The Meaning of the Word Epic

epic - (n) a long, poem, book, or film about heroic events or actions - (adj) very impressive or ambitious

First, it was one of the most epic games of hockey I have ever seen in my life.

Second, I had a feeling before the game even started that this was where it would end. And even when Jordan Eberle decided that he was going to try to win it all by himself, I still had this feeling that the magic wasn't there; that Canada wasn't going to pull this one out as they had many times before.

The problem was that Canada had it too easy this year. Walking over Latvia, Switzerland, and Slovakia by a combined score of 30-2 only lulled this team into a false sense of security. On the New Years Eve matchup with real competition, it was clear that they were not up to par, winning the game in the last 10 minutes on sheer will. I wanted to believe they could make it six in a row, but in the back of my mind I knew it would end here.

That said, what a game. The third period was one of those rare 20 minutes that literally kept me on the edge of my seat, and when Eberle tied the game the roar I let loose was probably heard blocks away as I jumped up and high fived my friends. Even though the outcome was not what I and millions of other Canadians wanted, it was still one of the best games I have seen in the World Junior Hockey Championship.

It was a great run, initiated by the best team that Canada has ever sent to the WJHC and capped off by some of the most determined young hockey players I have ever seen. Even though it is over, I'm confident that another will begin as the next wave takes their turn at this tournament.

I give full marks to the US. They were the better team as evidenced by the fact that they outplayed Canada in essentially 100 of the 120+ minutes that the two sides faced off against each other. They were more skilled, faster, and in the end, got the clutch goaltending that they needed. More importantly, when the fierce Canadian charge came late in the game that counted, they didn't break. When they broke earlier in the tournament, facing the same charge late in the game, they held their ground when it mattered. They deserved to win.

I am very happy to see Swiss goaltender Benjamin Conz win the top goaltender award for the tournament. I watched the Switzerland/Russia quarter final and Conz was nothing short of spectacular in that game. He singlehandedly stole that game. As I watched I knew in the back of my mind that if Switzerland could somehow take the lead in the third, they would win the game. He had the kind of game where you could just tell that he would somehow win. Maybe it's my goalie sense, but every so often I get a feeling that a goalie is in a zone and isn't going to allow his team to lose. I had that feeling in that game. His effort in that game and throughout the tournament, on an underdog team missing team Olympic calibre defensemen after their first game, can be summed in one word: epic.

All in all, another great tournament. Epic.

-matt