Canadian women win gold in unbelievable game

I have made many flawed Olympic predictions, but I nailed one: This will have been the best hockey game at the Sochi Olympics.

It was one of the best hockey games I have ever seen.

For most of the game, the story was how good the Americans were at blocking shots and stifling Canada's offence. After scoring in the second period and early in the third, the USA was leading Canada 2-0 late in the game.

Canada's comeback could not have been better if it was scripted. Brianne Jenner scored Canada's first goal with 3:26 left in the game.

With the Canadian goalie pulled, the referee accidentally obstructed a Canadian player at the blue-line in the American end causing the puck to go all the way down the ice and off the Canadian post.

The game almost ended there.

With less then a minute left Marie-Philip Poulin scored to force overtime.

In overtime, the US came on strong, but were foiled by some outstanding play by Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados.

After American forward Hilary Knight took down Haley Wickenheiser on a breakaway, Canada was awarded a powerplay.

Following some crisp passing by the Canadians in the offensive zone, Poulin scored her second goal of the game earning Canada the gold medal.

There was some controversy in this game.

Officials gave penalties to both the Canadians and the Americans in the first two periods, and it seemed neither team understood how much physicality they could get away with.

In overtime Canadian Catherine Ward received a penalty for clearing an American player away from the Canadian net with a crosscheck. Six seconds later officials called American Jocelyne Lamoureux after what seemed like an inconsequential slash to Szabados' pad and stick. The call on Lamoureux reeked of the officials trying to even up penalties.

Knight's cross-checking penalty on Wickenheiser will likely be scrutinized for a long time to come. There was clearly no cross-check on the play, and Wickenheiser fell after Knight's skates clipped her own.

Whether it was even a penalty is debatable, but since Wickenheiser had a clear breakaway, if a penalty was called, a penalty shot should have been awarded.

No matter what your allegiance, you have to feel some compassion for the American women. After blowing a two goal lead and losing in overtime, much of the team was in tears as they received their silver medals. Many pundits predicted the American women to win the tournament, and for long-time members such as Julie Chu, this may have been their last chance at Olympic gold.

Despite the controversy and heartbreak, this was an incredible game that showcased the skill, speed and intensity of women's hockey's two best teams. This game was a classic, and hopefully will lead to more girls signing up to play hockey all over the world.