There is not much I can say about this game that has not been said in better words. One team was expected to be here and the other is the shock of the tournament. While one was dismantling their co-favourites the other was getting the job done on the back of incredible goaltending, a well-organised defence, and opportunistic forwards. Much like 2002 in Salt Lake City an American team that was not given the respect it deserved is standing between Canada and what we believe is our birthright: hockey gold.

The women, on Thursday, provided the men an incredible example with their outstanding victory over the American women. If the men play with the same commitment, desire, and tenacity they will be on their way to kicking off national celebrations. In case any need any extra motivation some great sportsmen (and woman) offer their thoughts:

Some people believe [hockey] is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.

- Bill Shankly

Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.

- Vince Lombardi

If you are first you are first. If you are second, you are nothing.

- Bill Shankly

The person that said winning isn't everything, never won anything.

- Mia Hamm

And from the great man himself that highlights the way in which the Canadians have united to put aside their egos for the cause:

Sure I am this day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us.

- Winston Churchill

The late Flyers coach Fred Shero certainly was ahead of his time with regards to the national feelings about this game:

"As far as this game is concerned I believe it is going to be the highlight of my life. If we win I'm going to be sky high. If we lose then I think it'll be worse than dying. I'm ready, my team is ready, and I believe that we are going to win."

- Fred Shero, January 11, 1976

On a team with only a handful of players left from 2002 there is a great chance for any number of new players to learn what these words mean:

Win today and we walk together forever.

- Fred Shero

GO CANADA GO!

Valeri Kharlamov! Vladislav Tretiak! Sergei Makarov! Viktor Tikhonov! ! Boris Mikhailov! Vladimir Putin! Viacheslav Fetisov - can you hear me, Viacheslav Fetisov! Your boys took one hell of a beating! Your boys took one hell of a beating!'

- Glove tap to Bjorge Lillelien

Three days ago (or four? they are all blurring together) Canada had played two good but unconvincing games. They were then handed a humbling loss by a gritty but lucky American squad which knocked one of the greatest goalies of all-time out of the tournament. The Canadian team struggled to score goals when needed and was unable to find the timely save that would help keep them in the ascendancy.

Facing Germany 24 hours earlier was not the way the story was written but for those of us that had expected to see two random teams at Canada Hockey Place it was a lucky break. After 20 minutes of toiling we were treated to a game that served as a warm-up for Wednesday the entire country from the players to the arena staff to the fans. As my friends and I grabbed some food before heading to the Molson Brewery's private bar (yes, friendship has its benefits) our cashier asked us what we thought the score would be: "6-1!" was my reply but one of our group quickly corrected me: "No, don't be greedy, 5-1". Four hours later our joking boasts looked prescient.

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For 20 minutes all of the troubles that saw Canada finish seventh in Turin were on display. The forwards were having troubles creating openings when confronted with a determined trapping team and the defenders were over passing when Canada got powerplays. Yes, it was just the first 20 minutes but when you're looking for indications that this team is going to push past all comers it wasn't entirely encouraging.

Then I imagine that Canada heard that Norway's curling team didn't roll over for Kevin Martin and they proceeded to teach those kipper eaters a lesson:

Dany Heatley and Jarome Iginla led the scoring for the Canadians with two goals a piece while Mike Richards, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Rick Nash all scored one goal a piece. Sidney Crosby led all players with three points, all assists.

The San Jose trio of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, and Dany Heatley had chemistry from the off but a nice find might be the line of Rick Nash, Sidney Crosby, and Jarome Iginla who scored the nicest goal of the night on a four way passing play with Duncan Keith. The Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Eric Staal used their size and speed to dominate. On the back end, they were certainly not challenged but the defence did a great job of moving the puck. The Goalie Guild has some notes on Luongo but basically they should consist of: Stayed awake, should never play the puck, "Luuuuuu" on dump-ins gets annoying

At the end of the day, this was a powder puff team but you can only beat the team in front of you. Paul Hunter cautions against being too happy with this start based on the last Olympics:

While there was a sense of inevitability about the Canucks’ outburst, nothing is ever certain in Olympic hockey. Just ask any of the players who were on the Canadian team in Turin when that team got shut out 2-0 by the Swiss in 2006. The Canadians started that Turin tourney, one in which they finished seventh, with a 7-2 win over Italy so don’t read too much into this whitewash.

I definitely agree that this was just step one but a team like Norway, with a hot goalie with a history of stifling Canadian shooters, was the kind of team that could have proved fairly tricky. At the end of the day, the 2005 World Juniors and Friends overcame their slow start and wiped the floor with Norway. One down, five to go. Up next: the Swiss.

I've been immersed in the Winter Olympics since Friday night and if you haven't been then you're from a warm country or a horrible human being. THE glamour event (no, not one of the figure skatings) starts tonight as the pursuit of the one gold medal that Canada cannot live without begins with a matchup with Norway. While every Canadian team at every level always goes in with the pressure of expectations these Olympics will be an entirely different animal. If the Canadians are going to win a gold medal they will have to win six games in twelve days. There are other iterations that involve draws and losses but they do not exist until they have to.

As much as Steve Yzerman has tried to deflect pressure onto the Russians (# 1 ranked in the world) and Swedes (defending Olympic Champions) the truth is that a major factor in declaring these Olympics a success will be whether the men's team brings home the gold. It's just the nature of the beast. It's no surprise that the sport that brings the most pressure in this country also brings the best results in international competition. Here is Canada's full roster and as much as people talk about the Russians having a good squad I think it's hard to argue that Canada isn't better top to bottom at every position.

Wan Ihite's fanpost has some information on the lines that the team was using at its one and only practice before tonight's opener. Bob McKenzie has the powerplay units:

PP1: Mike Richards - Sidney Crosby - Rick Nash
Chris Pronger - Drew Doughty

PP2: Corey Perry - Ryan Getzlaf - Eric Staal
Dan Boyle - Shea Weber

The Canadians will also have a secret power play weapon in one of the top two lines in the NHL: Patrick Marleau - Joe Thornton - Dany Heatley. I believe that line will have some success tonight. Tonight is about getting the kinks out and figuring out some chemistry issues. Canada will whomp the Norweigians and repay them for their curling team's disrepespect from earlier in the day.

For a spectacular preview of the Olympic hockey tournament I suggest reading the following:

Group A - A Is For Awesome

Group B - B Is For Brutal

Group C - C Is For Cushy

And to get in the mood, watch this video if you haven't already and get PUMPED (Bloge Salming/Down Goes Brown/Lyrics):

Full Team Canada roster after the jump. 

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