Canada downs USA in OT to win hockey gold

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Sidney Crosby scored 7:40 into overtime of a thrilling title game Sunday to give Canada a 3-2 win over the United States and the Olympic hockey gold medal.

Zach Parise produced a dramatic goal for the Americans with 25 seconds left in regulation that forced the second gold medal game overtime in the last four Olympics.

Crosby started the winning play by attempting to skate through the American defense just inside the blue line, but the puck was batted away to the corner. Jarome Iginla corralled it and snapped a quick pass to Crosby who was heading to the net to the right of goaltender Ryan Miller.

Crosby rifled a quick shot that found its way into a tiny opening between Miller and the near post.

The Canadians then launched into a celebration of their second hockey gold medal in the last three Olympics.

The win climaxed a big comeback for Canada, which was forced into overtime by Switzerland in the round-robin portion of the tournament and which lost to the United States in their final group game midway through the Olympics.

Martin Brodeur, holder of the NHL career record for victories and shutouts, was sent to the bench after the game with the Americans and was replaced by Roberto Luongo -- who backstopped the Canadians to wins over Germany, Russia, Slovakia and the United States the rest of the way.

Luongo made 34 saves Sunday, although he let the puck pop out of his glove late in regulation to keep the play alive that eventually led to Parise's tying goal.

Miller stopped 36 shots in the only loss of the tournament for the United States. The surprising Americans became the No. 1 seed in the medal round and recorded victories over Switzerland in the quarterfinals and Finland in the semifinals.

That effort came after the United States had won just one game in Turin four years ago.

Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry scored for Canada in the game's first 7:13 but the Canadians were then shut out by Miller for the next 59 minutes, 53 seconds.

Ryan Kesler scored the first United States goal with 7:16 left in the second period. The Americans were trying to win their first Olympic hockey gold medal in 30 years.