A year ago, I found myself gripped in hockey fever.
The anticipation of the Olympics, successful seasons for both the Devils and Sabres, and even getting a few pickup games in myself, I could not get enough hockey.
The most exposure I had to international games was the World Cup of hockey which I attended at Madison Square Garden in 1996, and the Olympics every 4 years. But even as I was aware of the World Junior Championships, I had never had a chance to even watch a game on TV. Enter the NHL Network.
During what Time Warner Cable would later call “a preview period,” my roommates and I would have the great fortune of not only being able to watch the Network, but watch some of the action from the 2009-2010 WJHC.
Watching the youngsters who would soon populate the NHL was an excitement to say, “Hey, I remember when he played in the tourney that year.”
We watched every game we could, making it a point to skip whatever regular season NHL game was on in order to focus our national pride, in practice for the Olympics. Even our neighbors took an interest in the Championships and found their way into our apartment for a game or two.
We sat on the edge of our seats as the Americans faced off against the Canadians in Canada for the Gold Medal, we screamed, cheered and celebrated when Jack Campbell’s kick save sprung a 3-on-1 rush and John Carlson ripped a no-look shot past Martin Jones for the winner in a 6-5 game.
Tonight, the USA hockey team opened up their 2010-2011 campaign with a 3-2 overtime winner over Finland. The game was one which the US had tried their hardest to give away, especially in the third period, when it seemed as if only a handful of players were trying to get the goal which would give them the 2 goal lead they desperately needed. That group was lead by Montvale, NJ native Kyle Palmeri who single-handedly nearly gave the Americans that lead.
Unfortunately, defensive breakdowns would allow the Fins to tie it up with over 10 minutes to go, putting doubt in minds of the USA supporter crowd, and fueling the cheers of a mostly Canadian Pro-Fin side.
Luckily, the Americans would have the last laugh with their overtime winner, sending the masses into the Buffalo night happy, and those going back across the border with a little knot in their stomach knowing the Americans could play like crap and yet still come out victorious.
Look out, Canada, we’re coming for you again.
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