Snap Shots

Game Day

Three Stars

Well Said

"I loved what (1980) did for myself and others my age. It clearly broke the barrier for American hockey." - U.S. team captain Chris Chelios

Americans pleased with silver

Though they were beaten in the final game of the Olympics, the Americans viewed their silver medal-winning performance as more of an accomplishment than a disappointment. They felt they lost a close, hard-fought game that brought credit to themselves, their country and their sport.

And if they had to lose?

Well, the importance of the victory to Canadians wasn't lost on their neighbors.

"Canada was just better," Jeremy Roenick wrote in a diary for the Philadelphia Daily News. "They probably will still be singing and dancing up there as you read this. They put their heart and soul into the hockey game."

Herb Brooks, the coaching architect of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," attempted to re-work the magic but had to settle for second. Brooks felt that his team had the harder game in their semifinal against Russia than Canada did against Belarus.

"I would just like to have seen these guys have their legs under them," Brooks said. "That Russian game just drained us."

The Americans also suffered the loss of power forward Keith Tkachuk who suffered a thigh bruise last week when checked by Russian defenseman Vladimir Malakhov. Tkachuk played only a few minutes yesterday. The Canadians had more success clearing in front of their net than if Tkachuk had played.

Olympics Today Snap Shots is a round-up of news and views from media outlets across North America and is published every weekday. The opinions expressed in Snap Shots are not necessarily those of the NHL. Compiled by John McGourty Monday, Feb. 25, 2002

2002 Olympics coverage

"Like I said, we did not lose to a bunch of scrubs," Roenick said. "We lost to the best players in the world. Bar none. And you could tell they needed it. You could tell in the way that they played they were eager to win. It seemed like 50 years of emotion was pent-up because they were flying out there."

Many of the American players were near or over the age of 30 and were inspired by the 1980 team. Some, like 40-year-old captain Chris Chelios, who played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, are unlikely to return to Olympic competition. Others might be young enough but it hasn't been determined if NHL players will compete in 2006 at Turin, Italy.

Chelios didn't think yesterday's game was a proving ground or test for American hockey. Too many of his teammates have had stellar NHL careers for anyone to think Americans can't play the game. For this generation of players, the 1996 World Cup, in which the United States defeated Canada in the final at Montreal, was their statement of authenticity.

"Overall, we had a great tournament," Chelios said. "It's a great accomplishment, winning the silver medal. We're all proud of that, as disappointed as we were with not winning the gold. ? I don't know if I'll be back, but it's been a good run with USA Hockey for myself, and if this is the way it ended, it's a great way to end it for me."

Chelios was disappointed with the American performance four years ago but now feels a part of handing down the American hockey tradition as it was from the 1960 team to the 1980 team. America's hockey elders can be assured the torch has been responsibly handed on.

"I loved what (1980) did for myself and others my age," Chelios said. "It clearly broke the barrier for American hockey. I don't think we disappointed anybody in that sense. For USA hockey, and for kids especially, what a great tournament we had, and what a thrilling finish it was."

"Maybe it's time for that next generation coming up now," Brooks said. "This group has had a tremendous run. They've done so well for American hockey in the NHL. Their ability to influence the American hockey movement has been immense."

As his players said throughout the tournament, Brooks always knows just what to say.

Unknown obstacle awaits Canada
-- George Johnson, Edmonton Journal, Feb. 25, 2002

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