The media tried to hype up these games as the Crosby vs. Ovechkin show but that’s the last thing it was. It turned into the “North American showdown.” These two teams showed up to play and what a game they produced. That overtime goal will get more airtime than Paul Henderson’s goal from the 72 Summit series.

However, let’s not get carried away. Yes, Sidney Crosby scored one of the biggest goals in Canadian history, but watching him play during this tournament made me sicker than a Sunday morning hangover. Am I the only person in Canada that thinks he was one of Canada’s worst players? All the analysts refused to point out the fact he was a defensive liability, the whole tournament. Against the United States, Crosby was minus 3. Listening to Nick Kypreos praise him over and over again left a worst taste in my mouth than kissing a girl who’s been smoking four cigarettes.

Canada’s best forward?

By far Jonathon “Tazer” Toews. This guy shut down some of the best players in the world. When they played Russia he shut down Alex Ovechkin. When they played Slovakia he shut down Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik. Lastly and most importantly, Toews had the game of his life to win Canada the gold medal. He scored the most important “first goal” and was able to shut down the United States’ first line.

Canada’s best defencemen?

The whole crew in itself was solid but the guy that really stood out for me was Duncan Keith. His skating ability is so good that he could probably win a medal, pretty easily, in speed skating. As the tournament went deeper and deeper, Keith’s playing time kept getting higher and higher. He was as consistent as Oprah’s weight gain. The Chicago Blackhawks are lucky to have this guy locked up long-term.

Canada’s biggest hockey disappointments?

First, Martin Brodeur’s attempt to make the Toronto Blue Jays against the United States in the preliminary round, when he decided to swing at the puck like a baseball player. Brodeur never seemed to be the same after that play and was soon replaced by Roberto Luongo who led the team in net the rest of the way. Another disappointment had to be the play of Chris “Pylon” Pronger. He seemed more out of place than a redneck at a Snoop Dog concert. He was beat defensively on numerous occasions and took some costly penalties. His playing time throughout the tournament dropped which helped the team.

I was very critical of some Steve Yzerman’s picks for team Canada before the tournament, but I was proved wrong. He had the perfect mix of grinders, snipers, stay-at-home defencemen and offensive defencemen. Mike Babcock’s coaching was a perfect collaboration of calmness and discipline. Babcock played the role of a chemist, as he was able to put together the right line combinations in time to win the gold medal. Canadians all across the country should be proud of the way this team was able to perform with the pressure of the Olympics on home soil. Yet, again Canadians rule the hockey world.