Canada, United States Set For Gold Medal Showdown In Men's Hockey

Sports News - February 27th, 2010 - Written By John Ritter

The last and only time Canada won gold in men's ice hockey, it was against the United States in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

A similar result Sunday would come be of far greater consequence.

Exactly a week after being stunned by it's southern neighbors, Canada arrives at the Winter Olympic finals with a chance for gold and redemption.

The Canucks held off a late surge by Slovakia in the semifinals Friday afternoon, and will take on Team USA in the gold medal game with a chance to sweep the men's and women's hockey tournament.

The Americans roll into the game without relinquishing their title of team to beat after bulldozing Finland in their semifinal match, 6-1. They scored all six goals in the first 10 minutes of the game, and battered both of the Finnish goalkeepers.

There are currently no odds on the match, but we will have an update as soon as one is available.

Canada was expected to dominate the sport it invented on home ice, but had an upward climb to even reach the final after losing to the U.S. It was seeded sixth in the single-elimination tournament, and placed in the same bracket as Russia, which was the second favorite to win gold.

But the Canadians kicked it into gear with their backs against the wall, blowing out the Russians 7-3, then jumping all over Slovakia early Friday night.

"If you're not here and you don't have that opportunity, if you're not in the final four, I think it's tough on you," Canadian coach Mike Babcock told ESPN. "This way, we have a shot, and to me, that's all you can ask for. I think it's real special for those guys.

"Everybody wants to be proud. No one wants to finish eighth or whatever the number was [in Torino], so it's a good opportunity for the whole group. But we've got [to be] a lot better than we were today, but we've got a chance to do that."

Martin Brodeur was beat up by the Americans last week, surrendering five goals to a handful of youngsters playing in their first Games. Canada nearly doubled Team USA's shots on goal, but scored nearly have as much.

Brian Rafalski had two goals while Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Kesler and Chris Drury each had one of their own. Kesler had the last score, a diving swat at a loose puck that found an empty net. While most of Canada's population haven't forgotten, it's national team is doing everything it can to do so.

"I don't think (the loss is) going through our mind a whole lot, to be honest. We know we have a great opportunity, that's the way we're looking at it," Crosby said. "We know we have a tough opponent here who's rolled through the tournament pretty well. But we're looking forward to the chance we have."

No one has scored more than the Canadians this tournament, however. And after winning against Slovakia, they have put through 10 goals in their last two games, one more than the Americans.

"Well, we're not there yet. We got to the game, but it's far from over," said defenseman Chris Pronger told ESPN. "Obviously, the U.S. is playing with a lot of confidence and playing very well. Their goalie is playing very well. So we've got our hands full."

Olympic Betting Odds had the Americans as far back as fifth-favorite heading into the tournament, but nobody has found a way to stop them. They embarrassed Finland, which eliminated Team USA last Winter Olympics, with six goals in the first period, kicking starting goalkeeper Miikka Kiprusoff out of the net after the fourth goal. The Americans then scored on back-up Nikolai Backstrom twice in their first four shots.

Patrick Kane, reigning NHL Rookie of the Year, scored twice against Finland, and four of his teammates had a goal each.

"The way I look at it, it's the rubber match," Babcock added. "They won the world juniors, we won the women's (gold) and here's a rubber right here."