Team USA has silenced critics with a 5-3 win over Canada.

By Pallavi Reddy

Pre-game: I know that Canada has a fantastic team and are the favorites.  After all, it's their national sport and they are playing at home.  But I root for the underdogs (and my home country). Let the border war begin!

First period

8:58am: So the USA out to a great start.  I'm sure a lot of Canadians are sipping their drinks and getting a little angry... Brian Rafalski - one of three veterans on the team - scored the opening goal.

8:59am: And of course, the Canadians make it 1-1 quickly. Oh dear... The Canadians are so loud right now. Eric Staal scored the home team's opening goal. And as they'd say in Canada: Nice goal, EH??

9:00am: YES! Rafalski just 23 seconds later got America's second goal! UH-MA-ZING. 6 shots so far in Vancouver, and 4 goals! Experience coming to the US's rescue right now.

9:09am: Two OUTSTANDING saves from the American goalkeeper Ryan Miller. He is all over the puck.  The US defense is playing hard.  The Canadians have to step it up because they aren't matching the Americans' intensity.

9:14am: One of the reasons why I say this Canada team is stacked is because of three men: Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Patrick Marleau.  Sweden, Russia, America, and Canada all have spectacular teams BUT Canada has the advantage of three amazing players.  All three play for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL.  That experience is benefiting the Canadian team greatly.

End of first period. USA 2-1 Canada

Wow. Honestly, you'll never find me rooting against the USA.  NEVER. But I thought that Canada would come out a lot stronger.  But it looks like they are the only remaining critics of the USA's strength in these Games. I'll be the first to admit that the US were MISERABLE in Turin, but after that embarrassment there was no way that they could return to these Winter Games without a solid team.  And now, they are exceeding expectations. Good job, boys.

Soapbox time! Ice hockey is an under appreciated sport. I've loved the sport since I watched "The Mighty Ducks" movies when I was 10.  The sport is fantastic.  You have big-- and I mean BIG -- men on ice skates and give them a stick.  If it wasn't a sport, it would be a great reality show.  And on top of it all, it's a sport that actually let's you bash your opponent into the glass.  But if anyone has ever ice skated before for you, you'd understand why I respect these guys more.  It's not easy to ice skate.  It's easy to fall though. It's an action-packed sport on ice. What more could you want? But really, I hope that more Americans and more people around the world can appreciate the sport because it's just SO entertaining.

Start second period

9:36am: Canada is doing much better at the start of the second.  Super aggressive now.

9:39am: And there you have the experience kicking in for the Canadians.  Heatley just slammed one in. And the Canadians are back in it.  Now it's the Americans looking sloppy.

9:47am: Finally Team USA has had come opportunities on offense.  This period has been all CANADA.  The Americans are shooting on sight to hold on for dear life in this period.  It's turning out to be a good one, folks.

9:54am: It's a sea of red in the stands.  The US fans are the ones draped in the starred and striped flags to differentiate themselves from the Canadians.  But so far, I'm impressed. Miller has always been reliable goalkeeper.  But WOW.  He's had to deal with 28 shots! The US have only made half as many shots.

10:01am: Chris Drury! The Canadian fans are really annoyed right. The US hasn't been making that many shots, but when they do, they know what they're doing. WOW. In a span of two minutes, the tides have changed yet again! America is back and looking sharp.  90 seconds left in the period. USA back in front.

End of second period. Score USA 3-2 Canada

I will not count my chicks before they hatch.  Or so I keep telling myself.  But in all honesty, it's anyone's game. But it's fantastic. The rivalry, the passion it's nearly palpable.  And it's bitter and cold. (Un)luckily, no real fights have broken out.  If only I could use the line 'miracle on ice.' But sadly, that's already been used. The original miracle was at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, when a young team of college hockey players became forever remembered for winning the gold against that time's power team the Soviet Union.  Good movie about it "Miracle." One of the better sports movies made in the past 10 years.

Start third period

10:24am: Penalty after penalty at the start of the third period.  If the US can hold Canada in these last minutes, it will be a HUGE upset in international hockey.

10:31am: So far Team USA have not been able to capitalize on the power play.  But there is hope... AND YES! Final a power play goal! Jamie Langenbrunner gets the puck.  He made that look too easy.  I think I see a little bit of bounce in the Americans' skating. 4-2 USA.

10:33am: All I can imagine right now is: angry Canadians named Fraser (shout out!) drinking their maple syrup and then erupting with anger upon seeing that the American flag is next to the higher number on the score. (If you can't tell, I'm keeping my Canada jokes to a minimum. It's out of respect for the fine Olympic Games that they've hosted so far.)

10:37am: The question of the night is whether or not the US can hold Canada off.  There's a power play now for Canada.  So far Miller has been more than the US could ask for as a goalie. Only time will tell...

10:46am: AMAZING save by Miller. Canada is trying really hard-- almost too hard to get back in this game.  But the USA is not giving in.

10:47am: Canadians are BACK in it.  (To my disappointment!) Sidney Crosby scored in the final seconds of a power play. Wow. Can Americans hold on for the last 3 minutes??

10:52am: It's a FRENZY. The Canadians are shooting at Miller like there's no tomorrow. For the love of all that's holy.  This is incredible. INCREDIBLE. 12 shots at him in the third period ALONE. WOW.

10:53am: Open net for the Canadians and Ryan Kesler someway-somehow gets it in the net. WOW. It's over. OVER. 5-3 USA with 45 seconds left.

10:55am: What time is it?? UPSET TIME! USA WINS! USA WINS! Cue the "Star-Spangled Banner", boys.  They're headed to the quarterfinals.  And I daresay they have a medal in their future. WOW.

Final Score: USA 5-3 Canada