For hockey fans, today's matchups are kind of like the holy grail. For those excited about international hockey, Canada/USA, Russia/Czech Republic, Finland/Sweden are matchups that highlight a tourney, and to have them all on one day is akin to being a dog in a slaughterhouse.
Here's what to expect...
Canada vs. USA
The US beat Canada in Saskatchewan for the World U-20 gold. Don't think the fans in attendance forget that, and I have a string feeling the US will be public enemy #1 today. The US team may be young, but many of these players have battled Canada in junior tourneys and have played under that pressure before, so I don't believe experience will be all that big a factor.
Canada has had difficulty with chemistry, as their struggles against Switzerland pointed out. The US has gotten scoring from their bottom 6, so if the likes of Patrick Kane and Zach Parise can get rolling I think they can score with the Canadians.
For some reason, Sidney Crosby is still having difficulty jelling with wingers. Pens fans will feel their stomachs turn a little as it is expected that Flyers captain Mike Richards will line up as Crosby's LW.
I expect this game to get chippy. While superstars like Crosby and Kane will score, I believe the play of the US's bottom 6 (big forwards like Ryan Malone and David Backes) will make the difference. Canadians will face major backlash with a loss today.
Russia vs. Czech Republic
The Czechs are playing, along with the Fins, the best hockey right now. Jaromir Jagr looks like he's turned the clock back 10 years, and the Czech defense has been solid.
The same can't be said for the Russians. Their defense has been sub-par, and top gun Evgeni Malkin is struggling with his linemates.
I'd also have to give the edge in goal to the Czechs, who have one of the most underrated goalies in hockey: Tomas Vokoun.
Who wouldve thought the Russians would have to play an extra game in the playoffs? The Czechs will make that neccessary.
Sweden vs. Finland
Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu are playing as if this is their last hurrah. The Fins have steamrolled to this point. They have skill (Selanne, the Koivus), grit (the Ruutus), and they have goaltending (Kiprusoff). Sweden looks as if something's missing. They have a stellar goalie (Henrik Lunqvist), but the forwards and defenders are reflecting that something's off. Peter Forsberg isn't making an impact at all. Right now, the Fins are playing better and would love to exact revenge on the team that beat them for gold 4 years ago.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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.
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.
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