USA lost, but people watched!

27.6 million people in America watched the best hockey game I've ever seen. If Sunday's incredible hockey game between Canada and USA does not raise the popularity of hockey (my favorite sport) in America, nothing will. In what was basically an all-star game, where people tried, and there was a gold medal on the line, Sidney Crosby scored the game winning goal in overtime to beat the Americans. Ryan Miller, the American goalie, played a remarkable tournament, winning the MVP, despite only winning silver. Winning silver though, is a great accomplishment for USA hockey. The American hockey team, picked by GM Brian Burke (who's son died just weeks before the Olympics), wasn't even favored to medal. But by coming together as a team, USA beat Canada in the preliminary rounds, and made it all the way to an overtime in the gold medal game.

The game showcased everything that is great about the sport of hockey. It was fast paced, there was hitting, great goaltending, pretty goals, lots of hustle, and of course an incredible finish. When the New Jersey Devil Zach Parise scored the tying goal with 24 seconds left in regulation, it was one of the most exciting moments I've ever witnessed in sports. Watching the USA hockey team, I was so proud that Parise and the captain Jamie Langenbrunner were such important parts of the team, coming from the New Jersey Devils organization. Anyway though, after 60 minutes of breathtaking hockey, Sidney Crosby scored a goal seven minutes into overtime, off a pass from Jarome Iginla. The entire nation of Canada erupted. Sidney Crosby is 22 years old and he already has the resume of a 10 year vet. A Stanley Cup, an NHL scoring title and MVP, and now the game winning goal of a gold medal game in his home country, Crosby has become a national hero. I still think Ovechkin has more talent than Crosby, but as much as I hate Sidney, there's no denying that he knows how to win.

It was fitting that a hockey tournament that incredible was finished from a goal by the face of the NHL. Also perhaps there is a new face of the NHL in Ryan Miller, who is now a household name in America. This game and this tournament will not make hockey more popular than the NFL in America, but maybe more people will start to pay attention to what truly is an incredible sport. The NHL playoffs are coming up shortly and there are no playoffs more intense than hockey's. Give hockey a chance; if you're not a fan become one.