Canada fired up for second ice hockey crack at USA

The highly-anticipated gold medal match will be arguably the biggest international game on Canadian soil since the 1972 Summit Series the hosts played against the Soviet Union.

The entire nation stopped 38 years ago to watch as the countries played eight games, including four matches in Canada before the teams headed overseas for another four games in the Soviet Union where Canada won the series.

Once again the nation has galvanized itself behind its beloved hockey team as Canada carves its way through the Vancouver tournament.

Unlike most of his players, Canadian coach Mike Babcock is old enough to remember the Summit Series and so understands the magnitude of Sunday's match.

"It is a special, special thing," said Babcock, who coached the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008.

"What I know from the teams that I coached that have won championships is that if you win together then you walk together forever.

"You remember those guys because you have done something special. Here is an opportunity of a lifetime and we want to make good on it."

The win over the Russians in '72 was Canada's Miracle on Ice. Now Canada is hoping to become the first team to win the Olympics on home soil since the Americans thrilling 1980 Lake Placid triumph.

The Americans other Olympic gold medal also came on home soil in 1960 in Squaw Valley where they beat Canada 2-1.

Canada won its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years with a 5-2 win over the USA at the 2002 Salt Lake Games. The same teams met earlier in this tournament in the preliminary round with the Americans coming out on top 5-3.

"It is one game for the gold medal and we owe this team something because they got the better of us in the preliminary round," said Canadian forward Brenden Morrow.

"They probably have something against us from 2002.

"So there are lots of little things within this game. At the end of the day it is two teams going for a gold medal and pouring their hearts out for it."

Said Robyn Regehr, who played in the 2006 Turin Olympics for Canada and was asked to try out for the 2010 team, "If the Americans win they will probably make another movie about it so we want to see that doesn't happen."

Forward Ryan Getzlaf said the Americans were underdogs to begin with but have improved since they beat Canada a week ago.

"That was a wake-up call for us," Getzlaf said. "A lot of people ruled (USA) out at the start. They came in and played really hard but we are going to be ready for it."

Babcock, who lives in Detroit, tells his players to not lose sight of why they are here.

"There are lots of great memories over the years of hockey and winning," he said.

"The Americans have the Miracle (on Ice). My kids watch that and they think it is great. I don't think it is that great.

"Sports is a funny thing. You never know when you are going to get this chance again."

Canadian forward Jonathan Toews said he was going to get ready for Sunday's game by spending a relaxing evening in the athlete's village.

"We are going to play the game of our lives," said Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks. "There is no reason to go crazy mentally and overthink the game. I plan to be ready for the drop of the puck."

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