Feb 19, 2010

Panic? Not yet.

 
            Canada won last night's game against Switzerland, but that's not the part that has Canadians worried.  Canada jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period; a lead that was abolished by the end of the middle frame as the Swiss scored two even strength goals: one a perfect shot a little under 9 minutes in, and the other a lucky bounce with less than 10 seconds to go in the second period.  This tie held up through the third period and the OT period, and the game went to a shootout where Sidney Crosby scored on his second attempt as the fourth Canadian shooter.  Brodeur stopped the subsequent Swiss skater, and Canada won the game 3-2.

            Because we won the game in extra time we only get 2 points for a win.  This is due to the three point system that international hockey utilizes; a system that makes complete sense and which I'd like to see the same system put to use in the NHL.  We now sit in second position in our group with 5 points; the USA in first with 6 points.  We'll definitely qualify for the finals, but if we want the best shot at a good seed we'll need to beat the US on Sunday.  

            I feel like last night was an 'I'm in your head' game.  Canada was doing well while we were ahead, but once the Swiss tied the game it caused the Canadians to think, 'Oh god, not again.'  These men were under a lot of pressure: playing the team that knocked them out of competition four years ago in front of a home crowd that simply would not have tolerated another loss to the Swiss.  Canada did not play terrible last night, and I don't think we can complain about the result when the Russians lost to Slovakia last night in the shoot out.  Slovakia has some really nice pieces.  While I know that it wouldn't happen, if Czechoslovakia ever reunited we'd have to make room for them in the top nations of hockey, and even without that I can see both Slovakia and the Czech republic becoming contenders in due time.

            And to the Americans that felt the need to dig in our wounds last night: no one who is actually confident about their team's abilities talks that much.  We'll see you on Sunday, and may the best team win.