Canada came into today’s game with a record of 10-3-3 against the United States. That said, none of that mattered today. Today’s game would not only decide which country would earn a gold medal, but also which country would have bragging rights for the next four years. Americans and Canadians from coast-to-coast eagerly tuned in to Sunday’s game en masse for what would amount to one of the greatest games ever played on Olympic ice. Canada got off to a slow start—something that was all too familiar for those that have watched Canada in these games. Both Canada and the United States traded chances, but neither team really established any real scoring chances until Canada’s Mike Richards dug a puck out from behind the net, pulled it out in front, shot the puck at American goaltender Ryan Miller and then

With Canada and the United States just a few hours away from dropping the puck in what can only be called an epic battle on the ice, fans from coast to coast wait with great anticipation and a little nervousness. Both Canada and Team USA will have to bring their “A” game if they are to be successful in today’s gold medal game. With that in mind, let’s take a look at five keys to success form both teams and my final prediction of today’s outcome. Team USA: 1. Must try to keep Canada off the scoreboard during the first ten minutes of the game. While the crowd is bound to be littered with both American and Canadian fans, Team USA does not want to allow the crowd to be a factor, a quick goal would allow that to happen

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter There were no Canadian hockey players spotted smoking cigars and drinking beer on the ice after Canada’s 3-2 victory over Slovakia last night; same can be said for the American players who embarrassed Finland by a score of 6-1. With Canada and the United States winning, it sets up the match that everyone in North America wants. In what should be one of the most watched hockey games in the history of the sport, both Canadians and Americans will put all the niceties aside, replacing it with fierce pride for country and I suspect a little hatred—let’s face it folks, the United States and Canada may be cordial neighbors, but when it comes to hockey, it’s another story all together. The Americans will come into the gold medal final as the tournaments only

Heading into tonight’s match both Canada and Slovakia watched Team USA slay Finland in what amounted to a good old fashioned butt-kicking, 6-1 USA final. Team USA did an excellent job establishing pressure down low in the Finnish zone early and often, as well as taking advantage of the pathetic play from goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff—who looked abysmal all afternoon. For many, seeing the United States in the gold medal game will be a surprise, but team USA were full value for their win and remain the only team in the tournament that are undefeated. Canada (who lost 5-3 to the American’s on Super Sunday), would love nothing more than getting an opportunity to get a shot at redemption by beating the Slovaks tonight, thus earning a birth to the gold medal game where team USA will be waiting for them

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter Heading into this game, there had been a lot of debate as to whether or not women’s hockey should remain a part of the Olympic Games. I will admit, watching Canada and the United States embarrass their opponents in the preliminary and semifinal rounds did nothing for me. But I managed to put all that behind me tonight, choosing instead to look at the positives—like the game between Canada and the United States this evening, a game that was sure to be a barnburner. Canada has won the Olympic gold medal game twice, taking home the prized medal in Salt Lake City (2002) and Turin (2006)—something that undoubtedly burns the Americans to no end. Admittedly, the women’s game does not possess the skills and speed that the men’s game does, but they do

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter   (Pre-game Analysis)   It’s been a long time since Canada and Russia faced off in arguably the greatest hockey tournament ever played. Never one to overstate the obvious—Canada came out on top in that tournament, albeit by a nose. Throughout the Olympic Hockey Tournament many experts have stated that this years installment may, in fact, be the greatest assembly of hockey players ever assembled and, given the play by the likes of Team USA, Sweden and underdog Switzerland, perhaps the greatest tournament ever, eclipsing the 1972 Summit Series. Tonight’s game between Canada and Russia will be as much about pride in Country as it will be about Sidney Crosby versus Alex Ovechkin. Fierce rivals on the ice, both Crosby and Ovechkin have a great amount of respect for one another’s abilities, but