Miller Wins Olympic MVP

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Amid the celebrations that erupted as Canada won ice hockey gold on Sunday most people probably did not notice who won the media's vote as the tournament's most valuable player -- American Ryan Miller.

The U.S. goalie was on the wrong end of the overtime 3-2 final loss to Canada, his only defeat of the Games, and finished with a silver medal around his neck.

"We should be proud of what we accomplished, but everyone is a little disappointed," Miller told reporters as he headed to the locker-room at Canada Hockey Place, the pain of the loss etched on his face.

The 29-year-old Miller, who plays for the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, took the role of top goaltender in a U.S. Olympic team that went for youth in a bid to put them on the podium after a disappointing showing in Turin four years ago.

"We have a group that skates very well so you can take chances, and we're backed up by arguably the best goalie in the world," U.S. coach Ron Wilson said.

Miller was beaten in overtime by Canadian sniper Sidney Crosby with a shot the Pittsburgh Penguins forward admitted he did not know had gone in until the crowd erupted.

"I'd been aggressive all tournament, and (thought) maybe I'd try to surprise Sidney. But he got himself set up quicker than I thought. He got himself squared around to shoot quicker than I thought," Miller said.

Miller got some sympathy from Roberto Luongo, who was in goal for Canada.

"I've seen that release (by Crosby) before and it's hard to pick up," Luongo said.

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Kiprusoff Takes Bronze at Olympics

Miikka Kiprusoff said he wouldn't be coming to the Olympics unless hes the number one starting goalie. After Fridays loss against the US where Kiprusoff let in 4 goals on 7 shots, we were unsure if Kipper would be back between the pipes for the bronze medal game against the Slovaks on Saturday. They started Kipper and he really payed off. He played stellar where he turned away 19 of 22 shots in their 5-3 win over Slovakia. Overall Kipper had a great tournament and it will be one that he will never forget.

Luongo Exited To get the Start Against Germany

Team Canada goalie Roberto Luongo is said to be playing in tonight's game against Germany. Luongo has already played one game so far and has posted a shutout stopping 15 shots. Martin Brodeur played the next game against the US where they lost 5-3 facing 22 shots and letting in 4 goals. Head Coach Mike Babcock wasn't very impressed with Brodeur. Luongo claims to be pumped up and exited to be playing in such a big game.

The rumor had it that the only game Luongo would play in would be the first one against Norway because it's his home rink but now it's very possible that luongo will be filling the net for the rest of the Olympics. Luongo has always been just behind Brodeur for the Olympics and now he is stepping up and above him.

Roberto Luongo Sharp for Team Canada

Team Canadas head coach Mike Babcock decided that he would give Roberto Luongo the first start in goal for the 2010 Olympics versus team Norway. Canada Won 8-0 with Luongo taking a shutout. This home town hero only faced 15 shots on goal but made some great saves on his home ice surface. "I think obviously there was much more electricity in the air" said Canucks captain Roberto Luongo.

Coming into the game I'm sure that Luongo was feeling confident because just on February 11th he played the Florida Panthers and won 3-0, facing 31 shots and taking home his fourth shutout of the season. We are currently unsure of the next appearance Luongo will be making in the Olympics.

Team Canada 2010 Olympic Goalies

The top 5 Canadian goalies got a tryout for this years 2010 men's Olympic hockey team. They were: Martin Brodeur, Cam Ward, Steve Mason, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Roberto Luongo. On Wednesday they had to make their final choice and narrow it down to the top 3 netminders. They decided to go with Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, and Marc-Andre Fleury.

They all put on a great show at camp but those three goalies have been a little better this year than the others.

Martin Brodeur: 27 Wins, 2.14 GAA, 0.922 SV%, 5 Shutouts

Roberto Luongo: 22 Wins, 2.27 GAA, 0.920 SV%, 2 Shutouts

Marc-Andre Fleury: 22 Wins, 2.58 GAA, 0.905 SV%, 0 Shutouts

Goalies for the 2010 Olympic U.S.A. Mens Hockey Team

The battle for the top spot for the U.S.A. men's Olympic hockey team was a tough choice with so many contenders playing at the top of their game. They picked 3 goalies and 1 alternate goalie just in case someone gets injured.

These goalies are 35 year old Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins, 29 year old Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, and 24 year old Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings. Their alternate goalie is Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche.

Tim Thomas: 12 wins, 2.31 GAA, 0.921 SV%, 4 Shutouts

Ryan Miller: 23 wins, 2.02 GAA, 0.934 SV%, 5 Shutouts

Jonathan Quick: 23 wins, 2.56 GAA, 0.907 SV%, 0 Shutouts

Goalies Battling For 2010 Olympic Spot

There is a lot of talk about which goalies will be picked for the 2010 Team Canada Olympic spot. It seems that they have narrowed it down to 5 goalies. These goalies are Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Steve Mason, Cam Ward, and Marc-Andre Fleury. All five of these goalies have their pros and cons.

Martin Brodeur- He has a lot of experience and has led Team Canada to a gold medal before. Some people say hes past his prime and getting washed up.

Roberto Luongo- He has a couple of gold medals from Team Canada Experiences and has always been playing great but this season he hasn't proved anything yet.

Steve Mason- He led his team to a gold medal at the World Juniors and won rookie of the year. He has proves himself to be one of the best in the NHL.

Cam Ward- He has one gold medal with Team Canada under his belt and has always been reliable but not so much this season.

Marc-Andre Fleury- Marc-Andre Fleury has always been great in goal, he has 2 silver medals with Team Canada and since winning the cup last year he has really been playing well.

All of these goalies are great goalies and it would be very hard to pick a specific one. I think that they all have an equal shot at making the team.

Craig Anderson with a Shot at Team USA?

Colorado's goaltender Craig Anderson is by far one of the best goalies in the NHL right now. He was standing on Vancouver soil on Sunday night and should be here again later on this month for another game between the Canucks and Avalanche and then aren't scheduled to visit Vancouver till April. But I don't think Anderson would mind coming back in between for the Olympics as the team USA goaltender. Anderson, whom Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called "the best player in the NHL right now" and who was named the NHL's first star for October on Monday, would love to make a side trip to the Winter Olympics as a goalie for Team USA.