Hockey: Canada or Russia, who do you like in the Olympics?

[89911]

The Pens have 2 on each squad, so I am hoping one wins the gold. I am pulling for Canada, but I think the team is too inexperienced. The Russians play a more European brand of hockey and I think this works out well for team that have not played together. I think this will eventually be the difference. Thoughts? Opinions? If they do play in the finals, it will be ashame its only one game.

[Tobra]

Russia

[serge944]

The Motherland, of course.

[s_morrison57]

Betting against Canada when it comes to hockey is foolish, it's true that we have had a number of top players that have retired over the last couple of years and their spots are taken by lesser known players but we can't forget that these are all world class players. Canada has the home team advantage as well, I doubt that there will be a lot of Russians at the game. Of course all teams but USA and Canada play a European style but over there the boards are used to keep the puck in play, here the boards are used to flatten players from Europe and the ice size is way smaller here, there is no getting away from that check, there just isn't the open ice that they are used to, trust me, this is a big deal. Its like the NFL field compared to the CFL field, smaller is more intense, you better be ready or look out cause someone is on you - right now. This is huge, plus all the players are used to it and few of the E-team players have played on this size of surface and if they have its been during international competition not 84 games a season - not every game you've ever played, add to this fact as well is the style of play, there its gentlemanly, here in N. America its rough, its tough, its physical - in your face hockey and that intimadation factor is also big. Canada and the States will play this type of game and its critical for team USA to play this way if they want to advance to the medal round, I know Canada will play this way.
I have no doubts that Canada will make the medal round, will we win the Gold? I'd have to say yes but nothing is cast in stone, and everyone knows about our centre ice good luck charm. Is it going to be good hockey? Yes there is no doubt on that.
The unconsidered factors are the spoiler teams, the Finn's and the Cech's can steal a game at any time and the one team that was not mentioned is the Swede's, I think they will have a better team than the Russian's, it's the Swede's that most Canadian hockey fans are worried about. In a best of 7 or best of 5 they have no chance but in 60 minutes anything can happen.
I'd like to see a best of 3 for the Gold and I'd also like to see an over 50 Olympic's for people that have never competed before. Use the same facilities but 1 year later, summer and winter games, we also need more recognition for the Para Olympics because these athletes embody the true meaning of sports and the total comitment required.
My 2 cents worth

[89911]

Are all the games on full sized Olympic rinks? I thought they just built a new rink for the NHL team up there that they are using? I do love the game on bigger rinks. Makes the game much more fluid and better to watch. After this, watching them play on NHL rinks look like there playing on someone's backyard pool.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by s_morrison57

Canada has the home team advantage as well

This has not been a factor in other events so far, but hockey is different.

Go Canada!

[71T Targa]

What percentage of the Olympic teams are NHL players?

[gprsh924]

Originally Posted by 89911

Are all the games on full sized Olympic rinks? I thought they just built a new rink for the NHL team up there that they are using? I do love the game on bigger rinks. Makes the game much more fluid and better to watch. After this, watching them play on NHL rinks look like there playing on someone's backyard pool.

No this is the Canuck's rink, regular NHL size. They did not spend the money on construction to expand it to the olympic size.

[jorian]

I think the Swedes are under rated as well. They have the Sedin twins in the line up. Going to see them play in about 2 hours. I'm stoked.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

No this is the Canuck's rink, regular NHL size.

I heard that today. Should be a good tourny!!

[stealthn]

Canuckistan!!!

[jorian]

Saw the Swedes play Germany yesterday. Swedes won 2-0 but looked a little flat. Germans played their hearts out but couldn't capitalize on chances. Lotsa penalties and 10 min misconducts.

I also saw the Cz vs Slovak game which was much more entertaining. A lot of animosity between those two teams.

[DavidB911]

What about the USA?? Canada is probably more skilled, but that doesn't translate to wins all the time.

[mca]

One word ... Brodeur!

[Christien]

Just watched about 2 minutes of Canada vs. Switzerland, beginning of the 2nd period. Unbelievable that the Swiss held us to one goal in the first! But the Canadians are playing hard-hitting NHL style hockey. That will take its toll on the less-physical teams. And with Brodeur and Fleury in net, well, that's about as killer a combo as you could get. One has more cups than almost any other goalie who's ever played, and the other is just coming off his first cup win, into what will surely be a superstar career.

[89911]

Hey, glad you are a Fleury fan. Sad part is, I bet he doesn't even get to play. Would it kill someone on NBC to broadcast any of the hockey? I just got done watching 2 hours of lame womens snowboarding with a hope they would show some. Short of watching it streamed on my computer, I guess my only luck on TV will be the gold medal game. And even so, I bet they will just show the 3rd period.

[Christien]

Wow, humble pie is bitter. 2-2 into OT, first round no scoring, finally Crosby nets one and Canada wins, but way WAY closer than it should have been! I formally take back my previous stance that Canada is a shoe-in. I still think we'll win it, but it'll be much closer, and hopefully more exciting, than I first thought. Now, as for the women...

[billybek]

Games should be on international ice. It is what makes the games....International!
How does that one slip through the Olympic bid process....
I never expected the medal to be handed to the Canadians, but I didn't expect the Swiss to be such a challenge...

[Vonzipper]

Poor decisions by the coach led to a close game, tell me how a player like Brendan Morrow can only have 13 min of ice in two games? NBC said at the end of the second that he had only 3 min of ice. Looks to me like Babcock is trying to hit one out of the park instead of hard work

[89911]

I might have to change my picks. The Czech team looks good. I forgot how you can combine some average NHL players and come up with some teams that work well together. And some that just want it more. Russia seems out of sync. USA looks good also. Its going to be interesting.