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It's definitely better hockey than people tend to expect, though it's traditionally been something of a two team tournament, with Canada and the USA being far ahead of the rest of the world. I think the Scandanavian hockey countries and the Russians are slowly catching up, though.
Yes, womens hockey is improving. It will get better as the other countries allow women to do stuff like drive, vote, and hold jobs in times other than wartime.
Yes, womens hockey is improving. It will get better as the other countries allow women to do stuff like drive, vote, and hold jobs in times other than wartime.
Lol. Not sure what excuse the Swedes can use, though. I guess their women just aren't very good.
Great game this morning between the U.S. and Canada women. The U.S. women are fast, but the Canadian women are fast and physical.
The Canadians' second goal was a bit controversial - the U.S. goalie thought she'd covered it, but it slid underneath her and the question was: Did the whistle blow before or after the puck crossed the goal line? The refs reviewed it and said after. Never a dull moment when these two teams meet.
It's definitely better hockey than people tend to expect, though it's traditionally been something of a two team tournament, with Canada and the USA being far ahead of the rest of the world. I think the Scandanavian hockey countries and the Russians are slowly catching up, though.
Sweden won the gold in 2006, they are elite. Russia has elite talent but didn't look like they wanted to play in 2010 once they started getting hit by Canada. I don't think that will happen this year, they are at home. Finland is good every Olympics and seem to always medal. I actually put the US as the 3rd or 4th best team in terms of talent. USA is no way "far ahead" of Sweden, Russia, or Finland, and Slovakia and the Czechs are right there. Now I'm not sure how good Slovenia is, and Norway is not quite there yet.......
For people who say "yawn"..some of the best hockey games I've ever seen have been in the Olympics, and not just 1980...1998 czech/Canada shootout with Hasek, 2006 gold medal game, and 2010 gold medal game all fantastic. Once you get the bad teams out, you have some high quality stuff.
Sweden won the gold in 2006, they are elite. Russia has elite talent but didn't look like they wanted to play in 2010 once they started getting hit by Canada. I don't think that will happen this year, they are at home. Finland is good every Olympics and seem to always medal. I actually put the US as the 3rd or 4th best team in terms of talent. USA is no way "far ahead" of Sweden, Russia, or Finland, and Slovakia and the Czechs are right there. Now I'm not sure how good Slovenia is, and Norway is not quite there yet.......
For people who say "yawn"..some of the best hockey games I've ever seen have been in the Olympics, and not just 1980...1998 czech/Canada shootout with Hasek, 2006 gold medal game, and 2010 gold medal game all fantastic. Once you get the bad teams out, you have some high quality stuff.
While you have a point about men's Olympic hockey, Stubblejumper's comment was about women's hockey ...
Great game this morning between the U.S. and Canada women. The U.S. women are fast, but the Canadian women are fast and physical.
The Canadians' second goal was a bit controversial - the U.S. goalie thought she'd covered it, but it slid underneath her and the question was: Did the whistle blow before or after the puck crossed the goal line? The refs reviewed it and said after. Never a dull moment when these two teams meet.
I didn't think the officiating was up to par. The officials in the men's games are usually great.
There's a few high profile players sitting this one out.
Canada's lack of Stamkos is unnerving. St. Louis is a great player and certainly deserves to be on that team, but Stamkos is such a unique talent. I don't know if there's a better goal scorer in the game, save Ovechkin, maybe.
The Swedes are missing Henrik Sedin, too. While they're a strong, deep, team too, I can't help but wonder how much that loss will affect his brother, as well.
Of all the injuries I think Gaborik and Koivu are the biggest. Unlike Sweden and Canada, the current talent pool of Slovakia and Finland seem to be lacking. Those two guys would make a huge difference.
Last edited by Grizzly Addams; 02-13-2014 at 07:18 AM..
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