CBC-Sports

No miracle on ice for this U.S. team, but maybe a medal

February 11, 2010 12:09 PM | Posted by   Mike Milbury  

As we approach the Vancouver Olympics, it seems as if Canada can only disappoint by not winning a gold medal. Not so, of course, for the U.S. squad.

Expectations for the club according to most observers are relatively modest. And a peek at the roster seems to confirm that this team doesn't seem that have the clout necessary to climb the podium.

No one can argue that Ryan Miller is having a boffo season. His numbers are outstanding. Still, after a great start, his club has tailed considerably. Tim Thomas is now considered to be Boston's No. 2 goaltender behind Tuuka Rask. And while Jonathan Quick has backstopped a surging Kings club, he clearly doesn't have familiarity with the glare of the spotlight.

Goaltending should be good enough with Miller, but the alternative choices should he falter are not solid at the moment. U.S. coach Ron Wilson sees the handwriting on the wall and has anointed Miller as his guy for the tournament.

The blue-line is even more shaky. Brian Rafalski has the pedigree to be the go to guy for Team USA but there are a lot of miles on the odometer. Paul Martin and Mike Komisarek are out with injuries, which in the later case, might be a bit of a blessing. Komisarek had yet to find his stride with the Leafs. Brooks Orpik brings a physical presence and latecomer Ryan Whitney brings a passing element to the power play, but little defensive jam. Ryan Suter is pretty good two-way player but not to be confused with Scott Niedermayer.

Things get shakier after that. Erik and Jack Johnson are promising players but too inexperienced to be thrust into the Olympic cauldron and expected to be major forces. All in all, a fair lot. But considering the opponents, hardly intimidating either offensively or defensively.

Up front, Zach Parise, Patrick Kane and Phil Kessel will provide some punch, but this is not a big group of guys. Joe Pavelski is beginning to emerge as a solid second-line guy. Ryan Malone and Paul Stastny have some offensive knack. Dustin Brown and Jamie Langenbrunner will be considered leaders of the group along with an underachieving Chris Drury. The rest of the group: David Backes, Ryan Kesler, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Callahan are all solid players, but clearly not of the superstar variety.

Wilson only needs to scan the Canadian and Russian rosters before he has to reach for the Pepto Bismol. Both are flooded with nuclear offensive warheads and multiple options in goal. The Canadian defence can only be considered vulnerable if Niedermayer doesn't snap out of his on-again/off-again slump. Fat chance.

No miracle in sight for this American group. They have a chance at the bronze if they can adopt a disciplined counterpunching style, with big stops throughout by Miller and highly effective special teams play.

So rest a little easier, my Canadian friends. The Yanks are coming to Vancouver, but they are only packing a six-shooter, not a bazooka.

If you want to worry, think about the other team in red and the defending champs from Sweden.

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