The Life of Brian

This last week has been a big one for US Hockey, and a big part of that has been due in part to the hot streak by one of our Hockeytown Heroes.

With four goals in two games, including two tonight against Canada in the stunning upset of one of the gold medal favorites, Brian Rafalski has gained a great deal of momentum at the right time for Team USA. That, mixed in with the continuing great goal tending by East Lansing native, former Michigan State Hobey Baker winner and current Buffalo Saber Ryan Miller, has been a charge to the Americans, who will get a much needed bye into the second round of the medal bracket as winners of Group A.

As a proud US citizen, I am thrilled with the current play of our team who may be made up all NHL stars, but many of them are not household names for most casual fans.

Head Coach Ron Wilson was given a team created by GM Brian Burke that was full of character guys, and in the 5-3 win over Team Canada, Team USA showed just that, withstanding a 19-shot first by the Canadians, then having an answer every time Canada wold even the game. Then, on a goal that exemplifies what Team USA is all about, Ryan Kessler, a Livonia Michigan native and current player for the Vancouver Canucks, sealed the game with a hard-fought empty netter.

Kessler hustled down the ice and wormed his way around a Canadian defender to swat the dump-out pass by Zach Parise into the wide open net.

Ralfalski’s first goal was the first of the game, coming at the :40 mark of the first period. This was a big goal not only because it put Team Canada behind right away, but it quieted down the pro-Canada crowd a little right off the bat.

After Eric Staal tied the game at 1-1, Ralfalski came back with another big goal, putting Team USA back on top.

Miller was also masterful in the opening 20, stopping 18 of 19 shots.

Rafalski also assisted on Jamie Langenbrunner’s goal that gave the Americans a 4-2 advantage.

In honor of the last US team to defeat Canada in Olympic play, and maybe to stir up some positive mojo, Team USA wore replica jerseys of the 1960 team’s.

This Team USA maybe a team of destiny, seeing as it was 30 years ago tomorrow that the young group of American college kids knocked off the mighty Soviet Union team in the Miracle on Ice.

Weather the dream tournament ends in gold for the US or not, Sunday’s victory has raised some eyebrows in the international hockey community, and has given the US another reason to be proud in our country. Along with the other athletes that have been racking up the medals, giving Team USA a 6-medal lead over Germany in the overall medal count.

As a Red Wing fan, I am extreamly excited to see a Wing  play such a huge role in the success of Team USA, and hope that Brian can keep the good times going heading into the final stretch run for the playoffs.

Keep watching and USA, USA, USA!!

Wingnut5013