Battling a talented Canadian hockey team on its home ice, the United States defeated their neighbors to the north 5-3 in a key preliminary matchup.

From ESPN.com:

The Buffalo Sabres’ Ryan Miller made 36 saves and the United States shocked host Canada 5-3 in a key preliminary hockey matchup.

“I got a lot of goal support from my boys & we really battled for each other,” Miller said.

Miller withstood an onslaught by the Canadian team in the final moments with the Americans clinging to a one-goal lead.

Devils teammates Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski led the U.S. charge. Rafalski scored two goals and Langenbrunner had a goal and an assist.

Hell yeah. This game was so fun to watch.

The win earns the United States a bye, giving them an extra day of rest. The team will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

Photo from fOTOGLIF