in behind Ryan Miller, Team USA literally collapsed onto the ice in grief. Ryan Miller too laid down inanimately. Slowly getting up and skating to their obviously distraught goalie, the Americans looked to the heavens in disbelief. Their come-behind for the books was destroyed and they watched desolately as Team Canada piled on each other, winning the gold.
    With tears in their eyes as they observed their opponent's celebration, you know they were playing with their heart and soul. They fought desperately for pride, honor and glory and received a result that didn't match what they put in. Team USA modeled the effort of teams past, like their 1980 team that shocked the world, displaying the intense desire to "go down fighting, or not at all".
    USA put up a fight worthy of gold and Canada stammered to what should have been a silver. But Zach Parise, Ryan Miller, Patrick Kane and the other members of the team won't rest any easier knowing they should have won. They have the right to feel proud of their run in these Olympics, but that won't ease the pain of the way it ended.
   

   

Author's Note

The title supposed to be a combination of "USA" and "eh?" reflecting on both countries in a "punny" way... in case anyone was confused :)

Looking back at this, I realize that when I wrote it, I had no clue who most of the players I mentioned even were. What I mean to say is that as a Bruins' fan, after what happened in the Stanley Cup Finals, I can't believe I ever cheered for Kesler :P

Reviews

[Greg Skura]

Indeed the USA has really developed their hockey programs and a great deal of good players come from there. The game of hockey is best summed up this way "you have to be lucky to be good and good to be lucky" and yes forty five seconds is a long time in a game of hockey. I missed the game myself you penned this piece nicely.

[Sierra Nerys]

I love how your note is edited after a prior conversation that may or may not have taken place. Or maybe it was before and the conversation was after... either way. Me likey :D It's super duper well written, I love the pun, and YOU'RE GONNA BE AN AWESOME JOURNALIST
I also feel you should know that I tried to rate it 150, but it turned me down.

[Hi]

Very well written and you are really good at the reporters POV. I really like your stories because it makes me feel like i am actually watching this from the crowd. You are a really descriptive and good writer! Keep it up!!

[lawrence bear]

wow, this was fascinating. I missed the big game that day, I was on the road travelling home from the city. As I drove on down the streets of Winnipeg, people took to the streets, waving the Canadian flag screaming, and singing our anthem. I honked passing by, feeling rejoiced my Country did it. I know you're mad, I missed all the replays, but this story shows it all. I thank you for sharing, and its an honor to inspire a story such as this. Bravo to you, I loved it. scored a 100 in my books ;)

[LisetteCanWrite!]

Team USA fought valiantly on the ice.. that was the most exciting hockey game I have seen in too many years! The way they took that tying score in the last 30 seconds was completely amazing.. giving Canada such a fierce fight in overtime.. you and every US citizen should be proud.. I felt terrible as I seen the pain in the US players..even I thought it was a comeback where Team Canada was going to lose.. I don't think I remember a time I was more proud to be Canadian.. but more proud and touched by the sportmanship of your team's players.. no fist fighting from either side.. they acknowledged a great playing game! It will certainly go down in History.. glory to both sides!!!! Awesome written account .. I hope your team celebrates.. they truly gave their all!!!! 100%.. this was a very true and great telling of such an amazing tournament!