Canada crushed Sweden in the women's gold medal game. It was never even close, as Canada scored the first of four unanswered goals just under four minutes into the game. I wish Sweden could have kept it close, but Canada is just too good. Had the US defeated Sweden for the right to play this game, I don't think the final result would have been any different. Team USA lacked the heart necessary to not only defeat Sweden, but to defeat Canada. Canada showed up to do one thing in Turino, take home the gold. They played with heart and determination, and they deserved to win.

Sweden made huge strides, winning the silver, but I am now questioning whether women's hockey should be an event in the Olympics. I hope that the European programs finally find the talent in 2010 in Vancouver, because I would hate to see this sport disappear, but that's what will happen if women's hockey continues to be a two team, and in this Olympics, a one team sport.

I am glad team USA got it together to defeat Finland for the bronze earlier today. This time, they won decisively, 4-0. Where was that heart when they played Sweden? The fact is, they had to show up and win that medal, because going home empty handed would have meant disgrace. There is no shame in losing to a hot goalie, but there will always be questions about this team. The power struggle behind the scenes which led to the coach leaving veteran captain Cammi Granato off the roster leaves many more questions about the future of the program. Word is this coach is done.

If that's the case, then perhaps there is hope for 2010, hope that whomever the key veteran leader is at that point, she will still be the key veteran leader going into that Olympics. Canada kept it's veterans, for this team. Canada had a 40 year old former first line player playing on the third line. Granato would have been a 34 year old player playing on the third line. It just doesn't make sense. It's sad, really. I don't know that a Granato lead USA could have defeated this Canadian team, but it would have been a hell of a game, and a hell of a story. A positive story.

<sub>Will Eisner's last work - The Plot: The Secret Story of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion
RDCW Profile

"Well, as it happens, I wrote the damned SOP," Illescue half snarled, "and as of now, you can bar those jackals from any part of this facility until Hell's a hockey rink! Is that perfectly clear?!" - Dr. Franz Illescue - Honor Harrington: At All Costs

"I don't know what I'm do, or how I do, I just do." - Alexander Ovechkin</sub>