Zach Parise and Ryan Miller Star in USA Victory

by David Oleksy on Feb 24, 2010 6:09 PM EST

I am officially hooked on USA hockey. When the United States took the ice last Tuesday and was ready to cheer on the team but had no real expectations heading in. It was a team full of NHL players that had talent but not as much as Canada and Russia. A week later, I am totally committed to this hockey team.

The United States beat a gutsy Switzerland team this afternoon with Zach Parise scoring the only two goals in the game. His first goal was a tip off a shot from Brian Rafalski while on the power play and the second was an empty net goal with less than 15 seconds left in the game.

Why did it take a 2-0 win in a game against a team USA had already beat for me to commit myself to the team? I realized something important today, something I should have realized during the Canada game. This team is not the most talented team in the tournament but most of them are willing to pay the price to win. They have a desire that most of the more talented teams seem to be lacking.

When the United States and Canada played on Sunday, it was the talent of Canada tat dominated play most of the way. The problem for Canada was the desire of the United States won the hockey game. Look no further than the empty net goal from Ryan Kesler, he just wanted to get to the puck more than Corey Perry and it showed when the puck crossed the line and sealed the USA victory.

This afternoon it was gutsy defense that seen everyone on the team diving in front of shots that made the difference for the Americans. Ryan Miller was good when he needed to but the team in front of him made his job an easy one. This team seems to do whatever it takes to win.

The Americans will be back on the ice on Friday at 3 p.m. against either Finland or Czech Republic. A Win will put them in the gold medal game and a loss will send them to the bronze medal game. One win will guarantee a medal and two wins would be the gold.

I never expected a potential gold medal when the tournament began and now I think anything is possible.

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Me too

It took me a few games to learn to love this team – but I’ve gotten more and more excited as the tournament’s gone on. It’s always thrilling to watch a team that’s willing to do whatever it takes to win; I love to see all the blocked shots and guys diving to get the puck out of the zone. USA!

by Andy Boron on Feb 24, 2010 6:13 PM EST reply actions

They said it best at the end “classic US win, not pretty but did whatever it took to win”

im excited to watch this next game. Who you guys got? Im going with Russia. Nobakov with a huge game.

"Hey ey ey ey"

by bflo on Feb 24, 2010 6:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Wow, it's shocking hockey fans like you guys

just got on board. Where’s your patriotism? I’ve been pumped for months about this. The team has exceeded all expectations, I’ll say that, although I knew they’d be a scrappy bunch. I just love the shot blocking of this team and the great desire it has. I’m thrilled to see them winning for Brian Burke, too. The victories, hopefully, will bring a little joy to him after his horrible family tragedy of late, which will haunt he and his wife as long as they live. I’m sure that’s part of the team’s motivation.

The only bad point for me is this team has given me ulcers. These USA games have been BRUTALLY tense. Let’s hope the winning continues. After all it’s accomplished so far in these Games, it’s hard to believe there is a possibility we could end up with no medals. This team’s heart, if nothing else, deserves to have some medal covering it in a few days!

by ccthemovieman on Feb 24, 2010 6:23 PM EST reply actions

I should be more specific

I was cheering my heart out since the beginning of the tournament, even before the tournament. I was cheering all along but now I would be heart-broken if they lose. Similar to the way I felt when the Sabres lost to Dallas in the Stanley Cup or Carolina in the Conference Finals.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Feb 24, 2010 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think I was quite as excited about the Olympics (at the beginning) as most everyone else was, and I still can’t really figure out why. It was awesome that Miller was the starting goalie, but I think I read and posted so many articles about it that I kind of numbed myself to the idea over the past 5 months. However, game by game I’ve been getting more into it, and now feel like I do watching Sabres games while watching Team USA.

It’s weird because I was initially more excited for watching the USA soccer team at the World Cup, but I’m not that big a soccer fan. It just took me a bit to warm up to the Olympic team, I guess.

by Andy Boron on Feb 24, 2010 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

BTW I’ll be putting a link from Top Shelf in tomorrow’s article about this indifference to excitement transition.

by Andy Boron on Feb 24, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Couldn't agree more. They're so much fun to watch.

Though I was on-board right away (toot-toot) because
a) the Winter Olympics are my favorite sporting event
b) Olympic hockey is the World Cup. It’s a series of all-star games without the absurdity of all-star games. And even the teams that are bad can occasionally get lucky or at least put on a good show.
c) This team is my favorite type of team, scrappy underdogs willing to do the little stuff (that’s why I’m a Kaleta fan.) They play hockey how I played basketball.
d) There’s not a player on the team that I can’t root for. Even though I hate Drury the person, I love what Drury the player is bringing to the team. There are no prima-donnas on the team. There are no guys in commercials. There are no media darlings. I don’t have to cheer for Pronger or Crosby or Ovechkin or Heatley. The team gets the chance to shut the media up when it comes to a couple of those players too. Hell, their best offensive player gets absolutely no love from the NHL office despite it being 20 minutes away.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Feb 24, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions

" b) Olympic hockey is the World Cup. It’s a series of all-star games without the absurdity of all-star games. And even the teams that are bad can occasionally get lucky or at least put on a good show. "

- completely agree. I wish the nhl allstar game would be NA vs the world again. Not the same thing obviously, but i miss that.

"Hey ey ey ey"

by bflo on Feb 24, 2010 7:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Agree to an extent

I’m a big fan of the Olympics in general. However hockey is the sport that I care about most. It would make me sad when the US would lose. I will never root against my country, and when someone says that the US will lose, I say that I would rather they just deport themselves. Never go against your country. Support them!

It didn’t take any time from the start for me to get excited for the team. They have pros and the best goalie in the world. They should be able to hold their own. Now they are sitting pretty to not only medal, but possibly to get a gold medal.

I’m enjoying the ride. The games are fun to watch. The commercial free aspect of it adds to the enjoyment a lot. The style of play is pretty fun. Whether we are firing away or defending a flurry of goals, we’ve stopped everything so far.

I’ve watched every minute so far(minus a few painstaking minutes for the killer whale tragedy), and I hope to see another 2 wins.

by actioncuse on Feb 24, 2010 8:22 PM EST reply actions