Here, for your reading pleasure, or, displeasure, as the case may be... Is an almost minute-by-minute account of Canada's tragic loss to the USA in the 2009 World Women's Ice Hockey Championships. Read it.... and weep... I nearly did...
It's 1700 and the question on everyone’s lips is… “Who will Melanie Davidson start as goaltender for Canada?” The answer? We quickly find out it is Charline Labonte who will start in net for Canada - her first start in a world championship. The TSN commentators speculate the choice of Labonte is in recognition of her excellent performance making 22 saves during Friday’s game against the US team.
The American’s have no real choice. In the net is the indomitable Jessie Vedder.
1705 16 returning players for Canada and many veterans of past championships.
1707 Set for game action! I’m very excited…go Canada!
1709 Noooooo!! US goal by Caitlin Cahow! 24 seconds into the game… I can’t believe it…
1710 Carla McLeod was taken out as well… this is not a good start to this game. No. Not at all.
1712 Canada’s putting on pressure… But no goal yet…
1713 Labonte redeems herself – stops Potter’s shot in its tracks
1714 More good news – Carla McLeod is back on!
1718 Where is the Canadian defense? Every time Canada is in the US end, there is a swarm of white and blue around them. And yet, one after another Americans keep making breakaways into the Canadian zone. Is that their strategy? Get an early goal and then just defend, defend, defend! We’ll show them… Canada’s come to play hockey…
1721 Yet another save by Labonte – except for that first one, she’s been living up to Davidson’s faith in her.
1729 One nothing in the first, to the US. Canada keeps getting caught offside. Canada’s defense is weak. I think maybe the Americans got a real shock after Friday and went away to get stronger. Canada definitely can’t rest on its past success. This, not Friday, is the gold medal game. C’mon Canada!
1730 Labonte – good save! But, ummm… why are there like 4 goaltenders in front of the US net? Defense gone wild! Maybe though, this almost aggressive defense will block Vedder’s view. Let’s hope.
1734 Good save again Labonte – just wish you had some defensive help…
1736 So close!!! That’s what I call good hockey, Canada. Now do it again, but better.
1740 First period ended, still a big zero for Canada – I think the TSN announcers have it right; Canada was a bit nervous at the beginning of the first. They’ve sharpened up, though, and hopefully those early nerves aren’t going to cost them the game, and the gold…
1744 I think the TSN ladies might be right – the US might have been hiding their real strength with the game on Friday. It all seems quite sneaky at the moment. A little too much strategising…
1801 This game is getting hard to watch. Solidly into the second period and Canada’s defense keeps passing the puck to Americans right in front of the net! I know Labonte’s good, but you need more than a goalie to make a hockey team. C’mon Canada…
1804 GOAAAAAAL! For CANADA!!! Jennifer Botterill kicks a**! This is just what the team needed to kick that early slump. Now, it’s our game.
1807 Now Canada can’t relax. The US has really had more chances. They’re playing stronger so far. You can’t relax, Canada.
1812 That American lady… Meghan Duggan… just got a goal for the USA. Oh no… Please respond Canada. 2-1 for the US. Oh no…
1820 Glad to see some Canadians in the audience… There’s still hope and we’re cheering along with you!!
1822 Yet another Lawler shot stopped by Labonte.
1828 End of the Second period – the USA leads by one goal. I’m still optimistic. Canada needs to take a leaf out of the American book – score within the first few seconds of the period. Just score!
1833 Hate to admit it, but the American team is playing better hockey… They’re passing. They’re keeping the pressure on. They’re taking their time to scope out the shots and plan the attack.
1857 So so sad… Another US goal. Still hope, I hope. But the light is fading…
1915 A minute and a half left in the third. So sad…
1916 TSN announcer asks what’s on all of our minds: “Does Canada have any magic left here?”
1917 Thirty seconds left. The Americans are congratulating themselves, the Canadians have taken a time out. Why didn’t they do that ages ago?
1919 They’ve scored again from afar into Canada’s empty net. Oh dear
Its over: 4-1. First time back-to-back win for the USA… We’ve reluctantly just witnessed history in the making
The better team won, the Canadian team just wasn’t playing as well as the US. It pains me to say this. There need to be some changes – probably in the coaching, cause these ladies, many of them are veteran winners! They did have a good run, though. Silver is a good result and with the exception of the US, Canada destroyed their competition. Just extra impetus to tighten up and improve for Vancouver 2010. We’ll be watching, and cheering for Canada!
If you needed any more detail, you can check out the CBC's article: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/04/12/sp-canada-us.html
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