Canadians Outplay the U.S. in Men’s Hockey

Canada survived one of the greatest games in Olympic history to beat the Americans 3-2 in overtime and cap the host country’s record gold rush in Vancouver.

Canada beat the United States 3-2 on Sunday to win the Olympic goal medal in its national sport of hockey, with Sidney Crosby scoring the winning goal 7:40 into overtime and setting off a celebration from coast to coast.

The perfect finish to the Olympics for the host country, the gold medal was Canada’s 14th, breaking the record for most won by a nation at a Winter Games. The Soviet Union in 1976 and Norway in 2002 each won 13.

The entire hockey-crazed nation was stunned when Zack Parise scored to tie the game for the U.S. with 24.4 seconds remaining in regulation.

But Crosby’s shot from the lower part of the left circle eluded goalie Ryan Miller, and Canada Hockey Place erupted in deafening cheers.

“It doesn’t feel real. It feels like a dream. It just feels like dream,” Crosby said. “Our team worked so unbelievably hard. Today was really tough, especially when they got the goal late in regulation. But we came back and got it in overtime.”

Minutes after the game ended, delirious fans chanted, “Crosby! Crosby! Crosby!” and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge gestured with both hands, calling for more cheers, before presenting Crosby with the gold medal. Celebrations spilled into streets of cities across the country.

Hours earlier, long lines had formed outside Vancouvers bars and restaurants as red-clad fans sought the perfect place to watch the game.

As “O Canada” played, the Canadian team stood shoulder to shoulder, arms over each others’ shoulders. The U.S. team stood dejected, staring at the ice, many with their hands on their hips.
In one of the greatest games in Olympic history, Canada’s collection of all-stars held off a young U.S. team that had upset the hosts 5-3 in round-robin play a week earlier. That loss forced the Canadians to play an extra game to reach the gold medal match.

Crosby had been scoreless the previous two games, but he had two post-regulation game-winners at these Olympics. He beat Switzerland with a shootout goal during the round robin.
It was close. It was nerve-racking. It was a game worthy of a gold-medal Olympic hockey final. And, for the disappointed Americans, it was a monumental letdown in a tournament in which they were almost perfect.

“It’s devastating,” U.S. defenseman Jack Johnson said. “It was the biggest game any of us have played in.”

Canada is the Olympic champion in men’s hockey, and the whole country can finally celebrate its Winter Games.