The USA! USA! of Blogs

American goalie Ryan Miller's stellar play held in an offensive asasult that lived up to its hype as the Americans win the vital grudge match over Canada and advance to the medal round.

The US went up quickly in the first minute when Brian Rafalski hit a long shot that was redirected  in front of the goal and got over the shoulder of Canada goaltender Martin Brodeur. Canada leveled the score on a goal by Eric Staal in the 9th minute.

Rafalski gave the US the lead again a few moments later when he caught Brodeur out of position, making it 2-1 for the US.

In the 2nd period Dany Heatley slapped a rebound in past US goaltender Ryan Miller to even it up for Canada. The Americans took the lead again after putting the pressure on the Canadian defense. Chris Drury slapped a goal in after several blocked shots by Brodeur making it 3-2.

In the 3rd period on a power play Jamie Langenbrunner hit one through the crease and off the stick of Brodeur to open the lead to 4-2 for the US late in the game. Canada put on a flurry of shots late in the third but Miller shut them down until Canada's Sidney Crosby hit in a great feed putting Canada within one at 4-3.

Canada pulled Brodeur to get the offensive advantage but the US broke up the offensive push and Ryan Kesler was able to direct the puck into the empty Candian net to give them a 5-3 final.

Goals:

PERIOD 1: USA Rafalski (1) 0:41; CAN Staal (1) 8:53; USA Rafalski (2) 9:15; PERIOD 2: CAN Heatley  (1) 3:32; PERIOD 3: USA Drury (1) 16:46; USA Langenbrunner (1) 7:09(pp); CAN Crosby (1) 16:51(pp); USA Kesler (1) 19:15

Goaltenders:

Ryan Miller (USA) 43-40 3goals

Martin Brodeur (CAN) 21-17 4goals

OLYMPIC MEDAL COUNT