After the Pavelski slap shot on Luongo, Canada quickly pushed it down the ice, with Crosby threading a weak shot on goal that Miller batted away to the right.
Crosby gave chase, passed it off to teammate Jarome Iginla, who sent it back to Sid the Kid as he streaked toward goal. Crosby then beat Ryan Miller under the pads to score, earning Canada a 3-2 win and claiming the gold medal for his home country.
Overtime, 13:00, 2-2: Rick Nash almost scooted the puck past Miller, but a leg save takes care of that.
Canada sits back in its own territory trying to set up an attack. Richards passes it across the ice to Niedermayer who sends the puck wide.
Overtime, 13:55, 2-2: A shot right off the chest of Luongo by Suter, and Canada is advancing down in the other direction.
Getzlaf tries to rip a shot at Miller but missed on it, and now both teams are trying to get steady control of the puck.
Overtime, 15:05, 2-2: The Americans briefly gain possession before Canada grabs it again. Iginla was right in front of Miller with the puck, but it skittered away. Crosby shoots and it’s blocked away by Miller.
Another shot, another rebound and Miller is able to clear it out.
Overtime, 17:35, 2-2: It’s 4-on-4 action in overtime.
Both teams keep getting good chances to skate the puck down the ice, but a lot of times they’re simply off balance.
Ryan Malone has the puck in Canadian territory and tries to whip it into the front of the goal for another American player, but Canada reins it in.
Beginning of overtime, 2-2: Some numbers …
Both teams have 32 shots on goal. Each team has also had two power-play opportunities, none of which have been converted.
You can’t get any more even than that.
End of third period, 2-2: Just an incredible way to end the third period. Both teams have played incredibly hard and valiantly, and it figures it will take at least an overtime period to crown a winner.
Overtime will be 20 minutes of sudden death. If there are no goals scored, we’ll get a shootout.
If there’s one wart on Roberto Luongo’s goaltending resume, it’s his poor performance in shootouts. If the U.S. can hang on through the overtime period, they’ll be favored in the shootout.
Third period, 0:25, 2-2: The U.S. gets the puck and there’s a scrum. Canada gets possession, clearing it down the ice.
America brings it back down the ice and Zach Parise nails a goal to tie the game. Luongo earlier couldn’t corral an earlier slap shot that eventually resulted in the Parise goal.
The goal started with a shot by Kane as he wound toward the goal, where the puck found its way to Parise’s stick right in front — but only after Luongo’s initial save on a deflection off of Langenbrunner’s skate.
Third period, 0:55, 2-1: America pulls Miller to go with an empty net. As time ticks away, Weber sends the puck out of play.
It’ll be another faceoff in Canadian territory.
Third period, 1:17, 2-1: An icing call gets an offensive faceoff for the Americans, and they have a real opportunity here.
Langenbrunner ends up with possession, but Canada wrests it away from him. Scott Niedermayer is able to send the puck all the way down the ice, wasting valuable time as the clock ticks down in regulation.
The U.S. brings the puck back down and Kesler is fighting to get the puck toward goal. A deflection off an American stick and Luongo is able to corral it.
There’s another American offensive faceoff on the way.
Third period, 3:07, 2-1: The U.S. has been controlling the game for a while now, but it just can’t get anything done.
Crosby gets a breakaway on Miller, but he can’t get a shot away. A big break there for the U.S. Kane was right on Crosby’s heels.
Third period, 4:25, 2-1: Miller was just named the MVP of the Olympic hockey tournament, but he’d certainly prefer to see his team out in the lead.
Meanwhile, Drury puts the puck into the catching glove of Luongo after Rafalski narrowly kept the puck in the U.S.’s offensive zone.
Third period, 5:05, 2-1: Miller gets tangled up with Staal behind the goal, leaving the goal wide open.
As the puck is cleared out, Parise fetches it to avoid a potentially disastrous situation.
Down the ice, Rafalski gets fed a shot behind Luongo by Kane, but Luongo buries the puck deep into his body.
Third period, 6:00, 2-1: Joe Pavelski passes to Kessel who skies it over Luongo.
America is establishing some physicality and is really trying to keep the pressure on Luongo.
Kessel ends up with the puck again and tries to slide it past Luongo, but the traffic in front of the goal wipes that chance out.
Third period, 8:20, 2-1: Rafalski gives it to Langenbrunner, who passes it onto Parise, but it ricochets off Luongo.
Parise corrals the puck off an errant Canadian pass, but he loses his footing and that opportunity goes by the wayside.
It’s the second real opportunity lost in the last few possessions for America.
Third period, 9:00, 2-1: America desperately tries to force the puck into the net on a rare trip deep into Canadian territory.
You could tell the U.S. was playing anxiously as it wanted to capitalize on a rare chance in the Canada zone.
Suter and Drury, especially, were at the forefront of that attack.
Third period, 10:00, 2-1: Another glove save for Luongo on Suter.
A faceoff gives the Americans possession, but the U.S. quickly gets backed up into its own territory.
Kane corrals the puck and it’s kicked to Marleau, who shoots. The rebound goes to Heatley who can’t hammer the puck home thanks to a nifty leg save by Miller.
Third period, 11:50, 2-1: Perry takes a shot which is quickly blocked by Team USA.
America’s made two pushes down the ice since that Perry shot, but Canada keeps reversing the trend and making Miller work.
Third period, 13:22, 2-1: A bit of intensity for the Americans, which is nice to see. They’re starting to match Canada in energy.
Kesler fires a shot that Luongo is able to catch slightly off balance.
Third period, 14:25, 2-1: Ryan Miller’s been busy clearing, deflecting and securing the puck these last few minutes.
Canada’s still handling the offensive onslaught and America’s having difficulty pushing the puck down the ice.
Third period, 16:20, 2-1: A Drew Doughty shot gets deflected around the boards, where Rafalski picks it off.
A few possessions later and the puck has been iced.
Third period, 17:45, 2-1: Weber takes a shot that goes off the stick of Suter past Ryan Miller and off the post. A close call.
Canada has come out in control so far in the third. America’s trying to clear the puck, but the team is having a tough time doing that.
That’s what they finally do and Phil Kessel takes the puck down past the Canadian blue line before airing it over Luongo’s head.
Beginning of third period, 2-1 Canada: If you’ve heard the name Brown, Kesler and Kane plenty, there’s a reason for it — that line is clearly the playmaking line of the game and Canada has had difficulty withstanding their onslaught.
With Olympic hockey down to its final period, expect both teams to shorten their benches and keep their big guns out there as much as possible.
End of second period, 2-1 Canada: The shots on goal in the second were 15 apiece as Canada, not surprisingly, picked up the speed in the period.
The Americans were able to match them and stand toe to toe with the physically bigger Canadians.
Canada is on top 2-1, but the two teams have played as equals.
Second period, 0:12, 2-1: Jarome Iginla attempts a wrist shot that goes nowhere, and the puck gets sent back down into Canadian territory.
There’s a pass all the way back down the ice, and Canada has a prime chance to get a third goal with Staal.
The breakaway shot goes wide, and the U.S. gathers control. Gleason skitters it to Luongo. Canada captures the rebound and Sidney Crosby ends up trying to take it right to Miller. That goes awry as well.
Second period, 1:51, 2-1: Both teams are picking up the speed as the period winds down.
Marleau brings the puck down by the right, passes it to Heatley and gets tied up in the boards.
Parise gets the puck and sends it down with Langenbrunner fighting for it. The puck hits the side of the net and Luongo nabs it to stop play.
Second period, 3:00, 2-1: Perry and Getzlaf are working on creating an opportunity, but the puck gets cleared as Erik Johnson drives to the Canadian net, but his shot heads right into the glove of Luongo.
Suter ends up in front of the ice with a shot on the way and he almost slapped it in between Luongo’s legs, but it narrowly drifts wide.
Canada gets control and a shot goes off Ryan Miller, falling just in front of him. Miller collapses on the puck to stop time.
Second period, 4:23, 2-1: Scott Niedermayer gets the puck to Shea Weber for a shot that is denied by Miller.
It was a great nab by Miller as Bobby Ryan and another American were impeding his sight lines.
Second period, 7:22, 2-1 Canada: Lots of strong play by both sides. Canada has the better speed, but the U.S. is controlling the puck more effectively.
Drury has the puck on the left side of the boards by Canada’s goal but goes down after being checked.
America resets and Canada is making it hard for the U.S. to take the puck out of its own territory.
On a rush up the right side of the ice, though, Kesler passes it to a breaking Kane, who slaps it toward the goal. It deflects off Kesler and all Luongo can do is watch the puck spin its way into the goal. America gets on the board!
Second period, 8:25, 2-0 : Parise passes to a teammate who had a chance to send it to Langenbrunner, but the puck goes awry.
As the power play ends, Jack Johnson takes it in toward goal, but the puck is slapped away. Stastny can’t get off a shot, and Canada re-assumes control.
Canada almost got another goal as players from both teams go down in a heap in front of Miller, dislodging the net. A slap shot had been sent to the goal with Dany Heatley — right in front of Miller — trying to force the puck in.
Second period, 10:11, 2-0 : The first minute of the power play is full of clearances by Canada.
America just doesn’t look very spirited at all and aren’t doing much to create opportunities. It’s been very easy for Canada to clear the puck.
Erik Johnson gets the puck and tries to push it in the goal. All the chipping inflames emotions on both sides and there is shoving between both sides.
There are 36 seconds left on the power play.
Second period, 11:35, 2-0: America gets another chance as Toews heads to the penalty box for tripping.
Second period, 12:47, 2-0 Canada: Getzlaf has the puck heading down the ice and flips it to Patrick Marleau who skates past the pass.
The U.S. defender stays with Marleau, though, and the puck rebounds to Corey Perry, however, who hammers it home for a 2-0 Canada lead.
The U.S. looked completely flat during both the recent penalty kill and power play.
Second period, 13:00, 1-0: An American had the puck down the left bend near Luongo, but he trips and the opportunity is lost.
As the power-play opportunity wanes, Canada keeps dumping it in.
Second period, 15:18, 1-0: Erik Staal will head to the penalty box just as Canada’s power-play opportunity expires.
Staal was whistled for interference, and it’s key for the Americans to capitalize without the extra Canadian skater.
Second period, 17:20, 1-0: Erik Johnson gets off a shot that goes off the glove of Luongo.
America is doing well so far withstanding the increased speed of Canada as they’ve been picking up the pace as well.
Ryan Malone takes out the face of Corey Perry and heads to the penalty box for high-sticking.
Second period, 18:40, 1-0: Canada’s coming out of the gate strong, and the U.S. is trying to slow the game down.
Miller rejects a shot that allows Kane to bring it down the ice and slap it in front of Luongo. Dustin Brown tries to pick the puck out of the air with his stick, but no dice.
Beginning of second period, 1-0 Canada: As we wind into the second period, it’ll be interesting to see if Canada puts on a burst of speed after a largely physical first period.
America will have to ratchet up the aggressiveness once Canada goes to the speed game. It feels as if the team was holding something back in reserve.
End of first period, 1-0 Canada: Ryan Kesler is the bright spot of an otherwise tepid American attack in the first period. Kesler was in the thick of things all period long.
As the players head off the ice, Ryan Getzlaf and Jack Johnson mouth off, having to be parted by the referees.
Canada holds a shots-on-goal edge of 10 to eight. The Canadians have yet to establish their size advantage as the Americans have strong-armed them. The outright speed and fury that Canada displayed over the tournament is lacking here as they seem to be playing more deliberately.
First period, 0:35, 1-0: The U.S. flexes its muscles, as a cross-body shot by Ryan Kesler takes Richards out.
First period, 1:13, 1-0: Zach Parise gets a shot off, but a kneeling Luongo makes the stop. He was a bit unsure where the puck was as he tried to glove it while also getting his legs into the equation.
America wins the faceoff and a shot is deflected off Luongo’s stick. The shot had no chance of going in, so no harm done.
Canada has just been called for icing.
First period, 2:00, 1-0: Paul Stastny and Jamie Langenbrunner gets the puck down near Luongo, but loses it to the Canadians.
After resetting the offense behind Miller, America takes the puck up the ice only to have it sent right back down.
Tim Gleason passes to Patrick Kane who skates down the length of the ice on the right side and gifts the puck to Canada.
Puck possession keeps turning over as neither team can find an opening.
First period, 4:58, 1-0: Chris Drury clears the puck, ticking off valuable time on the penalty kill.
Another clear by Ryan Kesler, but Eric Staal ends up with the puck near Miller. He attempts a shot, but it gets lost in the scrum.
America clears the puck again, and the power play will end despite a last-ditch rush by Patrick Marleau.
First period, 5:58, 1-0: A penalty is just what the US can’t afford.
Bobby Ryan sends Dany Heatley to the ice on a trip. America has been to the box the fewest of any team, but this power play is going to allow Canada to bring its offense in full force.
First period, 7:10, 1-0 Canada: Canada draws first blood behind Jonathan Toews.
Toews chips in a rebound off an attempted shot by Mike Richards — who stole the puck from Brian Rafalski — and Ryan Miller had no chance after Toews wiggles through traffic to hook it in.
This is the first time in the tournament that the USA has trailed. It may be a foreign feeling to the team, but it’s important that they maintain their deliberate pace and stay out of the penalty box.
First period, 8:15, 0-0: Jarome Iginla takes three attempted shots on goal, but all of them are deflected. (Only one of the shots counted as a shot on goal.)
Mike Richards shoots the puck around the back of the American goal, but Canada muffs it and the puck soars over the blue line, where Chris Drury tries to hammer it home but can’t get the right footing to do so.
First period, 10:05, 0-0: Dustin Brown just drove down the ice and tried to wedge the puck toward goal, but Roberto Luongo’s leg is firmly in the way.
As Luongo tries to get possession of the puck, other players come in and try to get in on the action.
The whistle is blown and play stops.
Looking at the replay, Brown could have scored had he tried to flip the puck in instead of pushing it.
First period, 11:10, 0-0: Ryan Suter fetches the puck off an errant Canadian push.
Canada recovers it and sends it down the ice, where it gets tangled up in several Americans before Canada grabs the puck again.
Canada muffs the opportunity as the Americans are swarming Canada on defense.
The puck ends up back in American territory as Joe Thornton takes a shot that bounces off Johnson.
David Backes snaps and loses his stick while trying to clear the puck, allowing Canada to get a shot on goal that is held by Miller.
First period, 13:25, 0-0: Rick Nash takes a shot at Ryan Miller’s glove side, but it goes wide.
America recovers the puck and time stops. So far, Canada’s put together a couple of threats on Miller, but they haven’t been able to take advantage of their chances yet.
First period, 15:00, 0-0: So far, America is executing its game plan perfectly. Before the game, analyst Don Cherry said the U.S. had to work on maintaining puck possession, executing passes and slowing down the game.
As Cherry said, trying to do the “run-and-gun” game that Canada does so well would be an exercise in futility for the U.S.
The Americans must have been listening to Cherry because that’s exactly what they’re doing. On defense, they’ve been able to disrupt Canadian penetration into their zone.
First period, 19:00, 0-0: Both teams are feeling each other out. No one’s going hard after the puck — just steadily passing to each other to create opportunities.
Things are beginning to open up now as Jack Johnson takes a shot that is blocked in front. Crosby grabs the puck and brings it down the ice. The puck ends up in the seats to stop play.
Beginning of first period: It’s time for USA and Canada to do battle. The Americans, one of the youngest squads in the Olympics, have never trailed in the Games thus far.
They’re going head to head with Canada, who beat the U.S. in the gold-medal game at the Salt Lake City Games.
Canada possesses a clear size advantage and takes many shots on goal, so America will have to lean on goalie Ryan Miller and defenseman Brian Rafalski, who leads all blue liners in the tournament with eight points.
10:00 a.m.: Canada and the United States will meet up one final time in Sunday’s tilt to decide who goes home with the gold and who goes home with nothing. (OK, I suppose they get the silver medal.)
The U.S. shocked Canada in the preliminary round, defeating the favorites 5-3 and sending Canadians into a tailspin. Two convincing victories win over Germany and Russia, plus a defeat of Slovakia, has restored the confidence of America’s neighbors to the north.
In the team’s first meeting in Vancouver, the United States was able to keep Canada on its toes and took advantage of a poor performance by goalie Martin Brodeur, despite Canada’s clear speed and size advantage. Can the Americans pull off another upset and spoil Canada’s bid to win gold on its home turf, getting revenge for their gold-medal-game loss in Salt Lake City?
At 3:15 p.m. EST on Sunday, point your TV remote to NBC and your computer mouse right here, and let’s find out.
