Canada wins hockey battle

I can’t get too upset with Canada’s win over team USA today in the gold match. I finally got to see a really good game played by the women. It was obvious why everyone was saying the final match-up would be between these two, great teams. You can see the training and dedication on both sides that makes the level of play far and away above the others. 

Canada took control in the first period; Marie-Philip Poulin scored both goals.  Perhaps it was nerves on the part of the US that allowed those two goals since the second and third periods were scoreless.  Canada still dominated the game; even during power plays the US just couldn’t push through their defense. Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados was amazing, blocking 28 shots.  But it shows just how evenly matched the teams are that US goalie Jessie Vetter made 27 saves.

Let me tell you, this was a knock-down drag-out battle between the two teams. Their skills are good, they played hard and fast, and the aggression on both sides was high. They went as far as they could without legal checking.  I saw one US player literally sit on a Canadian player then push her to the ice before she got off and resumed playing.  All this, of course, done behind the single ref’s back.  There was pushing, tripping, high-sticking, bad mouthing and everything else that usually goes with a heated rivalry.  Of course, unlike the men’s teams these players have been back-and-forth for years.  They will not be going back to their respective NHL teams, patting each other on the back and becoming buddies again. Some of the women may have been teammates in college, but as soon as they committed their loyalty to their country’s team, all bets were off. 

The handshake at the end of the game had the jubilant Canadians with helmets off and huge smiles.  Many of the US players kept their helmets on, perhaps to hide the tears until they could compose themselves.  Usually, a silver at the Olympics is a huge triumph, but during the medal ceremony Finland seemed much happier with their bronze (won in overtime against Sweden) than the US with their second place medal.

All I can say is I’m looking forward to the next Winter Olympics. I hope there are more countries with the wherewithall to nurture  their talented young women and promote the sport to higher levels.  I’d like to see more games like this one.