Olympic Hockey Update: 2/28
by Dustin Burfiend on Feb 28, 2010 8:00 AM MST
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Last night, Finland took the Bronze medal, giving Ville Peltonen and Jere Lehtinen and I believe one other (if you know who, let me know in the comments and I'll update this) their fourth medal which ties an Olympic record. That is pretty cool but I really feel like Slovakia deserved to win a medal. After going down 1-0, Slovakia scored 3 unanswered goals. In the third, the Fins answered, especially Olli Jokinen who scored the 3rd and 4th goals for Finland. Slovakia had a few chances to tie it up in the last minute scramble, Richard Zednik in particular had a glorious chance that he bounced of Miikka Kiprusoff's head. Finland scored an empty net goal to seal the deal.
And, today, at 12:15 pacific standard time, the USA will take on Canada for the gold. They've taken different paths to get here with the USA going undefeated and actually never even being down a goal. Ryan Miller has been the man each and every game. The Zach Parise, Paul Stastny, Jaime Langenbrunner line has been dominant and Brian Rafalski has perhaps been the surprise of the tournament (its strange to think he could be my hero today and an enemy tomorrow). Canada has faced a tougher path, falling to the USA in the preliminaries and having to play in the qualification round. But the loss to the U.S. team was a wake-up call. Martin Brodeur lost his starting job to Roberto Luongo who has been solid if unspectacular. The team shifted lines around and found some better chemistry. They tourched Russia but then had trouble with a Slovakian team that just lost to the Fins, who, of course, were tourched by the USA. I still think Canada is the favorite but anything could happen. A lot is going to depend on that man pictured at the top of my post. He has been rock solid and could steal away the medal that the Canadians are so desperate for. Who will step up for the USA? Will it be a young kid like Patrick Kane, Zach Parise, Stastny, or Phil Kessel? Does Captian Clutch Chris Drury have another huge goal in him? Will Brian Rafalski challenge for tournament MVP? Can the USA avenge their loss at Salt Lake? And for the Canadians, will Joe Thornton finally buck his reputation for folding under pressure? Will Sidney Crosby grab another trophy that Alex Ovechkin does not have? Can Luongo follow in Broduer's foot steps and bring gold to his country? Did somebody stick another damn loonie under the ice?
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I am excited and nervous! I want to win today not so much to stick it to Canada, although that’d be nice hahaha (once again, this isn’t personal Canadian friends!), but because I want people- Canadians and Americans- to respect American hockey. I think a USA win would bring some much deserved attention to the NHL and help show people that they don’t have to be born North of the USA border to be good at the game, or even love the game.
I also like this USA team- and not just because Stas is on it. We all had our qualms with Burke’s choices, but like I read in a recent yahoo article- we aren’t an all star team, we’re just a team. And like Burke said, "I don’t think we’ve had to manage egos. We’re not asking 30-goal scorers to be grunts. We brought grunts." And I respect that.
That being said, I want our boys to bring home gold- but you know what, if we come away with the silver it’s not going to make me die on the inside (that much.) People act like gold is the only color medal that counts, and I disagree. You should never go into a game or a competition and not give a gold medal performance (I’m not trying to encourage a defeatist attitude here), but the critics have already been proved wrong- and damn I hate those critics! If we play our hearts out and play with integrity I’m going to be happy.
So that also being said, if we (and we get to be “we” again tomorrow!) lose to the Evil Empire tomorrow I am going to be pissed, haha. ;]
Win or lose, today is a great day for hockey. I have friends who do not like hockey calling me up, “Hey, what are you doing for the game? Want to head to Potts? (Our bar)”.
What is going on??? Since when do these guys give a shit about this? The hype is too much for them to pass up I guess, but a thrilling game may be just enough to make some converts.
By the way, the bar that I am going too to watch the game is the same bar my girlfriend manages/bartends. She said every USA hockey game since the Canada game has brought in a full bar. If I am not around for Avs GDT’s, I am usually at this bar and I can tell you AT MOST, there is maybe 5 people including myself actively watching the game. For the USA games, 40+. She had to make a bunch of phone calls last night around midnight to bring in an extra cocktail server because she was concerned they didn’t have enough people working for the game. So long story short(er), I am going to the bar just to be a part of the atmosphere for this game. If the US team wins, the bar should explode. Can’t wait.
Burgundy army now taking recruits.
Me too...
Ha, its really interesting how many of my non-hockey friends are into this game too. I see tons of facebook statuses being updated with “Go USA Hockey! Woo Hoo!” and such. I think its really nice how its going a bit more main-stream right now. There will be a ton of people watching it on nation-wide NBC today too. I just hope for a good showing, a great game to bring everyone together.
Go USA! And good luck Canadia, sorta, kinda, but not really!
Thanks Joe...
I think it’s awesome it’s getting so much attention (and by the way I hate Potts, haha- but I did go to one before a Spice Girls concert when I was like, 7.)
Anyway, today definitely is a great day for hockey.
About the game specifically, I’ll be interested to see how Luongo does if we can generate a good amount of pressure against him. He’s been great only having to make a few good saves every now and again but it seems like he cracks a little when other teams step up their game. Regardless, I will am very excited and have bought a new bottle of Pepto Bismal to get me through this!
by xskatebakerrx on Feb 28, 2010 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
Potts is pretty nice when you know the manager and get things discounted. Also, admitting to go to a Spice Girls concert even at the age of 7 is something I’m not sure you want to tell the public hahaha.
Burgundy army now taking recruits.
I will never be ashamed of the Spice Girls, ever! Long live girl power!!!
by xskatebakerrx on Feb 28, 2010 10:20 AM MST up reply actions
So
I was talking with one of devils fan friends. He said parise was on some radio show just talking about how he has never played with anyone like stastny. He just said stastny is always where he should be and lives to create chances for him (parise). He said “it’s like Paul is in my head”. He went on to say he and Jamie had never played this well. Think SoS doesn’t want that kind of winger and vice versa.
Avalanche 2009-2010: Ostensibly, the worst team in the league. Realistically, more points than the Flames and Wings. But hey, your Corsi number is better.
by c6hor8 on Feb 28, 2010 10:22 AM MST via mobile reply actions
Leave Wolski, and I’d be willing to ditch a 2nd rounder for Zach.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
I dont think they’d give him up for anything less, not really. Actually I don’t think they’d give him up for just about anything going into the playoff run, especially after their big deal with ATL.
Thanks Joe...
Uggh, having him on our team would be magical. Yup, that is the best word I can think of for that situation.
by xskatebakerrx on Feb 28, 2010 11:03 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah, like Liles, Parise would only be leaving in the summer.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
That is cool.
Can you clarify this part for me? “Think SoS doesn’t want that kind of winger and vice versa.”
Never trust the lunch lady.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Feb 28, 2010 11:50 AM MST up reply actions
He’s saying Stastny wants a “quality” winger like Parise to play with on the Avs, and vice versa Parise would love to have a center like Stastny.
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 28, 2010 12:41 PM MST up reply actions
Oh, he meant it as a rhetorical question but forgot the question mark.
Never trust the lunch lady.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Feb 28, 2010 1:06 PM MST up reply actions
I think it's safe to say this...
For US hockey fans…
we started out the Olympics thinking we were lucky to get a medal, then we started kicking ass, and we EXPECTED to medal…then I think it kicked in when we beat Canada…
ANYTHING LESS THAN GOLD, AND THIS WHOLE OLYMPICS IS NOTHING BUT A 100% PURE FAILURE!!!!
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
Your use of poetic capitalization makes me tingle.
Avalanche 2009-2010: Ostensibly, the worst team in the league. Realistically, more points than the Flames and Wings. But hey, your Corsi number is better.
by c6hor8 on Feb 28, 2010 10:31 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
until the final buzzer today, I’m frothing at the mouth as an American…
after the buzzer…it’s on to the total, ultimate destruction of the Red Wings…Lake Erie set the table last night…let’s sweep!!!
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
with that being said…here ya go…
FOR ALL OF US WAIVING THIS…
You know this has some of those dirty words in it. so NSFW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnUgAaea4M
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
Question I posed in Twitter...
For those of you here rooting for the US…what would your emotions be if Brian Rafalski scored the game winning goal?
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
He and I will be on good terms until the clock strikes 12:00am on 03/01/10. Then we must be enemies again. But you know, he’s never really a Winger I’ve disliked. I think it’s because I never really paid attention to him.
I love my Avs but I love my country first. If (and probably when) Dutchy plays for Canada in 2014 I will have to be enemies with him for the duration of the games.
by xskatebakerrx on Feb 28, 2010 11:40 AM MST up reply actions
I have always liked Rafalski as a play despite his uniform during the regular season. At least for one more day I get to cheer for him.
Tomorrow he will still be a good player, but he plays for the enemy.
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 28, 2010 12:46 PM MST up reply actions
enemies with dutchy?
I could never be enenmies with Dutchy, if when he plays for Canada. Also, why would the Av’s ever trade Wolski? he is going to be a great player, maybe not a super high scorer, but great nontheless.
I will compensate with “frenemies.” But only for that week.
by xskatebakerrx on Feb 28, 2010 12:40 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah…well, only for those games, really.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
Posting something only Dater would love...
COME ON USA!!! MAKE THIS YOUR ANTHEM TODAY!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yArjkkQlHo
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
I could not. In any way, shape, or form. The ruinous cost for a few weeks of feel good (not that most of us who live here could afford to attend events of consequence) is not worth my kids (ages 4 & 5) and probably grandkids paying.
Thanks, no. I’ll look for illegal streams from abroad to watch the games so as to circumvent the failfest that is NBC.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - On the upside, there's only 21 more (regular season) games of Darcy Tucker left!
Denver won’t get another shot for a long time at the Winter games.
The Lake Placid games were going to be in Denver, but voters turned it down.
The cost of the games, both summer and winter, is destroying city economies. Sydney and Athens are still paying off debt. (Not sure about Turin or Salt Lake.) It just costs too much to put them on. It would be fun
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Mar 1, 2010 10:09 AM MST up reply actions
Actually it was the Innsbruck, Austria games that were originally awarded to Denver. Denver said the cost was too great (and this was before corporate sponsorship), and the environmental impact was too great. Many of the missing infrastructure pieces at the time are now in place, but there would still be a huge expense.
. . . . . What? Oh, sorry. I thought I was on a 2 hour tape delay.
by Busted Twigg on Mar 1, 2010 12:50 PM MST up reply actions
Saku Koivu
was the third Finn who got his 4th olympic medal.
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