Canucks' Kesler fires Team USA to historic ice hockey win over Canada

THE USA's Ryan Kesler, who plays for the Vancouver Canucks, rubbed salt into Canada's wounds as they downed the hosts 5-3 and landed a major psychological blow in their bid for Olympic ice hockey gold.

MATCH WINNER: Ryan Kesler's spectacular late goal handed the USA a well-deserved victory over hosts Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (Getty Images)

Kesler scored a spectacular goal after Canada had pulled goaltender Martin Brodeur in the final minute of the match, diving and sliding onto the ice and angling a fine shot into the empty net.

New Jersey Devils' Jamie Langenbrunner had diverted the puck into the top corner with his skate, eight minutes into the third period, to put the USA 4-2 up and while Sidney Crosby pulled one back, Kesler completed a historic win to ensure the USA top Group A.

It was no less than the youthful American side, inspired by one of their few old hands Brian Rafalski, deserved as they exacted revenge for their Olympic final defeat at the hands of Canada in 2002 in these two sides' first meeting since.

Indeed, in bidding to end the USA's 30-year wait for Olympic gold, general manager Brian Burke has put his faith in youth, selecting just three players with any Games experience on his 23-man roster.

One of those three however, is Detroit Red Wings' Rafalski - a surviving member of the USA team who clinched silver in Salt Lake City, losing out 5-2 to Canada in the gold medal match.

It is Rafalski who is pulling the strings for the USA at present, notching two goals prior to their meeting with Canada, and it was the 36-year-old who handed the USA an early lead.

Canada were not exactly playing like Bambi on ice but they were like deer caught in the headlights - the enormous pre-match hype was getting the better of them.

Rafalski unleashed from long range and the puck took a fortuitous deflection to hand the USA the lead after just 41 seconds.

Canada struggled to keep pace in the opening stages but were back on level terms in the first period when Eric Staal finally brought the 18,000-capacity crowd to life at Canada Hockey Place.

But they were level for all of 22 seconds as Rafalski capitalised on a dreadful error from Brodeur to restore the USA's lead.

He latched onto a woeful clearance from Brodeur before closing in on goal and slotting into the bottom corner - adding to the debate that Vancouver Canucks stopper Roberto Luongo, who shut out Norway in Canada's opening match, should be between the pipes.

That was how it stayed until the end of the first period and Canada were far improved after the break. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Crosby came to the fore while Jarome Iginla, who scored a hat-trick against Norway, was looking dangerous.

But it was Dany Heatley who slammed home from close range for his fourth goal of the competition, three-and-a-half minutes into the period to pull Canada level.

But that kick-started the USA once again and after 13 goalless minutes, New York Ranger Chris Drury capitalised on some more suspect play from Brodeur to put the Americans 3-2 up.

Drury was on hand to smash home after Brodeur came too far out of his goal before a frantic few minutes ensued as Dustin Brown and Bobby Ryan for the USA and Joe Thornton for Canada missed one-on-ones.

In the third period, with Canada's Corey Perry on the sidelines for slashing, the USA patiently dominated possession before a fierce shot was deflected in by Langenbrunner to give his side a two-goal cushion.

While they are very easy on the eye, Canada lack any real cutting edge and despite having two power plays, they could not find a way through until there were just three minutes to go as Crosby fired past Ryan Miller.

Canada upped the tempo and amassed 45 shots to the USA's 23 but Miller was equal to everything the hosts had to throw at him as the USA clung on, ensuring the Canadians have to settle for second in Group A.

That means the USA go straight into the quarter-finals while hosts Canada will have to play a game extra to reach the last eight.

READ MORE: Scott Niedermayer: Canada didn't buckle under the pressure

AS IT HAPPENS: Day ten of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

IN PICTURES: The men's ice hockey clash between Canada and the USA