A little bit of Hockey

This one is not about cricket, but I have to blog on this. Canada just took the Gold in Men's Hockey in the Winter Olympics. They almost lost, 2-1 up and US scored an equalizer with 20 seconds to go. All was quiet in Vancouver. The game went to over time and rising upto everybody's expectations, Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal for us. It was bloody brilliant!

But as proud as I am of Team Canada, one look at the US goalie's face took half my joy away. People will brand me a traitor, but sometimes one man's feat is so great that you can't help feeling bitter sweet when your team wins over his. Or loses. I felt similarly during the last Football World Cup when Italians stole that win over France. I was devastated, but slightly happy for Buffon at the same time.

Ryan Miller is the only player in the US hockey team that deserves some praise. Frankly, Ryan Miller IS the US hockey team. He had to play all by himself in the first quarter, where Canada attempted shots after shots. To give you an inkling of how good he is, let me tell you that just last week, when the two teams met during the group stage (and Canada lost!), Canadians attempted 49 shots...got only 3 in. As opposed to US's 7 tries and 5 goals. Canada was terrible at finishing on that day, but trust me that is not a reflection of the team's abilities. That was the Ryan Miller show. His defense let the Canadians get close to the goal every time, and he deflected their shots...every time.

As the goal medals were carried past the US players in a platter, Ryan Miller shook his head in disbelief. After all the hard work and heroics, he goes home with the Silver. It is unbelievably harsh. And this is something that happens in almost every sport. It happened to one of my favourite South Africans, Lance Klusener, during WC99.

The following is a commercial that I am proud of and is really one that says 'In your face'. But, I still dedicate it to the Ryan Millers of the world. You may be playing our game Ryan, but you play it damn well. And for that we applaud you.