Ralston Valley [e]Xpress Newspaper

Phot Courtesy ESPN

All that was missing was Al Michaels yelling, “Do you believe in Miracles? YES!” Such as in the 1980 olyimpics when the United States defeated the Soviet Union at Lake Placid in New York.

Ok maybe todays 5-3 win over Canada was not to that extreme,  but it was still a huge win for the Unites States Hockey team. Now the U.S. will get at worst the second seed in the tournament and have an extra day of rest.

The United States got off to a quick start scoring on a Brian Rafalski goal :41 seconds into the first period. Team Canada tied it eight minutes later when Eric Staal got a wrist shot from the blue line to find the back of the net.

However :22 seconds later America took the lead back when Brian Rafalski scored his second goal of the evening, also unassisted. The score remained 2-1 going into the first intermission.

Canada evened the score on a rebound by Dany Heatley 3:32 into the period when it looked as if the Canadians were about to take over. At the time Canada was looking a lot faster and were able to control the puck with more efficiency the team USA.

But the U.S. kept fighting and finally started to get some shots on goal. Former Colorado Avalanche player Chris Drury gave the United States the lead back when Martin Brodeur mysteriously dove at the puck out of the crease and Drury capatolized on the open net.

Coming out of the locker room for the third period, team USA looked a lot more confident. It helped that Canada kept shooting themselved in the foot by comiting penalties. On the third penalty Canada comited in almost eight minutes the United States finally got a cusion.

Jamie Langenbrunner scored on a laser when he one timed a pass from Brian Raflaski.

The good news was that team USA had a two goal lead with 12:51 to play. The Bad news was that they were playing team Canada and there was still 12:51 left to play.

Goalie Ryan Miller played out of this world stopping shot after shot which kept frustrating the Canadian players and fans.

But perhaps the best player on the planet, Sidney Crosby, got a goal to sneak by Miller on a power play with 4:09 remaining in regulation to make the score 4-3 (same score as the Miracle on ice). The arena was electric and the Canadians could taste star spangled blood.

Canada was unloading missiles but Miller had an answer for each shot. Canada pulled their goalie with about a minute left. Team USA got a break when they pushed the puck out of the zone and a Canadian defenseman was about to handle the puck when U.S. captain made the most spectacular empty net goal of all time by wrapping his stick around the Canadian and slapping the puck in the net.

The home crowd was in scilence and shock. A few american fans could be heard chanting U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A.

U.S. players started hugging and giving high fives around Goalie Ryan Miller after the final horn sounded. United States fans continued to cheer as Canadian fans started to Boo making the win even better for American fans.

Canada outshot team U.S.A 45-22, but Miller made 42 saves, and Brodeur only could stop 17 pucks.

So the hopes are high for the americans now that they know they can play with the best. They will have a good seed and a nice shot to get to the gold metal game.

Then we can start believeing in Miracles again.

Well at least divine intervention.