NHL Players Defeat Other NHL Players in Ice Hockey Game

Nation Stands Still for "Miracle on Ice"

By Jeremy Strauss
Editor-in-Chief

VANCOUVER, BC -- The Olympics are a time for pride in one's country. Yesterday, all American eyes were on the U.S. Men's Hockey team as they battled Team Canada in a non-NHL game of ice hockey.

The result was an absolutely miraculous 5-3 victory for the USA, proving that if some NHL players play on one side and some play on another, the outcome of the game, although sometimes improbable, may favor the less-favored side.

"It was sort of like if the Carolina Hurricanes had beaten the Detroit Red Wings," said U.S. Coach Ron Wilson. "Kind of unlikely, but since they're all professional players playing in the same league, it's really not that amazing."

Indeed, fans across the nation marveled at how such an incredible upset -- which featured players from the New York Rangers actually beating players from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets -- could take place.


U.S. goalie Ryan Miller silences opponents he sees for a living -- literally.

"I didn't like hockey before, but now I do because it really shows how far our country has come," said Paul Hendrix of Portland, ME. "This game just means so much more. It's a miracle. They've been talking about it on Sports Center all day.

"This is way better than the NHL," he added.

The U.S. team was touted as an underdog from the start of the Olympics, a classification that evoked memories of the 1980 team that upset the Soviets in what has become known as the "Miracle on Ice." Now, some are calling yesterday's victory -- which took several NHL players, placed them on teams, and transported them to Vancouver during a period of about two weeks -- a second "miracle."

"It's really special for the fans," said U.S. player Chris Drury, who has a whopping ten goals in 57 games for the New York Rangers this season, but somehow managed to "step up" for yesterday's contest. "Beating those NHL players was one of the most exciting moments of my career."


U.S. Players celebrate after scoring on Canada's Martin Brodeur, something done quite often in the National Hockey League

"Everyone's saying they can't believe we lost," said Canada's Sidney Crosby. "I don't really see how it's that hard to believe."

What's next for the U.S. team? A bye into the medal round, which will surely feature more games against teams comprised of NHL players.