This Olympic loss doesn't hurt as much

As this is written, it has been a little over two hours since the great game ended. Canada nudged the USA, 3-2, in overtime in the Gold Medal Game in the Olympics before a roaring, adoring crowd in Vancouver. As so happens in these cases, the winning play was a bit of a fluke. A puck bounced an official's skate right to a Canadian player, who forwarded it to Sidney Crosby, who has the fastest wrists since Hank Aaron's heyday. Crosby did what he does best ... and the party was on.

But some losses don't hurt too much. Oh, it would have been grand if the USA, a huge underdog that dumped the Canadians fair and square a week ago, had won the game. They made a noble comeback, stunning the hometowners with a goal in the final minute of play to force OT.

But the beauty of this sport is the game wasn't going to end in a tie. You play to win and the locals made the right play. There was nothing the Americans could do but shake the winner's hand, wish them well and head home.

Hockey is a misunderstood sport by many because, at times, it is played crudely. Then there are times -- and this game was one of them -- where its majesty is there for all to see. Both goalies were superb today. The passing was excellent, the hits were solid and clean and the defenses were stout. There was constant plays and counterplays. Canada's early 2-0 lead looked safe and shaky at the same time. And just when the hometown crowd thought they could exhale their breath, the Americans made a remarkable play to force bonus overtime.

In the end, the sport may turn out to be the biggest winner. When the game is played as it was today, even the nonfans stopped what they were doing to watch. Losing is ... well ... disappointing and frustrating. But today was the rare game when the losing team had no reason whatsoever to question anything they did. They did everything they could but win. Deep down inside, one suspects most of the players probably know this already. But it needed to be said publicly anyway.