I have to admit I didn't suffer from many nerves last night at the beginning of the game as some people who I watched the game with. I'd like to thank the 09-10 version of the Edmonton Oilers for instilling a sense of "I know we might not win the game, but at least make it interesting" mentality going into games. It might be hard to imagine that one could have that mentality with the likes of Iginla, Crosby, Staal, Nash, etc... wearing the jersey I'm rooting for. It was however Team Canada's previous performances which left much to be desired. Not to mention watching the highlights of Russia's Sunday matchup where they won the game on the heels shoulder of Ovechkin's hit on Jagr.
After seeing that goal by Malkin and their subsequent win against the Czechs, then comparing the Canadian performance against the US. It led me to one conclusion. The Russians got their swagger. It took a while for me to realize this fact, simply because I hadn't seen swagger at all in a while. The Oilers definitely don't have it this year, and neither did Team Canada against USA or Switzerland (Sorry, Norway I love Tore Vikingstad, Patrick Thoresen, and your norweigan curling pants. Problem is your hockey team just isn't Swagger Test approved yet).
Last night though, they passed all the requirements of the swagger test.
1) First Goal - It's obviously a bonus if you get the 1st goal (score would be 1-0). It sets the bar for your opponent and if your at home it just increases that crowd noise 1 or 2 notches higher than it was at the first puck drop. The quicker the better as if you do it as the away team, chances are you'll drown out that first puck drop crowd noise before everyone has even gotten in their seats. The Americans were aware of this and were quick to put anything on net early in the game in the chance of snapping up that first goal.
In the Russian game, the Canadians pulled off the first goal in convincing fashion on the rush with a defenceman (Dan Boyle) leading the way. Dishing it off to Getzlaf coming down the middle into a very wide open net. The crowd goes wild, and that line goes back to give high fives to the rest of the bench with the look into each other's eyes with that, "Do you smell that?" appearance on their face.
2) Quick Goals - It proves the offence that lightning CAN strike twice, and that yes we are the best hockey nation in the world, and answering the question of why shouldn't we be putting up goals by the minute (Ok, sorry consider me non-apologetic that I believe it's Canada's god inherent right to win gold at home -- I'm just Canadian after all)
On the other hand, it rattles the opposition goaltender and coaching staff that maybe everything isn't right in between the pipes. The opposition coach starts eyeing up the backup goaltender while making sure the goaltender in net isn't looking back to notice. It's kind of like if you are on a first date and you notice it's starting to go south after awhile. You start texting other options but doing it discreetly so that the girl your on the date with, doesn't get suspicious and starts to get mad. At that point it just gets ugly. Trust me.
Sure enough Russian Head Coach Vyacheslav Bykov looked to Bryzgalov, after Canada's 2nd round of quick goals and decided to hedge his bets and take out Nabokov. Problem is this never works out. Canada having already gone through it's SECOND round of quick goals were already lightyears ahead of the whole Russian team in terms of heart, swagger or whatever you want to call it.
3) That Key Save
This moment can happen at any point during a game. Early on, really late, but when everybody sees that one save. They understand that their team's fortunes were on the up and up due to the moves of the goaltender which can be best described as "ninja-like".
Nabokov had a chance against Nash on his breakaway but decided to lay down on the ice instead.
It would seem Canada's swagger is on full blast and don't plan on turning it down anytime soon...
SOTD - Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
P.S. I was asked to comment on who I think has been the best player for Team Canada thus far, without a doubt Drew Doughty. Based simply on his ability to pull off the exact same spin-o-rama coming off the left wing 3 STRAIGHT games in a row. Slovakia D has to know it's coming today.
Sure enough Russian Head Coach Vyacheslav Bykov looked to Bryzgalov, after Canada's 2nd round of quick goals and decided to hedge his bets and take out Nabokov. Problem is this never works out. Canada having already gone through it's SECOND round of quick goals were already lightyears ahead of the whole Russian team in terms of heart, swagger or whatever you want to call it.
3) That Key Save
This moment can happen at any point during a game. Early on, really late, but when everybody sees that one save. They understand that their team's fortunes were on the up and up due to the moves of the goaltender which can be best described as "ninja-like".
Nabokov had a chance against Nash on his breakaway but decided to lay down on the ice instead.
It would seem Canada's swagger is on full blast and don't plan on turning it down anytime soon...
SOTD - Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
P.S. I was asked to comment on who I think has been the best player for Team Canada thus far, without a doubt Drew Doughty. Based simply on his ability to pull off the exact same spin-o-rama coming off the left wing 3 STRAIGHT games in a row. Slovakia D has to know it's coming today.
