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| 2014 Olympic hockey; men & women | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 2 2014, 12:35 AM (1,932 Views) | |
| hobbes | Feb 14 2014, 11:26 PM Post #46 |
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I am fighting the war with the time change and Sochi is winning. I've watched the first seven games, but I'm not sure I'll ever catch up. I have Tuesday and Wednesday off, so I'll be able to watch the elimination games, but right now work and sleep is winning. It's a real shame that the best hockey you're going to see is being compressed into such a crazy schedule. That Swiss-Latvia game was superb. Great tempo. It's a shame more people didn't see it. The Swiss attacked more than usual and the Latvians matched their speed and played with an edge. The Swiss are my darkhorses for the semis. And I've actually been modestly impressed by the Swedes. They're still struggling to play a full 60 which was their problem four years ago. I want Canada to lose to Finland because we need to get some stuff straightened out, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. I also say this more in the defence of Slovakia than to disparage a fantastic US performance, but if the Slovaks had played that game like it meant something it's significantly closer. Nearly all of the US damage in the second period came against the Slovaks' 7-8 D pair. And one of the times they weren't on the ice for a goal they had spent 1:37 on the ice in one shift that led to a US power play — which they scored on. That will surely be the longest shift of the Olympics. Well for two players. I expect Ovechkin to play the full two minutes on every power play. Basically every time those two were on the ice, the US scored in the second period. And fair play to the US they looked deep and very strong, but when it gets down to it, Slovakia won't be rolling four lines and four D pairs and Chara will start taking those guy's minutes. I have no idea when I'm going to see the US-Russia game, but it's going to be a dandy. cheers, hobbes |
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| raconteur | Feb 15 2014, 12:11 PM Post #47 |
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My suggestion hobbes is ASAP go watch Russia-USA, it was a great game. Well played from both teams, it also had controversy a Russian 3rd period goal which was correctly called off IMO- see it here, then a long shootout which was eventually won by the USA thanks to TJ Oshie, a St Louis Blue I might add. International hockey has a rule I did not previously know about, after the 1st 3 shootout attempts, a team can stick with the same shootout taker until a match is decided and TJ Oshie made 4 of 6 shootout attempts against Sergei Bobrovsky in Russia's goal (wish football had that rule and Italy could designate Mario Balotelli to take all of it's PKs! ].Obviously both teams will advance to the quarterfinals and could meet again down the road, not sure I would like that as Russia would be out for revenge but any fan of the sport or just sport in general would have enjoyed today's matchup. By the way here is why Fedor Tyutin's goal did not count with only 4:40 left in the 3rd period (it would have been the winning goal if it had counted),
In the day's other game Slovenia upset Slovakia 3-1. This is starting to get good! |
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| americafutbol10 | Feb 15 2014, 05:08 PM Post #48 |
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As was mentioned, the USA-Russia game was INCREDIBLE...unfortunately, it was kind of bittersweet for me. The USA-Slovakia game, I actually watched live at 4:30am (PT), as I woke up in time for it, though I had my DVR set. Thought I could wake up for Russia but sleep won out...however, I did set my DVR. I'm watching the game...nearly had a stroke, when Kane was stopped on a breakaway in OT...and, with about two minutes left in OT, the timing ended & I had not extended the timing, like I usually do To say I was bummed & exasperated, would be an understatement. I had no choice & checked Sportscenter...to see the USA had won in a shootout & America had a new hockey hero in T.J. Oshie Russia did have a goal disallowed, after it looked like they took the lead, 3-2, with less than five minutes to go in regulation but the goal was, rightfully, disallowed as the net had been dislodged. Unfortunately, Jonathan Quick, who was amazing in goal for the USA, was "accused" of intentionally dislodging the net after the game, by none other than his own club teammate, Slava Voynov! Sour grapes by Voynov, if you ask me, & not sure if there will be any tension when they get back to the LA Kings..but NOT cool on Voynov's part IMO :angry: Very surprised at how bad Slovakia has looked in the first two games...not sure if Russia will be happy to play against an "angry & embarrassed" opponent, who has nothing to lose. Switzerland is one tough opponent, who I don't think ANY of the top favorites want to play in the medal round...I know I don't want the USA to play them. I expected a bit more of the Czechs, especially Jagr. Happy for Slovenia & Anze Kopitar to get their first Olympic hockey win v Slovakia...but tomorrow morning, Kopi becomes the enemy, as USA plays Slovenia & needs a win to guarantee a bye into the medal round. Might be a Kings fan but, like soccer, it's all about country over club. Canada-Finland should be a great game...also, the women's semifinals are set for Monday: Canada v Switzerland USA v Sweden Finland, widely regarded as the third best women's team in the world behind USA & Canada, was upset by Sweden on Saturday morning, 4-2! |
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| Yogi | Feb 16 2014, 11:56 AM Post #49 |
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I just finished watching a good match between Canada and Finland,won 2-1 in overtime by Canada on the 2nd of Drew Doughty's goals. Finland sure played Canada tough, defending well, closing them down (I saw Sidney Crosby at the opening handshake but that is about all I have seen from him in Sochi) but Price did his job in Canada's goal and kept Finland down to a lone goal until Doughty, what a skater he is, scored the game winner. And an important win it was, as I will discuss later. Russia needed a shootout to defeat Slovakia while Phil Kessel showed his speed and scored a hat trick in the US' 5-1 win over Slovenia. Now why Canada's win was important, it means they avoid a likely quarterfinal matchup with Russia, instead that is what awaits Finland. Sweden ended as top seed from group play, the US 2nd, Canada 3rd and Finland 4th, those 4 advance directly to the quarters. There will be 4 play in games (with seeds in parentheses) and the teams the winners of those matches will face in the quarterfinals: [8]Slovenia-[9]Austria Winner- [1]Sweden [7]Czech Republic-[10]Slovakia Winner-[2]United States [6]Switzerland-[11]Latvia Winner-[3]Canada [5]Russia-[12]Norway Winner-[4]Finland A killer qualifying match between the Czechs and Slovaks while Latvia can give Switzerland a tough game. That would set up some interesting quarterfinals, especially Russia-Finland and the tough defense of Switzerland vs Canada. if form holds up the semis would be: Sweden-Russia/Finland USA-Canada The qualifying games are on Tuesday, the quarterfinals on Wednesday, the semis on Friday and the Gold Medal/Final on Sunday. |
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| americafutbol10 | Feb 16 2014, 12:15 PM Post #50 |
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USA didn't play their best game but Phil Kessel was great, scoring a hat trick, & the line of Oshie-Stastny-Wheeler was very good. I had no issues with Ryan Miller starting in goal, instead of Jonathan Quick...and he was very solid...but there's no question that Quick should be the goalie from this point on. Anze Kopitar didn't play much in the game...but got word that it was a stomach issue, probably got sick off that Russian water ...so, no need for LA Kings fans, like me, to worry.Wow, Doughty is playing amazing for Canada...hope he plays like that for my LA Kings when the NHL starts again Ok, now that the preliminaries are over, the REAL fun begins & here are my picks: Slovenia v Austria = Slovenia v Sweden Czech Republic v Slovakia = Czech Republic v USA Switzerland v Latvia = Switzerland v Canada Russia v Norway = Russia v Finland |
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| americafutbol10 | Feb 17 2014, 01:06 PM Post #51 |
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Women's semifinal results: USA 6-1 Sweden Canada 3-1 Switzerland The only reason the scores weren't more lopsided was the Swedes & Swiss goalies...both were outstanding, though the Swedes goalie was TOTALLY bombarded! So, the bronze medal & gold medal games are all set: Bronze Medal Sweden-Switzerland Gold Medal USA-Canada This is the 5th Olympic women's hockey tournament & the 4th Gold medal game featuring USA v Canada, with Canada leading, 2-1...Canada looking for their 4th straight women's Gold, while the USA is looking for their 2nd but first since 1998 Nagano! My pick...should be another intense & competitive game but USA is due & VERY motivated...USA 4-3 Canada in OT
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| hobbes | Feb 18 2014, 01:05 AM Post #52 |
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Well we have a perfect storm of two of my more outlandish theories going into the tournament 1. That the Swiss will make the semis and 2. That Canada won't medal if they don't lose to the Finns and aren't forced to play an extra qualification game. I didn't really expect it to be Canada-Switzerland meeting in the QF, but since it might well be a collision of both of my thoughts, I'm going to call a Swiss upset. Now, obviously Canada should win and I know they will likely win, but this game makes me very nervous. I don't mind Martin St. Louis playing a top-six role, but how you go from 'not on the team' to 'top line' after one game is beyond me. And then back out. It just screams "we really don't have a plan." Now Crosby is centring Kunitz and Bergeron — the two guys who made the team in consecutive cycles because they have chemistry with Sid. Toews, Tavares, Getzlaf, Perry, Benn (when not with Sid) have all been very good. Our defence has been sensational. I worry about our scoring. A lot. I don't think we are anywhere near having the right players in the right roles. I don't want to be in a one-goal game in the QFs where a call or a bounce could turn the tide. But if we play the Swiss I expect a 2-1, 1-0 type game. That disallowed Russian goal was interesting because that would have counted in the NHL IMO. The integrity of the frame wasn't compromised. Anyway it was the right call internationally, but there have been a lot of odd delays in blowing play dead with the net off so far. I am still picking Russia. I think their defence is playing well enough. Emelen and Medvedev have been very steady and Belov (for a guy that doesn't play all that often for a terrible NHL team) and Nikitin have been solid. The Russian path is eerily similar to the one Canada took in 2010 no? It's easy to imagine Russia-US final. One of the interesting stats about past Olympics is that discipline has been they key. The team that has spent the second-least amount of time short-handed has won the last three Olympics. And they beat the team that was the least penalized in the final twice. If you look at good teams who disappointed (Russia has been bad at this twice) they are often taking substantially more penalties than their upper echelon peers. Russia is not taking a lot of penalties this time around. In fact they're second least (and that number could change quickly since the tournament has a lot of hockey left) penalized. The Finns are the least by a lot. And the Slovaks and Swiss are near the worst. If the Finns meet the Russians I would say that discipline could very well decide that game. And for the third tournament in a row, the Swedes are living and dying on the power play. They may score more than half of their goals on the power play for the second time in three Olympics. Which is crazy. Anyway on to today's games… Slovenia-Austria: I was going to give the Austrians the edge largely because I like Starkbaum over Kristan in goal, but the Austrians are going to stick with Mathias Lange (who beat Norway). Lange has better numbers, but I think Starkbaum is your guy to spring an upset. The Austrian defence should struggle with the Slovenian speed up front (I love Rok Ticar btw) and if Lange isn't really sharp Slovenia could pull the upset. If Thomas Vanek decides to show up he could be the difference maker, but I'm going to pick Slovenia, with Lange being the goat. Russia-Norway: This could be an 8-1 game or an uncomfortable 3-1 game. I think it will be the former, but I'm not sure. If the Russians can get an early game or two their speed through the neutral zone will kill Norway. But if Norway can stay compact and use their defensive size they could frustrate Russia for awhile. And Russia will be tight going into this one. I think Russia will win comfortably. Popov getting promoted to the Ovechkin-Malkin line and Semin getting demoted to the third line is interesting, but I don't mind it at all. I've been fascinated by the way the Russians have used the stretch pass to play almost route 1. They post a forward up and he flicks the puck on like a target forward to a streaking man making a later run. I've never seen anyone quite do that before. Swiss-Latvia: once again this game is not on TV! How is that possible? We have 1,500 hours of live coverage and we can't get the game to play Canada in the QFs? And the first meeting was so good. On the plus side I cannot stand listening to Glenn Healy and Craig Simpson do colour any more (both are idiots and here they're Canadian homers and NHL homers, it's painful) and BBC's feed has just ambient sound. So BBC stream it will be. I think the Swiss will make shorter work of Latvia than they did last time. But of course they need to finish their chances. If the Swiss miss the few chances they generate then the Latvians can easily win this game. The Lativans need to be disciplined and still play their physical game. Sandis Ozolins is playing like it's the last game of his life every time out so far and they're a tough, physical, gritty team to play. I think the Swiss speed and their talent (Brunner, Cunti, Wich and Pluss need to get contribute and Neidereitter needs to use his size) will carry the day. Slovakia-Czech: who the hell knows? The Slovaks are finally looking like they care. And if anything is going to make them find their hearts and passion it's a chance to knock the Czechs out of the tournament. The Czechs are starting to come around and I thought played not too badly in their last two games. Nedved is still baffling, but it sounds like Palat is back in. Erat-Hanzal-Vorachek are playing well and the Jagr line has been good. If they can get Krejci and Hemsky to wake up they might have something. Smid went from not playing in the first game to top pair and Zidlicky has been very good. Having Gudas back helps. I think either the Czechs dominate and win easily or the Slovaks will win a close game. I'm going to go with the latter and say the Slovaks will win and their kids up front (Panik, Jurco and Tatar) will be difference makers. I'm not crazy about either goalie. If the Slovaks start Lako that could be their undoing. The Czechs are going to start Pavelec (are they the only teams that have used all three goalies so far?), but it's not like he's been having a great season either. I'm hoping this is the best game of the day. cheers, hobbes |
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| americafutbol10 | Feb 18 2014, 12:15 PM Post #53 |
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Qualification playoff results: Slovenia 4-0 Austria Russia 4-0 Norway Czech Republic 5-3 Slovakia Latvia 3-1 Switzerland Happy for Slovenia & Anze Kopitar...amazing story in their 1st ever Olympic hockey tourney. Didn't think they could beat Austria but they are playing very well & could give Sweden a tough game. Russia only led Norway...by far, the worst team in the men's tourney...2-0, late in the third period before getting an empty net goal & another one before the end. Don't like the way the Russians are playing & think they might lose to Finland, unless they bring their "A" game! Czech Republic concerns me, for the USA, a bit...but haven't played a full 60 minutes, either. They led Slovakia, 3-0 after one period & 4-0 late in the second period but allowed the Slovaks to pull within, 4-3 before netting an empty net goal. Didn't see the Latvia-Swiss game but VERY surprised The only pick I got wrong was this game! Thought the Swiss would win & give Canada a good game. Not sure what happened but Canada better not sleep on Latvia.Quarterfinal matchups for Wednesday: Slovenia-Sweden Russia-Finland Canada-Latvia USA-Czech Republic Interesting match-ups...personally, I find the Russia-Finland & USA-Czech Republic games as the most compelling & appealing! My picks for the quarterfinal round: Sweden 4-1 Slovenia Finland 3-2 Russia (OT) Canada 3-0 Latvia USA 4-2 Czech Republic |
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| hobbes | Feb 19 2014, 01:47 AM Post #54 |
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Not a bad day of elimination hockey, but not exactly a great day either. I thought it was interesting that the teams with more NHLers on their rosters lost three of the four games. Slovenia 4 Austria 0: Kopitar scored early as Lange gave up a soft goal through the legs. That being said this wasn't Lange's fault. The Austrians never showed up. On the first goal they left Kopitar wide open in the high slot. The game changed when Kristan made a great lunging save to rob Grabner after a nice cross-crease pass from Vanek. A few minutes later Urbas scored a short-handed goal short-side (you hate to get beat short-side, but it was a great shot) and Slovenia were off to the races. The Austrians just didn't skate. They were out-worked and out-skated by Slovenia all game. Vanek was poor again and when you compare him to Kopitar (who once again played something crazy like 25 minutes) he looks even worse. Kopitar might be the best player in the tournament so far. He's logging huge minutes, playing in all situations and leading his team to unimaginable heights. Kovacevic had a really good game and scored on a great shot to go up 3-0. Well-deserved win by the darlings of the tournament. Latvia 3 Suisse 1 : this was a bit of an odd game. The Swiss took seven of the first eight shots of the game and totally dominated the opening 6-7 minutes. Then Bartulis scored through a screen to put the Latvians up 1-0 and 2:30 later Darzins scored a power play goal from a tight angle after Redlihs made a nice pass. I thought Hiller had time to get across and didn't get flush to the post. It was a bad goal to give up. Ambuhl was robbed by Masalskis and the Swiss were able to generate chances, but couldn't score until Pluss was able to find some room late in the second. Latvia played their physical style and were tenacious, but they only took one penalty and that was three minutes into the game. I thought that was huge for them. The Swiss pressed well in the third but couldn't score and Darzins scored an empty netter to ice it. Czech Republic 5 Slovakia 3: the Czechs put David Krejci on the power play and it paid off as he scored a power play goal and helped set up Hemsky's opening goal on the power play. The Slovaks lacked jump, but they just made too many mistakes. Marincin took the penalty that led to the first goal and then he took a terrible angle that allowed Plekanec to beat him and then he didn't pick up Cervenka on the rebound as the Czechs went 2-0 ahead with goals 29 seconds apart. Leading 3-0, the Czechs looked like they didn't even care to try to score on two second period power plays and the Slovaks stole the momentum back. They were buzzing when Sekera bobbled a puck at the blue line and then blindly turned into Cervenka giving him a breakaway to put the Czechs up 4-0 (sensational deke by Cervenka btw). Marian Hossa's line played really well as the game wore on and he scored twice and Surovy scored to make it interesting, but the Czechs weathered the storm pretty well in the final 6-7 minutes and scored an empty netter. Russia 4 Norway 0: it might be because I'm listening to Canadian colour commentators who have made a sport out of shitting on everything the Russians do, but I thought they were fine in this game. It took a long time to score, but they didn't look overly unmotivated. It's like playing a road WCQ against a small country that sticks 10 men behind the ball: it won't be pretty, but as long as you get a goal or two you're never worried. As soon as Radulov scored the first goal I never really thought the Russians were in danger. The Norwegians blocked shots and clogged lanes well, but they generated very little and I thought Bobrovsky looked sharp. Don't hate on Norway too badly. They did hold Canada to 3-1 and Russia to 2-0 until the final minute. They're probably the weakest team at the tournament, but not by any sizeable margin. So today: I totally agree that Russia-Finland and US-Czechs are going to be the two best games today. Slovenia v Sweden: I think Sweden will win, I just don't know how comfortable it's going to be. Kristan played very well in goal for Slovania Tuesday. I like how the Slovenians skate. I'm just not sure they're going to have much success pressuring the fast and skilled Swedish defence. The Swedes have also struggled to play a complete game. If the Slovenians take penalties and the Swedes work hard it could be quite lopsided, but I think the Slovenians will keep it close and stay disciplined. If they can keep the potent Swedish power play off the ice it should be close. I'll go with 3-1 Sweden. Russia v Finland: As I said earlier I think discipline is going to be the key in this game. The Russians can't take penalties. Not only does it give the offensively challenged Finns chances, but they need all the 5-on-5 time they can get to try to break down the stubborn Finnish defence. I'm curious if playing twice in two days isn't good for the Russians. They have no time to think about pressure or the significance of the game. It's a quick turnaround and so you just get up and play again 24 hours later. I think this will be the game of the day and I'm predicting 2-0 for Russia Canada v Latvia: It's kind of ironic that I was scared of the Swiss and not at all scared of Latvia given what happened yesterday, but I expect Canada to kill them. This reminds me a bit of the Germany elimination round game four years ago. The Germans were big and physical and that caused some teams some problems. That was never going to bother Canada. The Latvians have been the most physical team in the tournament. They work hard and play a good cycle game. I can't see them playing a North American-style game against Canada and having any success. They haven't looked great when they've had to spend extended amounts of time in their zone and despite Canada's struggles offensively I think we'll spend a lot of time in their zone and win easily. 6-0 Canada. United States v Czech Republic: I think this will be a pretty enjoyable game, but I can't see how the Czechs can hang around with the U.S. for long enough. The Czechs have had trouble playing 60 minutes and their depth has been an issue. The Americans have been consistent, they're deep, they're rested and they have much better goaltending. The Czechs aren't going to be easy by any means, but I think eventually the U.S. depth will win out. I'll say 5-2 with an empty netter (just so I don't match AF10s pick). cheers, hobbes |
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| raconteur | Feb 19 2014, 09:41 AM Post #55 |
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Hockey, bloody hell! How do you say Maracanazo in Russian? or perhaps Sochiazo? Finland eliminates Russia in the quarterfinals 3-1. Maybe not a huge upset on neutral ice as the Finns certainly are good but in Sochi, at Russia's Olympics, this is a huge upset.Sweden also easily got past Slovenia and will face Finland in the all Scandinavian semifinal. Will the US and Canada force an all North American semifinal in the other semi? They are each playing as I write. |
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| americafutbol10 | Feb 19 2014, 05:25 PM Post #56 |
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Quarterfinal results: Sweden 5-0 Slovenia Finland 3-1 Russia USA 5-2 Czech Republic Canada 2-1 Latvia Slovenia, obviously, just ran out of steam v Sweden. Didn't like the way Russia was playing, heading into the Finland game & thought they would lose, though, I did expect more from them coming into the tournament & wanted another USA-Russia game, for the gold medal. USA looked strong again & have been the most impressive team in the hockey tournament, by far...though, I did expect the Czechs to put up a better fight. Only saw the end of the Canada game but looks like they were not overwhelming v Latvia, though I suspect Latvia played very well. Semifinal match-ups on Saturday: Sweden-Finland USA-Canada |
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| Yogi | Feb 19 2014, 09:13 PM Post #57 |
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I think the semifinals are on Friday af10. Impressive wins by the US and Sweden, right now I think those are the two teams playing the best but obviously you can not count out either Finland or Canada and in fact I think Canada will beta the US and would not be shocked if Finland beats Sweden. Two evenly matched semifinals, what more can you ask? (Well unless you are Russian!) Speaking of Russia I heard they have not won an ice hockey medal since 2002. That is incredible. Is Russia's hockey team becoming like their soccer team, known for underachieving? |
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| americafutbol10 | Feb 19 2014, 09:50 PM Post #58 |
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You are right, Yogi...don't know what I was thinking, lol.Looking forward to USA-Canada...will post my semifinal picks, sometime on Thursday. |
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| hobbes | Feb 20 2014, 12:52 AM Post #59 |
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A day full of odd decisions, but some pretty good games. The Swedes were just too good for Slovenia who kept it quite close for awhile. The did themselves proud despite the score. The Finns managed to finish some chances. The Russians went back to Varlamov in goal (I think the plan was to trade starts with their goalies... which is insane) and he let in a howler after the Russians had taken a 1-0 lead. He got pulled and Bobrovsky didn't give up a goal, but the Russians lost because they couldn't beat Tukka Rask. They took too many penalties. They didn't get a lot of calls as the Finns clutched and hooked them as much as they could. But the Finns just out-hustled and out-worked them. The Finnish fourth line led by Leo Komarov was excellent all game. The Russians seem to be in this middle ground failure where they're not as deep as the US, Canada or Sweden and they don't have an underdog mentality like Finland or Slovakia or the Swiss. So they tend to get out-worked or their lack of depth is exposed. Or both. They play like their superior talent is going to be enough, but their talent really isn't superior and it hasn't been enough any time recently. I expected them to elevate their game, but it never really happened. I thought for the most part they played fine today, but they didn't capitalize on their chances and they got out-worked. I was surprised the Latvians opted to go with their back-up goalie Kristers Gudlevskis. Now I'm wondering why he wasn't their starter? He made 55 saves and I wasn't sure he was going to be able to finish the game he was so exhausted. The Latvians scored on a trick play (I love Ted Nolan and I feel racism is all that has kept him out of the NHL for so long, so I always want to see him succeed) that they executed to perfection. The Canadians didn't respond the way I thought we would to the Latvians trying to be physical with us and I don't quite know what to make of it. It didn't really matter much as whether we were being hit or not we spent the whole game in the Latvians end. We just couldn't score. I'm not sure why I thought we'd roll Latvia. We still are hard up for goals. Crosby missed a breakaway and had a tough chance with the side of the net empty that he missed. Kunitz hit the bar with most of the net to hit in the early going... The US had no trouble with the Czechs (I finally got a score prediction right!), but Ondrej Pavelec didn't play well at all and it made it more lopsided than it probably should have been. The Czech coach is getting ripped for his player selections. He picked his own son in law (I didn't know that until today) and left NHLers off the team. Phoenix Coyotes' right winger Radim Verbata alleged this week that Jagr and Nedved are effectively coaching the team since they're more respected than the man in charge. In any event, the U.S. continue to look good and the Czechs never looked like a threat. The Russians are obviously not happy about today's loss. Here is an exchange from the post-game press conference with head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov: Q: What future, if any, do you see for your own work and for your coaching staff? Because, you know, your predecessor was eaten alive after the Olympics— A: Well then, eat me alive right now— Q: No, I mean— A: Eat me, and I won't be here anymore. Q: But we have the world championship coming up! A: Well then, there will be a different coach because I won't exist any more, since you will have eaten me. Q: But you're staying, aren't you? A: Yes, I will remain living. FWIW I thought the white Russian unis and the blue Finnish jerseys are the two best in the Olympics, so it was nice to see them on the ice at the same time. I'm picking the Finns to beat Sweden and the U.S. to beat Canada. I think the Finns will be able to bottle the Swedes up and will stay out of the penalty box. I think the US-Canada game will come down to goaltending, with both Price and Quick shining, but the U.S. winning the duel. Women's final is hours away and I haven't been to bed yet. And I have to work tomorrow. And I have two long Olympic bobsleigh features to write. So I better get some sleep. cheers, hobbes |
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| libero | Feb 20 2014, 04:17 PM Post #60 |
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I really enjoy the write ups hobbes,please keep them coming! And congrats on Canada's women's team winning gold in hockey (again.) I did not see the game but read it was quite a thriller, I look forward to reading your report. |
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![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)



].

...so, no need for LA Kings fans, like me, to worry.

6:23 AM Jul 11