5-3!

“We know we can beat anybody now”

- U.S. defenseman Brian Rafalski (who scored 2 goals)

Canada sought to “own the podium” in the Vancouver Olympics...now they'll be lucky if they get out of the prelims.

Last night, in one of the most anticipated matchups of the entire Games, Team USA hockey laid a beating on Canada, on their own ice, no less! It was one of the best games I've seen in a long time, full of action and great play by both teams. The Americans wore throwback uniforms commemorating the 1960 national team, the last squad to beat the Canadians before yesterday. Canada outshot the United States 45-23 yet couldn’t dent goalie Ryan Miller, as the Americans took leads into the second and third periods.

In the opening minute, the U.S. scored a statement goal, and turned away several attempts by the home team to tie the score. And even when they succeeded, Team USA went ahead again with a second goal just 25 seconds later. Canada tied the game up early in the second period, but they were trailing by the end, and fell two goals behind by the halfway point of the third. And while Sidney Crosby narrowed the gap, Ryan Kessler (a Vancouver Canuck too) made a sweet empty net goal to clinch the game, and validate his guarantee of victory...that he made in August 2009!

Some say that because three of the five U.S. goals were scored by players who have had plenty of experience shooting on Martin Brodeur, it makes sense there was an upset. Others are critical of Brodeur and mistakes he made. But the truth is, the underdogs had nothing to lose and were able to pull out a win because they had the grit and attitude. In the aftermath, Canada is benching Brodeur in favor of Roberto Luongo, who shut out Norway in their opening game, as they hope to beat Germany and keep medal hopes alive.

Here's how the brackets shook out:

Television nerds will enjoy that Team USA's upset of Canada was the second-highest rated hockey game on American television history since the Miracle on Ice and nearly beat the MSNBC ratings record for Obama's 2008 election victory.