Following up a miracle hasn’t proven easy.
The United States has a chance to avenge a heartbreaking overtime loss to Canada four years ago in the gold-medal game when the two North American countries square off in the semifinals on Friday, but this game is about more than that.
“There’s that feeling of non-fulfillment they’ve had to deal with, having to watch that [Sidney] Crosby goal wherever you go. All that stuff is in the back of the guys’ minds,” said Jamie Langenbrunner, who was the captain of that 2010 U.S. team and is the host of SiriusXM’s Olympic hockey coverage.
“But revenge? I think they are looking at it like another opportunity to get somewhere where the US has been trying to get for 34 years — on top of the podium.”
Thirty-four years ago was the Miracle on Ice, when the Americans took down the supposedly unbeatable Soviets on their way to gold at Lake Placid. To get back there, the Americans must topple Canada and then the winner of Friday’s first semifinal between Sweden and Finland.
“The atmosphere has been solid,” NBC play-by-play man Doc Emrick said after the US crushed the Czech Republic 5-2 Wednesday in the quarterfinals. “We came over expecting it to be good, and now is when it gets really good because you have the most powerful teams still alive with Russia being the exception.”
The United States has been the most dominant team in the tournament — outscoring its four opponents 20-6, which included a thrilling 3-2 shootout win over the host Russians on Saturday.
“They had a remarkable performance and showed a lot of offensive firepower,” Emrick said. “Those are the kinds of things that intimidate. Speed intimidates, and Canada is going to have to come up with a way to stop that. Canada depends on their experience, where the USA likes an up-tempo game, so we’ll see how it plays out.”
Like the US, Canada has yet to lose in Sochi. But the Canadians have been underwhelming at times, needing overtime to beat Finland and a late goal to edge out Latvia 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
“What’s been a little lacking in their game is their willingness to make the simple play,” Langenbrunner said.
“They seem to be over-passing a little bit, and that’s why their offense seems a little behind the US’ right now. Most of their goals are coming from shots from the point. Playing against the US, and that style, will bring a simpler style from them. I’d expect two teams playing the same way, and it’ll come down to a timely goal or a timely save.”
Whoever survives the Canada–US battle will have to quickly erase the excitement of that victory because the winner of Finland-Sweden will be far from a pushover.
“If you overlook either one of those teams, you are going to lose,” said Langenbrunner, who won Stanley Cups with the Stars and Devils.
“Both are extremely good teams on the Olympic stage, they know how to perform, play a system and are dangerous,” he said. “We saw the Finns take it to the Russians in terms of the little things in the game. They really controlled the style and tempo of the game. And the Swedes haven’t been beaten.
“So, yes, you worry about the emotion of the game and the winner of that game having a letdown. If they do, then they are going to be in trouble.”