Canada vs. USA for gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, in men’s (and women’s ) ice hockey. The Olympic and ice hockey communities couldn’t have asked for a better final.
The Gold Medal game today will be special, because it may be the greatest game of this generation, and perhaps of all time.
2002’s Salt Lake City win for Canada was never seriously in doubt, but in 2010 the USA have already proved they are capable of beating the mighty Canadian men’s team. They did it 7 days ago.
The NHL is still the world’s most prestigious ice hockey league world-wide and in 2014 NHL players won’t be there.
The NHL hasn’t officially withdrawn from the Olympics after Vancouver but Commissioner Gary Bettman has sent strong signals that he and his teams won’t be taking the necessary two-week break to be in Sochi 2014.
Assuming Russia’s KHL and Germany/Sweden’s national league make room for the Olympics, the old Americas/Europe divide will be re-instated, with Canadians and Americans losing interest as their best players will not be available for the greatest show in sport.
Here in Australia, Foxtel and Nine Network will be covering the penultimate event of the Winter Olympics, and it’s likely that ice hockey will be viewed by more Australians in any one showing than ever before, many in beautiful High Definition.
So enjoy it. Roberto Luongo, Zach Parise, Scott Neidermayer, Ryan Miller, Sidney Crosby, Jonathon Towes, Patrick Kane and Ryan Getzlaf all on the ice at the same time.
It may never happen again, the game of a generation, maybe a lifetime.
Ice Pete
Roar Pro
It was a special game with great intensity. I've lived in USA and have as many Canadian friend as Aussie friends so I couldn't choose a team. That the game went to OT was fantastic and in the end I was happy that Canada won the Gold medal. I was extremely impressed with USA throughout the Olympics and if they do get to play in Sochi 2014, it will be a much closer match-up!
Republican
Guest
Despite my assumed loyalty towards Canada, having travelled throughout that country over four months in the eighties, as well as having very good family friends living and growing up in Toronto, I found myself barracking for the Yanks. When it comes to Ice Hockey, they are the underdogs when pitted against the Canucks, even still today. I also empathize with Americans over the chiip Canadians harbour towards their big bros, since it is akin to that of NZ's disdain of Australia, albeit nowhere near as obsessive. Great game.
OldManEmu
Guest
No. Take out the word "upsets". Go Canada. Rooting for the USA were you Nam?
Nam Turk
Guest
Are you insinuating that Canada were the scrappy underdogs here? Get real. The most ridiculously stacked team in hockey history just barely escaped epic disappointment. All those celebrations in the street would be riots without gold today.
Redb
Roar Guru
Well done to the Canucks. Geez it might be Ok just for today be a Canadian eh! :-) Huge win for them, great stuff. Anyone know if a replay is on Foxtel soon?
BigAl
Guest
An interesting article - I'm surprised at how interested I've been in the Ice hockey - maybe it's the eyecatching playing strip of the Canadians ? OldManEmu - Canada maybe 'little brother' to US politically but hockey wise they would definately NOT see themselves as little.
OldManEmu
Guest
Wow. I have not seen the game but I imagine it was if nothing else tense and exciting. Cannot wait to watch a replay. It must be a great feeling to be Canadian today. I do not think there could be any sporting equivalent of this anywhere, perhaps one of the smaller South American nations beating Brazil in the Football World Cup might be a rival, for stupendously huge Little Brother/Big Brother upsets. And Canadians love their hockey with absolute passion - a victory over the US would be sweet. Fantastic, Go Canada.
James
Guest
Amazing game so far. So intense!