Thirty-four years later, almost to the day, and there will be no repeat of the “Miracle on Ice,” after the host Russians fell 3-1 to underdog Finland. There never would have been, really, with a U.S team made up of some of hockey’s greatest players.
The United States team is captained by Zach Parise, one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the NHL, where he has 36 goals in 44 games. Phil Kessel accounted for 52 goals in 48 games last season. Patrick Kane was not only a Stanley Cup Champion last season, but also won the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player for the championship team.
Beyond those three, there are veritable all-stars in players like Ryan Kessler and goalie Jonathan Quick, and solid role players like the newly popular T.J. Oshie.
All the same, the road to gold will be an uphill battle for the USA.
Despite the influx of NHL talent, the United States has a propensity for underachievement. The Americans haven’t won gold since Lake Placid in 1980. Only two Olympiads ago, the U.S. posted an embarrassing eighth place finish.
After Wednesday’s victory over the high-octane Czech Republic, the U.S. will take on Canada in a rematch of the heart-breaking gold medal contest from the Vancouver Games. That game ended in an overtime Sidney Crosby game winner and untold anguish for the U.S. players and fans.
Now, four years later, the U.S. has the chance for redemption, though on a slightly smaller stage.
Despite its struggles against Latvia, this Canada team is still talented. The roster is a murderers’ row of the NHL’s best: Crosby, Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, P.K. Subban, Patrice Bergeron, Rick Nash, goalie Roberto Luongo, Shea Webber – and the list goes on.
The best NHL teams’ greatest players are Canadians. Also, the Nashville Predators’ best player is Canadian, and I know they aren’t any good, but Webber is. I promise.
Assuming the U.S. does, in fact, best its northern neighbors, it’ll have one of the top-2 ranked teams in the world waiting in the final: Sweden or Finland.
The Swedes are the top-ranked team in the world and the current World Champions. Like the Canadians, their roster is packed full of NHL All-Stars. The Swedes are the only team to make it through the qualifying rounds with a clean sweep and carry a 44-7-16 record against the United States.
The Finns are the second-ranked team in the world. Finland is captained and led in attack by the ageless Teemu Selaane, the all-time Olympic points leader. At the back, the Finns are anchored by Tuuka Rask, one of the NHL’s best goalies.
Some say the U.S. should be favored for gold, even to cruise its way to the podium. But hockey isn’t basketball, and this sport isn’t dominated by Americans. For the Americans to bring home gold, it may not take a miracle, but it will take a great performance.
