U.S. knocks off Canada in hockey

VANCOUVER - This miracle on ice didn't win any medals. The way Team USA played, its 5-3 upset of Team Canada tonight wasn't even a miracle.

The Americans, an unknown quantity coming into this keenly anticipated Olympic tournament, declared themselves serious medal contenders by taking a quick lead and then responding to a furious effort by Canada's team of all-stars.

Practically speaking, the U.S. team (3-0) advanced directly to the quarterfinals while Canada (2-1) must play a classification game to advance. But this game was much more than that. It was a statement game for the young, fast and gritty Americans, who now have to be considered serious medal contenders.

"I think Ryan Miller made a statement," Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan said.

"He was our backbone," Zach Parise said.

And it was an uh-oh game for the Canadians, who are under tremendous pressure. They are playing at home in front of rabid fans still stinging from their team's pratfall in Turin four years ago. This loss followed a victory over Switzerland that required a shoot-out.

"There's a lot of hockey yet to be played," Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger said.

Miller, whose day job is as goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres, was fantastic, outdueling the legendary Martin Brodeur for the win. Miller faced 45 shots, twice as many as the 22 Brodeur saw.

"It was one of the biggest games I've played in my life," Miller said, citing only a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. "For us to get five goals against the Canadians, that's something."

Miller made saves "forward, backward and sideways," the admiring Brodeur said.

It was a game that should answer any questions about whether the NHL should shut down to allow its players to participate. Hockey this great, played in front of a red-clad partisan crowd this passionate, is all the reason anyone should need.

It was like watching Game 2 of the NBA Finals in the Palestra. The smallish rink at Canada Hockey Place seemed barely able to contain players so big and so fast and playing at such relentless intensity.

And it was merely the middle game in a ripping good tripleheader. Earlier, Russia defeated rival Czech Republic, 4-2, in a game defined by Alex Ovechkin's mid-ice takeout of Czech legend Jaromir Jagr. Later, Sweden played neighboring Finland in a rematch of the 2006 gold medal game.

But for the home crowd, USA-Canada was the only game in town.

After Sidney Crosby scored a pretty goal to bring Canada to within 4-3 late in the third period, the building rocked for the next few minutes. Canada pulled Brodeur for an extra skater. The Americans couldn't get the puck out of their zone and Crosby's line cycled around, firing shot after shot in a desperate attempt to even the score.

"After 45 seconds or a minute, I know I was tired," Miller said. "I can't imagine how exhausted [the skaters] were."

The suspense built and built until Parise finally poked the puck out of the zone. As it slid into the Canadian zone, Ryan Kesler raced a Canadian defender to the puck. In a move that epitomized the U.S. style of play, Kesler dove, swiping his stick and knocking the puck into the empty net.

Game over.

"This is a gritty, tough group of guys," said Ryan, who assisted on the Chris Drury goal that gave the United States the lead for good. "That's something, being able to say that after playing just a couple of games together."

The U.S. roster represented a risky attempt to turn the national program over to a new generation of rising stars. So it was a little ironic that the four goals against Brodeur were scored by players 33 and older. Brian Rafalski scored two, including a stunner just 41 seconds into the game, Drury had one, and Jamie Langenbrunner tipped in what proved to be the game-winner.

"We responded whenever something happened," Miller said. "We didn't get nervous, we just kept playing."

The Canadian players seemed stunned by the outcome. They'll really be feeling it today, as reviews roll in from the harsh Canadian media. There will surely be calls for Brodeur to be replaced in goal, as well as changes on the lines and defensive pairings.

"We just have to protect Marty better," Pronger said.

But, he was asked, is he sure it will be Brodeur?

"We have to protect whoever is back there," Pronger replied.

The tournament doesn't get much easier. Russia awaits. So do Sweden and Finland and the Czech Republic.

"We still have to play some good teams," Miller said. "We might even see this team again."

Vancouver might not be able to withstand a rematch.