"SUPER SUNDAY" OBSERVATIONS

I watched two games on Sunday, two great games. Russia defeated the Czech Republic then The US defeated host Canada. (That second one was great action, not great result)

Here is my takeaway (That’s a really hip thing to say right now – “my takeaway”)

Czech coach Vadimir Ruzicka hasn’t aged a lick since his playing days in the NHL. He’s the Dick Clark of Czecho.

Russian coach Bykov looks like country singer Kenny Chesney, only with hair and no cowboy hat.

NBC announcer Pierre McGuire stated during one of his hyperbole heavy tirades – which are almost non-stop - that Jaromir Jagr has “tremendous heart”. Really!? Isn’t he the guy who used to play hard only when he felt like it? And Pierre, was that Jagr’s heart that Ovechkin drove through with his own spine and out the other side with an open ice hit in the 3rd period of an afternoon “Ovechkin Show”?

The Russian team is cavalier with their approach to defending – and frightening with their ability at the other end.

Question: Did the U.S. win something back in 1980? I’ve heard some promos about something miraculous that happened in Lake Placid and it’s peaked my interest. I’d like to qualify this at some point. Very intriguing.

Alright, the main game is underway…oops, and it’s 1-0 USA immediately.

Scott Niedermeyer looks casual and arrogant - Brodeur the same.

Not a good sign.

The Americans are using their speed to forecheck and Canada’s D aren’t handling it well.

Brenden is playing hard.

Canada ties it. Look out cakies, the Motherland is starting to roll.

Whoops…

I really hate Brian Rafalski at this point in my viewing (He’s scored twice – fanned on the second one, but it slipped in. 2-1 States.)

Intermission ponderings: Why is this game on MSNBC and not THE NBC?! Let me switch over to channel 5, maybe Jay has a special on or perhaps Lindsay Vonn is speaking, or maybe Tiger had a relapse. Oh, I see, taped delay men’s skiing, pairs skating, and bobsled. Hmmmm….Hope you’re proud of your power Gary. You shut the National Hockey League down for two weeks and the one guaranteed matchup between the two North American teams – the guys with names you can pronounce – and it’s showcased by the Peacock on their minor league channel. Nice.

Canada has come out on the attack. Heatley ties it. Morrow is involved in the goal in typical Morrow fashion - he has nothing to do with shooting or passing.

It looks like it’s 2-2 heading to the 3rd…But wait…Dang! It’s that Rafalski creep again. He cross-corner dumped one and Brodeur got all flailing and flopping in a scramble and Drury jammed one in to put the Americans ahead…again.

Every time Team USA scores Crosby is on the ice – that’s not good – and neither is Syd the Kid tonight.

Intermission ponderings II: Tourism British Columbia is sponsoring this game. “Super, Natural British Columbia” is the slogan. (If you have never been, go. It’s my home, and it’s gorgeous) Because they are the only sponsor and wanted the game brought to the masses with limited interruption NBC’s Ed Olcyk gets to actually explain the game a little, just like back in the old days before Gary and his Time Cops robbed every analyst in the league of their ability to explain How and Why?

The 3rd period opens with a flurry of powerplays.

Those two delinquents from the Ducks are killing me. Perry just took this penalty. Too many penalties Canada!

Oh, what a shock, the cake eaters score on their 3rd powerplay of the 3rd…and who else, Rafalski is the guy who shoots the puck. I think it went off of Langenbrunner.

Midway through the third period and it’s really evident that the Americans have the better goalie on this night. I want Luongo in the pipes in the future. After all, he shutout the Norwegians! Ya, clean sheeted the Vikings!!!! Get him back in there Babcock.

OOOOhhhh. Hold on here. Canada gets a powerplay…and…two minutes later the score is still 4-2.

5 minutes to go, and another Canadian powerplay…Miller just stoned Iginla with 43 seconds to go in the PP…Crosby scores!!!!!!! This time for Canada.

4-3 with 3 minutes to go in regulation.

Canada is all over the Americans.

Iginla, who has been invisible, goes offside and kills the onslaught.

Off the ensuing faceoff Thornton, who tonight looks like that Joe Thornton who always disappears in the playoffs, loses a battle on the boards.

Kesler, who I love, beats that useless Duck Corey Perry to a loose puck and hacks one into the empty net.

5-3 USA

Six seconds to go. Canada is gonna lose this one, and those 40 or so maple leaf shaped sphincters are puckering up mighty tight now.

Final thought of the night: Who plays Team USA coach Ron Wilson in the movie?

Anyway, I was gonna stay up for Sweden – Finland but depression is setting into my maple syrup soaked loins. Looks like Loui and Jere get the DVR treatment tonight.

Do I believe in the miracle pill called Ambien? Yes!