Phil Sheridan: Reality check from GM on U.S. hockey

VANCOUVER - We interrupt Team USA hockey-mania for this buzz-kill from Brian Burke.

"They don't hand out any medals for finishing first in the preliminary round," Burke, the man who assembled the American team, growled yesterday. "We had a bunch of guys not perform to the level we need if we're going to have success. No one's taking any bows now. I am not pleased with how we've played to this point. It's nice we got to this position. If we don't crank it up, it all goes for nothing."

The day after Team USA's feel-good win over the favored squad from the host nation, Burke turned himself into a human hangover remedy. His intentions seemed clear. He didn't want his youngish team resting on the considerable laurel of consigning Sidney Crosby and Co. into a classification game against Germany today.

It has been a brutal month for Burke. His youngest son, Brendan, was killed in a car accident in Indiana on Feb. 5, a week before the opening ceremony. As general manager of this squad, the older Burke already had been pilloried for his approach. He selected a next-generation team of younger, faster players, with a couple of veterans dotting the roster for leadership purposes.

Sunday night, those decisions looked ingenious. Veterans Brian Rafalski and Chris Drury played key roles. Goalie Ryan Miller looked like the best decision of all.

But as beautiful as the game was, Burke saw mostly warts.

"We got outchanced, 2-to-1," Burke said. "Our goaltender stole us a game. That's what happened. People can say that Canada didn't play well. I disagree with that. They outchanced us. I thought that, except for the goaltending position, we didn't deserve to win that game last night.

"That being said, that's why we brought him. That's why he's in the net. It's not like we're apologizing for the team we brought. That's why he's here, because he makes saves like that. That's not going to do it in the next round. We know that."

It truly was a legend-making performance from Miller, the gangly goalie from the Buffalo Sabres by way of Michigan State.

"Ryan Miller, in my opinion, is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL this year so far," Burke said. "I remember the first time I saw him play, I was struck by how skinny he was. Even now, you know, he should be doing ads for one of those weight-loss things."