If the Swiss goaltender was playing for team Russia and Ovechkin showed up, there may have been a chance for them. They were out coached, out played, out smarted and Canada dominated along the wall the entire game. Canada went ahead early and like I said in my previous article that was a must.
The big story now for us Americans cheering for team USA: How do we get past the Fins? One thing is likely certain: There's no effing way we're going to get 44 shots on the Fins. We can throw rubber at Finland, but it has to be net-worthy. Kirposoff faced 30+ shots against a formidable Czech offense that rifled some quality zingers, making Kippy have to earn his shut-out. Not to mention the Fins have learned how to play defense like no other European team.
The Fins have a frightening offensive force in players like Selanne, Jokinen and the Koivu brothers. The States have spread the scoring out fairly well but their success is going to fall on two key players: Ryan Miller and a guy we have not heard from - Patrick Kane. He left Chicago at the Olympic freeze with 67 points, a +19 and a team high 5 game-winning goals.
Where the hell has Patrick Kane been? Speculation exists (OK, in my own head, maybe) that without his center linemate Jonathan Toews, our young Kane, the first round draft pick from Buffalo, NY is like a toddler without his trustee blanket.
The US needs Kane to find himself, and in a hurry - like next game and the rest of the tourny. If they can funnel down and protect Miller from a gun and run offense like the Fins, continue their opportunistic scoring and add to their offense by Kane breaking out of his shell we could very well be wearing a glass slipper.
Team USA has got a ton of heart. They have a group of guys that are mediocre in talent compared to other teams in the games. But they have balance, they have potential scoring in #88 and they have Ryan Miller. And its going to take everything they have from this point forward to turn the pumpkin into a shimmering chariot. The Fins settled for silver in Italy when they lost the gold 4 years ago, and they'll be panning hard to make up for what they gave up to arch-rival Sweden.
We're all dreaming of another miracle and have no doubts it will be a similar feat this year.
Patrick, its time for you to step up and make Buffalo and the US of A proud.
Our young hero seems to be looking for open ice to dazzle us with his puck movement. Crash the net young man and ugly one in.
ReplyDeleteI think Kane has just found himself....
ReplyDelete