Thrashers

By Bob

December 20, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this

I’ll resist the obligatory Waddell bashing and just raise my eyebrows at a couple of his choices there. To be fair to him, he had slim pickings to work with. I have no problem with Roenick being left off, but Tkachuk on the team? I heard Waddell on the OLN broadcast and he said he saw Tkachuk play one game where he scored two goals and “he had his spot right there”. Huh. One game?

Ah well, it doesn’t matter much, Canada not winning the gold this year would be akin to the Russians losing to the U.S. in ‘80. I think the U.S. will have to be very lucky to medal. I rate them as follows: Canada-Gold Czech-Silver Sweden-Bronze

I’ll tell you one thing. Those Team USA sweaters are ugly. Is that the style the NHL is going to next year? I thought I’d read some rumor about the new tighter sleeker sweater. Ugly.

By bk

December 20, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this

goldtending, er, goaltending, folks; all it takes is for Hasek to stand on his head (which basically means a reprise of his ‘98 performance) and Canuckle-heads everywhere will be crying in their moosehead beer.

This isn’t a slam-dunk for Canuckistan, by any means. The Czechs have some tremendous world-class talent, the most intimidating goal-tender in the business and play superb defense on the big ice (plus, they will be highly-motivated to beat the Cdns.).

I smell an upset (although its really not such a huge upset, if you think about it).

By Russ

December 20, 2005 05:03 PM | Link to this

I thought the U.S. could have went with more of a youth movement since they don’t figure to make much noise this year anyway, but overall the team is about what I expected.

Dipietro was pulled last night after giving up six goals on 17 shots against Toronto on the same day he was named to the Olympic team. He is usually a solid goalie. I just thought it was ironic since Waddell seems to have no eye for talent between the pipes. Does the Waddell curse on goalies continue?

By sodapants

December 20, 2005 05:44 PM | Link to this

lol.. It must be miserable to be you, Russ. You poor guy.

Anyway… I don’t understand why Tkschuk and Guerin made this team. The only possible reason could be leadership responsibilities since there are several ‘first timers’ this year.

The US doesn’t have a serious chance to compete for gold. Maybe a few lucky break will get ‘em the bronze but if Canada loses this thing it’ll be a national disgrace to say the least. They could field 2 or 3 world calibre teams in this tournament…..

That stacking is silly on ‘Nucks side of the border…. and they should walk away with this easily.
The Czechs? Aaaahh.. they’ll fare better than the US but I don’t see ‘em competing with Canada. Talk about dream teams.

The only race left is to see who gets 2nd place… IMO.

By Ryan

December 20, 2005 06:10 PM | Link to this

Lets just hope Waddell has spent most of his time figuring out the U.S. team then his Thrashers duty. I think that the vets are on for the leadership and that doesn’t hurt. Remember “Old” rules apply in the Turin games, but I really don’t see the U.S. winning gold. Canada,regardless of Gretzs’ situation (And let me just say We are sorry for your loss Great One), has an edge. I just can’t imagine Canada losing the gold, it would be if the U.S lost in an actual football world championship. As for the DiPietro comment, everyone has an off night he’s still a good goaltender. I would have personally liked Ryan Miller in there just because I’m from Rochester N.Y.

By Brendan

December 20, 2005 07:46 PM | Link to this

I promised Caillou I wouldn’t mention Waddell until Jan. 1, 2006. I’m doing my level best to comply.

Okay, I’m gonna go an entirely different route and pick Sweden to win the gold, with Canada getting the silver, and Russia the bronze.

People forget how Canada won the gold medal in 2002. Bloggers, who was the #1 seed? Anyone??

Anyone at all??

Yep. Sweden. Sweden, #1, was upset by #8 Belarus, 4-3, in an absolute jaw-dropper. It may well have been the single WORST thing that’s ever happened to Team Sweden in the Olympic hockey. Do you know any Swedish hockey fans? If you do, chances are, they won’t even talk about it. (It’s not a very good conversation starter. So don’t try it.)

Yyyyeah, that BENEFITTED Canada. (!!!!) Canada won that game, 7-1.

In case anyone was wondering what happened Round Robin tournament, Canada played Sweden and Sweden won, 5-2, in a blowout. Then Canada faced the Czech Republic, and it ended in a 3-3 tie.

Did Canada EVER have to face either Sweden or the Czechs again??? Nope. I sure hope Team Canada sent Team Belarus a Christmas present in 2002. For the Belarussians practically “gift-wrapped” the Gold medal for Team Canada.

Meanwhile, the second-seeded Americans disposed of #4 Russia, 3-2, and Canada beat the U.S., 5-2, for the gold. The bronze medal game was actually between Belarus and Russia, which Russia won handily, 7-2.

To think that the Belarussians almost medalled is amazing. Who knows? They could be the “surprise” of the Turin Games?

Well, I just think Team Sweden has “revenge” on its mind. Nothing would please the Swedes more than BURYING the Belarussians and showing Canada “who’s boss.”

I’m picking Sweden. They’re the most MOTIVATED team. As always, I could be wrong.

By logan

December 20, 2005 11:19 PM | Link to this

It’ll be tough for Belarus to be the surprise of the turin Games since they didn’t qualify for the tournament.

Handicapping the favourites is foolish without seeing the rosters.

By budman

December 21, 2005 09:02 AM | Link to this

The US Olympic team is made up of a bunch of old and slow players. Geez, that reminds me of some other team….

By Tommy

December 21, 2005 09:43 AM | Link to this

This is the way I handicap them:

1) Canada - All-World level team (Have you seen the forwards???)

2) Czech Republic - NHL All-Star level

3) Sweden - Ottawa Senators level (which is nearly NHL All-Star, IMO), finally got a goalie (My namesake Tommy Salo messing up that Belarus shot is the most stunning thing ever… He’d already let in some weak ones)

4) Russia - Top-flight NHL franchise level

5) Finland - Average NHL team

6) USA - Below Average NHL team (Thrashers??)

7) Slovakia - St. Louis Blues

By Ducky

December 21, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this

Waddell sucks!

By Tommy

December 21, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this

Hey bloggers - check out the seeding and schedule: text to be linked

Slovakia’s 3rd, USA 6th, and Canada’s playing Italy in the round robin - that should be a good one. There’s a chance that Latvia could finish ahead of Chelios and co, leaving them out of the playoffs.

By Matt

December 21, 2005 09:23 PM | Link to this

Oh man, Brendan, thanks for reminding me of that Canada v. Czech Republic game in Salt Lake. I was lucky enough to get a ticket to it and can’t imagine a better hockey experience.

Unbelievable play…2 goals from Lemieux, 2 from Havlat. An inspired Jagr looking like he was toying with the best defensemen to play the game. Fans going nuts…just amazing.

Add to it following Gretzky and his lovely wife into what was, unbeknownst to me, a closed off building, only to find the Stanley Cup there in front of me. Like I said, it’s hard to imagine a better hockey experience.

By Brendan

December 21, 2005 09:49 PM | Link to this

Olympic hockey is different. Back in 2002, I overheard many fans commenting that they wished the NHL would get rid of the center ice red line, and play four players at the blue line, like the Olympics.

Well, they got most of their wish. The Olympic style hockey is a very exciting style. I believe the players will still be able to somewhat “clutch and grab” like they USED to in the NHL.

I don’t know all the Olympic rules, but are there shootouts in the medal round? I have the feeling that there are. Can you imagine a “gold medal game” going to a shootout?

It’s happened in the World Cup. I think it was 1994. I don’t even remember the teams anymore. I want to say Czech Republic and Finland. It could have been Canada and Sweden or Sweden and Finland.

All I could think was … “it’s come down to this?” It was a rare result. There are five shooters. The first two missed while the other team’s first two scored. It was all but over at 2-0, with three shooters left for each team.. But the team that missed its first two tries scored on all three of their next three attempts while the team that scored its first two missed on all its remaining tries.

That’s a wild shootout.

I prefer overtime. But I can’t ever remember any overtime of more than five minutes in the Olympics. Even in the Gold medal game. I suspect the networks would frown on a 5-OT marathon!

By Brendan

December 21, 2005 10:06 PM | Link to this

Tommy, thanks for the schedule. Feb. 19th is a “big day.” Canada faces the Czech Republic while the U.S. takes on Sweden.

It will affect the seedings.

I wonder whatever became of the Belarussian national hockey program? They went from playing in the bronze medal game to failing to qualify in the span of four years.

Matt, did you get to touch the Stanley Cup in Salt Lake City?

By Brendan

December 21, 2005 10:21 PM | Link to this

Matt, if I remember that Canada-Czech Republic game correctly, Theo Fleury made an amazing play behind the net to coral the puck then feed Nieuwendyk, who executed a perfect “one-timer” past Hasek in the final minute, or so, of the game.

It was an absolutely critical goal for Team Canada. A loss to the Czech Republic could have been their unraveling, for good.

In a way, it was like Bill Baker’s goal for Team USA in the 1980 “Miracle” Olympics. Remember that one? Baker fired a drive from the point that scored on the Swedish goalie. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. Without that point, Team USA would not have found itself in a position to surpass Russia for the Gold Medal.

When Canada won the Gold Medal in 2002, it ended a 52-year drought for the Canadians. This year’s Olympics will be played in Europe. I don’t really know how much of a “factor” that is, but it probably doesn’t help the North American teams too much.

Then again, many of the European teams’ players will come from the NHL, who are dealing with the same jet lag.

If the stands are filled with Europeans, they will more than likely not be cheering for the United States … or Canada.

How much has fan support meant in the Olympics? Depends on who you ask.