The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 19, 2010 10:57:24 GMT -5
Thought I'd create a new thread dedicated to Olympic hockey, so we don't have to jump back and forth between the NHL and Olympics threads.
Two great games last night with Switzerland v. Canada and Slovakia v. Russia. Now that the huge mismatches are out of the way, we're starting to see some really great games, and the big favorites are looking very mortal. Olympic hockey never goes according to the script, and I'm sure we're going to get some great upsets once the knockout tournament starts.
The next couple days are going to be off days, with no really big games (Sweden-Belarus is the only notable one, because of this from 2002:
But Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
3:00: Russia vs. Czech Republic 7:30: USA vs. Canada Midnight: Sweden vs. Finland
That could be one of the greatest days of hockey ever.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 19, 2010 11:40:07 GMT -5
I have completely cleared my schedule for this Sunday. I am so looking forward to these games; it's going to be awesome.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Feb 19, 2010 13:57:06 GMT -5
I think what may have been shown last night with Canada struggling with the Swiss and Russia losing to Slovakia is that being ultra loaded with talent (though the Swiss and Slovakia are not say Italy in terms of talent) is not everything. I am not that familiar with the Swiss or Slovak line ups but i would have think their non NHL players have played together a lot more than the NHL guys on Russia and Canada. Chemistry and hot goalies (which both teams had last night) are key to this competition.
So maybe going to amateur in the games would benefit a team like USA because you could have guys off of college teams who have more chemistry with each other (like having a full line from one team as a full line in the Olympics)?
Also I havent heard anyone propose have a mix of amateurs and pros on the teams. Like saying one pro goalie and 10 pro players max the rest have to be amateurs. This would help out the lower level teams compete but would also show which country has the best deep talent and not just the best pro players.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 19, 2010 15:51:52 GMT -5
I think the Swiss and Slovak cases are different.
The Swiss are what jgalt was describing - their guys have played together a lot, and their national team has a lot of continuity, both in terms of players and coaches. They're one of the few Olympic teams that can really play within a system. When you add that to a star goalie who can steal a game, you have a very dangerous team to play against. It's sort of like asymmetric warfare in hockey. The Swiss will get outplayed pretty much every game against the hockey powers, but they still might be able to steal a game or two.
The Slovaks actually played Russia pretty much straight up. The top Slovaks are just as good as the top players on the other powers. They have one of the best forwards in the world (Gaborik), the best defenseman in the world right now, at least according to last year's Norris Trophy ballots (Chara), plus guys like Hossa, Demitra (who was awesome last night), and Palffy, who are very strong players with a lot of international experience. Goaltending looked like it would be a problem for Slovakia, but Halak played great last night.
The only real difference between teams like Slovakia and the superpowers is depth. The Russians have 2 lines of pure superstars, and the Canadians initially had Iginla on the 4th line. Jarome Iginla! On the 4th line! And they have Roberto Luongo.... as a backup!
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CTHoya08
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Post by CTHoya08 on Feb 19, 2010 18:35:35 GMT -5
I'm not sure that Gaborik, Chara, or either of the Hossas came off the ice in the third period or overtime last night. It seemed like Kenny Albert was constantly calling their names.
Looking at the Russian roster, I knew they would be loaded, but I was shocked at how fast they looked.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 20, 2010 18:23:24 GMT -5
The Switzerland vs. Norway game was actually a lot of fun to watch. Lots of heart from both teams, great action, momentum swings, and overtime!
There were a few players in that game who might have played themselves into NHL contracts this tournament.
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Feb 21, 2010 8:33:08 GMT -5
US v Canada Tonight -- Sunday night 7:40 PM Live on MSNBC
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Feb 21, 2010 12:41:12 GMT -5
The Switzerland vs. Norway game was actually a lot of fun to watch. Lots of heart from both teams, great action, momentum swings, and overtime! There were a few players in that game who might have played themselves into NHL contracts this tournament. Yeah and Vikingstad! What a name! Could it get any better!
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Feb 21, 2010 21:56:48 GMT -5
WOW!!!
USA 5, Canada 3
What an exciting, fast, intense hockey game!
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Feb 21, 2010 22:54:41 GMT -5
For most of the match, it seemed like the Canadians were on a permanent power play. Their advantage in talent was obvious, but Miller was excellent and the U.S. was able to execute when the opportunities they did have presented themselves. I would liken it to a boxing match in which the Canadians were hammering away with jabs, crosses, and pretty much every other shot, while the U.S. held off the onslaugh and landed a few crushing blows when there was an opening. Great stuff.
Russia commits way too many penalties and seems to be a bit too in love with its offensive firepower. At the same time, they have a serious talent advantage against most teams, and any of about a dozen players has the potential to go off and dominate. Oh, and that Овечкин guy is pretty exciting to watch...
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CTHoya08
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Post by CTHoya08 on Feb 21, 2010 23:28:30 GMT -5
Pulling for the Swedes tonight. If Sweden wins (and it's not a major blowout) that would put the US in the first slot, with Sweden in second, followed by Russia, then probably Finland, and Czech Republic. I feel much more confident about a road to the semifinals that does not involve facing the winner of Russia-Canada that early (assuming that Canada can get by Germany in the 6-11 game).
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 21, 2010 23:55:54 GMT -5
I said before that the US can only win if Miller stands on his head. Well, Miller stood on his head tonight! He was phenomenal, and he truly stole the game. I helped that Brodeur had a sub-par game, but Miller was clearly the difference.
It was a great hockey game overall too. Lots of scoring chances, tremendous talent, and some really gutsy plays. I thought Mike Emrick's head was going to explode during that 3 breakaway in a row sequence.
This has really been a superb tournament so far. The pre-Olympics hype said that this might be the best hockey tournament ever played, and so far I think it's living up to the hype.
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Feb 22, 2010 9:08:59 GMT -5
Canada outshot the US 45-23. Ryan Miller was outstanding! 42 saves. 42/45
But Canada still has an opportunity to regroup and win a medal. Even a gold. Great start for the USA, but this thing is a long way from being decided.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Feb 22, 2010 10:48:35 GMT -5
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 22, 2010 10:53:37 GMT -5
Man, Canada & Russia have to play in the quarters?!?!
Wow. What a game that's going to be.
Though, I am not sure what is going to happen in Canada if they get knocked out in the round of 8.
EDIT: I am happy to stand corrected, by the way, about one other thing. As has been noted, we've all said and thought that the US can only do well if Ryan Miller is in top form. This is still true, but (at least for me) part of the reason I thought that was because I didn't know where the US was going to get its scoring from. Shows how stupid I am. The US scored as many goals as Canada and more than any other team, including the Russians, in the preliminary round. That is just outstanding.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 22, 2010 11:49:28 GMT -5
It's sort of annoying to see the American media harping on about "the biggest Olympic hockey upset since the Miracle on Ice."
It's nothing compared to his one:
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Feb 22, 2010 12:07:08 GMT -5
You know nothing not involving the USA ever happened.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Feb 22, 2010 13:12:34 GMT -5
Stig and HSB are both right (sadly). I'm waiting for someone to write that it was the second biggest upset since 1960.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 22, 2010 13:27:11 GMT -5
Not really that much of an upset.
Yes, the Canadians are stacked. But their defense has been abysmal, for the games I've watched. Whether it is too many attacking players or not playing together enough, they have way too much talent to give up that many good scoring opportunities. Add in a goaltender like Ryan Miller and it's not exactly a massive surprise, is it?
Also, anytime you have a "Sharks" line, you should expect to choke in a playoff format, right?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 22, 2010 13:28:31 GMT -5
That'll go away for the most part when the next rounds start, I'm pretty sure.
But yeah, it's a little silly to call any team of NHL players beating another team of NHL players a gigantic upset on anything near the scale of 1980.
It's an upset. A pretty big one. I'd put it on the scale of maybe an 8 seed taking out a 1 seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Or maybe 7-2. You know, rare, but not unheard of.
Plus, it could all end up meaning nothing.
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