Biggest Game Since Miracle on Ice

Almost thirty years to the day of the biggest moment in American hockey and Olympic history, the Miracle on Ice, another group of young, generally unknown, American players take the ice against a superpower of hockey in Canada at home. This game means alot and its just a round robin matchup. With a win, the Americans get a bye in the medal rounds and with alot of luck, they could possibly be the number one seed. If the Czechs lose to Russia and Sweden and Finland go to overtime, Team USA needs a regulation win to clinch the top spot. The Canadian team, projected to be the gold medal winner by many, slipped up against Switzerland and had to go to a shootout to win. If they lose today, Canada could end up as far down as seventh in seeding. On this day of rivalry in Olympic history, the USA-Canada matchup could set up a chance for the USA to join the Miracle on Ice team.
The Americans looked on form by easily taking care of Norway in their last game after a 3-1 win over the Swiss in the opener. Ryan Miller has been stellar in net with 24 saves and 2 goals against in two games. Most of the U.S. defensemen have a plus-minus over 2 and will need the control the Canadian attacking. Up front, Jamie Langenbruner will paired with teammate Zach Parise and center Paul Stastny to create a familarity for Parise, who has been one of the most consistent players for the USA in both games. The line of Ryan Kesler, Patrick Kane, and Phil Kessel will have to set a tone early as all three have the potential to score goals. The main key for the Americans will be to not get behind early and to keep it close throughout to win in the third period and get a medal round bye and possibly the #1 seed.
The Canadian team has tons of motivation to prove to their nation that they are a team worthy of winning a medal. The disappointing shootout win over Switzerland put the host nation into shock and thinking that their curling team might do better than the men's hockey team. Canada will have to get a strong performance in goal from either Roberto Luongo or Marty Brodeur. The star-studded roster will not want to have to play a play-in game as the sixth or seventh seed if they lose and if they win, they will get a bye and could avoid further humiliation to the host country.
Keys to the Game:
USA: Do not get behind early, Keep the game close
Canada: No letdown allowed, Big performance in goal

In the two other rivalry games today, Russia plays the Czech Republic and Sweden plays Finland. Russia has already lost to one of the former Soviet republics by losing in a shootout to Slovakia and could finish third in their group with a loss. The Czech team has taken care of Slovakia and Latvia in their first two games thanks to Tomas Vokoun in net and their scoring power led by Patrik Elias and Jaromir Jagr. They will need to score at least four or five goals to defeat Russia, who like Canada will be looking to avenge a bad game.
Going into today's game, the Russian team is in the same situation as Canada needing to prove to their country that they can win the big game after their shock loss to Slovakia in a shootout. The worst part of that game was that they only scored one goal in regulation and then followed it up by being stonewalled by Slovakian keeper Jaroslav Halak in the shootout. Russia needs this game more than Canada needs their game. Pride is what Russia has and if they lose today they would finish behind not one, but two former Soviet republics.
Keys to the Game:
Czech Republic: Good game for Vokoun, Contain the Ovechkin line.
Russia: Big game from Ovechkin line, Score more than one goal.

After all the fun happens with the North American border battle, Sweden and Finland win face off in the Scandinavian version. Finland has been scoring at will with five goals in both wins over Belarus and Germany, while Sweden has not looked as dominant in wins over the same teams.
The Finnish team has been getting contributions from every position. Defensemen Kimmo Timonen had two goals against Germany, Temmu Selanne became the player with the most points in Olympic hockey history with two assists, putting him at 37 points overall in Olympic play. The Ruutu brothers, Jarkko and Tuomo, have been playing well and will the whole team will need to play well today to clinch the #1 seed with a win.
The Swedes have seen some sketchy goaltending in the tournament but Henrik Lundqvist, who was not in goal for the Germany game, will most likely start tonight and will need to stop the high scoring Finns from making him turn around and pick the puck of the net. Sweden's biggest contribution on offense has been from Daniel Alfredsson and the Sedin twins. The defensemen will need to help set up the breakaways and goals in the offensive zone to keep the focus off the top forwards like Alfredsson, both Sedins, Johan Franzen and Nicklas Backstrom.
Keys to the Game:
Finland: Keep the game high-paced, Score, Score, Score
Sweden: Score more goals, Shut down Finns' goal scorers

No matter what the outcome of today's big games, one thing is certain, fans all over the world will be in for an entertaining day of Olympic hockey.