Yesterday I wrote about WANTING Finland to win Gold. That was until they lost to Sweden this morning. And honestly, that more about Teemu Selanne than national pride.
My attention quickly turned toward my home country and the talent laden American squad facing and equally talented and gritty Canadian team. As an American I was rooting for the good guys...naturally.
I wanted to see the Americans knock off our rivals from the north. I wanted that and I wanted that badly. It just didn't happen.
The Canadians played an all-around better game and as a result will play Sweden for Sochi Gold. The U.S. will face those same Fins for a less shiny Bronze medallion. Olympic hockey is a different beast. The emotions of Olympic hockey are more deeply rooted than those of NHL hockey.
For NHL hockey, it's more about regional, even divisional pride. In the Olympics, it's about the pride of an entire nation. It's about playing under the same flag. It's about being able to really stand behind something with your heart.
It's the only time NHL allegiances are thrown out the window. It's the only time Kings and Ducks fans get along. It's the only time Devils and Rangers fans can agree on something.
The US Team plowed through their previous games only to hit wall in the biggest game of the tournament. This goes without saying...but it was a terrible time to put forth your weakest effort.
Jonathan Quick was excellent. As a Devils fan, I know all too well what it feels like to see great goaltending efforts wasted and I am sick and tired of it. This loss hurts. It hurts more than it did in Vancouver. What's done is done.
It was painful to watch.
I'm disappointed and now we move on.
Kudos to the Canadians. I'm happy for them and I'm happy for the country. Good luck to Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry! Now finish this thing off so we can get back to filling NHL arenas in the US and Canada!
After-all, there are only so many pleasantries I can exchange with Los Angeles or New York fans and besides....the Stanley Cup looks cooler than a shiny disk on a lanyard anyway.
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