If you've been living under a rock for the past 48 hours, then you haven't heard that Team USA upset Team Canada last night in the group stage of the Olympic Hockey Tournament. Despite the fact that this game occurred early in the competition, this was a huge victory for the United States. Yes, Canada is still in the tournament, but Team USA gained an exponential amount of confidence going forward from this point. Although the Americans were clearly the younger and more inexperienced squad, they played the game of their lives last evening and socked the Canadians in the mouth. Oh, and did I mention that this game took place in Canada? Vancouver must have been a very quiet city yesterday evening.
Regardless of how both the American and Canadian hockey teams finish the Olympic tournament, one thing is for certain - UW alumni have continued to shine. 41 seconds into the game, Brian Rafalski (former Badger and all-star defenseman) netted the first goal of the conflict, giving Team USA the lead and an abundance of confidence. Ryan Suter, another former Badger hockey standout (pictured above & currently employed by the Nashville Predators) assisted Rafalski on the goal. Rafalski went on to score 9 minutes later to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead and momentum going into the 1st intermission.
Three minutes into the 2nd, another former UW hockey player (this time a Canadian), Dany Heatley tied the game 2-2. Later, 7 minutes into the third, Jamie Langenbrunner drove in the dagger and put the United States up 4-2. He was assisted by both Rafalski and Suter. Of the 8 goals scored by both sides in this game, a former University of Wisconsin Hockey player was involved in 4 of them. This is a huge testament to how strong of a hockey program we have here. Word up to all current and former Badger hockey players for making us proud.
Word Up to the Badgers!
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