2014 Winter Olympics

[calvegas04]

Def the best hockey game I've seen in years... Go USA!!

 

[aubeirish]

After watching this morning's game, the whole discussion about officiating seems pretty silly. Russians would actually have won that game if it would have been NHL rules.

 

[calvegas04]

After watching this morning's game, the whole discussion about officiating seems pretty silly. Russians would actually have won that game if it would have been NHL rules.

And the phantom calls that were being called on the US?

 

[aubeirish]

And the phantom calls that were being called on the US?

I thought that was a well officiated game for the most part. The interference penalty by Dustin Brown early in the 3rd period was a bad call. Aside from that one, pretty standard calls in international play.

6 for USA vs 5 for the Russia. Pretty even.

 

[blueNDgold44]

 

[calvegas04]

Anyone been up watching today's game?

 

[BobD]

I just got up and turned it on.

 

[IrishLax]

So... based on Russia's result today, is Russia WORSE than we thought or is the US simply better? Seems like Russia with all their star power just isn't very cohesive right now as a team.

 

[GreenSox04]

So... based on Russia's result today, is Russia WORSE than we thought or is the US simply better? Seems like Russia with all their star power just isn't very cohesive right now as a team.

we are built like an actual hockey team, where as canada is a complete all star team, and the rest of the would just basically builds the most all starish team they can possibly build. that has always been my theory when it comes to hockey at the international level.

 

[aubeirish]

we are built like an actual hockey team, where as canada is a complete all star team, and the rest of the would just basically builds the most all starish team they can possibly build. that has always been my theory when it comes to hockey at the international level.

I get your point, but aside from Yandle who else really could have made team USA based on talent or seasonal play?

 

[Emcee77]

So... based on Russia's result today, is Russia WORSE than we thought or is the US simply better? Seems like Russia with all their star power just isn't very cohesive right now as a team.

I don't know, maybe neither. I think Slovakia is a better team than they showed in their first two games. There is some solid NHL talent on that team ... Chara, Hossa, Tatar, etc.

The U.S. scored 7 goals against Slovakia but not one while Chara was on the ice. The Slovaks just had to shore up some of the other defensive pairs, and maybe they were able to do that.

Not saying I'm not surprised by the result. Russia has some serious offensive firepower, with Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, and Datsyuk, among others. Supposedly their weakness is on the blue line, so a 1-0 game is not what I was expecting.

 

[ACamp1900]

Shame they didnt lose...

 

[GreenSox04]

I get your point, but aside from Yandle who else really could have made team USA based on talent or seasonal play?

im not saying we shelf our top talent in name of getting grinders and two way forwards, were just lucky enough to have our stars be able to play those type of roles and thrive on checking line, penalty kills, etc.

where as canada, for example is basically 4 different lines that are number 1 guys all the time, (real shitty problem to have) its not like it hasn't worked for them in doing so, obviously. but canada could put together some serious shutdown lines in exchange for leaving off some serious talent and still be a world power on the ice.

 

[GreenSox04]

lavy with the notorious monster fist pump

 

[aubeirish]

im not saying we shelf our top talent in name of getting grinders and two way forwards, were just lucky enough to have our stars be able to play those type of roles and thrive on checking line, penalty kills, etc.

where as canada, for example is basically 4 different lines that are number 1 guys all the time, (real shitty problem to have) its not like it hasn't worked for them in doing so, obviously. but canada could put together some serious shutdown lines in exchange for leaving off some serious talent and still be a world power on the ice.

I agree with most of what you said. With team Canada there will always be guys left out of the loop. I think that even though you don't have shutdown only specialists, you have some of the best in the business anyways. You look at guys like Toews, Bergeron, Crosby, etc... Those guys are all fantastic defensively, and it happens that they can score too. I think the roster has everything it needs to win it all.

My main beef would be with the coaching staff. Babcock and company have been shuffling the offensive pairings so many times and it is not a good thing. Select the damn lines, let them play together and build chemistry. Defensively, not much to say, except I do not think Jay Bouwmeester belongs on that unit. The rest of the guys have been outstanding.

 

[TheSunIsRising]

I agree with most of what you said. With team Canada there will always be guys left out of the loop. I think that even though you don't have shutdown only specialists, you have some of the best in the business anyways. You look at guys like Toews, Bergeron, Crosby, etc... Those guys are all fantastic defensively, and it happens that they can score too. I think the roster has everything it needs to win it all.

My main beef would be with the coaching staff. Babcock and company have been shuffling the offensive pairings so many times and it is not a good thing. Select the damn lines, let them play together and build chemistry. Defensively, not much to say, except I do not think Jay Bouwmeester belongs on that unit. The rest of the guys have been outstanding.

Yeah, I don't see it as an all-star team, otherwise Thornton, Giroux, Seabrooke, and Dan Boyle etc would be on the team (and guys like Hamhuis or Vlasic probably wouldn't be on D). Subban would also be playing if they took an all-star approach. Hell, Babcock chose his defense in large part based on the L/R alignment, which likely cost Seabrooke a spot.

In response to the question of the Russians (not your post), I think that there are so many teams that can win on any given day, in large part due to the defensive approach and a hot goaltender (like Hiller shutting out the Czechs); in some cases if they can pull together enough decent players they can win, like the Czechs did with Hasek in '98 (that wasn't an overly talented team, but they played a frustrating game, and Hasek was a wall).

 

[irishknight35]

Anyone else see that Bode Miller interview after he won Bronze in Super-G?

Really pathetic and ruthless hackjob by the interviewer from NBC. She kept badgering Bode about the death his brother until he finally broke down and cried uncontrollably on camera. Made me absolutely sick. Terrible representation of NBC's coverage and its producers for airing that garbage.

 

[dshans]

Anyone else see that Bode Miller interview after he won Bronze in Super-G?

Really pathetic and ruthless hackjob by the interviewer from NBC. She kept badgering Bode about the death his brother until he finally broke down and cried uncontrollably on camera. Made me absolutely sick. Terrible representation of NBC's coverage and its producers for airing that garbage.

I didn't see it. I will now make a point of avoiding it. I still quietly cry when I remember the loss of many connected to me, including my younger sister. I prefer private and quiet.

Fuck NBC.

 

[greyhammer90]

I didn't see it. I will now make a point of avoiding it. I still quietly cry when I remember the loss of many connected to me, including my younger sister. I prefer private and quiet.

Fuck NBC.

To be fair, Bode was the one that brought up his brother and he actually did seem genuinely interested/ok with talking about him in the beginning. The NBC reporter probably took it one question too far, but I don't think it was intentional beyond the usual "sports reporter trying to get the emotional side of the story". And as soon as the guy started crying the reporter immediately apologized and put her hand on his shoulder.

 

[KPENN]

So... based on Russia's result today, is Russia WORSE than we thought or is the US simply better? Seems like Russia with all their star power just isn't very cohesive right now as a team.

I think Russia probably shoulda won in regulation but the Slovakian goalie really kinda stole that one, plus I don't think Slovakia is as bad as they showed so far. Also to me it felt like a typical "let down" game, big game the day before and the energy in the building felt completely different too.

 

[KPENN]

USA beats Sweden 6-1 in Women's hockey to play Canada for the gold. The US out shot Sweden 70-9(!!).

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

USA beats Sweden 6-1 in Women's hockey to play Canada for the gold. The US out shot Sweden 70-9(!!).

That is a crazy discrepancy in SOG. I watched most of the game on DVR and the US was putting everything to the net. They look hungry. I am so happy I am off work on Thursday because I plan to be parked in front of the TV for this one. And I won't have to get up at frickin 4am like I have for the last couple of mens games.

 

[KPENN]

That is a crazy discrepancy in SOG. I watched most of the game on DVR and the US was putting everything to the net. They look hungry. I am so happy I am off work on Thursday because I plan to be parked in front of the TV for this one. And I won't have to get up at frickin 4am like I have for the last couple of mens games.

I got the rest of the week off, score for me. Preach brother, these early morning games are killing me, can only imagine for a west coaster. Haha

USA men get the Czech Republic next round, they won 5-3 but nearly blew a 4-0 lead to Slovakia.

 

[GreenSox04]

I got the rest of the week off, score for me. Preach brother, these early morning games are killing me, can only imagine for a west coaster. Haha

USA men get the Czech Republic next round, they won 5-3 but nearly blew a 4-0 lead to Slovakia.

czechs scare me much more than a another match up with slovakia, czechs in theory have enough to knock us off I think, were the better team, but I'm afraid of looking forward to friday may come into play tomorrow. I personally, refuse to look forward till friday. trap game for sure.

hopefully blysma has our heads in the right place.

 

[Wild Bill]

czechs scare me much more than a another match up with slovakia, czechs in theory have enough to knock us off I think, were the better team, but I'm afraid of looking forward to friday may come into play tomorrow. I personally, refuse to look forward till friday. trap game for sure.

hopefully blysma has our heads in the right place.

It's a trap game but the team seems very focused. It'll be fun to watch.

Just read a preview for the game and the author pointed out that Jagr played for the czech's in the 1991 Canada Cup. I know he's old but that really put it in perspective - he's a freak.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

It's a trap game but the team seems very focused. It'll be fun to watch.

Just read a preview for the game and the author pointed out that Jagr played for the czech's in the 1991 Canada Cup. I know he's old but that really put it in perspective - he's a freak.

I read another stat that if Jagr were to catch Gretzky in points, at Jagr's current career average, he would have to play something like 18 more seasons. I don't remember the exact stat, but that is the gist. Jagr has played FOREVER and he still would need another lifetime to catch the Great One in points. Crazy.

I just wish Jagr would rock the mullet one last time before he retires.

 

[GreenSox04]

I read another stat that if Jagr were to catch Gretzky in points, at Jagr's current career average, he would have to play something like 18 more seasons. I don't remember the exact stat, but that is the gist. Jagr has played FOREVER and he still would need another lifetime to catch the Great One in points. Crazy.

I just wish Jagr would rock the mullet one last time before he retires.

Ondřej Palát is the czech republics youngest player, born in march of 1991. Jagr won his first Stanley cup 3 months later

 

[ACamp1900]

The Czechs are a more difficult game than I expected/hoped, but if they come to play like they have they should be playing for a medal...

 

[Irish#1]

After watching this morning's game, the whole discussion about officiating seems pretty silly. Russians would actually have won that game if it would have been NHL rules.

Don't get me started. We got super hosed in basketball at the '72 Olympics. Broke our win streak. If you ever get a chance watch the last five minutes. Unbelievable.

 

[#1rish]

Aaaand down goes Russia at the hands of Finland. On home turf. Has to be heartbreaking for them.