Olympic Ice Hockey

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

What say ye?
Does Canada have an easy Gold? Can the USA finish what they started 4 years ago?

How about women's hockey? Anyone dig "Chicks with Sticks"?

1990C4S · 01-29-2014, 01:13 PM

There is a reason Canada won the last two Olympics on NHL sized ice (and played the US both times) and both flamed out on International sized ice.

Neither North American team should be considered a favorite this year.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Granted, the larger ice surface will favor non-NHL players but how many members of the Russian team aren't already playing in the NHL? If anything, a smaller country with not many NHLers will have an advantage.
What about the women? Does anyone even know much about them?

jwgn777 · jwgn777's Garage

2014 Winter Olympic hockey predictions - Canada Olympics | Examiner.com They have the US womans team as a possible Gold metal winners. It's possible. Just predictions http://www.examiner.com/article/2014-winter-olympic-hockey-predictions

GWN7 · 01-29-2014, 05:13 PM

Might not happen. This was discussed on the evening news. If there is a terrorist attack the NHL won't let any of their players under contract attend. This could be the last year any NHL player attends as it is rumored that the NHL is not happy they have to shut down for two weeks for games not under their broadcast rights.

1990C4S · 01-30-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Granted, the larger ice surface will favor non-NHL players but how many members of the Russian team aren't already playing in the NHL? If anything, a smaller country with not many NHLers will have an advantage.
What about the women? Does anyone even know much about them?

The Russians or Czechs will have the most international players, mostly from the KHL. It is still an advantage to play on the larger ice if that is how you learned to play. Especially for a goalie.

There are no teams with less the 3/4 of their players currently playing in the NHL that have any chance of even winning a medal.

The Canadian women's team is in disarray, they are the underdog this year. Poorly run, (previously) poorly coached, political interference, and old age all take a toll on a team.