Get Ready For Something Special...

Tonight Team Canada lost to the USA 5-3 in a game where the good guys were never able to get a lead. We were beat by B-Ryan Rafalski and Ryan Miller (note: there are something like 8 USA hockey players named Ryan,) -- a defenceman having the game of his life and perhaps the best goalie playing today.

Brodeur was not himself. He made some great saves, he played pretty well... can't fault him for the 2 tip goals, can you? But to me he looked like he was trying too hard. Everytime he tried something "special" it ended up in our net (the super-cool baseball-bat play, and the diving missed poke check.) Marty is best when he is boring; and in this game he put on a show - intentional or not.

Enough about that. Every analyst, from Hitchcock to McGuire to the idiot hacks (me) are pointing the finger at Brodeur. Poor guy... its not fair, but c'est la guerre.

We are gonna see Luongo in net for the rest of the tournament -- and Luongo is gonna win. Why am I confident? 2 reasons:

1. Luongo is gonna have that positive nervous energy knowing he was not expected to carry the team, but now has been yoked with that responsibility. He is the kind of player who responds to the challenge, and is gonna be awesome.
2. Team Canada is gonna feel pretty bad for getting Marty benched. They are gonna step up their game for Luongo. Its a wake-up call, and I believe there is enough character to respond.

In 2002 Patrick Roy backed out of the Olympics - no one really knows the real reason, but I believe its because he figured Brodeur had the better chance of winning the tourney (but if Patty is on the team, Patty starts.) Brodeur walks in knowing everyone is wondering if he can do it, and he answers.

In the 2004 Hockey World Cup Luongo had to play the semi-final game against the fearsome Czech Republic - in quite possibly the best hockey game I have seen in my life, Luongo rose to the occasion and made it happen. (they won 4-3 in overtime.)

Canada can no longer be a favourite for the Gold, after only winning 1 game in regulation. The pressure is not off, but I think other teams will now be focused on the USA and the Russians. Team Canada is poised for a historic comeback, and Luongo is gonna be the foundation of the meteoric rise to hockey GLORY!!!


Or not I dunno.