VANCOUVER 2010 CANADA VS USA GOLD MEDAL HOCKEY ODDS AND BETTING TIPS

What an incredible 48 hours its been for Canada as the hosts of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. We are on the penultimate day of the 2010 Games and the big Olympic showpiece is finally set to kick off as Canada gets their much-wanted re-match with the high-flying Americans and their in-form goaltender Ryan Miller. 
Canada had to leave it late against Slovakia as the last minute drama looked set to send us to overtime, but somehow Luongo held on. 
Canada have been listed by virtually all European bookmakers as the odds-on favourites to win the match with Ladbrokes pricing Canada at 1.8 against America's 3.4. The draw, which would see us head to overtime, pays out at 4.33 and that could be a popular selection. 

The main over/under for the Canada vs USA gold medal match is listed at 5.5. goals with the over being the favoured outcome at 1.75 and the under selection trades at even money. If you see an even shorter scoreline you can take under 4.5 at 3.0 while the over trades at around 1.35. Over 6.5 is a big payout at 2.37. The under selection is 1.53. 
You can back Canada on a (-1.5) handicap at a solid 2.3, but I'd be more tempted to just take them outright at 1.8 as this one could really go down to the wire. If you think Canada will put up a big total in the 1st period like they did against Russia and Slovakia, why not try backing them (-1.5) at the end of the 1st period at a hefty 5.5? 
THere are some interesting-looking goalscorer bets available here as well. Jarome Iginla pays out at 2.62 to score a goal at anytime during the match. He is 1.44 to not score. Sidney Crosby is a very generous 2.75 and I can see the rationale behind the price as he has contributed a lot to the past few matches but hasn't scored. Dany Heatley is 2.5 to score at anytime while Patrick Keane trades at 2.62. Zach Parise rewards at 2.75 if he gets on the scoresheet. 
Any player to score a hat-trick in this game (Crosby, anyone?) trades at 8.0 while the match to be decided after penalty shots also pays out at 8.0. The match to go to overtime and end in overtime pays out at 5.5. 
The first goal could be crucial here to set the tone and Canada are favoured to get one first. Canada trade at 1.7 while the USA are listed at 2.25. 
The lowest-priced correct score margin is 3-2 for Canada at 13.0 while 4-2 pays out at 15.0 and 5-2 rewards at 23.0. A 2-2 draw is short-priced at 15.0 while a 3-3 draw pays out at the same margin. Canada to win this one 5-3 pays out at 29.0. 
I'm going to be backing Canada in this one, they've got the momentum and they've got the proven talent. I think the atmosphere at Canada Hockey Place is going to be incomparable and what a party awaits if Canada win a historic gold medal on home soil. I can see Canada winning 3-1 and I can also see a 4-3 victory in overtime.