Olympic ice hockey: Canada-USA – fight for gold (score, live updates)

February 28, 2010

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Final results: Canada 3 - USA 2

Goal: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Goal details: Sidney Crosby scores to give Canada the 3-2 victory. It is also Canada's 14th gold medal of the Games, setting a Winter Olympics record.

Overtime sumary: Sidney Crosby scores to give Canada the 3-2 victory. It is also Canada's 14th gold medal of the Games, setting a Winter Olympics record. Crosby first knocked the puck free from Brian Rafalski on the left boards and it rolled to Jerome Iginla, who was being knocked down when he got it across to Crosby, who slipped a 15-footer between Miller’s legs, setting off wild celebrations across the country, Crosby actually had been struggling much of the game, with more turnovers than shots. Canada out shot the U.S. 7-4 in the overtime.

13:30 remaining: Several occasions for both sides. Both teams increases the speed and are more active.

Overtime has begun. Both teams playing safe.

Going for overtime!

Parise’s goal sent the game into a 20-minute, according to the hockey overtime rules the game ends when a team scores. During the overtime period teams play 4 on 4. A shootout would follow if it remaines tied. The shots were also tied at 32 going into overtime.

Third period:

Canada 2 - USA 2

Goal: Zach Parise (plays for New Jersey Devils: East Rutherford, NJ, United States)
Time: 24 seconds remaining! third period

1:30 remaining: U.S. has pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Ryan Miller played great so far.

5:00 remaining: The fight is fierce. Canada's defense is tightening, U.S. can't seem to get off a clean shot.

10:00 remaining: A lot of back and forth action. Luongo and Miller have both had standout nights. Really, it's a shame that either team has to lose. Kane’s turnover with 10:20 to go led to a great chance for Dany Heatley that Miller flashed a pad to stop.

16:20 remaining: First minute of second period, Toews stole puck behind net, got it back to Weber, who hit the post. A minute later, Chris Pronger hit the other post, underscoring why the iron can be a goalie’s best friend. U.S. seems a little impatient early on, with many early shots before anyone is even in postition for a rebound. As the third period begins, a note about Kesler's goal: Kesler and Canada goalie Roberto Luongo are teammates on the Vancouver Canucks. Kesler had said before the game he knew what Luongo’s weaknesses were and wouldn’t be afraid to share them with his U.S. teammates, no matter how that might impact future NHL matchups.

Second period:

Canada 2 - USA 1
Goal: Ryan Kesler (plays for Vancouver Canucks: Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Time: 7:16 remaining, second period
Goal details: Ryan Kesler deflects a Patrick Kane shot past Luongo and into the net.

2nd period summary: U.S. dictated the pace of play the last 10 minutes, and really stepped up their level of aggressiveness. Luongo made several outstanding saves in what has been a great hockey game so far. The intensity of the game ratcheted up exponentially after the goal energized the U.S. With Kane leading the way, cruising in circles with the puck in the Canada zone, working shots from the side of the circle, the U.S. suddenly began to control the play for lengthier stretches as the second peiod ended with Canada ahead 2-1. Canada missed a great chance to put a stake in the U.S. back when Dan Boyle’s brilliant pass sent Eric Staal in alone with 53 seconds left in the period, but Stahl’s shot went high and wide. The shots were even in the second period, with Canada holding a 25-23 advantage after two.

Canada 2 - USA 0
Goal: Corey Perry (plays for Anaheim Ducks, United States)
Time: 13:24 remaining, second period
Goal details: Corey Perry scores off a rebound, putting the puck past Miller and sending the crowd into a sustained frenzy.

First period:

Canada 1 - USA 0

Goal: Jonathan Toews (plays for the Chicago Blackhawks, United States)
Time 7:09 remaining, first period
Goal details: Bad pass, shot, Jonathan Toews scores on the rebound.

1st period summary: At the end of a very physical first period, Canada led 1-0 with a 10-8 advantage in shots. The U.S. had pressed the action early but was on its heels through the middle 10 minutes of the period before a flurry in the last 30 seconds.

* * *

Canada clashes with the United States in an Olympic hockey final on Sunday. The match is considered the biggest international game on Canadian soil since the 1972 Summit Series the hosts played against the Soviet Union, where Canada won the series.

Once again Canadians have galvanized themselves behind its beloved hockey team.

"It is a special, special thing," said Canadian coach Mike Babcock, who coached the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008, writes AFP.

The win over the Russians in '72 was Canada's Miracle on Ice. Now Canada is hoping to become the first team to win the Olympics on home soil since the Americans thrilling 1980 Lake Placid triumph.

The Americans other Olympic gold medal also came on home soil in 1960 in Squaw Valley where they beat Canada 2-1.

Canada won its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years with a 5-2 win over the USA at the 2002 Salt Lake Games. The same teams met earlier in this tournament in the preliminary round with the Americans coming out on top 5-3.

"Hockey is not a sport in Canada. It's a cult. It's a religion," US team general manager Brian Burke said.

"Canadians view this as their game." Burke holds the same job for the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs.

US goaltender Ryan Miller, who made 42 saves in a 5-3 US preliminary round victory over Canada last week, has been a calming force for the Americans and takes the same attitude to the crowd that will be taunting him.

"It's going to be a great atmosphere but it doesn't change the game," Miller said. "Skates. Puck. Ice. Hopefully I will lace on my skates the right way."