Olympic Hockey Update: 2/25
by Dustin Burfiend on Feb 25, 2010 9:21 AM MST
Email
Print
via topgelato.com
Only four teams left: USA, Canada, Finland and Slovakia
First up was the U.S. vs Switzerland game, 2-0 for USA. This game might have been fun to watch from an objective point of view but I was tense and worried the entire time. Switzerland is good. They clog lanes and stand up at their blue line as good as any team in this tournament and better than most. . Their penalty kill is work of art. And then there is Jonas Hiller. 42 saves, 1 goal against. For the U.S. it was Zach Parise who saved the game. He was buzzing all night and his line with Paul Stastny and Jaime Langenbrunner was the best for the USA. He finished with 2 goals, 1 post, and the graditude of every person rooting for USA. Ryan Miller only had to make 18 saves but the Swiss had some great oppertunities. Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan and Ryan Kesler were great defensivley. Ryan Suter continued his stellar play and Phil Kessel created quite a few chances. But where art thou Patrick Kane?
Canada 7, Russia 3. This game has and will be analyzed ad nauseum so I'm not gonna say anything but that I doubted from the start that Evgeni Nabokov could carry the Russians to gold. When he started the 2nd period my eyes popped out like an f'ing looney toon. Honestly, not only should Ilya Bryzgalov have started the 2nd period, he should have been the starter for Russians the entire tournament.
Just like the U.S. game, Finland and Czech Republic went into the 3rd scoreless. And the Fins scored 1 power play goal and 1 empty net goal to win 2-0. Tomas Vokoun and Miikka Kiprusoff were both brilliant but it was Finland who the hockey gods smiled on. Pavel Kubina's helmet got knocked off and had to leave Niklas Hagman alone in front of the net to retrieve it becuase of international hockey rules. Hagman scores and Finland moves on.
Slovakia upsets Sweden 4-3. Henrik Lundqvist set a new record shutout streak, then got scored on 4 times. Slovakia always was a dark horse to medal and now they have their chance. The Swedes just looked kind of disinterested this game. They have to be really dissapointed in Nicklas Lidstrom who was a non-factor. Henrik Zetterberg and the Sedin twins were also underwhelming. Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik are tearing it up for Slovakia.
No men's hockey today but U.S. women's team is facing the Canadien women in the gold medal game and Finland faces Sweden in the bronze medal game.
60 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The Doc and I were talking the other day about how scary Czechs + Slovakians would be if the country were still one piece.
Never trust the lunch lady.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Feb 25, 2010 9:28 AM MST reply actions
U.S. and Canadian women outscored their opponents 86-4 in the tournament. (40-2 for the U.S….46-2 for the Canadiens). I’m sorry, that’s ridiculous…are they really going to have a women’s tournament in Sochi?
2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: The wheels are firmly secure thank you!
Advice to Red Wing Fans: If you don't want the reputation of being whiners, then stop whining about EVERYTHING. Your team is allowed to lose games, and when they do, it's not always because of the refs or Gary Bettman, and you seem to continuously claim
And I’m betting it’s a tight game with little scoring…
The 2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: People can stop waiting for these kids to hit the wall. They won’t.
by NurseBeachie on Feb 25, 2010 9:39 AM MST up reply actions
Women’s softball was removed for this reason. USA was simply too dominant.
Never trust the lunch lady.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Feb 25, 2010 9:44 AM MST up reply actions
It's being talked about
I think they will drop it for Sochi.
Thing is, the other teams are getting better, I can see it coming back into the Olympics after Sochi.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Marching with the Burgundy Brigade
couldn’t they just have an exhibition game between the US and Canada and let the other teams compete? Or would that be completely unfair to the US and Canada? And did they really remove softball cuz the US was so freaking awesome? wow
The 2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: People can stop waiting for these kids to hit the wall. They won’t.
by NurseBeachie on Feb 25, 2010 10:24 AM MST up reply actions
But where art thou Patrick Kane?
Probably still skating Russian Circles. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a player so talented with the puck be so clueless as to what to do with it. He has no vision of the ice.
. . . . . What? Oh, sorry. I thought I was on a 2 hour tape delay.
I thought he played very well yesterday, and set up a couple of great scoring chances.
That said, he does hold the puck WAY too long. It’s worked well for the Hawks so far…but it’s not working in this tournament at ALL
2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: The wheels are firmly secure thank you!
Advice to Red Wing Fans: If you don't want the reputation of being whiners, then stop whining about EVERYTHING. Your team is allowed to lose games, and when they do, it's not always because of the refs or Gary Bettman, and you seem to continuously claim
Kane is a quite a player, but he appears to be a chemistry nightmare. He works for Chicago because they appear to have gotten all the planets aligned right, but man, I don’t envy Wilson’s job trying to get him going.
He reminds me of Wolski quite a bit, actually. Kane’s got speed where Wolski has strength, but both are chemistry nightmares and love to hang onto the puck in the offensive zone too long. Both might be better as centers at some level too.
It might be the level of competition (Canada), or the very structured systems the US has seen against the Swiss and Norwegians; no one was chasing him around the ice and getting out of position.
. . . . . What? Oh, sorry. I thought I was on a 2 hour tape delay.
by Busted Twigg on Feb 25, 2010 10:33 AM MST up reply actions
The best line in the tournament has been Langenbrunner-Stastny-Parise. They have been dominant.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 25, 2010 9:38 AM MST reply actions
Nope…according to AD Stastny still needs to do MORE MORE MORE! Seriously, I can’t even tell you how many great scoring chances this line has set up…but because Stats has 1 point, he simply looks at the stats and says he isn’t doing enough.
2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: The wheels are firmly secure thank you!
Advice to Red Wing Fans: If you don't want the reputation of being whiners, then stop whining about EVERYTHING. Your team is allowed to lose games, and when they do, it's not always because of the refs or Gary Bettman, and you seem to continuously claim
Well, he is making $6 million plus a year damn it! Oh, wait. Olympics. ummmm….
The 2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: People can stop waiting for these kids to hit the wall. They won’t.
by NurseBeachie on Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM MST up reply actions
They have been dominant at both ends of the ice. Parise in particular, but Stastny has been the board worker on that line. He has continually pulled puck out of the corner and kept cylcles alive.
In fact him and Langenbrunner have been simply dominant in that area. And they are great in their own zone. They have been the best line in the tourney, on any team. Hands-down IMO
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 25, 2010 10:12 AM MST up reply actions
By any chance, is Langenwhatever a left winger? Cuz that other team we talk about sometimes here could use one of those
The 2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: People can stop waiting for these kids to hit the wall. They won’t.
by NurseBeachie on Feb 25, 2010 10:14 AM MST up reply actions
indeed. No one is giving Stas credit because he hasn’t popped up on the score sheet that often, but when you watch the games he’s doing so many little things that make that line successful.
Maybe we need the M&G guys to give us a Corsi rundown that would show how awesome Stastny’s been. :)
Only four teams left: USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden
Might want to change Sweden to Slovakia, assuming Slovakia’s upset means they are part of the final four. :)
lol...
I didn’t even notice that cuz I read it Slovakia without realizing it
The 2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: People can stop waiting for these kids to hit the wall. They won’t.
by NurseBeachie on Feb 25, 2010 9:42 AM MST up reply actions
Misty Rowe?
Weren’t you that uber hottie on Hee Haw way back in the day? And before the dweebs here pile on, my dad watched the show. Not me.
And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.
by Bob in Boulder on Feb 25, 2010 9:48 AM MST up reply actions
laugh Someone recognizes the name! My father (the ‘saint’ he is) named me after her and I ‘borrowed’ her last name for the internets. Most people don’t catch on, though.
most people aren’t as old as Bob
Mile High Hockey: stupid jokes for the intellectual crowd
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 25, 2010 10:08 AM MST up reply actions
I have no comeback. Because it is true. At least I learned how to use the internets so I can communicate with all of you whipper snappers.
And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.
by Bob in Boulder on Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM MST up reply actions
Should I get off your lawn now?
2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: The wheels are firmly secure thank you!
Advice to Red Wing Fans: If you don't want the reputation of being whiners, then stop whining about EVERYTHING. Your team is allowed to lose games, and when they do, it's not always because of the refs or Gary Bettman, and you seem to continuously claim
Are you wearing your pants half-way down your butt while riding a skate board in my driveway?
And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.
by Bob in Boulder on Feb 25, 2010 11:56 AM MST up reply actions
What are pants?
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Marching with the Burgundy Brigade
That's not fair
Oh, you meant alive people. Then it’s fair.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 25, 2010 10:13 AM MST up reply actions
Not sure when you wrote this, but..
No men’s hockey tomorrow
according to NBC, US-Finland at noon and Can-Slvk at 6:30, both tomorrow.
"Sometimes you think they must have come out of the chimp cages at the Bronx zoo" - Gerry Cheevers, former Boston Bruins goalie, on New York hockey fans
Detroit Sucks
according to NBC
And this is where you are wrong. Never assume NBC is correct when it comes to time.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Marching with the Burgundy Brigade
And this is where you are wrong. Never assume NBC is correct when it comes to
timeanything.
Fixed. But seriously, I think it was eastern time or something.
"Sometimes you think they must have come out of the chimp cages at the Bronx zoo" - Gerry Cheevers, former Boston Bruins goalie, on New York hockey fans
Detroit Sucks
I checked NHL.com and the US/FInland game is at 1330 MST and Can-Slvk is at 1930 MST. Both tomorrow.
which would be 12:30 and 6:30 in the pacific time zone (Vancouver).
NBC might actually start their broadcast of the USA game at 12:00 so they have half an hour to talk about some feel good story before the game starts.
MHH: The Burgundy Army is on the March!
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Feb 25, 2010 1:22 PM MST up reply actions
well, that’s good and bad. i will miss most of the first period as my flight is supposed to land 1:45ish in Denver. the way people take FOREVER to get off a damn plane, i won’t make it to the nearest bar until 2:15. crud. the good part tho is that i will have time to grab my luggage and watch the rest of the game. i think. lord what a dumb move on my part thinking the game would start around 4, timing my flight so that i’d get to my friends house just perfect to crack a guinness and sit down for puck drop.
The 2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: People can stop waiting for these kids to hit the wall. They won’t.
by NurseBeachie on Feb 25, 2010 2:11 PM MST up reply actions
Slovakia
has Budaj played at all, or has it been Halak?
Mile High Hockey: stupid jokes for the intellectual crowd
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 25, 2010 10:02 AM MST reply actions
All Halak
2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: The wheels are firmly secure thank you!
Advice to Red Wing Fans: If you don't want the reputation of being whiners, then stop whining about EVERYTHING. Your team is allowed to lose games, and when they do, it's not always because of the refs or Gary Bettman, and you seem to continuously claim
Wait, you mean Budaj is eligible to play? I thought Slovakia had him on the team because he is the best door opener in the League.
MHH: The Burgundy Army is on the March!
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Feb 25, 2010 12:57 PM MST up reply actions
Anyone know if NBC plans to tape delay the games again tomorrow? It’d be a lot easier to catch part of the U.S. game over lunch if they showed the thing live.
by MalachiConstant on Feb 25, 2010 10:03 AM MST reply actions
Nope, live in all time zones
2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: The wheels are firmly secure thank you!
Advice to Red Wing Fans: If you don't want the reputation of being whiners, then stop whining about EVERYTHING. Your team is allowed to lose games, and when they do, it's not always because of the refs or Gary Bettman, and you seem to continuously claim
Is that only for the semi's
Or did they move the medal games to live as well?
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Marching with the Burgundy Brigade
I think all the medal games are live in every time zone, but then again it is NBC.
MHH: The Burgundy Army is on the March!
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Feb 25, 2010 12:58 PM MST up reply actions
Does Sweden's loss
eliminate the last of Les Ailes from the Olympics? I may be missing someone, but it looks like no medals for anyone from the wheel…
Rafalski is on the American team. Filppula is on the Finnish team.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 25, 2010 10:58 AM MST up reply actions
Patrick Kane
Doesn’t seem to fit well on any of the USA lines. But I have a feeling he’s gonna step up when we really need him. I also expect a big game from Bobby Ryan.
Go USA!!!!!
www.returnoftheghostbusters.com
Kane
It just seems to me he gets short changed a lot.
And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.
by Bob in Boulder on Feb 25, 2010 11:54 AM MST up reply actions 5 recs
Ladies Bronze Game Underway
Why is it that women’s hockey does not allow body checks. Same for lacrosse. My daughter wouldn’t play lacrosse because she couldn’t hit anyone. She’s now playing P1 soccer where it’s often “no amputation, no foul”. It suits her.
Is this the way the players prefer it?
. . . . . What? Oh, sorry. I thought I was on a 2 hour tape delay.
In the early 90’s they ruled that the North Americans size and power gave them an unfair advantage to hitting.
Maybe they should disallow passing and goal tending too by that logic.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Because now it’s a level playing field?
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 25, 2010 2:08 PM MST up reply actions
Hitting might level the playing field. It’s one way to negate speed and skill. The Devils proved that.
. . . . . What? Oh, sorry. I thought I was on a 2 hour tape delay.
by Busted Twigg on Feb 25, 2010 3:32 PM MST up reply actions
so these countries just need to get douchier?
Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Feb 26, 2010 11:23 AM MST up reply actions
If womens’ hockey is on the chopping block, and that’s what it takes to stay an Olympic sport, IIHF should look to changing the rules to increase “douchiness”. There were so many times where the US or Canadian winger was skating down the wall, blowing past a slower defender from one of the “lesser” countries. A gentle hip check would have shut it down, but instead it’s a scoring chance. Let them play hockey.
Most of the girls have been checking since they were 11 anyway, playing pee-wees with the boys. I know around here that the girls teams don’t start forming until the girls are 14 or 15. They play with the boys until then.
. . . . . What? Oh, sorry. I thought I was on a 2 hour tape delay.
by Busted Twigg on Feb 26, 2010 12:23 PM MST up reply actions
The Canadian Women’s team was practicing against men to get ready for the Olympics.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Feb 26, 2010 4:24 PM MST up reply actions
Sad really, when you think about it.
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and East Germany, the North American Women’s teams just don’t get the opportunity to play against men in the Games proper…
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - On the upside, there's only 21 more (regular season) games of Darcy Tucker left!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
