VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Canada already had won the gold medal count in the 2010 Olympics.
But that would have meant little to most of the country without the 14th gold, which it got Sunday with a 3-2 OT victory over the United States in the men's gold medal hockey game.
They did in overtime on a goal by the man with the most pressure to deliver, NHL superstar Sidney Crosby. It came 7:40 into a sudden death overtime which the teams were playing 4 on 4.
"Our team worked so unbelievably hard," Crosby said. "Today was really tough, especially when they got a goal late in regulation. But we came back and got it in overtime."
Photo: Canada's Sidney Crosby scores the game-winner. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Crosby first knocked the puck free from Brian Rafalski on the left boards and it rolled to Jarome Iginla, who was being knocked down when he got it across to Crosby, who slipped a 15-footer between Miller's legs, setting off wild celebrations across the country.
Crosby actually had been struggling much of the game, with more turnovers than shots.
Canada out shot the US 7-4 in the overtime.
With Canada less than a minute away from celebrating the gold medal, Zach Parise -- the son of a player who figured in Canada's finest hockey moment -- tied it with goalie Ryan Miller off the ice for an extra attacker.
With less than a half minute remaining and Miller out of the net and off the ice for an extra attacker, Patrick Kane took a shot from the high slot that deflected off Jamie Langenbrunner to Parise, who shot it off Canadian goalie Roberto Luongo's blocker and into the net.
Parise is the son of J.P. Parise, who scored two goals for that 1972 Canada Summit Series team.
Three minutes before Parise scored, Kane -- who also set up Ryan Kesler's goal in the second period -- knocked the puck off Crosby's stick on a breakaway that would have sealed it for Canada.
"It stings right now," said Miller, who made 33 saves after giving up only a goal per game in the first five games.
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Hate Canada lol
Great game by both countries, i am from Canada i have 40 family members living in Chicago and have been coming to Chicago since 1966 and i just want to say you are warm friendly people and Chicago is a beautiful city best in the world as far as this canuck is concerned, go Blackhawkes win that cup!!
Great game, I think the 4 on 4 overtime should be changed to a regular 5 on 5 for the Gold Medal game, would have been better if both teams could have played their regular lines during the overtime. This game was an instant all time great game. Congrates to Team Canada.
@Bob McPherson: do you suffer brain damage?