SOCHI Winter Olympics 2014 Russia

[Boges]

Panic button! Panic button! Canada only wins 3-1 while the US wins 7-1.

It looked like Norway wasn't playing to win but playing not to get blown out. Hard to score when you line 5 guys up in front of the net.

That being said the Canada defence looked great. PK also didn't even dress. Look at him to try and prove something tomorrow.

[Black Dog]

Then why hasn't a non European team won gold on the big ice since 1952, long before pros were allowed to play.

Because that whole period was dominated by de facto pros from the Soviet Union? Wasn't about ice size.

[The_Squid]

Overall medals counts more than a single sport...

[-TSS-]

The Canadian public is probably dissatisfied if Canada doesn't beat Norway or Austria 10-0 but it would be foolish to waste energy on games which you only need to win as there will be much tougher teams to face in the next round.

My bet is that the semi-finalists will be Canada, USA, Russai and Sweden. No surprises there then. Canada-Russia would be a dream-final.

[Wilber]

I think it was OK for a first game. Finishing wasn't that great but will get better. It looked like the effort was there. The Norwegians played a gutsy game and it was pretty obvious their main objective was not to get blown out and keep the goal differential down. That might get them into the next round. Also, no one seems to consider the possibility that their team might be improving. The result isn't always about whether the Canadians were good or bad.

[Boges]

It was said the on the broadcast that Norway is made up of player that have been playing together for years.

Canada is an Allstar team where the players haven't played together. They also are all used to being the stars on their team.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Boges

[Black Dog]

I think overall this CAN team is better than the 2010 edition, but some of the selections are real head scratchers. Kunitz, Carter, even Nash all get to go while better players like Giroux, Thornton and Hall get left at home. If they don't win gold, you can bet those selections will be under the microscope.

[Rue]

Black Dog surprises me. I thought he would prefer the Swedes.

Matt Duschene. That's the guy to watch. The Canadians have the best defence. Goaltending suspect a bit. Luongo can't carry them it has to be Price but but Luongo and Price can be head cases. The Yanks supposedly do not have goal scoring but I say they are as good as the Canadians. I also think Russia has so much pressure on them to win they might just find that crowd push them over the hump.

I am gonna call it one of those 3 for the gold and the two two for silver and bronze. After then its the Finns then it drops off to no point of return.

As for the women, other than Canada and the Yanks there is no other team close so by default those 2 and who ever has the most butch women on their roster after that.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Rue

[Black Dog]

Sweden lost Zetterberg today for the duration, but they'll still be a force with Handsome Hank in the pipes. Call me cocky, but Russia doesn't really scare me TBH. Top heavy roster, suspect D and I think their goaltending is another weak spot. U.S.A. and Canada should be shoe-ins, but I'd love to see the yanks shut out of the medals.

Funny how little parity there is in men's hockey. Used to be at least six or seven teams that could contend, now we're down to what, four?

[bush_cheney2004]

Not a big hockey fan, but I hope the host nation (Russia) wins men's gold.

[-TSS-]

Sweden is the first team to ensure group-victory and a direct spot in the quarter-finals.

[Wilber]

Sweden lost Zetterberg today for the duration, but they'll still be a force with Handsome Hank in the pipes. Call me cocky, but Russia doesn't really scare me TBH. Top heavy roster, suspect D and I think their goaltending is another weak spot. U.S.A. and Canada should be shoe-ins, but I'd love to see the yanks shut out of the medals.

Funny how little parity there is in men's hockey. Used to be at least six or seven teams that could contend, now we're down to what, four?

There can still be five in any given year. The only real loss has been Czechoslovakia splitting up making for two weaker teams instead of one real contender. One thing about the Olympic tournament, after the round robin, one loss and you are toast which makes for lots of possibilities.

[Rue]

Sweden has that damn Lundquist. he can win a game by himself. He is a goalie no one thinks of anymore since the Rangers are so bad. Zetterberg and ne of those twins are out and that has to hurt but Sweden has great defenceman. Its their forte.

I just got off the phone with Putin. He will kill all his players of they do not win. he is not a nice man.

[Boges]

Sweden only winning 1-0 to the Swiss isn't a good sign for them. Granted Canada had to beat them in a shootout in 2010.

Edited February 15, 2014 by Boges

[-TSS-]

Curling is nice to watch. Well, once in four years.

[bush_cheney2004]

Curling ? I'd rather watch Anna Fenninger...in a cheetah suit. (sorry Lindsey):

[Boges]

Gosh what a nail biter against the Finns.

Can't say I like this big ice. Way too easy to trap and keep the play away from the slot.

At least Canada has the most dominant defense who can also score.

Price saved the game in OT so it would be hard to take him out for Lou.

Canada likely plays the Swiss next who stifle offense better than anyone.

Edited February 16, 2014 by Boges

[-TSS-]

Canada-USA set to be in the semi-finals. The Russians have hitherto been terribly unconvincing but the games which count only start now.

[Boges]

Unless Sweden does what Sweden tends to do in these things. Both Canada's Gold medals came with Sweden choking against lesser opponents in the Quarters.

Sweden barely escaped the Swiss. I predict that game Wednesday will be a low scoring tense affair like today.

The big ice seems to be a great equaliser.

[Boges]

Just watched Ron Maclean going over some evidence that the Canadians are being screwed by the US and Russians in figure skating.

The fix is in!

Edited February 17, 2014 by Boges

[jacee]

Other questions:

Heating up the luge track?

Secret onsite training camp?

http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1615620

[The_Squid]

Trapping occurs in NHL hockey as well... It is not exclusive to big ice surfaces. It is generally a defensive strategy by a team with less talent. Good coaching and getting an early lead can nullify the trap.

[Boges]

Trapping occurs in NHL hockey as well... It is not exclusive to big ice surfaces. It is generally a defensive strategy by a team with less talent. Good coaching and getting an early lead can nullify the trap.

The trap was invented on Big Ice. It's not interesting hockey to watch.

[The_Squid]

The trap was invented on Big Ice. It's not interesting hockey to watch.

Tell that to the Minnesota Wild....

or Tampa Bay...

If you think it's unique to international hockey, or is somehow worse, you're mistaken.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=380075

Timonen made one pass to Coburn, who chose to hold on to the puck instead of skating into the trap. Nearly 30 seconds elapsed while play came to a standstill.

The Flyers did not move the puck out of the zone, and Tampa Bay did not attack. The players on the ice stood at a stalemate until play was whistled dead.

The sequence was repeated a second time when play resumed, and was again blown dead.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger said that NHL hockey operations contacted the on-ice officials in Tampa Bay during the game, but only to advise them that they should not interfere with coaching tactics.

Edited February 17, 2014 by The_Squid

[Boges]

It's legit strategy and if Canada loses to the Swiss because of it, so be it.

But when people say that Big Ice Hockey is better, they're full of it. The size lets lower talented players move the play to the sides and away from the net.

On small ice players are able to score from the sides a lot easier so it's harder to use this type of defense where they just take the centre of the rink away.