Oh, No, Canada

Now the pressure is really on. Don’t get me wrong, it was already there, but after Canada dropped a 5-3 decision to the United States Sunday night, an entire nation is holding its breath and clenching its butt cheeks. One more game like that, and it’s all over. 

The U.S. victory means the host nation failed to secure a pass to the quarterfinals and must now win a play-in game against Germany on Tuesday. Sunday’s result was a shocker in more ways than one. The heavily favored Canadians failed to win their group, and they also failed to beat their biggest rival on home soil. Canada had not lost to the U.S. in Olympic competition since 1960, going 5-0-1 since then.

As for Sunday’s game, Canada threw everything but the kitchen sink at Ryan Miller, who was definitely on his game. But the host country didn’t help its cause my making some costly turnovers and by taking some bad penalties at inopportune times.

Eric Staal took a careless offensive-zone penalty (holding) with under a minute left in the second. Sidney Crosby did the same (high sticking in the offensive zone) 1:44 into the third. But it was Corey Perry’s slashing penalty at 6:05 that finally cost the team. Jamie Langenbrunner’s deflection on the ensuing PP gave the U.S. a two-goal advantage Canada couldn’t overcome.

Despite his third-period tally, Crosby did not have a banner day. In addition to the aforementioned penalty, he inadvertently deflected Team USA’s first goal in, and he finished a team-worst minus-3.

There’s no doubt the Canadians made things tough on themselves. They have to play an extra game (albeit an easy one against Germany), will not have the luxury of the extra day off for some much-needed R&R and will face a tougher draw in the quarters because of their sixth seed. The team’s confidence also has to be shaken. They needed a shootout to beat Switzerland and never led against the U.S.

So far, not so good for Canada. Will they wilt under the extreme pressure or rise to the occasion? We shall soon find out.