Martin Brodeur certainly showed up to play for the last two games of the IIHF World Championship.

He should have invited some of his friends.

Brodeur bailed out his side in a 4-3 semifinal win over Russia, stopping 39 of 42 shots, with around 30 of those coming in the last two periods. Canada sat on a 4-0 lead, and while the Russians battled hard, the Canadians resumed their defensive strategy of panicked puck-chasing, leaving men open for tap-ins. But as captain Ryan Smyth said before today's final against the Czech Republic, "You can't critique a win."

Maybe they should have. Sloppy all-around play was the story of the game for Canada. They kept their composure until the third period, when stupid penalties started to pile up, but right from the get-go their efforts were marred by piss-poor passing and defence that, to quote Bart Simpson, folded "faster than Superman on laundry day." On the first goal, Vaclav Prospal was left wide open by Canadian defenders, and potted an easy rebound that Brodeur just couldn't corral. The second score was an absolute rocket off the stick of Martin Rucinsky, during a 1-on-2 where he was given way too much respect by the Canuck defence. At the other end, meanwhile, the Czechs sat on their lead right after the first goal, collapsing back to the blueline and implementing an aggressive trap, swarming any Canadian who attempted to carry the puck over the line. Tomas Vokoun was stellar in goal as well for his side, but didn't need to make as many spectacular saves as Marty Brodeur, who kept his team alive.

A scrum with ten seconds remaining - sparked when Vokoun began shoving Smyth, who was chopping away at Jiri Fischer's skates in front of the Czech net - allowed the Canadians to finally vent their frustrations. International referees are quick to call roughing penalties after the whistle, but largely ignore the hooks, holds and wild stickwork that the Czechs in particular are known for; ref Thomas Andersson didn't even call a penalty when Ales Hemsky grabbed the puck and threw it into the stands - it should have been an easy two for Delay of Game, but instead, Andersen just shook his head and smirked when Canada's bench became understandably incensed. (Not according to the IIHF website, however; Andersson did a "masterful job." No surprise that they didn't repremand their own referee, but "masterful"?) At any rate, Canada's emotional physical outburst said loud and clear that they won't forget this painful defeat...though that probably seems like small consolation for all those Canadian players who imagined being able to sink their teeth into gold medals right now. It just isn't the same with silver...although there may be a few dentists north of the 49th who are hoping they'll try it anyway.