As I type the USA are hammering Finland 6-1 with plenty of game still to play. The Finns basically threw in the towel before they even started as they were down 6-0 within the first 15 minutes. Frankly, I am shocked.
This is a Finnish team who are, or at least had been awfully good in this tournament. Sure they didn't have as much skill or talent as some of the other countries but they did have the best work ethic, the best defensive system and the best goalie. Or so we thought.
Plain and simply, the United States beat Finland at their own game.
The USA are winning at these Olympics because of speed, grit, good system play and a white hot goaltender in Ryan Miller. With Miller playing this well and their young team coming together so well. Who is to say they can't win the whole thing? Players like Kane, Kesler, Parise are the next generation of hockey and they look awesome.
In tonights big game, I would caution Canadian fans against being so confident of a big win over Slovakia. This is a Slovak team who have beaten Russia and Sweden already in this tournament and have some great players. Gaborik. Hossa. Chara. Palffy. Demitra, Handzus. The list goes on.
The biggest Slovakian surprise has to be Jaroslav Halak who has had an unreal tournament. Carey Price must be watching (in between his partying instead of trying to get better at hockey) back in Montreal and wondering what he will have to do to get his job back. Halak seems to be establishing himself as the true top goalie the habs need.
That said, Canada should and will win. 5-2 is my prediction.
Then every Canadians dream of getting another shot at our southern neighbours will actually come true. Gold medal style.
keith
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