Canada vs USA Ice Hockey Betting – Olympic Gold Match brings old foes back together

Canada vs. USA ice hockey betting will be through the roof on Sunday, as the two nations have to go at it all over again. The two sides met in the group stages of the Olympics, which the Americans, the firm underdogs, won out by a score of 5-3. That sent the Canadian nerves jittering, as their neighbours had simply outworked their superstar laden team from the Olympic host nation. After being taken to overtime by Switzerland too in the group stages, there were worries over a repeat of the last Olympics where the Canadian Ice Hockey team crashed and burned badly after starting as favourites.

The defeat against the Americans sent the Canadians into a quarter final showdown against the much fancied Russians (after they had easily won a quarter final play-off against Germnay), who have just as many superstar players as the Canadians. The downfall of having so many star players, is that it sometimes comes at the expense of teamwork, which is exactly what won the match for the Americans over the Canadians. But, in a blitz of a first period, the Canadians brushed aside the Russians, notably tying up Alexander Ovechkin, who is arguably the best ice hockey player in the world. The Canadians then went into the semi final full of confidence, but were brought down to earth again by Slovakia. After stretching out to a 3-0 lead, the Canadians started faltering, allowing the Slovaks to get score two goals to get within touching distance. It should have all been tied up right at the end, but Pavel Demitra missed in what only can be described as an inexplicable manner.

The USA had little trouble seeing off their semi final opponents Finland, after a storming first period. Team USA ran out 6-1 winners to coast into the Olympic final, somewhat against the odds. Unlike the Canadians, the American team is a very youthful one, as they have for young talent over experienced heads. They don’t have the pound for pound skill or class that the Canadians have, but they have a great hustle to their game on the forecheck, which has been disruptive for other teams. Thinking of betting strategies on this one, one wonders if the underdog can have their day twice in the same tournament over the favourites? The Canadians are blowing hot and cold, but they have the power and talent in the likes of Sidney Crosby, Rick Nash, Jerome Iginla and Joe Thornton to tear the Americans apart.

It could all come down to teamwork, something which the Canadians have been lacking. But if it comes down to a moment of sheer class to win a high pressured match between these two fiercest of rivals, then the betting will lean towards the Canadians. Will the home nation be frost bitten twice? Will they have learned their lessons from the first encounter? Sunday’s Olympic Gold Medal match will have all of the answers, and if the previous match was anything to go by, it should not be short on action and passion.

Canada to win: 1/2 at Coral
USA to win: 15/8 at SkyBet