Ryan Miller made 14 saves in the USA men’s hockey opener against Switzerland Tuesday night. The goalie helped the young USA team top a solid Swiss squad 3-1 in Vancouver. Team USA got goals from Bobby Ryan, David Backes and Ryan Malone in the opulent win. Miller’s only blemish occurred with 10 minutes remaining. Roman Wick struck the goalie’s stick and the puck trickled into the net on a Swiss power play. The criticized and undersized Americans managed, coached by Toronto’s Ron Wilson, played with confidence against a more physical team. Miller made the quality saves and turned aside hard-hitting attempts on goal to maintain the USA lead.
St. Louis Blues forward Backes took a stick to the face during the opener for team USA. The bloody Backes beat Swiss netminder, Jonas Hiller, in the second period with a backhand-to-forehand goal. Ryan Malone secured his first Olympic goal by banging the puck through Hiller’s legs for a second middle stanza goal. The 30 year old Tampa Bay skater pounced on a rebound off an attempt from Phil Kessel and flipped it past Hiller’s pads. Bobby Ryan slipped a shot past his Anaheim teammate, Hiller, with a minute left in the first to pace the USA. The 1-0 lead was threatened by a few missed opportunities on the Swiss end. Switzerland up some early resistance, but couldn’t sustain it. The Swiss team had just two NHL regulars on the roster in Hiller and Mark Streit. Hiller made 21 stops in the loss. Ryan shook off an earlier hit by defensemen Streit to dig out a loose puck and dart down the ice for the score. The 22 year old had a breakout game on both ends of the ice. USA captain and NJ Devil, Jamie Langenbrunner, hit Streit twice during the game’s first shift. Malone’s goal came on a power play, where team USA went 1-of-3. The 2010 Olympic hockey opening game was a blazing finish for team USA. Miller faced nine shots during the first forty minutes. The Americans will face Norway next and then team Canada on Sunday. Wilson’s team will need to tighten up its overall game if they hope to compete with the consistent Canadians. The 2010 Olympic game hosts throttled Norway in their opener. After a scoreless opening period, Canada went on to thump Norway, banging home five third period goals to close out an 8-0 victory.
Parting Points: The USA men’s curling team isn’t doing so well. Bummer.
Tomorrow is the NBA trade deadline. Will the Suns deal Amare? Where will McGrady land?
Band of the day- The Wallflowers
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