Sochi, Russia It is a long way from home, but somehow it felt like we were all in Joe Louis Arena instead of the Bolshoy Ice Dome, a couple long NFL passes from the Black Sea.

A Swedish Five from the Red Wings was up against the squad from Canada coached by Mike Babcock and managed by Steve Yzerman, who got advice from Ken Holland anytime he asked for it and, who knows, maybe even a few times when he did not.

But clearly, the greatness of the most accomplished American franchise of the Original Six was on display yet again.

For if you listen to the Canadians here, and likely a good number 5,500 miles away across the rivers from Michigan in places like Windsor and Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie, you will hear the legends nurtured in Detroit by the Red Wings came to full bloom in Russia during the mens gold medal contest.

For the first time in the Olympics in the era of NHL participation, Canada won a gold medal outside North America, defeating Sweden, 3-0. It is also the first back-to-back for Canada in 62 years, since Oslo in 1952.

And, man, they did it in Russia, where a lot of the old wars on ice have been fought by men wearing the red maple leaf.

They also are the first team to go unbeaten since the Soviet Union squad back in the CCCP days in 1984.

It is the second consecutive gold medal team put together by Yzerman with a big assist by Holland and some other Canadian hockey executives, and coached by the inestimable Babcock.

No one had done that since the old CCCP boys, in 1984 and 1988.

Across Canada, broadcasters and the ink-stained wretches who have followed this sport under microscopes since they were little boys and girls, in places like Flin Flon and Moose Jaw and Shawinigan Falls, are saying, this is likely THE GREATEST TEAM to skate for Canada in any international tournament.

See the rest here:

Red Wings' Mike Babcock answers critics, brings Canada back-to-back titles