Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance

The Good Games

Despite Some Glitches, The U.S. Is Golden

By Lance Allan Archived Content

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Sure, it was disappointing to see the U.S. men's hockey team lose in overtime to Canada, ending the Olympics.  But after a 7th place finish in 2006, and blowing up most of the team and going with a youth movement...did you really expect the Americans to get to the gold medal game?  Apparently they didn't.  Their original plane tickets home were booked for Sunday morning...whoops!

To me, these Games were a psuedo-American Games anyway.  Held right across the border, we're friendly with Canada...and hey, with a record 37 medals in these Winter Games, it was to say hooray for the USA.

How will I remember these games?  Shani Davis, becoming the first American man to ever win back to back golds in the 1,000, and adding a silver...and having fun while doing it.

For Bode Miller, showing up and caring...and getting redemption by winning a medal of every color.

For the U.S. Women's Hockey team, representing the country with class, and falling just short against a slightly better Canadian team for gold.

For Alyson Dudek, the Hales Corners native winning a bronze in her first Olympic short track speedskating go-around...and at 19-years-old, she has such a bright future...watch out for her in Sochi.

For Shaun White, showing us that you can have your own private half-pipe...and win gold while having the time of your life.

For the USA 4-man bobsled team and the Nordic Combined duo of Billy Demong and Johnny Spillane....showing that even if you haven't done anything in decades, who says you can't win now.

For Evan Lysacek, proving that doing something with class is a winning trait that's rewarded over sniping and a sour attitude any day.

For Lindsey Vonn, toughing it out and delivering one gold under difficult circumstances.

For the Norwegian men's curling team...those pants will not be forgotten any time soon.

Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com