There was no lack of support cheering on the Canadians as Canada Hockey Place was a sea of red and white, however the Americans had their support in goal in the form of Ryan Miller.
Just over 40 seconds into the first period, Brian Rafalski got Team USA on the score board after beating goaltender Martin Brodeur.
Eric Staal tied it up with a shot from Brent Seabrook, but the Americans fought back with Rafalski earning his second goal.
In the second period, Dany Heatley beat Miller to tie the game up at 2 each. However, Chris Drury made it 3 – 2 just as period came to a close.
Jamie Langenbrunner, with a shot from the white hot Rafalski, made it 4 – 2 and his team put the pressure on the Canadians to get back up. Sidney Crosby wouldn’t leave without a goal, and managed to bring the game within one during the dying minutes of the third. Ryan Kesler was able to tip the puck into the empty net to seal Team Canada’s fate with a 5 – 3 win.
The United States moves on to the quarter finals, while Canada plays Germany in the qualifications round at 4:30 PM PST on Tuesday, February 23rd.
Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.
