|
 |
No golden repeat in '02 for the U.S. hockey team
By Jody Genessy
Deseret News Olympic specialist
WEST VALLEY CITY — This was not the hoped-for golden repeat of 1980. No historical Al Michaels sound quip. No hockey game to be remembered for generations in American households.
Nope, the United States men's hockey team did not accomplish what it set out to do last September when it first gathered in Colorado Springs. The country's top NHL stars did not win the coveted gold medal. They lost the border battle 5-2 to Canada on Sunday in the E Center.
It was the first defeat for the Americans on their own ice in 70 years. And miracle maker Herb Brooks was handed his first Olympic setback ever as a U.S. coach. The U.S. has now won two silvers and two golds the four times the Olympics has been held on American soil.
But — and this may be more important — Salt Lake was no Nagano for Team USA, either.
The Americans did not have anything to hang their heads about this time — except, of course, to tilt slightly down and have silver medals wrapped around their necks in front of a very supportive and appreciative flag-waving crowd.
"It was a disappointing time for us four years ago," said U.S. captain Chris Chelios. "But it was an enjoyable, proud time this go around."
The country — and furniture at the Olympic Village — had to notice. After the quarterfinal loss and publicized misbehavior in 1998, the U.S. players conducted themselves as complete professionals in Salt Lake.
They played strong, played hard, had some memorable wins — especially the 3-2 nail-biting victory over Russia in the semifinals — and put on an all-around good hockey show. (At least until the third period of the gold-medal game when things just kind of fell apart and gold dreams turned into silver reality.)
"The U.S. had a great tournament," said Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky. "It was just our day today."
But the Americans believe the future's bright for development and success in the sport on the frozen pond. That, they hope, is a by-product of this Olympic event.
"We hope we set a precedent for USA Hockey. We hope we attracted people who weren't fans of hockey," said U.S. forward Jeremy Roenick. "I think we made a big stir in the U.S. . . . I think we've done a lot to encourage hockey in this country."
That being said, taking Sunday's loss well doesn't necessarily take the sting away for some.
"Right now it's disappointing," said U.S. defenseman Brian Leetch. "You have a shot at the gold, you want to win. It hurts right now."
It didn't help the Americans' chances any that they had to scrape and claw their way past Russia on Friday while Canada had a breezer with Belarus. Maybe the U.S. players were still too emotionally spent from that one to compete with the Canadians down the stretch in the final. After the U.S. took an early lead and then tied it at 2-all, Canada was stronger and scored the final three goals.
That might be because Canada not only needed to win the Olympic gold-medal game, the Canadians wanted it more, too.
Said Roenick: "A big monkey was lifted off Canada's back."
The monkey had been perched on the Canadians since February 24, 1952, unbelievably the last time the inventors of hockey won a gold medal.
Chelios, hailed for being a great captain and hockey ambassador by teammates and coaches, couldn't resist taking a playful parting jab at Canada.
"They have a certain pride about hockey," Chelios said. "It might be the only game they're good at — except for curling and a couple of other sports."
But, added Chelios, "I think Americans have caught up."
Almost — in hockey — at least.
E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com
|
|
February 25, 2002
|
