Posted: Feb 21, 2010 11:19 PM
Updated: Feb 21, 2010 11:19 PM
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - The United States pulled off its biggest Olympic hockey upset since the Miracle on Ice, stunning Canada 5-3 on Sunday 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 the country's greatest hockey victory - the unfathomable win over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid - these underrated Americans were faster, more disciplined and more determined than Canada's collection of all-stars.
Canada outshot the U.S. 45-23 yet couldn't badly dent Miller, the goalie the Americans felt could best stand up to all of Canada's might. He did just that, making 42 saves in the victory of a lifetime.
Canada, the gold-medal favorite, was expected to coast into the medal round. But now, after nearly losing to Switzerland and being outplayed on home ice by the Americans, it must win a play-in game Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals. The Canadians still could win a gold medal, but now face a much tougher road that would include an additional game.
Chris Drury, a former Little League World Series star, and Jamie Langenbrunner scored to put the U.S. up 4-2 and hold off a relentless late surge by Canada that included Sidney Crosby's power play goal with 3:09 remaining.
Miller made an exceptional save on Rick Nash's shot from the slot with two minutes left to preserve it, and Ryan Kesler put it away by swiping in an empty-net goal with one hand with 45 seconds remaining.
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