Sports Sunday For 2/21/10: Invasion- Miller, Rafalski Lead Us To Big Win Over Crosby, Canada

Photo from Getty Images' Julie Jacobson

Brian Rafalski's two goal, one assist performance and Ryan Miller's outstanding goaltending has given the U.S. a massive 5-3 over home nation Canada in the preliminary round of men's hockey at 2012 Winter Olympics.

The former New Jersey Devil set the tempo for the night by scoring just 41 seconds into the contest. Little did anyone know that the Americans would never trail in this contest.

That startling detail was thanks in part to Miller outperforming Rafalski's former club teammate, the great Martin Brodeur. The Buffalo Sabres keeper was superb in handling the likes of Sidney Crosby and Jerome Iginla, though the latter far from resembled his world class goal scoring form making him one of the NHL's best forwards in the last decade.

That lack of finishing for Canada, along with the obvious pressure of being the host nation, was too much for Mike Babcock's team to handle. And discussion will be bubbling throughout the Canuck nation as to whether Roberto Luongo should replace Brodeur in net for the rest of the tournament after the legendary net-minder failed to live up to his historic best.

Remember though, this is the final match in the preliminary stage where a devastating defeat for Canada is not armageddon for them. And maybe earning a "Bye" for the way they've played their last two games would have been a little undeserved.

But now Crosby & company, the slight tournament favorites over Russia, will now have to win four straight games instead of three to prevent a major disappointment. The intense pressure on this unit will go up even a few notches more after this result of losing to their bitter border rivals.

Meanwhile, no one will cast the US as just a dangerous dark horse anymore. And though the expectations will be placed on them now to win this Olympic gold, this group of young players mixed in with established veterans Rafalski and Chris Drury will not back down from that lofty goal.

Especially after tonight's performance.