(WGR 550) -- The Canadian slogan for the Vancouver games was "With Glowing Hearts," a shining nod to a proud song. The American hockey team may have fallen at the hands of the favorites on Sunday in British Columbia, but it's a phrase from the Yanks' anthem that'll ring in my head once the bitterness of defeat dissolves.

The home of the brave.

For the States and Ryan Miller, they'll go down as hard-luck losers, but it's so much more than that. This edition of USA Hockey was what everyone wants an American product to be: able to rise above expectations and show absolutely no quit until something nearly indomitable comes along, and that was Canada.

In times of athletic heartbreak, it's best to keep it short and sweet, but let's salute Sunday's gold medal game between the United States and Canada for what it was: a true brilliant moment for sport.

With the exception of the States losing -- and that's a mighty big exception -- it's nearly impossible to draw up a better contest. The host nation giving away a two-goal lead only to have it salvaged by its finest product ripping a neat, low wrister past a goaltender who had been nearly unbeatable all tournament long.

I've got a lot of dislike for Sidney Crosby, but you can't take anything away from The Kid. A lesser man could've played the role of shrinking violet after being caught on a breakaway by a backchecking Patrick Kane, but Crosby kept moving. His game-winning goal had a feeling of inevitability. If the Yanks had pulled off the upset, you'd half-expect Chris Pronger to say, "...and we would've gotten it done if not for those meddling kids!"

Kane showed everyone something. The much-maligned forward -- for his off-ice activities -- showed brilliance in a high-pressure setting, registering two assists in addition to his aforementioned defensive work on Crosby. In fact, there are a whole batch of new hockey stars for the States in Jersey's Zach Parise, St. Louis' David Backes and Anaheim's Bobby Ryan.

The Canadians at the rink showed a great deal of class in cheering the brilliant backstopping of silver medalist Miller, who posted a 5-1 mark and only allowed eight goals -- six to Canada -- in the six games he played. And I only imagine that Wednesday's home return of the Sabres will feature the sort of rousing ovation reserved for national athletic heroes when Miller is announced as (presumably) starting goaltender for Buffalo.

He'll deserve it. Go States.

Email: nick@wgr550.com