[OT] Ice Hockey: Can-Swe 2-5!

[drothgery]

Not really that be a suprise, I think Sweden is favored to gold this year.[/url]

Although there was no real consensus among sportswriters, almost no one projected Sweden to win gold, and a lot of people picked Canada. Though most seem to think it's something of a toss-up among the US, Canada, Russia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden for the medals.

I know nothing about hockey, so I'm projecting the medals as gold-USA; silver-Czech Republic; bronze-Russia.

 

[MythandLore]

I know nothing about hockey, so I'm projecting the medals as gold-USA

It would be nice if you were right.

 

[Holy Bovine]

Well as a Canadian I was very disappointed with our performance tonight. After the second period it was just too painful to watch so I called up my dad long distance and he gave me the play-by-play

My dad did call how the Canadians would do (lose by 2 or more goals) - the Canadian team just doesn't have the speed needed for the larger Olympic sized rink. 12 guys over 30 does not a speedy team make.

And why the injury plagued Lindros (and even Lemieux to a lesser degree) is on that team I will never know.

I fear this will not be a good year for the Canucks (but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[drothgery]

It would be nice if you were right.

That projection is based off of...
1) Several sportswriters whose opinions I respect say that team USA is seriously underrated, and is a real threat to win the gold medal.
2) The results of the last two Winter Olympics in the US.
3) Cheering for the home team.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Well, the Austria/Germany hockey game was extremely boring, but that Sweden/Canada game was much more interesting (except for the score).

I, also, must admit that last night, I watched over two hours of curling. I'd never watched it before, but it was hypnotic. Or was I just falling asleep in front of the t.v.?

One thing about coverage in the U.S. I know it's bad coverage, but the impossible happened tonight: it got worse. In previous nights, you could watch two different things - one on NBC and one on CNBC (if you have cable). But guess what they're doing now? Showing the exact same covereage on both channels. ANNOYING! There's got to be something else to watch besides the US/Finland hockey game!

 

[Memory]

Canada disappeared in the second period tonight. I was stunned by the four answered goals in the second. The only silver lining for me was, as a Leafs fan, that Sundin had 5 points and looked dominant.

I think Canada will pick it up after this game. The Lemieux, Sakic, and Kariya line didn't really get it going, and I can't believe that they'll be silent the whole tournament. Also Canada hit two goalposts and had a disallowed goal in this game, plus a lot of other good scoring chances--so a little bit of luck would have produced a completely different outcome.

 

[Agnostic Paladin]

Barendd, Barendd, Barendd... I thought everyone figured out back in 2000 that the only way to enjoy the Olympics is to watch the canadian coverage - especially the CBC's.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Canada probably has a better team on paper than any other country in the tournament.

But when they trained two days ago, it was the first time they were reunited since september! They looked clumsy on the ice, as if each player wasn't intinctively aware of the location of the other four. That game against Sweden was their first as a team since... well I don't know when they played together for the last time.

Sweden OTOH looked like an actual hockey team, their coordination was much cleaner.

Canada has to get their act together before the last 3 game of the tournament.

 

[Felonious Ntent]

Personaly I don't like the Lemiux, Sakic, kariya pairing. Yes it sounds good but I don't think they compliment each other well.
Sakic a great goal scorer but not that fast, Lemiux a great passer but once again not that fast, Kariya a good goal scorer godd puck controler but really fast. I think they need to move Kariya too a different line that can take better advantage of his speed and stick I don't know Lindros with lemiux and Sakic.

 

[Fiery Todd]

Yikes!

The outcome was certainly tough to take, but I wouldn't call it surprising. Sweden is a great team, and as usual, our talent was quickly tempered by the bigger ice surface. No worries though. We'll get used to it.

Breaks my heart to see Sundin score on us. It's tough to go against a guy who is the center of the Toronto hockey universe (Go Leafs!). I was at work when the game was on, and somebody pokes their head in to say Sundin just scored, and for a split second there I almost cheered. Blah!

The Great White North is pretty disappointed, but hopefully not for long...