Olympic Hockey

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February 16th, 2010 at 1:55 PM
#1
jamiemac
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 7894
Olympic Hockey

QUICK NOTE: FEEL FREE TO USE THIS AN OPEN THREAD FOR THE GAMES, BUT I AM CHECKING OUT. DVRing the US GAME, WATCHING WHEN I GOT DONE WITH WORK AT 5. I AM NO SPOILER ALERT, BUT FOR Y'ALL WHO CAN WATCH LIVE, MAKE THIS AN OPEN THREAD

Anyone care to discuss the Olympic Hockey Tournament.

It starts today.

Here are the odds to win Gold:

Canada---Even
Russia---2/1
Sweden---5/1
USA-----5/1
Finland--12/1
Czechs---12/1

Everyone else is a major long shot.

Americans play today at 3 and are 2.5 goal favorites over the Swiss. Canada is favored by 6 over Norway. I bring that up beause at 800/1 the Norwegians are the longest of longshots.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this and I'm wondering if the more avid hockey followers dont have a take or two before this begins.

Also, i've been doing a daily blog on the Olympics and I would be honored if y'all checked some of coverage out at the JCB. Link to the main page is underneath my sig line. All the good stuff I did during CFB, bowl season and tracking the bubble, its the Olympics that are driving hits way up. I like these special events. Has me thinking about blogging the world cup, even though I dont know really anything about soccer.

Are they still not allowed to use hands?

Help My Friend Allison Fight ALS 

MSU/IU at the JCB

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February 16th, 2010 at 2:04 PM | ill discuss hockey all day as (Score:1)
Mateo
Joined: 02/12/2010
MGoPoints: -47

ill discuss hockey all day as long as its mens and not womens, seriously when i turned on a game and saw the us womens team was winning 8-0 i changed the channel

February 16th, 2010 at 2:07 PM | Only 2 teams (Score:1)
jamiemac
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 7894

Yeah, there are only 2 teams worthwhile in the women's field.

They should just let Canada and USA play a 7-game series for Olympic Gold.

I'd tune in for that game. it will be fun and the teams dont really like each other.

But every other game will be flirting with a double digit goal margin

Help My Friend Allison Fight ALS 

MSU/IU at the JCB

February 16th, 2010 at 2:36 PM | Sweden (Score:1)
Kilgore Trout
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Joined: 02/20/2009
MGoPoints: 1863

To be fair, I'm pretty sure the Swedes beat the USA in '06 and took the silver in women's hockey. I think it was a monumental upset, but it happened nonetheless.

February 16th, 2010 at 3:49 PM | Good Catch (Score:1)
jamiemac
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 7894

I had forgotten that.

Good catch. I offer the Swedish ladies a sincere apology.

I still think it would be better if USA and Canada did a best of 7, though.

Help My Friend Allison Fight ALS 

MSU/IU at the JCB

February 16th, 2010 at 2:30 PM | Russia's first line is the (Score:1)
Bando Calrissian
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Joined: 07/02/2008
MGoPoints: 7919

Russia's first line is the kind of line you fight wars over. It's sick.

February 16th, 2010 at 2:33 PM | Aren't the Swedes the (Score:1)
jsquigg
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Joined: 09/06/2009
MGoPoints: 1116

Aren't the Swedes the defending gold medalists? I think in terms of risk/reward that they have the best odds.

Hail to the Victors!

February 16th, 2010 at 2:36 PM | Canada (Score:1)
Mateo
Joined: 02/12/2010
MGoPoints: -47

Swedes are all getting old, my money is on canada over russia in the gold medal game with the US taking bronze

February 16th, 2010 at 2:44 PM | the smaller... (Score:1)
GOBLUE4EVR
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Joined: 01/09/2009
MGoPoints: 989

ice surface favors canada and the US... problem is the US just doesn't have enough talent to keep up... canada has a bunch of talented big guys that can skate... if this was being played on a international size rink then a european team would be favored... but canada is going to be able to play a physical game and keep up with the faster teams because of the smaller ice surface...

@GOBLUE4EVR

February 16th, 2010 at 2:55 PM | Watch Hockey Online (Score:1)
Yellowdart00
Joined: 02/16/2010
MGoPoints: 23

Does anybody know where you can stream the Olympic coverage streaming online for free? I'm stuck in the Dude this afternoon, and I'd really like to be able to watch the USA vs Switzerland game.

February 17th, 2010 at 12:34 PM | Try this... (Score:1)
Tauro
Tauro's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 656

www.ctvolympics.ca

That is the Canadian network responsible for coverage up here and they are streaming quite a bit.

February 16th, 2010 at 3:02 PM | No clue, sorry. OT a little (Score:1)
Mateo
Joined: 02/12/2010
MGoPoints: -47

No clue, sorry.

OT a little but anyone else notice this guy from the US curling team seems to be messing up a lot

February 16th, 2010 at 3:14 PM | well they did... (Score:1)
GOBLUE4EVR
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Joined: 01/09/2009
MGoPoints: 989

say basically that he is "all or nothing"... what is driving me nuts is the commentators and that they won't show the scores of the other matches... i have one of my friends from windsor updating me with the score of the canada/norway match...

@GOBLUE4EVR

February 16th, 2010 at 3:20 PM | I like USA (obvi) and Sweden (Score:1)
Fat Mike
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Joined: 11/10/2009
MGoPoints: 438

I like USA (obvi) and Sweden because they have 4 red wings playing. Look out for Russia though with ovechkin, malkin, and datsuyk plus Nabokov in net.

“The blue in our ribbons may fade, our trophies may become tarnished, the gleam of our medals lose luster, but the emotional experiences of joy and elation will never be forgotten.”

February 16th, 2010 at 3:48 PM | Odds Update (Score:1)
jamiemac
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 7894

Well, i was actually gonna take Canada at even odds to win gold.

I checked lines first thing this morning, but didnt double check before i made this this thread

Anyway, in checking the lines now:

Canada -200....gulp, gotta bet 200 to win 100. I mean, I think the Habs win it, but this is way too talented a field to think somebody is a sure thing to pay that kind of juice.

russia still at 2/1

Swedes and Americans are now 6/1

Help My Friend Allison Fight ALS 

MSU/IU at the JCB

February 16th, 2010 at 4:26 PM | I'm not really sure if the (Score:1)
Trebor
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Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1006

I'm not really sure if the rink size is going to play a major part. Most of the top teams are composed of current/former NHL players, so they have experience. Though, to be fair, I do think a larger ice surface would favor the faster teams like Russia.

I'm surprised the Slovaks aren't considered comparable to the Czechs to be honest. Unless they figure Hossa and Gaborik will be unavailable for most of the games, the lineups are fairly comparable in my opinion.

If I was a betting man, I'd give a long look at Russia. Canada is likely a bigger, deeper, and more physical team, but given the short format of the Olympics I'll take Russia's scoring depth, adequate defense, and strong goaltending. I'd say Russia gets the gold, Canada the silver, and Sweden the bronze. The Americans are too young right now but I think they'll be a strong contender in Sochi.

February 16th, 2010 at 6:21 PM | Re: Sochi (Score:1)
j-turn14
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Joined: 09/11/2009
MGoPoints: 375

I thought it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that this would be the last Olympics with professional hockey players. Which would mean that these US players will instead be contending in future World Cups (An event that the NHL has a financial interest in).

February 17th, 2010 at 9:25 AM | Probably a little late (Score:1)
Trebor
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Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1006

Probably a little late replying to this, but several Russian players, notably Ovechkin and Malkin, have said that they will risk suspension to play for Russia in the 2014 Olympics. The NHLPA is going to fight tooth and nail to get the NHL to agree to allow players to play in Sochi. I would honestly be surprised if the NHL doesn't eventually come around to their senses and allow NHL players to don their respective countries' sweaters.

February 16th, 2010 at 4:35 PM | America! Fuck yea! 1-0 end of (Score:1)
Fat Mike
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Joined: 11/10/2009
MGoPoints: 438

America! Fuck yea! 1-0 end of 1st period

“The blue in our ribbons may fade, our trophies may become tarnished, the gleam of our medals lose luster, but the emotional experiences of joy and elation will never be forgotten.”

February 16th, 2010 at 4:44 PM | Solid Period (Score:1)
gobluerulz
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Joined: 03/16/2009
MGoPoints: 0

Hopefully they can keep the pressure on, and put a couple more in the net early in the second. I wish we had a more physical presence though. I think teams like Canada will really push us around.

Go Blue!

February 16th, 2010 at 5:02 PM | 2-0 @ 13 minute mark of the (Score:1)
Bronco648
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Joined: 08/20/2008
MGoPoints: 998

2-0 @ 13 minute mark of the 2nd period.

Nobody home...

February 16th, 2010 at 5:29 PM | 3-0 PP goal @ 11:35 of 2nd (Score:1)
Bronco648
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Joined: 08/20/2008
MGoPoints: 998

3-0 - between 2nd & 3rd periods

Nobody home...

February 16th, 2010 at 5:06 PM | 2-0 now USA has some great (Score:1)
Fat Mike
Fat Mike's picture
Joined: 11/10/2009
MGoPoints: 438

2-0 now USA has some great players they are just young. I believe they will get stronger as the tournamnet goes on. And as im typing 3-0 now off the PP. Guys like parise, Kane, Statsny (sp), backes, and JMFJ. I think they're gonna make some noise

“The blue in our ribbons may fade, our trophies may become tarnished, the gleam of our medals lose luster, but the emotional experiences of joy and elation will never be forgotten.”

February 16th, 2010 at 5:10 PM | Playing Well (Score:1)
gobluerulz
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Joined: 03/16/2009
MGoPoints: 0

They couldn't have come out and played a stronger opening to the period. Let's bury them, and focus on the next game.

Go Blue!

February 16th, 2010 at 5:58 PM | Looking a little flat, early (Score:1)
Bronco648
Bronco648's picture
Joined: 08/20/2008
MGoPoints: 998

Looking a little flat, early on in the third but starting to pick it up now. Lame PP goal by the Swiss.

Nobody home...

February 16th, 2010 at 6:08 PM | 3-1 USA Final (Score:1)
Bronco648
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Joined: 08/20/2008
MGoPoints: 998

3-1 USA Final

Nobody home...

February 16th, 2010 at 7:05 PM | Canada is probably the odds (Score:1)
mstier
Joined: 09/18/2008
MGoPoints: 255

Canada is probably the odds on favorite. I think they did a good job structuring the chemistry of the team. For instance:

Marleau - Thorton - Heatley

Maybe they're not Ovechkin, Datsyuk, and Malkin, but they've been playing together all season. I think preparation of one of the most overlooked aspects of Olympic hockey.

That said, I'm thinking Canada wins it. Second and third will probably be USA and Russia. If Ryan Miller can play lights out hockey (he's the best goalie in the tournament in my opinion), then the Americans will take second.

Should be exciting!

February 17th, 2010 at 1:05 AM | a hot goaltender can carry a team for a couple weeks (Score:1)
J. Lichty
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Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1134

This is not a long slog - goalies steal games - sometimes for weeks at a time.

This happens in the NHL all the time, and this format is even more suceptible to it.

On paper, Canada wins - but the game aint played on paper. Chemistry matters. Roles matter.

The US is not experienced, but it is talented and capabale of stealing a game or two.

our package is our package, and it’s pretty big. - Greg Mattison, Bowl Practice Presser Tr. 12-13-11.

February 17th, 2010 at 1:25 AM | capable of stealing a game or two (Score:1)
clarkiefromcanada
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Joined: 11/21/2008
MGoPoints: 13009

I agree the US could cause some teams a few problems...however, the idea that Canada might not win because they lack chemistry, role players etc. is just patently ridiculous. You have no idea how important this thing is up here; every player on that team is acutely aware of that fact.

If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone

February 17th, 2010 at 10:49 AM | yeah lack of chemistry... (Score:1)
GOBLUE4EVR
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Joined: 01/09/2009
MGoPoints: 989

please tell that to: joe thornton, patrick marleau, and dany heatley... those 3 make up san jose's top line... oh and then there is: perry, getzlaf and niedermayer they all play for the ducks and you can even toss pronger in there who used to play for the ducks... and lets not forget chicago's top 2 defencemen in seabrook and keith... and then we can look at it this way there is a good portion of the players on canada that played in the world jr's together... so i really doubt that lack of chemistry is going to be the reason why canada doesn't win this...

@GOBLUE4EVR

February 17th, 2010 at 1:23 AM | heh! (Score:1)
clarkiefromcanada
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Joined: 11/21/2008
MGoPoints: 13009

You actually said that Ryan Miller was the best goaltender in the Olympic tournament. That's pretty good. Thanks, I was in need of some humor.

I will agree that Canada wins it.

If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone

February 17th, 2010 at 12:56 PM | If I were building a team (Score:1)
mstier
Joined: 09/18/2008
MGoPoints: 255

If I were building a team right now, he's my first choice in goal. Will he be as good all time as Brodeur for instance? No...not even a chance.

But I'm not drafting for the Hall of Fame. I'm talking about the 2010 Olympics. I just don't see another goal tender who I'd rather have. Vokoun is having a great year too, but Luongo and Lundquist have disappointed this year in my opinion.

If the Americans medal, it will be because of Miller in my opinion. They can't compete with the top Canadian and Russian lines, but if Miller can come up big they have the potential to steal a few games. In this type of tournament, that's all you need. Just ask Sweden.

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