Open Thread: Semifinals - USA vs. Canada
This is what hockey is all about. Two fierce rivals going head to head with a chance to play for Gold on the line. Sweden has already defeated its rival, Finland, and awaits the winner of USA vs. Canada.
I certainly haven't forgotten about 4 years ago, as I imagine is the case with every fan of US hockey. "Zach Parise out of a net-bound scramble, and the game is tied..." Pure elation followed by devastation. As one wise commenter on the blog stated, the effects of that game were clearly shown on the players faces. The aftermath of the final in Vancouver did not have the feel of friendly congratulations that were seen in Salt Lake City 8 years prior. Let's hope this team wants revenge as much as us fans do.
Olympic Semifinals: USA vs. Canada, Noon EST
Tv: NBC Sports
USA! USA! USA!
February 21st, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^
For a game of this stature, it's kind of been a relatively boring game. And I'm a hockey fan.
February 21st, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:09 PM ^
What a bitch move, cover the puck the last 10 seconds.
February 21st, 2014 at 4:52 PM ^
Puck control is a "bitch move"?
Like top control in wrestling is laying on a guy?
Why not fight to take it away? They could have done that the other 59:50 of the game.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^
Damn. Well, time to turn the attention to Finland tomorrow for bronze.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 4:55 PM ^
Then again, we've had years and years to get used to this sort of thing.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^
Rough two days for U.S. Hockey. The Men's team looked like the best team in the tourney, which makes this dud of a game even more disappointing.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:16 PM ^
This game encapsulated those two sports clichés perfectly.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
Quick, and then everyone else...
February 21st, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
1-0 doesn't tell the story of how bad this game was played from the US standpoint. Canada dominated the full 60 minutes and the US had just a handful of quality scoring chances. Need to regroup fast to medal tomorrow.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:16 PM ^
Guess we have to keep Bieber now. This double sucks.
February 21st, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^
this is the Logged In Just to Upvote Comment of the Year (so far).
February 21st, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
Wish I could take all the credit. There was actually a billboard in Chicago.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
I am so fucking pissed right now
February 21st, 2014 at 2:21 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:37 PM ^
The team's zone entry is decided by the opponents forecheck. The Canadian defensemen walled the US off at the blueline and had great backchecking support, making it almost impossible to carry in without turning it over.
A chip and chase game was the only way they could to gain the zone, but they had to win races to the puck and win board battles.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:45 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 5:00 PM ^
Srsly?
The Canadian defense shut down an American offense that was scoring, on average, around one goal every five shots. They broke that offense. Now, granted, this was against far less talent than Canada brought to the table but still...that's other worldly. This same Canadian defense physically controlled the American offense and, in combination with strong forecheck basically controlled the game, the tempo and the outcome.
Wisconsin doesn't out skill their opponents. They might out tough them. Canada did both against an American team that could do nothing about it except hope that Jonathan Quick could keep them in it (which he did remarkably well).
February 21st, 2014 at 5:18 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^
Canada didn't play a trap because you can't on big ice. What they did was to stand up the American forwards at the blue line and force them to chip and chase and out tough them to gain puck possession. Most of the time they didn't win those battles and that was Babcock's plan. As soon as possession changed they released their forwards up ice for quick counter.
The more skilled and tougher team won today. They imposed their will defensively and the Americans couldn't do anything about it
FWIW, wonder if Brian Burke still feels like he doesn't need Bobby Ryan's scoring?
February 21st, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^
Well that was a bit of a downer.
Ah well. It happens. That's the annoying thing about hockey - 1 goal really can decide a game, and that doesn't always reflect the best team.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
In this case it pretty clearly did. Canada kicked our ass, quite thoroughly. Two major differences:
1) Toews/Marleau/Carter is their checking line
2) Doughty and Weber.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
I'm pretty sure the best team won this game.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:36 PM ^
If they US would have won 1-0 then I would agree. Canada was by far the best team in that game.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^
the summer olympics where Canada might get 5 medals total compared to 100 from team USA.
February 21st, 2014 at 3:01 PM ^
February 21st, 2014 at 2:34 PM ^
Congrats to the Canucks
February 21st, 2014 at 3:11 PM ^
and I'm upset but not pissed. Canada was better and even got so confident at points that they looked like they were toying with us. We fought valiantly to stay in it and Quick was awesome (he essentially pitched a shutout - that goal wasn't his fault) but we just couldn't get one in the net.
Whatever, congrats to Canada I guess. Go Sweden. I hope Carl nets the game winner
February 21st, 2014 at 3:12 PM ^
Tired of Canada winning.
Heja Sverige !
February 21st, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
is there a point in canadian independence? When are we going to invade those fuckers.
February 21st, 2014 at 6:51 PM ^
Fuck Canada.
Sorry, just saw the replay and i'm pissed. I'll calm down later.