Torino 06

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:31 pm

XXXIV wrote:
pk500 wrote:OK, inquiring minds want to know: Does curling really grab big ratings? I ask because every time I turn on USA, curling is on. It seems to be the third-most televised sport of the Olympics behind skiing and figure skating.

Take care,
PK
I know they love it in Canada.

Not me, don't understand nor I have any interest. Now, what concerns me instead is the current status of Team Canada's hockey team as they are down 2-0 to the Finns.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:34 pm

10spro wrote:
XXXIV wrote:
pk500 wrote:OK, inquiring minds want to know: Does curling really grab big ratings? I ask because every time I turn on USA, curling is on. It seems to be the third-most televised sport of the Olympics behind skiing and figure skating.

Take care,
PK
I know they love it in Canada.
Not me, don't understand nor I have any interest. Now, what concerns me instead is the current status of Team Canada's hockey team as they are down 2-0 to the Finns.

The Finns are good unlike the Swiss!!!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:19 pm

Zlax45 wrote: The Finns are good unlike the Swiss!!!

Or Latvia...

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:29 pm

A huge scandal is about to be unveiled this week as it involves Norway and Austrian skiers. A former Austrian ski coach's home was busted today and there's evidence of blood diffusion, drugs, etc. Stay tuned.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:08 am

10spro wrote:A huge scandal is about to be unveiled this week as it involves Norway and Austrian skiers. A former Austrian ski coach's home was busted today and there's evidence of blood diffusion, drugs, etc. Stay tuned.

And he crashed his car today in a high speed chase.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... Front/home

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:08 am

Am I the only one who wants to f*** the s*** out of that American Ice Dancer Tanith Belbin (or something like that)?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:15 am

ScoopBrady wrote:Am I the only one who wants to f*** the s*** out of that American Ice Dancer Tanith Belbin (or something like that)?

Nope...she's hot. The only damn reason to even leave the TV on when Ice Dancing is on. Holy crap that is the dumbest f'n event.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:49 am

ScoopBrady wrote:Am I the only one who wants to f*** the s*** out of that American Ice Dancer Tanith Belbin (or something like that)?

No. She's beyond fine. A beautiful woman. You can thank our neighbors to the north for her, as I believe she just became an American citizen after being a Canadian native.

Here's something to distract Scoop -- and all of us -- for the day. Lovely Tanith:

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:50 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote:Am I the only one who wants to f*** the s*** out of that American Ice Dancer Tanith Belbin (or something like that)?
Nope...she's hot. The only damn reason to even leave the TV on when Ice Dancing is on. Holy crap that is the dumbest f'n event.

How about that spill that Canadian chick took last night in the ice dancing? That was a harder hip check than has been delivered in any men's hockey game!

Definitely an "OOOOH, that's gonna leave a mark" moment.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:28 pm

The Olympic hockey has been amazing so far, although a few more goals would be nice. Can't believe Canada got shut out two games in a row. I knew Niittymaki would be good for the Fins cause he's been great for a Flyers team decimated by injuries.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:47 pm

Yeah, like Don Cherry would say, "Tanith is a good Canadian kid" that will makes us all proud. What a beauty! I just started following the dance competition a few years back where the contraversy with the now retired Canadian pair "Bourne-Kratz" with the judges was so obvious. And in this particular dance competition, most babes are just ravishing.

If looks coud kill, I would hide if I was M. Margaglio, the Italian guy that lost his footing in the dance prior to Belbin-Agosto, with his partner Fusar-Poli just seconds before they would finish thier dance in front of their native home and perhaps costing them a medal. What a look she had.

Now Team Canada's firing blanks 2 games in a row is a bit of an upset although the Finns have been good for many years now and have been knocking at the door. T. Selanne was just flying yesterday.
Thank goodness this is not the medal round yet but in general, I find the team too individualistic and a bit tight. Having said that, I know they'll rally around this latest set back when it counts.

How about the Russians? Scoring 9 goals and with Kovalchuk stating that they still haven't played to their potential yet, is a scary comment. Watch them, they are soooo skilled!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:56 pm

Now I REALLY dig Tanith Belbin: I just read that she and her skater boyfriend, Fedor Andreev, are really into autocross events and work on their cars for races during the offseason.

Hot Bod. Beautiful Face. Into Cars And Racing.

Can you spell D-R-E-A-M?

Take care,
PK

bigmoe · Post by **bigmoe** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:07 pm

10spro wrote: If looks coud kill, I would hide if I was M. Margaglio, the Italian guy that lost his footing in the dance prior to Belbin-AgostoWhat a look she had.

Yea I know that look, I get it from my wife way too often and im running out of places to hide. bye the way, we are both italian-american
oh yea Tanith is a beauty,but i have to watch what i say.....

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:36 pm

That hot ass Belbin just pulled a silver with good ol' what's-his-name. LOL...that's tight.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:43 am

Congrats to USA for the silver medal. Hard to believe it's the 1st medal ever in dance competition in 30 years, south of the border. Belbin was a class act during the CBC interview. She thanked the US for becoming a new citizen and shared her accomplishment with Canada.

Now, besides Belbin, I thought Drobiazko was HOT too.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:27 am

10spro wrote: Now, besides Belbin, I thought Drobiazko was HOT too.

]

Yes. Yes she is.

So is Canada claiming that silver medal Belbin won?

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:44 am

pk500 wrote:OK, inquiring minds want to know: Does curling really grab big ratings? I ask because every time I turn on USA, curling is on. It seems to be the third-most televised sport of the Olympics behind skiing and figure skating.

Take care,
PK

I actually got totally hooked on watching this for some reason. Probably has something to do with the strategy elements and the fact that it is one of the only events I could possibly do myself.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:59 pm

North American hockey goes out with a wimper.

Team Canada. slow and stupid. No goals.
Team USA. stupid and slow. Old.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:02 pm

Yeah, so much for that "veteran experience" when the other teams are skating circles around you.

Makes the omission of Crosby, Spezza and Stahl a bit more glaring, wouldn't you think?

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:08 pm

The whole nation is in mourning. Quiet streets, all in disbelief. That bonehead penalty C. Pronger took with the Goalie already out and with only 45 seconds left just killed Canada as Russia scores their second. Man, it's dissappointing but kudos to the Euros.

PK, wished Pronger stayed in Edmonton.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:13 pm

10s:

Yeah, it's weird. Pronger played like this his first six weeks in Edmonton, adjusting to the new rules. He couldn't hack and slash and cross-check like he did in the past.

Seems like the clock was rewound to October for Prongs the last week in Torino. He led the Canadian team, and maybe the entire tournament, in minor penalties.

No question Pronger is going to be the object of national scorn, much like Beckham after he was red-carded against Argentina in World Cup 98. I hope it doesn't affect him too much, as he has been dynamite the last two months for Edmonton, and the Oilers need that kind of play from Prongs to make the playoffs.

Take care,
PK

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:23 pm

The ref in The Canada game did have a quick whistle some of his calls only served to destroy the flow of the game. Though Canada did earn both of their game killing penalties in the 3rd.

The waving off of that tying goal was pretty quick too.

The better team did win.
Russia was better all day long.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:40 pm

Didn't the Russian or Soviet team play some NHL All Stars sometime during the '90s, before the Russians started really playing in the NHL in big numbers?

Who won those games?

And who won in Salt Lake?

Is this a big upset?

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:10 pm

wco81 wrote:Didn't the Russian or Soviet team play some NHL All Stars sometime during the '90s, before the Russians started really playing in the NHL in big numbers?

Who won those games?

And who won in Salt Lake?

Is this a big upset?

Canada beat the US in Salt Lake, 5-2 I believe, for the gold medal. It's not a huge upset, but if you told anyone that Canada wouldn't win a medal in Men's Ice Hockey, they'd laugh in your face. It's their sport, and were widely considered as having the best hockey talent in the world. Canada was shutout in 3 of their last 4 games, and had the same problems the American squad did with the speed and finesse of the Europeans.

Keith Tkachuk was absolutely horrible for the USA. He had 3 penalties today because he was too lazy and slow to play defense. 2 hooking calls, and a tripping call. He was bench the first 12 minutes of the 3rd period. When he finally saw the ice, he was immediately whistled for tripping. Pathetic. The USA needed more players like Gionta, Drury, Blake, Gomez, and Ralston. Guys like Tkachuk, Guerin, and Knuble are too slow for this type of competition.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:26 pm

wco81 wrote:Didn't the Russian or Soviet team play some NHL All Stars sometime during the '90s, before the Russians started really playing in the NHL in big numbers?

Who won those games?

And who won in Salt Lake?

Is this a big upset?

The Russian Red Army team played NHL teams on a roving exhibition basis in the 80s. Most of the Soviet national team came from the Red Army team.

I saw the Red Army team play Buffalo at the old Buffalo Aud in 1989. That was the greatest hockey team I've ever seen, in person or on TV. The passing, skating and movement were jaw-dropping.

Soviet players started coming to the NHL in the late 80s and early 90s, starting with Slava Fetisov. Once the wall fell, the floodgates opened, as the Russian League was desperate for money and would take payments from NHL teams to release their players.

Canada beat the U.S. in the gold medal game at Salt Lake. The Czechs beat the Swedes in the 1998 final, as Sweden beat Canada in a shootout in the semis.

The Canadians were the favorite for gold entering the tournament. As Sully said, only Nostradamus or someone on crack would have predicted before the tournament that the Canadians wouldn't get a medal of any color.

But it seems that USA Hockey and Hockey Canada didn't quite get the message that speed kills in both flavors of hockey, the NHL and international play. Both governing bodies picked teams based on the "experience factor" more than who was playing well now, so that translated into two older, slower teams. The Euros exploited the hell out of that, and neither North American team got stellar goaltending, another trait of medal-winning teams.

God, I love the single-elimination format of the medal round. Brings some March Madness feel to the ice.

Take care,
PK