Silver Medal, Golden Memory

by Jesse Liebman and Ian Tasso
Editorial. Photos by AP News

The Americans may have to settle for silver, but when you think about it, they were supposed to go home empty-handed.

Yes, there were a few proven NHL stars donning the red, white and blue, unlike thirty years back where the stars and stripes were carried by a bunch of college students.

But still, overall, the American hockey team was pretty much an afterthought. This year's games was about the Canadians, the Russians and the plethera of All Stars each of those teams trotted onto the ice.

But perhaps that’s what motivated and pushed Team USA to unexpected heights. In such a short tournament, anything can happen - especially when a goalie gets hot at the right time.

Because make no mistake about it: if it weren’t for Ryan Miller, the Americans wouldn’t have even sniffed the medal round. But combine his strong play with the efforts of young guns Zach Parise, Dustin Brown and Erik Johnson, and you have the keys to unlocking the potential of a team that’s destined for greatness - just not now. And maybe not ever.

Because if NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has his way, this may be the last time we or anyone else see's the National Hockey League's stars competing in the Winter Olympics.

In the grand scheme of things, we wish this team would join the history books along with the 1960 and 1980 teams. We thought the stars were aligned for another seat atop the podium. Instead, we're left with a sense of pride. A sense of pride that our nation hasn't felt on the ice since 1980.


And a sense that we got to witness what could very well be a last hurrah for our boys.

Assuming that the NHL sends its players to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Games, this truly was a coming out party for USA hockey. Even so, politics and scheduling, along with dozens of other logistical nightmares threaten to put a stopper on NHL participation in the Olympics.

But there are still a number of years before a decision must be made; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, we can focus on what was ultimately an exciting and enjoyable tournament, capped by one of the most thrilling gold medal games in history.

The Americans gave it their all, forcing overtime with less than half a minute to go in regulation. Perhaps Team U.S.A can take some solace in that fact. Still, it must hurt a lot to see your rivals from north of the border revel in the ecstasy of victory. Especially after a fluky goal by hockey’s golden boy, Sidney Crosby.

In a few months, it won’t even matter. Because the prize on everyone’s mind will be silver. You know the one - big, bulky, ‘bout 40 pounds, 117 years old?

Yes, soon, Lord Stanley’s Cup will be waiting.

Until then though, whether you're a fan of the Devils from New Jersey, the Rangers from New York or the Bruins from the Hub, the entire nation of America can take solace in one thing - our boys put on one hell of a show this winter.

And while they may not have recreated the magic of 1980, they did the next best thing - instilled an icy passion that hasn't been felt between the blue lines since Eruzione lit the lamp.

And that is something we can all be proud of, regardless of whether you wear red and black or black and gold. Because the red, white and blue runs deeper than all of that.