It's funny, but Americans are really good at hockey, its just that many of you don't know it (with the exception of Detroit, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Pittsburgh). Your "Miracle On Ice" hockey team of Lake Placid lit the Olympic flame this year (In fact, the last time Canada won gold was like 1952, while the Americans have won it twice since then). Your 2002 squad is expected to have a good showing and your women's hockey team is favoured to win gold (like it did in 98').
The point of interest with Latvia vs. Slovakia is that the NHL is full of quality Slovakian players. Because of this fact many are interested to see how well this team fairs (much the same way a country like Croatia surprised the hell out of everybody at the last World Cup). Is Latvia vs. Slovakia a ratings getter? No. But then, it would be unfair to down play Hockey's role in the Winter Olympics. Hockey is considered one of the main events, and likely first on the scalper's list of tickets to stock.
To stereo-type hockey as a bruiser's sport is too easy. If you've actually watched it for any length of time, its no more violent than football, boxing, rugby, Austrailian Rules Football, etc. You want a violent sport? Try race car driving. People break bones and die racing cars. Besides, fighting isn't allowed in Olympic competition, so you can pry your eyes open now. And what about women's hockey? You can fit that toothless gorilla image quite easily on the guys, but do yourself a favour and try not to talk like that in front of Cammi Granato (I'll leave it up to you to figure out who she is).
Anyway, that's just one Canadian's rant (and frankly, I'm all bracketed out. Phew!).
PS: None of this really matters of course, because Canada is going to crush all who face them. Atleast in theory. Fingers crossed.
(Cheers!)