Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Fool
To me it really just came down to goaltending. Miller didn't completely steal the game but played on his best level, while Brodeur was off.
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Canada has pretty much dominated all of it's three games to date, including last night.
We shouldn't forget that.
This tournament is living up to it's advanced billing, that most of the major contenders have superior goaltending to Canada's. This tournament is really about that one factor versus our superior depth and skill.
And, as everyone knows or should know, in a one-shot knockout, you really, really need to fear superior goaltending. Or, the opposite, inferior goaltending on your own side.
That is why it was mesermizingly frustrating to see Martin Brodeur moving to the front of the que. The key Canadian weakness through many Olympics - some might say Salt Lake as well - has been an ill-advised fondness for honouring the service of the wily veteran well beyond reason. It shouldn't be about the accolades of the past but rather what these players can do today and tomorrow. Fortunately, post-game, Mike Babcock is mouthing the right words about needing "to fix that area of our game."
Russia, with Bryzgalov, might be in the same boat but with less depth.
Canada could still romp through this tourney and probably should . . . . . . but the hot opposition goaltender is something that will be present in most games they play . . . . . . they need at least average goaltending, relative to their opponent, on their side to win it all.
Cowperson