Game for the Ages

... and, no, I'm not talking about the Pistons impressive OT win over the Spurs. I'm talking USA hockey - USA vs Canada. The game was true "event" television, though NBC opted to send the game to MSNBC (more on that later).

I heard folks talking about last night's game as early as Thursday. For hockey, that's like Super Bowl-level fervor. Even in Detroit, hockey rarely gets airtime on the radio. If it's not Lions Talk, it's the Tigers (or, specifically, Johnny Damon). If it's not the Tigers, it's Crappy Economy Talk - where folks call in and bitch about the job search. For those outside the D, it really is that depressing. With the craptastic seasons of the Pistons and Wings, Olympic hockey proved a welcome distraction.

These Olympic hockey games are what All-star games should be. Other than the Olympic bottom feeders (Latvia, Germany, Norway), the teams are chock-full of talent. Sweden can field a line of Alfredsson, Franzen, and Forsberg, and then trot out the Sedins and Zetterberg. The Russians have Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Kovalchuk, plus blast-from-the-past Fedorov. Canada is a who's-who of NHL stardom, and the teams play with the passion of World Cup soccer.

As for the US team, they have fewer "names" than Russia and Canada, but every player is a top-tier NHLer. As Americans, they're promoted significantly less than their Canadian counterparts. For my money, a dude like Patrick Kane has all the skill and panache of Sidney Crosby but gets a fraction of the pub. And I must be honest, with Crosby on the Canadian team, I have an immediate rooting interest - any team facing Canada. It's my God-given right as a Detroiter to hate the dude and all the NHL cronies that crowned him King of the NHL, despite not even being the best player on his own friggin' team.

Due to hype/promotion/Canadian-cronyism, Canada was a heavy favorite entering the game last night. I was a bit surprised that most announcers felt Canada had any significant advantage. These guys all play in the same league and often on the same team and lines. Two-thirds of the Ducks top line plays for Canada (Getzlaf, Perry), while one-third plays for the US (Bobby Ryan). Yet, when the US won 5-3, ESPN called it a "stunner" and said it was the biggest Olympic hockey upset since the Miracle on Ice. Huh? Did they forget the Czechs incredible run in 1998, besting Canada in the medal round and then Russia for the gold? That run made the Dominator a household name and earned him a Mastercard endorsement!


Bottom line is that I wasn't surprised the US won, nor should any other fan of the league. Honestly, how much better is Canadian Chris Pronger than American Ryan Suter (Predators)? Or Iginla versus Langenbrunner (Devils)? Crosby versus Kane (Blackhawks)? Besides, hockey is ultimately a team sport, and the US played an organized game and had a helluva goaltending performance by Ryan Miller (Buffalo).

The US jumped out to an early lead thanks to a goal by red-hot Brian Rafalski. After Canada tied it, ol' Rafalski powered home another. Another Canadian superstar Dany Heatley tied it 2-2. That score lasted most of the 2nd period, until scrappy Chris Drury (Rangers) put the US ahead again 3-2 after a flurry of activity outside Brodeur's crease.

Entering the 3rd period down a goal, the Canadians felt the mounting pressure. The stadium - a sea of red Canada jerseys - waited anxiously for something special. Yet, Canada's comeback was put on hold as the team took three straight penalties, including a high-sticking by Crosby. The US made them pay on the third penalty, as Rafalski almost tallied his third of the night. His shot ricocheted off Langenbrunner's toe for a 4-2 lead.

Canada pulled out all the stops, trying desperately to come back in front of the home fans. They peppered Ryan Miller with shot-after-shot. It was a blistering display of offense. The US took two penalties, and Sidney Crosby made them pay on the 2nd. He pulled Canada back to within one goal with just over 3 minutes remaining. Canada continued to pressure. Even though they were even-strength, the final minutes looked like a power-play as Canada kept the puck deep in the US zone.

Crosby had a chance to be a hero as he had an open shot near the left circle. He opted to pass to Rick Nash on the opposite side. Nash's angle was too sharp, and his shot flew across the goal line and hit the sprawling Ryan Miller. Miller was diving back into the net and almost inadvertantly pushed the puck into the goal. Yet, yankee d-man, Jack Johnson (LA Kings) somehow cleared the puck from the crease while he was falling on his face!

Canada pulled Brodeur in the final minute. The US cleared the puck, and American Ryan Kesler (who ironically plays for the Canucks) raced down the ice. Kesler somehow beat his man by diving to the puck and pushing it toward the goal. Kesler had no leverage on the sharp-angle shot but somehow scored the empty-netter. The US team erupted and piled on Kesler in front of the now-drunk Canadian fans.

It was a sight to behold.

The most exciting hockey game I'd seen in years, and only one Red Wing was on the ice. The US/Canada game no doubt earned massive ratings for MSNBC. Yet, why wasn't it on NBC? It was the showcase piece of the night, and NBC strangely booted it to their cable affiliate. Heck, it wasn't even on the USA channel!

Is ice dancing really that much more popular? Of course not. The reasons have to be financial. With ice dancing and (tape delay) skiing, NBC can stuff as many commercials as they want into the broadcast. Hockey has fewer breaks in the action. Also, the NHL is NBC's bitch. The league's weak commander-in-chief has allowed NBC to push him around like George McFly. It was less than a year ago that the Stanley Cup playoffs were pushed from evening to an afternoon game to make room for a horse racing pre-race show. Ouch.

This game was yet another missed opportunity. The popularity of Miracle on Ice proves that Americans do care about hockey, at least in the Olympics. This game was incredibly entertaining, and the US won. Americans love winning more than anything. The game could've been an incredible commercial for the NHL. Alas, MSNBC is not typical Sunday night viewing.