OT:Olympic Hockey: THE SWEDES ARE OUT!!!

[barsoomcore]

Oh there's tons of vengeance over here, but let's not take anything away from Belarus. They played a smart, tough game against one of the best teams around.

But yeah, watching Salo get hit right between the eyes was pretty sweet.

A Canada/Belarus game (should we be able to beat the Finns) would be a pretty fun game, I'm thinking. Not all Euro-poncy, good and grinding.

I'm feeling much better after my big bitter rant the other day. Theo Fleury having a nap on top Hasek cheered me up immensely. Apologies for excessive bitterness -- I haven't played hockey since I was ten but there's something about growing up in Northern Canada and idolizing Bobby Orr (who I met when I was five) -- nothing gets to me the way hockey does. I haven't watched a game since that heartbreaking loss to the Czechs in Nagano. Just couldn't handle the pain, I guess.

But this has been a great tournament all around. If we can't get the gold I hope Belarus does. Good for them!

 

[FDP Mike]

Truthfully I just want it to be over so my hockey season can resume.

Buzzard, my friend, until the playoffs come around, this is the real season!

You are missing some of the best hockey ever -- the world's top players going head-to-head for perhaps the greatest sporting honour around. This is hockey at a completely different level than what you'll see in the NHL. Seriously!

I'm still in shock that Belarus beat Sweden. Utter shock. This is indeed a strange day at the Olympics. Total breakdown by Salo in the nets, that's for sure.

It's hard not to be elated in a way: there's a kind of justice in this, with the way everyone's been biting at Canada for its "slow" start -- just goes to show, you gotta be there when things are truly on the line. Sweden should never have lost the game; still, full marks to Belarus for a fabulous effort, in particular the goaltender Mezin. Wow . . . .

I wonder if this puts a bit more pressure on the USA in its game vs. Germany tonight. Maybe the Germans see some hope?

What a day for hockey!

 

[Quickbeam]

Who would that be, in your opinion? So far, looks to me like it might be the Russians.

Our Detroit Red Wings of course, if they'd been allowed to enter the Olympics as a team !!

Seriously though, until the loss today, I would have said based on performance that Sweden looked like the team to beat. The Russians have also looked pretty solid, and have not yet played their best hockey.

 

[Theron]

If they're going to win the Gold, I really think the US needs to get their scoring going in the first. So far, they've not managed one first period goal. Given the general quality of goaltenders in the medal round, this worries me quite a bit.

 

[Psionicist]

Oh dang!

Not that I am overly disappointed about this hockey game. But I did however get VERY disappointed when US beat us in curling!

Any info on curling? Do we still have a chance?

 

[Someguy]

We beat somebody in Curling?

And yes....the Hockey games was awesome...so was the Czech/russia... A 1 piont game...

 

[med stud]

NOOOOOooo...

Goddamn, when we for once have a chance to shine, something like this happens!!! f** f*** f*** f***

 

[Fiery Todd]

I didn't see any of the game, so I'll take your word that it was a great match. But let me ask you (Todd and Mal) a question:

Are you giddy because Sweden got bounced and they beat Canada earlier in the tournament, or are you just genuinely thrilled to see the underdog pull an upset?

For my part, if the U.S. is gonna win the gold (and that's a HUGE if), I want them to beat the best competition.

Ha! That's a good question.

First off, it was an exciting game. Belarus was clearly the underdog, and to have them pull off a win in the fashion they did was a huge upset. All throughout the game, I figured it would be just a matter of time before Sweden exploded and worked Belarus over the same way they did the Canadians. But, Belarus kept scoring. They kept skating. And next thing you know, the flukiest goal of the tournament ends up in the back of the net! Believe me, we Canadians understand the pain that Sweden fans might be feeling right now.

What this tournament is proving, is that no matter how good your team looks like on paper, it doesn't mean that it will translate to the ice. Belarus beat Sweden through defensive play and sticking to a nasty defensive system. In the end, with all the teams being as strong as they are, its these defensive systems (like the one Germany used on Canada earlier) that seem to be the real factor.

Would Canada rather face Belarus than Sweden? Heck ya! Would Finland rather face Belarus than Sweden? Heck ya! Canucks vs. Finns is going to be a war tonight, I gurantee it. Both teams would love to play Belarus. But then, you can't count Belarus out now, can you?

Russia just won. Now you've got the possibility of some great match-ups. Russia vs. States, Canada vs. Russia, or Canada vs. States.

Cool! Hope we win. Cheers if we don't.

 

[Quickbeam]

barsoomcore:
Thanks for fessing up to the vengeance motive here. Like you, I haven't played in quite a few years, but there's very little in sports I find more exciting than a well contested hockey game.

FDP Mike:
I agree with you -- this is the best hockey on the planet, until the Stanley Cup Finals roll around. The talent level on these squads is absurd, and it's a joy to see the world's best playmakers on open ice.

Psionicist:
LOL

 

[Memory]

Wow!

I was actually really hoping for a Canada-Sweden rematch in the semis, after the way our guys were bombed in the first game. All the same, this is quite an accomplishment for Belaruss--it has to rank as one of the greatest upsets of all time.