Proof I'm Addicted to Hockey

I Love Olympic Hockey...

This is how much... It's 3:30 on a rare, beautiful, did I mention rare?, Saturday afternoon in Erie, Pennsylvania. And I'm glued to my couch soaking in every word of Jeremy Roenick's analysis of the huge Norway vs. Switzerland game. Yes, that would be the Swiss team that tested both the US and Canadian men's hockey squads, but still remains winless in this tournament. And that would be the Norse men who are likely to be relegated out of the big boy tournament with what is looking like a 12th place finish. But an upset of the Swiss (yes, 12 seed upsetting 8 seed is still an upset) could make that prior point moot.

Can't you see my intrigue here? Okay, maybe not. It's highly possible I'm extremely easy to amuse. Here's proof, as I jot down what catches my attention during this game...

Norway's Patrick Thoreson is only 5-11, 190. He's clearly their best player. I remember him playing for Edmonton and Philadelphia, but mainly in 4th line role. Maybe that's why I always thought of him as bigger than 5-11....

Tore VIKINGSTAD. He's a forward, he's got a goal in this game, he's stood out as one of Norways's better players. He has an AWESOME name! Is it just me or is that the perfect name for a Norwegian hockey player? I now want a #29 VIKINGSTAD Norway jersey! (Hopefully, my wife reads this and keeps me off of shop.nhl.com. I could see me buying that jersey and completely forgetting why I thought that was a cool idea. But right now... I want it!)...

Norway has another player by the name of Tommy Jakobsen. That sounds like the perfect name for the lead singer of a Minneapolis-bred metal band. If the hockey thing doesn't work out for him, there's a guitarist in the Minneapolis area that has to trck him down. He's their captain, so he has charisma. If not, at least find a yound blonde kid with a great voice and convince him to change his name...

#14 Roman Wick of the Swiss has the hands to play in the top 6 for an NHL team. I'm certain we'll be seeing him in the NHL after watching his talent stand out in the 2 games I've watched him in this tourney...


It's 2-2 in the second, by the way...

Raffael Sannitz, #39 of the swiss, just scored one of the prettiest goals I've seen in a while. Sick hand eye coordination. Play set up by a nice read and pass by Roman Wick (there's that name again)...

Both of these teams are young. One of these teams will be a major factor in 4 years. Remember I said that...

Another goal by VIKINGSTAD!!! Nice set up from behind the net by Zucca(something). Even better finish. I need that jersey!!!! (3-3, end of the second)...

I like the Norway jerseys, but something's just... off. The rounded numbers clash with the rigid block lettering. The idea behind them is a homerun, but the execution strikes out. Simple, non-descript normal lettering wouldve been simple enough to make it perfect. Contrary to my attention to the Norse sweaters, this is a highly entertaining game!...

I've found myself rooting for the Vikings over the Chocolatiers. The only firm belief I have as to why this is boils down to this... Norwegians have cooler names. Much more fun to say...

Roman Wick just made another incredible feed on the power play and the Swiss are ahead 4-3. If this kid's not in Ottawa next year, folks in Kanata Ontario should be all over Sens GM Bryan Murray (and Pierre McGuire just agreed with me as I typed that)...

A hat trick for VIKINGSTAD!!!!! It's a sign. I'm supposed to buy that #29 sweater. Game tied back up at 4...

Under a minute left, and the VIKINGSTAD line comes off for Norway as the Wick line comes on for the Swiss. Gotta like this matchup if you're the Swiss. And a scoring opportunity is gloved by the Norse goalie. Norway wins the faceoff and gets the puck deep on Hiller, offensive faceoff for the Norse and Vikingstad line back out...

Overtime!...

This is hockey at it's finest. This may be the best opportunity for either if these 2 teams to win a game in Vancouver. Sudden death. Both teams desperate to win their final game, to not be the team to finish preliminary play without a win... A great play by #35 of the Swiss to rush the net and create space for a rebound. Swiss win in OT.