The Greatest Hockey Game of My Lifetime

I was born in July of 1983. Therefore, I was not born yet when the "Miracle on Ice" occured on February 22, 1980. With that in mind, view my judgement as a collection of games for the last 26.5 years.

It is with out a doubt in my mind, yesterday's Gold Medal Olympic hockey game is the greatest hockey game ever. There was everything you could have wanted in the game. Drama; action; suspense; rivaly; big hits; big shots; big saves; an underdog; a home favorite; a late game tying goal; overtime. There really is not much else that could have been asked for from that game.

You could feel the intensity even in pregame. This game meant more to Canada, than any game has ever meant to that country. Chills run up and down the spine as you watch the insanity of cheers pour out of the Canadian home crowd. They NEEDED this game.

The collection of talent was a good as any NHL all-star game you will ever see. Each team suited 23 players, and all of them were NHL stars. Canada had 9 current NHL captains, and 2 former captains. The difference with this game over all-star games, is usually they are only playing as an exhibition. No one defends, no one cares who wins, and the final score ends up somewhere around 13-11. This was a complete 180 from that.

Canada started out strong. Making big pushes into the zone with strong forechecking and agressive defense at mid-ice. With a 1-0 lead after the first intermission, they continued to outplay the Americans. Once Canada made it 2-0 you could almost feel the earth shake with how crazy the crowd was going... this was only the beginning.

USA drew a penalty and had a perfect chance to get on the board and make this a 1 point game. Canada dominated them and the puck lasted in the zone for only seconds at a time before it was cleared back down behind American goalie Ryan Miller. Once the penatly ends USA looks drained. Canada took advantage and made a push, but Ryan Miller made a great save. USA rode the momentum and finally got past goalie Roberto Luongo. USA dominated play for the remaining 7 minutes of the period, but trainled 2-1 after 2.

As the 3rd peroid wore on you could feel the air being sucked out of the room as the Canadian fans began to worry. Canada's Sindey Crosby had a chance to ice the game on a breakaway with under 4 minutes to go. However, he was unable to be able get a good shot off and could not convert. Everyone knew Team America had the momentum and enough talent to score the goal to tie the game, it was just a question of whether or not there would be enough time. Sure enough, USA pulled Ryan Miller in favor of the extra attacker and Zach Parise scored with only 24 seconds left.

At this point, we already had the best 2 teams in the world, playing into overtime with a goal in the last 30 seconds to tie the game. The puck traveled up and down the ice with great plays and great saves to keep the game alive. 7:40 into the overtime Crosby takes a pass of the boards from teamate Jarome Iginla and quickly shoots it under the legs of Ryan Miller to end the game. Canada wins gold!

There was significant pressure on Canada to win gold in the Olympic Hockey Tournament hosted in their home country. After Canada lost to USA on the previous weekend, it cost them a first round bye. Canada had to beat Russia, Solvakia and USA to take the gold and did it. It ended with the best player in the world, beating the best goalie in the world, in the biggest hockey game in the world on the biggest stage in the world... in overtime. That gives us the greatest hockey game of my lifetime.