Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:16 pm

What a great pair of hockey games yesterday! Not sure why, but these games are more fun to watch then the S. Cup finals.

p.s. those Denmark Curling babes are hot!

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:28 pm

congrats to team USA - hopefully Canada can fix their problems but I'm thinking they're in tough just to get a medal let alone gold.

Of course, this tournament with players thrown together at the last moment is a far cry from what it could be.

And I'll never see a hockey game or series that lives up to what I saw live in Hamilton in 1987.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rg_-JwlN-o

Best wishes,

Doug

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 5:59 pm

I will say that Canada got off to a slow start, and some of the old boys need to be benched as they aren't playing very well. rumour has it Luongo gets the next start.

That being said, Ryan Miller is a big part why the US won. He commited grand larceny on multiple occasions, and that was that.

The US also outworked Canada for the most part, but if Miller wasn't so hot, i think Canada steals that game......

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:06 pm

Gangrel wrote:The US also outworked Canada for the most part, but if Miller wasn't so hot, i think Canada steals that game......

Well, you know what they say, my man: If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:25 pm

pk500 wrote:
Gangrel wrote:The US also outworked Canada for the most part, but if Miller wasn't so hot, i think Canada steals that game......
Well, you know what they say, my man: If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

That's #17.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:56 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
pk500 wrote:
Gangrel wrote:The US also outworked Canada for the most part, but if Miller wasn't so hot, i think Canada steals that game......
Well, you know what they say, my man: If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

That's #17.

But it still fits just as well as the first time.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:43 pm

The format of the hockey competition is kinda weird, but I guess it guarantees a lot of games in a short space of time. Wednesday is going to be amazing.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:29 am

Feanor wrote:The format of the hockey competition is kinda weird, but I guess it guarantees a lot of games in a short space of time. Wednesday is going to be amazing.

Some great matchups that day, of course I'll be looking forward to the potential Russia-Canada game. Everyone seems to be down after the disappointing loss last night yet I keep reminding some band-wagoners that back in Salt Lake City, Team Canada went thru something similar where they just couldn't gel the first three games and Cujo Joseph was eventually replaced by Marty while eventually winning the game that mattered most. The Gold medal game.

Canada didn't play badly, Miller just outplayed Brodeur and the US forwards put a lot of pressure on Canada's D at the right time especially when Niedermayer and Pronger were on the ice. Dudes like Boyle need to pick up their pace, his skating hasn't been as precise as wehn the QB the Sharks.

It's a long way to the medal round now. Not impossible, as it's been done before and I still trust in the team that Stevie Y picked with the exception of Pronger and Bergeron. Maybe the pressure to win at home is getting to some guys.

It's time for Bobby Lou to shine.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:43 pm

Let's just pretend the US will meet Canada in the championship game. Who has the edge?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:50 pm

fletcher21 wrote:Let's just pretend the US will meet Canada in the championship game. Who has the edge?

Canada would be the betting favorite of course. They've got the talent and the home ice...the US has the confidence. Talent usually wins out.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:20 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
fletcher21 wrote:Let's just pretend the US will meet Canada in the championship game. Who has the edge?
Canada would be the betting favorite of course. They've got the talent and the home ice...the US has the confidence. Talent usually wins out.

But it also depends on how tightly Canada grips its sticks. This is the "Apollo 11 Olympics" more than ever for the Canadian men's hockey -- failure is not an option. And failure, especially on home soil, is anything but the gold.

U.S. coach Ron Wilson played the underdog role to the hilt leading up to the USA-Canada game Sunday, and the U.S. embraced it. Canada looked tight as hell for the first 10 minutes of the game, and the U.S. capitalized with those early goals.

The pressure would be even more intense on the Canadians in a gold medal game at GM Place, er, Canada Hockey Place. So the U.S. could neutralize that talent gap by following the same blueprint as Sunday night.

Sure, Miller needs to stand on his head just as much in a prospective final as he did Sunday night. But there's nothing to indicate he won't or can't. He's been the best goalie in the world all season, should be a shoo-in for the Vezina and should get serious consideration for MVP. Buffalo would be NOWHERE without him. He's definitely more essential to the Sabres than Crosby is to the Pens -- hello, Malkin -- and arguably more essential to the Sabres than Ovechkin is to the Caps.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:35 pm

pk500 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:
fletcher21 wrote:Let's just pretend the US will meet Canada in the championship game. Who has the edge?
Canada would be the betting favorite of course. They've got the talent and the home ice...the US has the confidence. Talent usually wins out.
But it also depends on how tightly Canada grips its sticks. This is the "Apollo 11 Olympics" more than ever for the Canadian men's hockey -- failure is not an option. And failure, especially on home soil, is anything but the gold.

U.S. coach Ron Wilson played the underdog role to the hilt leading up to the USA-Canada game Sunday, and the U.S. embraced it. Canada looked tight as hell for the first 10 minutes of the game, and the U.S. capitalized with those early goals.

The pressure would be even more intense on the Canadians in a gold medal game at GM Place, er, Canada Hockey Place. So the U.S. could neutralize that talent gap by following the same blueprint as Sunday night.

Sure, Miller needs to stand on his head just as much in a prospective final as he did Sunday night. But there's nothing to indicate he won't or can't. He's been the best goalie in the world all season, should be a shoo-in for the Vezina and should get serious consideration for MVP. Buffalo would be NOWHERE without him. He's definitely more essential to the Sabres than Crosby is to the Pens -- hello, Malkin -- and arguably more essential to the Sabres than Ovechkin is to the Caps.

Agreed! 99%...Especially on Miller. He was clearly the best player on the ice sunday night. I'll also buy that he is more valuable than the other guys mentioned to his team.

Canada was tight at the start of the game the other night. I dont see any reason they wont be tight if the face the US again in a gold medal game . Thats if they can even get past the Russians.

The coaching job by Wilson is obviously good. Cant deny the result... but its not very hard to play the underdog role when you are obviously the underdog. Its a very easy sale.

Canada is Canada's greatest enemy. That is one heavy freaking weight they carry.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:50 pm

XXXIV wrote:Canada is Canada's greatest enemy. That is one heavy freaking weight they carry.

Bingo. The torch has been passed to Luongo and it's his time to show what he's got this week and future Olympics for team Canada. With this type of tournaments, the goaltending position is magnified to its max and historically 'the key' to winning a Gold medal.

The fact that the time is very limited for practice and for players to gel with each other applies to all countries and that's why a 'hot' keeper is so important in any Olympics.

Interesting enough before the tournament began, I mentioned that even with Luongo and Brodeur, the net area seemed to be the weakest link for team Canada. Just by looking at the way those two have been struggling before the Olympic break, especially Marty.

I also picked Russia and Canada for the finals but that will happen much sooner than what I anticipated.

The only team that I can say has been consistent with their play and has gone quietly about their business are the defending champs, Sweden.

If Miller continues his hot streak, team USA can go definitely be in the mix for a medal, although I don't think it'll be the gold one.

If Canada loses tonight, you can bet that all hell will break loose in this country.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:04 pm

U.S. have as much chance as anyone for gold the way they are playing.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:13 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:U.S. have as much chance as anyone for gold the way they are playing.

Better chance.... They dont have to play Sweden,Russia or Canada til the Final.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:01 pm

It's Crosby vs Ovechkin. Russia vs Canada, it doesn't get any better than this. This extra game that Canada had to play, helped Crosby find his ideal teammates in Iginla and Staal, although Nash could fit perfectly well as a RW. The line of Getzlaf and Perry needs still pick it up a notch, and I still wonder if Ryan is 100% with his high ankle sprain he suffered 2 weeks ago.

The D still worries me a bit. Keith and Doughty are two guys that keep improving every game, but the gameplay of D. Boyle and Seabrook has to be better if Canada is to beat the Russians. Best game by captain S. Niedermayer yet and Bobby Lou wasn't really tested that much.

There's only one way to play the Russians. By being physical and banging them hard every chance they can get. Just look at how AO rocked J. Jagr at centre ice a couple of nights ago, it was a hit that changed the complex of the game and Russia went on to win it.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:57 am

Not to interrupt all this macho hockey talk with some figure skating,

, but WOW, how about that Canadian figure skater's performance last night, two days after her mom died? It was incredible how she held herself together.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:01 am

lexbur wrote:Not to interrupt all this macho hockey talk with some figure skating, , but WOW, how about that Canadian figure skater's performance last night, two days after her mom died? It was incredible how she held herself together.

must have had you reaching for your purse.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:29 am

fsquid wrote:
must have had you reaching for your purse.

LOL!

What can I say? It just happened to be on in the background while I was spittin’ chewing tobacco and cleanin’ that grizzly I killed with my bare hands last weekend.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:36 am

I think Jagr may still be feeling the effects of that hit from Ovie and the one from the first game when he was rattled into the boards.
He didnt play after 1 minute of the 2nd last night.
You can tell Euro leagues arnt as physical hes forgot what it was like.
I think he remembers now

As for the Czech v Latvia game what a beauty that was, shame it ended the way it did but gotta love the passion the Latvians showed.
If there is one edge Europe has over North America is when they play for their country it realy does mean something more, not sure about Canada so much but deffinately is true for U.S.

Cant wait for todays suprises, lets hope its not in the first game

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:29 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote: As for the Czech v Latvia game what a beauty that was, shame it ended the way it did but gotta love the passion the Latvians showed.

Considering how well the Latvian keeper played the entire game, it was a pity it ended up on a softy goal but that was a great game.

Jimmydeicide wrote: If there is one edge Europe has over North America is when they play for their country it realy does mean something more, not sure about Canada so much but deffinately is true for U.S.

An edge? That's crap. You're not sure how patriotic people are here and how important this whole tournament means to everyone where Hockey is a cult?

Against the Russians tonight, with the exception of the Olympic venues where they'll be showing the game, you won't see a soul in the street.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:34 pm

This Colbert dude is a riot. With all the jokes he's made about Canada, people love him as he continues to tape his shows from Vancouver.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:01 pm

10spro wrote:This Colbert dude is a riot. With all the jokes he's made about Canada, people love him as he continues to tape his shows from Vancouver.

The last two have been pretty good.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:30 pm

10spro wrote:
Jimmydeicide wrote: As for the Czech v Latvia game what a beauty that was, shame it ended the way it did but gotta love the passion the Latvians showed.
Considering how well the Latvian keeper played the entire game, it was a pity it ended up on a softy goal but that was a great game.

Jimmydeicide wrote: If there is one edge Europe has over North America is when they play for their country it realy does mean something more, not sure about Canada so much but deffinately is true for U.S.
An edge? That's crap. You're not sure how patriotic people are here and how important this whole tournament means to everyone where Hockey is a cult?

Against the Russians tonight, with the exception of the Olympic venues where they'll be showing the game, you won't see a soul in the street.

Was talking about the players who put on the jersey not the fans, its obvious with the fans that its life or death.
If Canada played with the desperation that Latvia had we wouldnt be talking about this.
lets see if im right today because the russians will have it for sure.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:52 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:
10spro wrote:
Jimmydeicide wrote: As for the Czech v Latvia game what a beauty that was, shame it ended the way it did but gotta love the passion the Latvians showed.
Considering how well the Latvian keeper played the entire game, it was a pity it ended up on a softy goal but that was a great game.

Jimmydeicide wrote: If there is one edge Europe has over North America is when they play for their country it realy does mean something more, not sure about Canada so much but deffinately is true for U.S.
An edge? That's crap. You're not sure how patriotic people are here and how important this whole tournament means to everyone where Hockey is a cult?

Against the Russians tonight, with the exception of the Olympic venues where they'll be showing the game, you won't see a soul in the street.
Was talking about the players who put on the jersey not the fans, its obvious with the fans that its life or death.
If Canada played with the desperation that Latvia had we wouldnt be talking about this.
lets see if im right today because the russians will have it for sure.

We have a few floaters around. No doubt. But the desperation games start tonight. You lose, you're out. Now, the whole country expected them to win Gold' cause anything else is unacceptable here when it comes to Hockey. As I mentioned before, maybe the pressure to win at home is getting to some players, but I am sure everyone wearing the jersey has tried hard. But for Canada to win 4 games in 6 nights is pretty damn tough.