Game being broadcast simultaneously in Canada and the US on TSN and the NHL Network (U.S).  (Available HD in Canada, not in US)

(Incidentally, my condolences to Team USA fans)

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 02:07 PM ET

Canada scores. Brad Marchand makes it 1-0 less than 2 minutes in.

But still a little early to start gloating.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 02:09 PM ET

Random game image—pre-game.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 02:17 PM ET

Proof that American hockey fans can be very committed to the cause of the WJC… over at the New York Times right now, Slapshot is doing a proper liveblog of the game, and he’s prepared:

“And now, a little bit about the typist, who still has the heat turned off in the hockey bunker in New York to add a little more authenticity to the event.”

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 02:20 PM ET

Just a random thought… when Pierre McGuire says things like “What a Tower of Power!” and “That kid’s a MONSTER!!” he really does sound waaaaaaay too excited to be simply watching a hockey game.

Not that I want to think about that idea too much.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 02:23 PM ET

Canada scores late in the 1st - Giroux puts it in and it’s 2-0.

Surprised the Swedes didn’t argue a bit… the net came up almost the same time it went in. 

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 02:36 PM ET

About 8 minutes into the second, a powerplay for both teams, but no goals.  Sweden’s offense looks a lot better though.

But the interesting thing is what happens when Canada scores… James Duthie on TSN claimed there’s a new Team Canada Tradition: the post-goal kiss.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 03:04 PM ET

Geez, I think Marchand, Turis and Giroux are on the ice pretty much constantly at this point.

Another thing. The combination of post-goal kissing, a player named “Hickey” and Pierre screaming “Tower of Power!” every so often, I’m starting to see a weird theme in this game…

Ugh. Maybe I need to drink more.  (Or less..? Nah.)

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 03:18 PM ET

End of the 2nd, a summary: Sweden’s stray erratic scoring chances keep getting taken apart by the Canadian defense before they accomplish anything interesting.  And Canada increasingly controlled the puck as the period progressed.

I know I must sound like a homer, but I’m trying not to. Besides, I can’t possibly be worse than freakin’ Pierre “Canadians can do NO wrong” McGuire.

Honestly, I’m starting to feel sorry for Swedish-Canadians.  They might need to form a support group to listen to much more of this.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 03:28 PM ET

Pierre Maguire is annoying.

Good to see Marchand playing so well as he is the one who blew it in the last game vs. Sweden.

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 03:39 PM ET

Haha, McGuire’s somewhat like that with everyone he likes though… see last year’s draft where he was raging against the people passing on Cherepanov. He’s definitely a bit of a homer, but I think it’s more that there’s guys he really likes that he just can’t stop talking about, regardless of what team they play for. To be fair to him as well, Canada’s produced much more to talk about to this point in the game… also, there’s a large amount of fanatical Canadian fans watching.

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 03:40 PM ET

I’ll bet BIG money (or $5, whatever) that Turris doesn’t leave this game without a goal.

3rd period begins - puck drop.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 03:41 PM ET

2-1… now it gets interesting…

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 03:44 PM ET

You’re blaming Marchand single-handedly for the last loss to Sweden? Geez Ryan, you’re such a hardass.

Uh oh. Sweden scores… (Now, I’m looking at YOU, Marchand!)

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 03:45 PM ET

Geez. Amazing how one goal can change a game. 

2-1 Canada… but I’m betting the Swedes tie it up.  Pierre disagrees though—he’s barking something about “Don’t worry. Canada won’t look back now!” and “They’re going to get that gold medal!”

Power of positive thinking, I guess. He should try being a Canucks fan.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 03:49 PM ET

2 goals isn’t going to hold up for the Canadians. they are going to need more. Sure like the way Sweden plays, not afraid to hit and be hit.

Marchand dangled with the puck on the Sweden blue line when he was last man back, lost it then on the back check, HIS check, that he wasn’t checking at all, scored. That’s annoying, especially for the D-men he hung out to dry!

PS - did you see the Florida game that Glen Healey (filling in for your buddy Pierre) was the color guy for, he did familiar between the benches color guy thing and commented that he made $4500 / Game! Sign me up.

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 03:52 PM ET

Pierre would be better as a greeter at Walmart. I checked, and they are hiring in Whitehorse.

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 03:56 PM ET

Ha!  Yeah, I could see the Wal-Mart job for sure.

I didn’t know they got paid $4,500 a game, no. Damn.  Sign me up, too!  (If only I knew wtf I was talking about more often, I’d totally rock at that gig...)

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:00 PM ET

Pierre at Wal-Mart would be hilarious… a great place for all that enthusiasm. People might find him calling their kids “monsters” slightly annoying though…

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 04:03 PM ET

Oh, and he just made the enlightening comment “Stamkos backs off good"… get your applications for his job ready…

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 04:04 PM ET

Haha! Yeah, the “monsters” thing could be a problem. And it would probably be equally disturbing if he started telling strange guys at the door that they’re “Towers of Power.”

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:05 PM ET

Oh, crap… that goal is proof of why I hate no-touch icing. Without that, Canada gets an empty-net goal and clinches.

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 04:08 PM ET

Dammit. Sweden scores with 30? seconds left on the clock.

2-2 and we’re heading to OT.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:08 PM ET

So when did Sweden really start coming on?
Oh right, when Marchand took the dumb penalty. Grr.

Oh well, this vid of Tucker sucking should cheer you up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb9v6c84QKM

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 04:12 PM ET

Well, now, that’s just awesome. 

Can someone make a Wings or Avalanche video like that? Using anyone? Old Forsberg or Roy footage, would be perfectly lovely.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:15 PM ET

P.S. For anyone who doesn’t know this (I didn’t, but I’ll never admit it): the OT will run 20 minutes, but with sudden death pressure.  Then it goes to S/O if needed.

I say Turris wins it in the 4th.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:17 PM ET

If it goes to a shootout, I wonder if Turris will be this year’s Toews? Canada-Sweden in a shootout for a gold medal brings back bad memories though, particularly when there’s a Forsberg in the lineup (anyone know if Tobias is related?)…

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 04:23 PM ET

4-4 underway.

Lasting image from the end of regulation:

Crap.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:27 PM ET

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO WE WIN

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 04:29 PM ET

Fourpeat! Nice play by Mathias!

Posted by Andrew Bucholtz from Kingston, ON on 01/05/08 at 04:29 PM ET

GOLD! 

Canada wins it.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:30 PM ET

Geez, the Swedish goalie looks sad, what, was he drafted by Calgary or something?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kZZqA8wZIK4

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 04:34 PM ET

Thanks for joining me, Andrew & Ryan (and anyone else who stopped by to read).  Now it’s time to celebrate!

I’ll put up a video of the post-game stuff later, if I get a chance to throw one together.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/05/08 at 04:36 PM ET

HOLY crap… those are some nice looking trophy holders.

Posted by Ryan Lake from da puddle on 01/05/08 at 04:37 PM ET