Olympic Men's Hockey 2002 Champions Team Canada
 

2002 Olympic Men's Hockey Champions Team Canada

Canada 5 United States 2
FINAL - 2002 OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

Olympic Gold Medal Final
Sunday, February 24, 2002
Salt Lake City, Utah

Canada's men's Olympic hockey team followed in their female counterparts footsteps, as they defeated the USA 5-2 to capture Olympic gold at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Canada's women's Olympic hockey team also won Olympic gold when they defeated the USA 3-2.

USA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period after Tony Amonte blasted a shot past Canadian goaltender Martin Brodeur on a 2-1 break at the 8:49 mark. Shortly after Amonte's goal, Canada replied when Paul Kariya converted a Chris Pronger cross-ice pass, tying the game at one. Just under three minutes later, Jarome Iginla knocked in a Joe Sakic pass to put Canada up 2-1 heading into the second period. Canada outshot USA 11-10 in the period.

The second period was scoreless until Brian Rafalski banked a shot off Canadian defenceman Chris Pronger at the 15:30 mark to tie the game at two. Canada would regain their lead shortly after when Joe Sakic wristed a shot through a crowd, off USA defenceman Brian Leetch and past goaltender Mike Richter giving Canada a 3-2 lead with 20 minutes to go.

Despite numerous USA attacks and pressure throughout the third period, Canada persevered and maintained their 3-2 lead until Jarome Iginla blasted a shot past Richter to give Canada some insurance. Joe Sakic added the finishing touches when he went in all alone at the 18:40 mark of the period and beat Richter to give Canada a convincing 5-2 win and an Olympic gold medal.

With the win, Canada regains the title of men's Olympic hockey champions for the first time since 1952 when the Edmonton Mercurys were crowned Olympic champions.

First Period
Goals:
08:49 USA Amonte (Weight, Poti)
14:54 CAN Kariya (Pronger, Lemieux)
18:33 CAN Iginla (Sakic, Gagné)
Penalties:
03:04 CAN Niedermayer (Interference/Obstruction)
10:03 CAN Fleury (Crosschecking/Double-échec)

Second Period
Goals:
15:30 USA Rafalski (Modano) PP/AN
18:22 CAN Sakic (Jovanovski, Blake)
Penalties:
09:27 USA Hull (Hooking/Accrocher)
10:19 USA Miller (High-sticking/Bâton-élever)
14:40 CAN MacInnnis (Interference/Obstruction)
17:30 USA Roenick (Tripping/Trébucher

Third Period
Goals:
16:01 CAN Iginla (Yzerman, Sakic)
18:40 CAN Sakic (Iginla)
Penalties:
13:43 CAN Yzerman (Tripping/Trébucher)

Shots on Goal by Canada:39
United States:33

Goaltenders:
Canada - Martin Brodeur
United States - Mike Richter