Another U.S. thriller: Win over Canada

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Associated Press

Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010, 2:48 AM

VANCOUVER - The United States pulled off its biggest Olympic hockey upset since the Miracle on Ice, stunning Canada, 5-3, last night to advance to the quarterfinals of an already mixed-up tournament.

Brian Rafalski scored two goals and set up another, and Ryan Miller held off a flurry of shots to lead the Americans.

One day short of the 30th anniversary of America's greatest hockey victory - the unfathomable win over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, N.Y. - these underrated Americans were faster, more disciplined and more determined than Canada's all-stars.

Canada outshot the U.S. 45-22 yet couldn't badly dent Miller, the goalie the Americans believed could best stand up to all of Canada's might. He made 42 saves in the victory of a lifetime.

Depending on the late Finland-Sweden game that concluded hockey's Super Sunday in Vancouver, the United States could go into Wednesday's quarterfinals not only as a group winner but as the top-seeded team.

Associated Press