USA beats CANADA By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
VANCOUVER — A sign at Canada Hockey Place read, "This is our game." But the Americans came into Canada's home and stole it Sunday by posting their first Olympic win over Canada in 50 years on a 5-3 decision.

"It feels great to win in an atmosphere like this and to be able to now set the bar high for us going into the quarterfinals," said U.S. defenseman Brian Rafalski, who had a pair of goals.

In Canada, this has probably been the most-talked about hockey tournament in the country's history and the arena was a sea of loud, boisterous fans attired in Team Canada sweaters.

BOX SCORE: U.S. 5, Canada 3
HOCKEY SHOWDOWN: Canada vs. USA is hype of Games
LOPRESTI: Three huge hockey rivalries on display

"This proves to ourselves, a young team, when we are up against a daunting task we can play our game," USA forward David Backes said. "But this is one game? and we had to scratch and claw for everything we had.

Canada got a goal by Crosby with 3:09 remaining, and the win wasn't assured until Ryan Kesler scored an empty-netter on a diving poke of the puck.

__________________

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, USA can thank Canadian goalie for that win. Next time we met if USA makes it to the semi finals or finals with Luango on goal will be a different story.

__________________

Please don't PM me with fta related questions, ask them in open forums so others can benefit from them too.