US loses heartbreaker at Worlds

Team USA rallied from a two goal deficit to tie their game with the Czech National Team (well, in honesty, 2/3 of the Czechs. The rest are playing for the Rangers) with only 5 minutes to go yesterday, only to lose the game in heartbreaking fashion. With just over a minute remaining, John Grahame was beaten by Jaroslav Bednart to secure the Czech Republic's victory and first overall in their group.

Both teams now advance to the knockout round by virtue of their 1-2 finish in group B.

Team Russia won their third game in a row to secure their position atop group D, defeating Finland, who also advanced.

No current Caps scored in either affair.

Also, I'm bitter that Vancouver wasn't able to hold on to a 2-0 lead and dropped game 4 to Anaheim last night. The Canucks didn't just take their foot off the gas in the third period, they slammed the car into reverse and backed over All-Universe Roberto Luongo, who was once again spectacular in a loss.

Although he lacks the polish that Patrick Roy had, Luongo's technique is the most accurate approximation of Roy's modified butterfly in the league. I don't expect him to dominate the way Roy did, but he's certainly adding an exclamation point to an already fantastic season in the playoffs. The chants of MVP heard throughout Vancouver's arena last night are not without merit. I can't say I'm unhappy that he's no longer in our conference. Nice trade, Keenan.