Sports Then and Now

Ryan Miller was the Hockey Tournament MVP.

The Men’s USA Hockey team fell short in their quest for Gold losing 3-2 in overtime.

There was no Miracle On Ice or Squaw Valley.

However, this team has NO REASON to hang their heads.

No one gave them a shot at a medal. No one gave them a shot to beat Canada in their first matchup.

But that’s what America is all about.

No one gives us a chance but we always rise to the occasion.

We always rally around each other.

We always bounce back.

Team USA trailed 2-0 going into the second period and cut the lead to one. U.S. Goalie Ryan Miller was all world in this tournament and he kept his team in it yet again.

The Americans continued to attack and pressure the talented Canadian team. Team Canada netminder, Roberto Luongo looked shaky and let up rebound after rebound.

The clock worked against the Americans as they trailed by one with less than two minutes left. They could have mailed it in. They could have conceded to the country that invented the sport.

However, Americans don’t quit or give up, we persevere.

And persevere they did.

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Team USA was jumping for joy with their win versus Canada.

On the eve of the Miracle on Ice and wearing throwback 1960 jerseys, Team USA made history again.

This time it was against Canada at its own game. It was the first time the US beat their neighbors to the north in Olympic play in the last 50 years.

No one gave the US squad much of a chance again.

It wasn’t the Soviets this time but a Canada team littered with NHL All-Stars.

Just like Jim Craig did 30 years ago, Ryan Miller kept his team in the game with save after miraculous save.

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Mike Grier tips the puck past Jaroslav Halak, putting Buffalo up 6-2

Buffalo (15-7-2) vs. Montreal (12-13-2)

It didn’t take long before Buffalo took a commanding lead in this one. The Sabres jumped all over backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak, especially in the first period.

The Canadiens decided not to go with Carey Price, a decision that would cost them the game.
Halak gave up way too many rebounds, making it look easy for the Sabres to score. Price did need a night off, and the Sabres took advantage of it. Plus, Halak hadn’t played in over three weeks.

Six different players tallied a goal for Buffalo. Thomas Vanek had three assists on the night.

Buffalo combined for three goals in the first nine minutes of the game, taking complete control. Clarke MacArthur, Jason Pominville, and Derek Roy each scored in the first period.
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