The official Olympic Hockey thread

[WOLF]

So, the joke of a women's tourney already started (can it be called a tournament when only two teams have a chance to win), but I figured we'd kick off this thread when the REAL hockey started.

After a rusty first period - where the coaching staff tried numerous line combinations and defence pairings - Canada kicked it into high gear in the second and third periods, and cruised to a 8-0 victory over Norway. You gotta love Iginla and Nash (two big wingers who can score) with Sidney Crosby. The line has already been deemed Crosby, Skills, and Nash. Personally, now that Patrice Bergeron has already been taken off a line with Sid the Kid, I'm wondering if he should have been on this team over a Marty St-Louis, Steven Stamkos, or Jeff Carter. We'll see what he adds defensively against tougher opponents. The D and Roberto Luongo looked great. If Brodeur looks shaky at all against the Swiss, then Loooo might get the net going forward...

Russia beat Latvia 8-2 and it's HUGE that Canada beat Norway by a bigger margin than Russia beat Latvia. A key tiebreaker for seeding in the next round will be goal differential, so this might give Canada the edge they need to finish #1 and have an easier quarterfinal game than the other division winners.

Oh, yeah. That country south of Canada played too. They beat the Swiss 3-1.

[alecjonsludge]

A big part of the reason,(some would argue the only reason), for Beregeron being picked was his past success with Crosby at the International level.While things may change,at the moment he becomes the extra forward and Toews now gets a regular shift. That's fine,but like Wolf alluded, it would be nice to have Stamkos or someone else who can light it up as the extra.Even if he was used strictly on the PP,he would have been an asset.

Hard to gage the team on this one game,but they already scored half as many goals as they did in total the last Olympics.

[WOLF]

Hard to gage the team on this one game,but they already scored half as many goals as they did in total the last Olympics.

This team is young and hungry (and doesn't want to lose on home ice). Our last team had too many lazy fat-cats, who cared more about a trip to Italy with their wives than playing hockey. A lot of them where only there because they were "somebody's guy". I wasn't thrilled with how the management team approached things last time; and was even less impressed by how the players approached it. That's why I love the 2005 WJHC nucleas this year.

[alecjonsludge]

When you lose 2-0 to the Swiss with Martin"could my 5 hole be any wider?" Gerber in net, you know you've got problems.That team simply did not care.Like you said,it was a free vacation.I also think that since they won in '02,they didn't feel the need or the responsibility to win in Turin.A few too many specialists on that team also.Bertuzzi was brought there to hit and muck things up, but couldn't keep up on the big ice surface.Draper was there for his defensive shadowing but was too sloooow to keep up with the fast pace and was useless offensively.Meanwhile an 18 year old Sidney Crosby is babysitting Mario's kids for two weeks.Too young?,perhaps, but he certainly wouldn't have contributed any less than Doan,Bertuzzi and Draper did.

I agree,this team is a lot more hungry,and I'm really digging the 2005 WJC vibe this roster is sprinkled with.

[Garbageman]

I'm starting to like Women's Olympic hockey. It's fun to bet on games where the spread is 11 goals!

[LAglamrocker]

just as long as Canada gets 0 hockey medals, im good with whoever wins

i have no idea who won in 2006

[Kid-Wicked]

When you lose 2-0 to the Swiss with Martin"could my 5 hole be any wider?" Gerber in net, you know you've got problems.That team simply did not care.Like you said,it was a free vacation.

that's aboot as ignorant a coment i've ever heard.

there's not one guy that's ever looked at playing for his country as a joke. the team never jelled. they didn't pick the right guys. there couldn't score. even finland shut them out. but every guy out there wanted to win.


k.w.
go canada go

[Royal Dudeness]

What an amazing game between the Russians and Slovaks.

The Slovaks looked quite solid, while the Russians appeared to have an identity crisis.

Canada vs. U.S. on Sunday. Vancouver is gonna be a nuthouse

[TawnyVonJagger]

What an amazing game between the Russians and Slovaks.

The Slovaks looked quite solid, while the Russians appeared to have an identity crisis.

Canada vs. U.S. on Sunday. Vancouver is gonna be a nuthouse

That Canada/Swiss game was pretty intense. REALLY looking forward to Canada vs. US! Would love to score a ticket to that one.

[WOLF]

Well, things have certainly gotten intersting. I was on a flight yesterday, checked the crackberry as soon as I got off, and was shocked to see that Canada won - in a shootout! There goes the #1 seed and easier road to the finals - or so I thought. Then, Jaro Halak continued his NHL magic at the Olympics and beat the Russians. I suppose that puts the Swedes in the running for the top seed, but they only beat the Germans 2-0, so who knows what can happen.

That's why I love a competitive sport at this level. All the teams are good enough, or have a few players who are good enough, that on a given day anyone can give anyone a run for their money.

The rest of this tourney is going to be great. Prediction: Canada will be just fine. Don't forget, in 2002 they lost the opener to the Swedes, barely eked by the Germans, tied the Czechs, before kicking it into high gear for the playoff/medal round. Our best hockey is still to come.

[witchbitch]

The US-Canada game is going to be great fun. I'd love to see Team USA pull off a win, but Canada just has more talent on paper. I think they'll win by 2.

I really want to see Patrick Kane step up - I know he is capable of greatness. He could be a game-changer.

[Funnelhead]

The Canada/Swiss game might be the best game I have seen this year. A goaltending clinic.

[Garbageman]

Damn Latvia almost beating the spread!

[pieceofme]

just as long as Canada gets 0 hockey medals, im good with whoever wins

i have no idea who won in 2006

Sweden. They could do it again.

I'm in two minds about Canada.

If they win then Vancouver will be an amazing party. I mean the Olympics has brought a great vibe and its so fun to be here.

But the hype with Canada is kind of pissing me off. And on paper they are the best team and I do like going for the underdog.

[Tommy]

The US-Canada game is going to be great fun. I'd love to see Team USA pull off a win, but Canada just has more talent on paper. I think they'll win by 2.

I really want to see Patrick Kane step up - I know he is capable of greatness. He could be a game-changer.

Kane needs to shoot shoot shoot!

Awesome talent. However, in the Norway game there was a few instances where he made one or two too many moves before the shot. Just shoot it kid.

[WOLF]

Jaro Halak is the tourney's top goalie; Sergei Kostitsyn is the tourney's top scorer; and Mikael Grabovski just got himself arrested. And people wonder why the Habs got rid of the latter....


Leafs' Mikhail Grabovski spends a night in jail
Alleged to have been involved in street fight; released to parents

February 21, 2010
Damien Cox


VANCOUVER–This isn't how the Maple Leafs hoped Mikhail Grabovski would be spending his Olympic break.

The 26-year-old centre was arrested at 2:30 a.m. Saturday by Vancouver police and kept in jail overnight after allegedly being involved in a street altercation.

Grabovski was apparently released to his parents at about 9 a.m. Saturday.

Leafs GM Brian Burke said in a news release he was "aware" of the incident. "Since we are presently investigating this matter, the team will not provide any further comment at this time."

The details of the incident are unclear, but apparently an argument on the street escalated into a situation in which punches might have been thrown, possibly at least one by Grabovski. No charges had been laid as of late Saturday evening.

Grabovski has been out of the Leafs lineup since Jan. 2 with a fractured wrist and has not been able to play for Belarus in these Olympics. Apparently, however, he chose to join the small but energetic Belarusian cheering contingent. Belarus was beaten 4-2 by Sweden on Friday afternoon.

Grabovski is in the first year of a three-year, $8.7 million (U.S.) contract with the Leafs.

Earlier in the day, Burke said he has grown tired of hearing about all of the supposed problems at the "Glitch Games."

"I've been to four Winter Olympics," Burke said. "This is the best one I've been to in terms of organization. ... I think it's been extraordinarily well run. I wish people would quit bitching about it."

[johnk5150]

Canada is faster and handles the puck way better than the united states. It's 3-2 US. Canada will win by less than 4 goals.

[Garbageman]

Canada is faster and handles the puck way better than the united states. It's 3-2 US. Canada will win by less than 4 goals.

Really?

[Facedown]

Canada will lose by less than 4 goals.

FYP

[TawnyVonJagger]

Miller=GOD in net. Puckhandling...ehhh...

[doctordestructo]

Suck it Canada! Get out of my continent, country of fail

[johnk5150]

Canada is faster and handles the puck way better than the united states. It's 3-2 US. Canada will win by less than 4 goals.

Really?

Did anyone count how many shots they had in the last 2 minutes? Holy shit. When i said less than four goals i meant -1. While technically not a win it's still..who give a shit? USA! USA!

Bye in the quarters baby!

Cool shot of Hawks teamates Kane giving hugs to Toews and Keith.

[Sinderella]

America Fuck Yeah! One hell of a game!!!!

[Mutley Brew]

What a great game. I still can't believe Team USA won. Non stop intense action. Miller had 36 freakin saves, it's Miller time in Vancouver.

[Royal Dudeness]

It's the Luongo show here on out for Team Canada. Brodeur is done

Also, Mike Babcock, put Crosby out there more often you fucking idiot!

[johnk5150]

What a great game. I still can't believe Team USA won. Non stop intense action. Miller had 36 freakin saves, it's Miller time in Vancouver.

I think you meant 42 saves.

[cantstopthemusic]

Canada. Take heart.

You can beat us in curling.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[Kid-Wicked]

It's the Luongo show here on out for Team Canada. Brodeur is done

Also, Mike Babcock, put Crosby out there more often you fucking idiot!

fuck that was a great game. didn't like the outcome obviously, but still a great game.

i don't know if changing brodeur is the answer. he let in 4 but he still played pretty good. whomever starts against germany will probably get a shut out. germany can't score either. lol.

they need more goals.



k.w.
it ain't over

[Royal Dudeness]

It's the Luongo show here on out for Team Canada. Brodeur is done

Also, Mike Babcock, put Crosby out there more often you fucking idiot!

fuck that was a great game. didn't like the outcome obviously, but still a great game.

i don't know if changing brodeur is the answer. he let in 4 but he still played pretty good. whomever starts against germany will probably get a shut out. germany can't score either. lol.

they need more goals.

k.w.
it ain't over

Dude, I was at the Cambie for the game, and you should have seen it in there. Craziest bar atmosphere I've ever experienced for a game.

Anyway, you're right, whoever starts against Germany is gonna get the win. At this point though, I think you go with Lu because Brodeur's netminding was a huge clusterfuck. He got way to overzealous with his stick out there and was pretty much directly responsible for the second and third goals.

Canada is definitely not done, but damn, there are some weak spots here. Joe Thornton is a complete hack when a game is of any importance. Corey Perry's half-assed attempt at the end was revolting. And the defense wasn't doing enough offensively. Mike Green would look pretty good right now, as would Stamkos, but hindsight is yadda yadda. The guy that impressed me the most for Canada was Drew Doughty. I can't believe this guy is only 20. The game against Russia is going to give me a heart attack

[Kid-Wicked]

i think patrick kane and johnathon toews are both looking fantastic.