Canadians fully expect their Olympic Team to accomplish nothing less than gold in Vancouver. Things could not have gone much further askew from plans so far. After needing a shootout to beat a Swiss team that could not win in regulation, it was time to take on the good old U.S. of A. in a game that if you asked any Canuck what the outcome would be they would have predicted a home team blowout.

When the dust cleared however it was the United States men’s team that put some hurt on the Canadians posting a victory by the final score of 5-3 thanks to an empty net and superb net minding by Ryan Miller who repeatedly stoned a relentless, but mostly ineffectual, Canadian attack. At the other end of the rink Martin Brodeur was pretty much off his game and could not hold down the fort.

Miller stopped 42 of 45 shots. Brodeur had trouble stopping 18 of the 22 he faced.

Sidney Crosby scored late to bring the keepers of the Great White North to within one but it was Ryan Kesler that iced the game in the final minute when the Canadians scrambled desperately for the tie.

The win gave the USA a perfect preliminary round in which they gained a full nine of a potential nine points. The only other team to do such was Sweeden. With tie breakers however the USA earned the top spot in the finals and a first round bye while Canada nestles into sixth and prepares to face Germany in the first round.

The Canadians want a rematch. And all they have to do to earn one is win. And of course so does the United States.

It could have been Montreal’s last visit ever to the Igloo last night. Baring an always possible playoff meeting between two Eastern Conference foes, Montreal will have to deal with that potentially last visit being a loss. With last night’s 3-1 victory, thanks to lots of on the ball … uh puck … saves by Fleury, the Penguins have pretty much trounced the Canadians this season by a goal total of 9-2. They have now won four straight against the Habs.

The Penguins took advantage of a Montreal squad that had to come from behind the night before and limited them to just 17 shots on net. Had there been more, the score might have turned out differently as Fleury definitely saved the Penguins bacon with several great plays and a little bit of luck. The Penguins accomplished the low shot total on Fleury by pressing the attack in the Montreal zone for most of the night.

The Penguins received goals from Crosby (12), Guerin (6) and Gonchar (3) to stake out a 3-0 lead heading into the third period that they would not relinquish. Crosby scored on a rare shot from high at the left circle that surprised Carey Price. Guerin bashed a loose puck between Price’s pads in the second and Gonchar took a puck right up the middle and opened up Price for the Penguin’s third goal.

The win was the Penguins 17th in 25 games this season and ties a team record. The club also won 17 of its first 25 in 94-95 and 95-96.

After last night the Penguins held on to first place in the East with 24 pts just ahead of Washington who also has 24 pts but fewer wins also in 25 games. Montreal sank to 12-12-1 and are still struggling with injuries.

The Penguins however must face a back to back test this week on Friday and Saturday. On Friday the Pens have to travel to Long Island for a 2:00 PM scrum with the 9-9-7 Islanders and then return home Saturday to host the 13-10-1 Rangers.

After loosing four games in a row as the Penguins injury situation looked bleak, the Penguins have since been getting more healthy and have gone 5-1 in their last six games.