Going For Gold: Team USA!
via IIHF
Oh my goodness. Last night was a great night of hockey! After watching Canada absolutely dominate Russia, the time came to see if the USA would be victorious over Finland.
It was looking good. Team USA came out looking determined and scored first (Alex Turcotte - LAK). But Finland never gave up. They dampened the mood by tying the game under 2 minutes later (Kasper Simontaival - LAK).
It was looking good again when the USA potted 2 goals in the 2nd period. John Farinacci (ARI) scored a beautiful breakaway goal, and Matthew Boldy (MIN) was strong on his stick for a deflection. Taking a 3-1 lead into the second intermission had Team USA fans feeling cautiously optimistic. But, as they say, the two goal lead is a dangerous one.
Once again, that proved to be true.
Finland came out of the intermission with something to prove. They really are that relentless group that analysts claim they are. Kasper Simontaival (LAK) scored his second of the night with under 10 to go in the 3rd. Roni Hirvonen (TOR) shriveled up the lungs of USA fans by getting the tying goal (a really upsetting one that somehow just squeezed through Knight) roughly 5 minutes later - with about 4 minutes to go in regulation.
Had this game gone to overtime, I have this dreadful feeling that Finland would have been victorious.
The United States would just not be denied a date with Canada for the gold medal. With time winding down, Turcotte (LAK) found Arthur Kaliyev (LAK) in the slot, and he absolutely ripped it top shelf on Piiroinen to once again take the lead. I’m sure Team USA fans all over were losing their minds. I know that I had a very enthusiastic air punch when it went in. Even more than that - Los Angeles Kings fans had to be very, very happy about that one. That could be a pair they see for many years to come.
Now I must bring this back around to the Blackhawks. “First Point Watch” for our boy Landon Slaggert did not yield any results last night. Do not fear, Blackhawks fans, he was still noticeable. He got a solid amount of time on the PK (mostly because the USA was self-destructing and they couldn’t stop throwing the puck over the glass, ugh) and he was on the ice for the last minute of the game to seal the deal. He may not have gotten a point, but if your coach puts you out there in the last minute of a critical game, you’ve got his trust.
That was fantastic to see because we need more reliable players on the ice. Remember how good we had it when Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik never let anyone score? I do, and I miss it. So, if we can get some guys to play lower in the lineup who can be trusted to close out a game, I would be a very happy gal. Plus, he’s had some critical shot blocks so far in the tournament.
Tonight’s matchup against Canada will be a tough one. Canada has rolled through every opponent so far - not giving up any even strength goals. In the NHL, it’s your depth guys that make a difference in the playoffs when the top lines are going head-to-head. So, maybe tonight is the night.
Maybe Landon Slaggert gets his first point of the tournament tonight. I’ll be on the lookout!
via IIHF