Before the big Gold Medal showdown between the Americans and Canadians let’s look back at some of the more memorable moments of the series.
1960 Squaw Valley Olympics
The “Forgotten Miracle” team wins 7 games in 10 days which includes a 2-1 win over Canada to capture first gold medal for US hockey, Canada got silver for 6-1 record
1996 World Cup of Hockey
USA def Canada in a best of three series, after going down 1-0 win last two games in Montreal. In 3rd and decisive game US down 2-1 score next 4 goals as Mike Ritcher named MVP of tournament.
2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
Canada def USA 5-2 in Gold Medal Game clinches first Olympic gold medal in 50 years for the Canadian ice hockey team.
2004 U20 World Championship
USA def Canada 4-3 in Gold Medal Games US team beats Canada team features current Olympians Sidney Crosby, Marc Andre Fleury, Dion Phaneuf, Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Seabrook and Mike Richards.
2007 U20 World Champions
Canada def USA 2-1 in Semifinals, game went to a 14 shooter shootout with current Olympian Jonathan Toews scoring the game winner.
2010 U20 World Championship
USA def Canada 6-5 in OT to win Gold Medal victory stops Canada six straight gold’s in U20 World Championships
2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
USA def Canada 5-3 to clinch top seed of tournament, Ryan Miller 42 saves
I’d have to say that this year’s tournament was probably the biggest of the bunch. The fact that the USA won the first meeting in a huge upset and then they met again in the gold medal game made it seem more like a rivalry than just a good matchup.
The game also had huge implications on Canada in general. Check out this post if you’d like.
http://sports-opinionated.com/2010/03/hockeys-golden-finish-makes-canadians-proud/