That's kind of the question I have for the USA vs Canada gold medal matchup tomorrow.
I mean it should definitely be interesting especially since the Americans have already beaten the Canadian team last week. There's definitely a lot going right for Team USA headed into this matchup.
I wouldn't discount the 5-3 victory at all, especially for this young American team. That will help give them an edge and confidence that they can take out Canada again. They've also been able to assert themselves early on in games, scoring the first goal in each of their matchups so far. That's another huge thing since they don't want to put themselves in a position where they have to play from behind and deviate from their gameplan.
Team USA has also been getting production across the board. 12 different players have scored a goal in the tournament and only four have been held pointless, three of them being defensemen. Because they're at a disadvantage from a talent standpoint, it's vital that they get scoring from each of their lines and it's been working so far. On top of that, their top forwards have finally been stepping up. Top forward Zach Parise's been having a great Olympics with 7 points, but it was encouraging to see fellow top liners Paul Stastny and Patrick Kane get going in the last game against Finland. Both only had a point apiece before that game but Stastny helped with a goal and an assist while Kane scored two goals of his own. They'll need those guys to have a good game if they want to topple Canada again.
Of course the big story's been Ryan Miller. The Buffalo Sabres goaltender is leading the Olympics with a 95.37 save percentage having allowed a paltry 5 goals the entire tournament. He's been standing on his head for the team and a huge reason they've been able to come so far already. If nothing else, Miller can steal the game for the Americans if he turns in another amazing performance.
But of course Team Canada is no slouch either and, with a lineup stacked from top to bottom, probably should still be favored in this gold medal matchup. One thing of note from their previous matchup is that Canada outshot the US 45 - 23, an almost 2:1 shots on goal ratio. That's a tremendous advantage and the Americans really only survived that onslaught because of Miller's great play as well as Canadian goalie Martin Brodeur's rough outing.
After that game, Canadian coach Mike Babcock switched to Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo, who is one of the best goalies in the NHL and having a good Olympics so far ranking fifth in save percentage. Just like Miller, Luongo is capable of winning a game on his own with his great ability in net.
However, he has a lot less pressure as Canada brings a super-high octane offensive attack with them. Every skater on that roster has at least one point, and every forward has at least one goal except for Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews, who's contributed with seven assists. Canada simply has a better offense and more talent than the US team does and they will be pushing this advantage for the entire game.
The great thing about the Olympics is that it's do or die. There are no seven game series, just one game for all the glory. This works to the Americans' advantage because they'd be hard pressed just to keep up with the Canadians for seven games. But while the US has played one less game due to a first round bye, Canada's faced better competition so far, having to beat Russia and Slovakia to get here.
Who knows what will happen. Team USA certainly has the capability to win again and take home the gold, capping a run in which no one expected them even to medal at these games. But hockey is Canada's sport, and with their elite lineup, they have to be the favorites. All I know is anything can happen in sports, and after the Canadians beat the Americans for the gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City, it would only be fitting that we take it this go-around in their territory.
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