Wow. Just wow.
After mowing down nearly anyone who came in their way in the first week of the 2014 Men's Olympic Hockey Tournament, the goals charged United States failed so score a goal in their second straight game falling 5-0 to Finland in a lackluster Bronze Medal game.
All and all, disappointment was a common theme within the world of USA Hockey.
"I'm kind of embarrassed where we're at now," Ryan Suter said to an ESPN outlet following the game. Patrick Kane seemed more displeased with his own play than anyone else. "Just didn't really capitalize on anything," he said, mainly referencing not one but two penalty shots he failed to convert on.
"Whether it was confidence or not getting enough chances, who really knows at the end of the day. I thought I had opportunities. ... You think you're in three times against the goaltender alone and hopefully you could score a couple of times out of that. It just wasn't meant to be."
To sum up all that anger and discontent, David Backus said "They played hard and taught us a real good lesson for 60 minutes,".
Especially in the 2nd and 3rd periods of the game, Finland played the role of college lecturer, schooling the US team in the most embarrassing of ways. After they held off the Red White and Blue power play twice and then stuffed a Patrick Kane penalty shot all in the first period, this defense/goalie oriented Finnish team came out in the 2nd period and proceeded to storm Johnathan Quick and his noncommittal defense. As a result of their scoring twice in a span of 11 seconds at the start of the period, the Finns had blown the game wide open before the United States had time to even comprehend what hit them. And yet once the reality of the quick change in the game's complexion sunk in, still nothing changed. Once again, Kane was stuffed on the penalty shot and once again, the Finland defense stood tall in the face of adversity, limiting the USA's chances and owning the neutral zone.
At the same time, Tuukka Rask's 27 saves for his team went a long way towards providing them with the security to go on the offensive especially in the 3rd period. In true dominant fashion, the United States was out shot in the final 20 minutes by a margin of 9-5. Though he has been great throughout the tournament, Johnathan Quick stopped just 6 of those 9 shots and finished his 2014 Olympics undoubtedly dealing with a bit more of a sour taste in his mouth than the rest of it. No matter what kind of shots you are facing, allowing 3 goals in a period, 3 goals on 9 shots is never a good thing.
But regardless, Dan Bylsma stood by his disheveled goalie during the post-game mob scene.
"Absolutely not second-guessing the decision to go with Quick in net," U.S. coach Dan Bylsma said. "He was our best player in the semifinal game. He was excellent again tonight. He made five, six or seven excellent saves in the first half of this game. And no, I did not consider pulling him as the game went to four and five."
Quick finishes his Olympics with a record of 3-2.
But enough of that, enough of this negativity. Contrary to the mood in USA hockey right now, someone did win this game and it just was not us.
The fact is that a Bronze medal for Finland is not a consolation prize, it is a legitimate prize. Honestly, this game, even after what happened against Canada the day before was one favored to swing in the direction of the US so therefore, Finland's winning from this underdog position that has followed them all tournament long has to feel pretty good.
As for their captain, Teemu Selanne, this feels even better than pretty good. He has repeatedly said that he will retire come season's end and seeing as his team, the Anaheim Ducks will likely not be able to compete with postseason juggernauts, Chicago, Boston or Pittsburgh, this may be the last big win for the embattled NHL vet. He has now won 4 Olympic medals (3 bronze, 1 silver) and has been the staple of this Finland national team for over a decade. No doubt, his team would have loved to at least get into the Gold medal game but regardless, it cannot be understated how much this really is an accomplishment for them.
Selanne knows that.
"It was just something special," he said. "I'm so proud."
His coach echoed similar praise.
"Maybe this was his last game for national team and as a captain," said Erkka Westerlund. "It was excellent game to finish."
A little less than 2 weeks after it first started down its path to Olympic domination, this band of NHL players driven by patriotism to represent their country on the international level has put us through quite a bit. With all the ups and downs, the goals, the TJ Oshie orchestrated moments, we cheered and yet when the hardened veterans who have all been here before jumped in the way of the USA and said 'we will not lose' these men conceded.
As for what happens next, well, were back to North America to begin the feverish string of competition that stems from teams pushing towards a much bigger prize than Olympic gold: the Stanley Cup.
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