Team Canada hangs on to defeat Team Slovakia - Men's Olympic Hockey

Team Canada defeated Team Slovakia to head on to the gold medal game against Team USA on Sunday.  After being lulled into complacency, Team Canada barely hung on to win the game after a late push by Slovakia.  Lubomir Visnovsky of the Edmonton Oilers scored an unassisted goal to lead the late charge by Slovakia.  Pavel Demitra's shot was deflected by Roberto Luongo and hit the post which provided quite a scare for Canadian hockey fans.

For much of the game, Team Slovakia appeared completely unable to generate any offense.  With a three-goal deficit in the third period itself, it appeared as though Team Slovakia had capitulated completely.  Many Candanian fans were already thinking ahead to Sunday's game against Team USA with this game seemingly in the books.  However, it ended up being a nail-biter with Team Canada on their heals just barely able to get the win tonight.

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Team Canada Hockey sends the Russians Home!  Score 7-3!!!

Ra Ra Rasputin!!!

Game Preview:  Team Canada vs. Team USA - 2010 Vancouver Olympic preliminary round - Canada Hockey Place - 5:30 PM MT - CBC

Team Canada (1-0-1-0) will play Team USA (2-0-0-0) tonight at Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver.  With the current tournament format, it's the last preliminary game for both teams.  The winner of this game will get a bye to quarter finals while the loser will have to compete for one of the four remaining quarter final spots.

Team Canada dispatched Team Norway by a score of 8-0.  However, Team Canada was forced into a shootout by Team Switzerland, narrowly escaping with only 2 of 3 possible points with the winning shootout goal from Sidney Crosby.  From this game alone, it's clear that anything can happen with this type of tournament format.  As well, despite looking like one of the best teams ever assembled on paper, Team Canada struggled against a squad with just two regular NHL players.  Will this be a wake up call for Team Canada or is it a sign that Team Canada isn't as good on the ice as it is on paper?

Team Canada defeats Team Switzerland in group 'A' at the men's Olympic Hockey Tournament

First, there are two implications of tonight's shootout win against Team Switzerland.  Ultimately, if Team Canada is able to defeat Team USA in the next game, it won't affect them advancing to the quarter finals.  The top four ranked teams after the preliminaries receive a bye to the quarter finals while the remaining 8 teams compete for one of the remaining four quarter final positions.

However, this close game against Team Switzerland might portend some difficulties down the road for Team Canada when they play against the top-ranked teams in the tournament.  As well, with Team Canada winning in the shootout instead of regulation time, they are credited with 2 points instead of the usual 3 points in this tournament format for the win.

Sidney Crosby scored the clutch shootout goal for Team Canada on his second attempt while Martin Brodeur made four of four saves in the shootout for Team Canada's win.

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