1 Hockey is a sport; curling is a game (or a woman fixing her hair).

2  Bread and circuses and 'Guns and butter'?

 When I think about it, I get that 'all is vanity' vibe...

 

3

Not much to say on women's hockey: It's pretty much Canada, the USA, and everybody else.

As for curling, it may be fin to watch but let's face it: How athletic is it when a woman in her second trimester can start on an Olympic team?

4 @1 Agreed. As a Texan I was denied the opportunity to play hockey and was forced into football...I'd pick hockey any day to play or watch live.

5

Curling?!? Curling?

The "it" sport?

God you people will buy whatever you're told.

6 CROSBY IS STILL A BITCH!

USAUSAUSAUSA!

7 The Swiss have of course manhandled the Canadians before, but I wonder if it was not also a classic case of the "trap" game?

8 fwiw, curlers stay on the ice for the entire game, they don't play in shifts.

and, if you do the math, the energy in a curling stone at release is the equivalent of a hockey puck traveling at 198.32 mph.

think about that rumbing down the ice the next time you decide to mock curling.

9

"and, if you do the math, the energy in a curling stone at release is the equivalent of a hockey puck traveling at 198.32 mph."

--Yeah, but a puck going that fast will fly.  The stone is always going to stay on the ice.

Also doubt a five months' pregnant woman can play a lot of hockey at top level.

10 (I didn't really read it, nor am I going to but seemed like they spent some time on it.)

Posted by: lowandslow at February 19, 2010 09:56 AM (GZitp)

--I think I should say that about a lot of posts here!

11 The US is also imposing their will on teams due to their size. Ryan and Backes are flat-out leveling dudes. No one can move them off the puck either. I think once we are in the medal rounds, Wilson will have thee defense hang back just a bit and count on wearing down other teams.

Great analysis!

12 Curling is a much better televison sport than hockey.

First off - you can ** see ** the stone.  The puck practically disappears when they pull back.

The pace of the sport lends itself to the human drama of athletic competition.

There's enough action with the screaming and the sweeping to keep you from reading the newspaper.

The basic physics involved allow people who have no earthly idea about the game to think they could step out on the ice and do better than Olympians.

With hockey, unless you're at the game, it's tough to follow the play, especially the off-puck stuff.  At games you can watch plays develop much more easily.

My sons were talking smack about curling.  I'm taking them to a local curling club which is hosting an open house in two weeks.  They're about to get an edumacation as to what the sport involves.

Ibuprofen.

That's what will be involved -- and beer, once they're old enough.

13

Curling.....!

WTF?

It just had to be some grand appeasment to the Canuks a century of Winter Olympicses ago, or something, that got that into the mix as a "sport"....

Its fucking shuffleboard on ice, for Christ's sake....

So if you can have curling in the Winter Olympics....why don't they have shuffleboard in the Summer Olympics?

I'll tell you why....

Because Carnival Cruise Lines hasn't ever hosted a Summer Olympics....that's why...

Curling!....Olympic Sport!....Fucking Canuks...!

14 When people talk "trap" I think of neutral-zone trap, and we really didn't see that here. Canada got into Swiss territory plenty (look at the SOGs), just couldn't put it away...that was all Hiller, who was amazing last night. Really looking forward to Sunday's match-ups. Of course you've got US/Canada, but watch the Russa/Czech game as well...I think that's going to be a close one too. PS-Floppa blows.

15 "US Wracking Up Medals" ?! Spell much, Yahoo? Actually it's 18 medals so far, 6 gold 5 silver 7 bronze. Half of Yahoo didn't update last night.

16

Posted by: BumperStickerist at February 19, 2010 09:59 AM (ruzrP)

--Curling has something else hockey will never have: The ability to drink hilst playing it!

17 ...and 9/6/7 adds up to 22 medals.

18 Stack Brooms!

~~ drink ~~

19 “Skip” Shuster has blown each one. Hello, Sailor!

20

Curling!....Olympic Sport!....Fucking Canuks...!

Posted by: steve at February 19, 2010 10:00 AM (nd0uY)

--I think it's only been in since '98.

When people talk "trap" I think of neutral-zone trap, and we really didn't see that here.

Posted by: qball at February 19, 2010 10:01 AM (Wdjwf)

--Oh, you impute way too much hockey knowledge to me.  I as referring to a team looking ahead to a big matchup coming after another team that is often underestimated/disrespected/taken for granted (which the Chargers may have done against the Jets in the playoffs).

21 As for curling, it may be f(u)n to watch:

You know what would make curling even more fun?  Dim the lights and have

FLAMING STONES!

Slid the fire belching stone and every time it hits another stone, flames shoot out all over the place.  It'll take the place of midnight bowling!

22 Shuster has definitely hurt the sport.  Hopefully, they'll start showing us some good curling matches after both USA teams are eliminated.

23

Fucking 'w' key on my laptop is not working half the time!

wwwwwwwwwww

24 Snowboarding, freestyle, mogels?

Americans do particularly well at sports that involve smoking pot.

25 for those that disparage curling, and I understand why, it's not shuffleboard.

The ice is pebbled, not smooth, which affects the ability of the stone to curl.   They spritz the ice and let the droplets freeze.

The surface changes slightly each throw, each end.

The amount of spin in a particular direction affects the final location.

The sweeping also affects the line and final placement of the stone.

It's not throw-and-go.

Curling's not hockey.   But, then, hockey isn't curling.

26 Oh, anyone done an analysis on the next round of games?  From what I can gather, a US win on Sunday would have the Canucks ranked below them and maybe, even hopefully, force them into an extra game.

27

So if you can have curling in the Winter Olympics....why don't they have shuffleboard in the Summer Olympics?

Because they're holding the spot open for Bocce Ball.

28 Hopefully, the U.S. team can get the old "chemistry" flowing a little more by Sunday and kick the Canucks asses. Both the U.S. team and the Canadian team have looked a little rough so far in my opinion. I hate to say it, but the other two brackets have looked alot more formidable in the early goings. I can't wait until Sunday....

29 Because they're holding the spot open for Bocce Ball.

They've got rugby now.  But no baseball and softball.  Way back in the day, tug-of-war was an Olympic sport.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tug_of_war_at_the_Summer_Olympics

30 I thought the Canada - Swiss was a great game. Fun to watch.

31

Slid the fire belching stone and every time it hits another stone, flames shoot out all over the place.  It'll take the place of midnight bowling!

Either that, or it will summon Mustakrakish the Lake Troll and anger Thor.

32

Because they're holding the spot open for Bocce Ball.

Posted by: Entropy at February 19, 2010 10:10 AM (IsLT6)

--We get no respect!

33 Do they still have downhill skiing in the Olympics? Because if it ain't live I don't watch it.

34 Also....I have pretty good Gaydar and I am getting some signals that indicate that the skater Johnny Weir....just may be a bit Gay.

Just putting it out there.. What do you guys think?

35 I thought we got next?!

36 Sports posts with Continue reading in them should include cheerleaders.

37 if you do the math, the energy in a curling stone at release is the equivalent of a hockey puck traveling at 198.32 mph.

That's why the goalies' life expectancy is only 3 matches.

38 re:  Johnny Weir

I don't know about that -- but my wife was enthralled by Patrick Chan's thighs. 

A guy who looks like a guy who skates like that ... I did the only thing I could think to do ... I told her he was gay, like Johnny Weir-level gay.

39

Also....I have pretty good Gaydar and I am getting some signals that indicate that the skater Johnny Weir....just may be a bit Gay.

Hm. Flamboyant, bitchy, likes pink tassles. Yeah, I'd say you'r onto something. On the other hand, if I had to act that way to room with Tanith Belbin, you can start calling me Twinkletoes right now.

40 but this is America, you have to win or people wonÂ’t find it interesting for very long.

I don't know, the Power of Norway's Pants compels me.  I am totally rooting for the pants.  Also I want the Chinese to lose.

I love curling.  Part of me thinks "hey I can do that" while the rest of me knows that my panther like reflexes will result in me faceplanting on the ice immediately.

Also....I have pretty good Gaydar and I am getting some signals that indicate that the skater Johnny Weir....just may be a bit Gay.

The hell you say! 

41 So if you can have curling in the Winter Olympics....why don't they have shuffleboard in the Summer Olympics?

Is bowling a Summer Olympics medal sport yet?

42 Seriously though.  Considering the chasm between the top two women's hockey teams (US, Canadia) and the talent below the top 6 men's teams (the US was ranked 6th coming into the tourney), I wonder why Baseball and Softball were removed from the Olympics, but Hockey remains.

It will be interesting to see also if the NHL agrees to do this in 4 years.  I'm already hearing grumbling from some of the execs about the hiatus the season is taking and if anyone gets hurt and spoils a team's season, you might be watching the end of NHL stars at the Olys.

43 Americans do particularly well at sports that involve smoking pot.

Heh.  Remember when the Canadian snowboarder gold medalist came up positive for pot and the defense was that it was contact high from how good the Canadian weed is?  The thing is, I totally believe him.

44 Still no love for us at the Olympics.

45 Hockey is a Yankee game. How about some ski Orienteering?

46 It will be interesting to see also if the NHL agrees to do this in 4 years. I'm already hearing grumbling from some of the execs about the hiatus the season is taking and if anyone gets hurt and spoils a team's season, you might be watching the end of NHL stars at the Olys. Posted by: CUS at February 19, 2010 10:21 AM (wOGfT) Somebody like me really never watches Hockey. I do watch during the Olympics and that will make me more likely to watch the NHL during the rest of the Year. So I think it is a trade off. Oh and is it just me or do some of the Girl Hockey players look hot in those uniforms???

47

Doesn't matter who wins the olympics. The Penguins are going to win back to back Stanley Cups.

Also, is it just me or does hockey get the short shrift on NBC.  Why don't they cut into curling to show the hockey games at 7:30?  Twice now they started the game on MSNBC, then cut it off at 8 and only started it on CNBC when curling is over.

Curling, like bowling, looks like a sport that is fun to play, but it isn't fun to watch.

I would think hockey would be one of the most popular sports in the winter olympics, but they need to start treating it that way.

48
think about that rumbing down the ice the next time you decide to mock curling.

I'd like to see you curlers make a kick save.

49 I watched some of a women's hockey game and it was unbearable. My highschool team would have destroyed any of them. It is truly pitiful hockey.

50

Americans do particularly well at sports that involve smoking pot.

The exception to that rule must be that asshat Bodie Miller. How he keeps making the Olympic team I'll never know. If I were the coach I'd boot his ass from the squad and pick someone who actually wants to take the sport seriously.

51 I watched some of a women's hockey game and it was unbearable. My highschool team would have destroyed any of them. It is truly pitiful hockey. Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 10:27 AM (wuv1c) I bet they smell better than your high school hockey team?

52 I went to the fights last night and a hockey game broke out.

*ducks*

53

I watched some of a women's hockey game and it was unbearable. My highschool team would have destroyed any of them. It is truly pitiful hockey.
Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 10:27 AM (wuv1c)

I bet they smell better than your high school hockey team?

 

clearly you have never been in a hockey locker room. No one smells good. Unless you play hockey then you develop a liking for the taste of sweat, mold and leather....I guess people into S&M might like the smell too.

54 Can someone explain to me how Evgeni Nabokov is allowed to play goal for Russia? He is a Kazakh.

55 clearly you have never been in a hockey locker room. No one smells good. Unless you play hockey then you develop a liking for the taste of sweat, mold and leather....I guess people into S&M might like the smell too. Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 10:33 AM (wuv1c) Well I played Football but not with girls. Although there was one gay guy on the team?

56 What the f**k was with the hobo uniforms for the half pipe?

57

tmi3rd.

I noticed the Swiss were playing a "trap" type game as well. It's funny because isn't Lamaire the co-headcoach of Canada? He should know how to beat it

58 Right now the US leads in the medal count with 15 total and lead in number of events won (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 6 Bronze) compare that to the total of 25 in Turin (9/6/7) and weÂ’re not even a full week into completion.

Looking at the schedule, it looks like the USA medal count (which stands at 18 now) will slow down dramatically after Saturday's men's speed skating.  Most of the cannabis activities are done now, Vonn is hurt, and the Koreans look like they are dominant on the short track.

59 Yeah, did you hear that Lindsey Vonn had to give her gold medal (for downhill skiing) back?  Turns out they reviewed the tapes and the committee was forced to give the medal to Obama.  He flew downhill much, much faster than Vonn did. - Mitt Romney

60 This really does not surprise me:

http://tinyurl.com/ya5pkpf

I watched some of a women's hockey game and it was unbearable. My highschool team would have destroyed any of them.

Same in soccer, and also basketball.  Most halfway decent HS boys teams will beat a pro woman's team.

Back before there was a pro woman's soccer league, the US National team had to go find other teams to scrimmage against.  Depending on what the coach wanted to work on, here was his thinking:  If he wanted the girls to win, he would play a U14 boys team.  If he wanted a tough game, he would play a U15 boys team.  If the girls were getting full of themselves, he would play a U16 team.

61

Well I played Football but not with girls. Although there was one gay guy on the team?

Hockey is different. In football you sweat can escape, it can fall off your body, in hockey your entire body is covered. the sweat that runs down you arms ends up in your gloves, the sweat from your head, neck and chest into your pants and the sweat from your legs into your skates.  So you are essentially bathing in your own sweat the entire game. It has no where to escape too. Also, most hockey equipment is leather, which tends to give off a funny smell when soaked in sweat.

Ask anyone who plays hockey to describe the smell of hockey equipment and a locker room. It is truly different from any other sport

Also was the dude openly gay, or did you find out about this when he was towel whipping everyone while they were showering?

 

62

Olympic hockey is the only hockey I watch. I'll watch curling pretty much any time I can find it. It's an oddly compelling sport.

And there are certain lines that just shouldn't be crossed, like women playing hockey and men figure skating. Sorry, I'm just old-fashioned that way...

63 Ask anyone who plays hockey to describe the smell of hockey equipment and a locker room. It is truly different from any other sport Also was the dude openly gay, or did you find out about this when he was towel whipping everyone while they were showering? Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 10:40 AM (wuv1c) I'm only kidding around, but some of the girls look kinda cute. Hey a few beers and and even Rosie....ah maybe not, that would take alot of hard liquor

64 Morning, guys.  Anyone getting ready for Tiger's presser?   Got my popcorn ready.

65 Tiger's presser?

Yawn.

66

Ron Wilson couldn't coach his way out of a wet paper bag.  He shit the bed in San Jose and he's making a bad team, (Toronto), worse with his lame attempts.  The USA has youth and speed, (with the exception of guys like Langenbrunner and Rafalski), and an enthusiasm that even Ron Wilson won't be able to coach out of them. 

Sunday night will be the big test, if they can hang w/ Canada they will learn from it and have a shot to go all the way to the Gold.  But they are still a long shot - I think they will be fighting Sweden for the Bronze. 

All that being said, some of these games look to be the best hockey games we will have seen in a long time.  All of the teams seem to be taking these games very seriously.  It is like multiple all star games with the players actually caring about the outcome.

 

67 this is America, you have to win or people wonÂ’t find it interesting for very long.

Are you sure about that?

68 Can someone explain to me how Evgeni Nabokov is allowed to play goal for Russia? He is a Kazakh.

Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 10:34 AM (wuv1c)

--Almost half of Kazakhstan's population is ethnic Russian.  In any case, Russia's such a diverse country it does not surprise me.

69 Mmm...mmm...mmm. I rank right up there with pudding and Trafficante's "hair".

70 Isn't curiling kind of like shuffleboard meets bocci meets winter?

By the way, doesn't bocci or bacci mean that game is called kisses?

71 Olympics smoolympics, I'll start watching them when they introduce synchronized ice fishing.

72

All that being said, some of these games look to be the best hockey games we will have seen in a long time.  All of the teams seem to be taking these games very seriously.  It is like multiple all star games with the players actually caring about the outcome.

 Posted by: MikE at February 19, 2010 10:51 AM (T1boi)

--Quite a contrast with '06, or '98. Ugh.

Anyway, I wish Canada and the USA would adopt some sort of cool heraldry for their unis like every other team has.  Canada seems to have taken a step forward with using the plain maple leaf, but there's still a ways to go. . . .

73 Hey, don't you guys know I have a press conference scheduled, where I hand picked all the reports and will not be answering questions. There is some must see t.v.

Posted by: Tiger Woods  Barack Obama at February 19, 2010 10:56 AM (V9SYy)

74 Think Tiger wears a Red Shirt at his presser today or goes with the old dark conservative suit?

75 Can someone explain to me how Evgeni Nabokov is allowed to play goal for Russia? He is a Kazakh.

Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 10:34 AM (wuv1c)

--Almost half of Kazakhstan's population is ethnic Russian.  In any case, Russia's such a diverse country it does not surprise me.

no I understand that. What I am saying is that he was born in Kazakhistan, not russia.

I thought you have to be born in the country you play for in the olympics.

76

But they are still a long shot - I think they will be fighting Sweden for the Bronze. 

Sweden almost lost to Germany. I don't think they are as good as everyone thinks

77

no I understand that. What I am saying is that he was born in Kazakhistan, not russia.

I thought you have to be born in the country you play for in the olympics.

Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 11:01 AM (wuv1c)

--Oh no, there have been plenty of exceptions (not that I'm certain that's a rule).  Remember the American girl who was not allowed on the USA basketball team and basically freelanced and played for Russia?

78 "Unfortunately, we suck at Curling."

That's like sucking at wife tossing.  I did some curling as kid in high school gym class.  When the coach explained the rules to us, I thought whoever came up with this game was on acid.  I think long term exposure to the northern latitudes does something to the brain.  It would explain why otherwise intelligent people from that part of the world tend to become socialists.  For some reason, Alaskans are exempt.

Anyhow, a great Olympic sport would be free running.
That would rock. 

79 BTW, great story on Myron Rolle, the FSU defensive back who is now at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.  I'm about halfay through, but it's an intriguing read.

80 Ah, her name was Becky Hammon.  Seems the Russians are pretty mercenary with their national teams.

81 CROSBY IS STILL A BITCH!

USA USA USA USA!

82 Me @#74:  I just posted that without reading any of the other comments. Guess it's true!

83 Curling actually looks like a fun sport, the kind you play for kicks around a 24 pack of Bud with a bunch of friends. No one cares about score, just sweep a rock around and get bombed on beer.

Maybe they should make beer pong an Olympic sport or better yet make Curling a drinking game. Olympics would be more fun to watch if we get to see the athletes get shitfaced during it.

Same in soccer, and also basketball.  Most halfway decent HS boys teams will beat a pro woman's team.

Not my High School, my Girls Varsity B-ball team was awesome but the Boys teams including Football sucked the sweat out of a dead dogs ass.

84 Ben-

Sorry, just crawled out of bed- fighing off being sick, so pursuant to Team Canada versus the Swiss trap...

I figure everyone on the Canadian coaching staff knows how to defeat the trap- I'm not sure anyone knows how to get people to the net when you already have four defenders collapsing around the net. Same with the Russians last night- they were blocking every shot the Slovaks threw out there, and the Slovaks got back so quickly it didn't matter.

In looking at the games yesterday, I think it honestly comes down to one-on-one battles down low- there were so few rebound opportunities or sustained pressure situations from any of the teams we saw (minus US-Norway) that you couldn't see any workmanlike goals scored. Defenders for all these clubs were tossing pucks back into the neutral zone so quickly that I actually didn't see a nice, organized breakout from most of these teams unless the other guys were changing lines.

In any event, the round-robin section of this tournament is officially on its ear now... the Czechs (!) have the inside track (assuming that they take care of business against Russia) to winning Group B (and the all-important first round bye), the Swedes and Finns are going to be battling it out for Group C, and we'll see what happens on Sunday for the US and Canada.

I'm assuming Canada can withstand anything except losing to the US, so I expect the Canadians to come out like someone's chasing them with a cattle prod on Sunday. If the US decides to play smart defense, this'll be a good game. If the US plays as poorly defensively as it did against the Swiss and Norway... yikes.

85 Good gosh, I love this blog. Full-on conservatism mixed with full-on hockey. It don't get no better than that.

86 Ben-

Petr Nedved played for Team Canada in the '94 Olympics (Lillehammer), and he's played since on Team Czech Republic in other international tournaments... it's a mess. I think you're stuck with whatever team you decide to play with in the Olympics permanently, so Becky Hammon couldn't go back and play for the US.

Wanted to weigh in on Ron Wilson- his career has more or less hung on his '96 World Cup win (which was pretty damned amazing). We had to face the Ron Wilson Sharks a lot in Nashville (the Preds have only ever drawn the Sharks or Red Wings in the playoffs), and I really kind of felt like he was a victim of the disappearing Joe Thornton. As far as the Toronto situation goes, honestly, who'd want that job? That team is so broken that you might as well pull the entire Marlies (AHL) squad up and let them play (leaving Phaneuf and Giguere in place, of course). They'd have a better shot than what I've seen so far from them.

87

and weÂ’re not even a full week into completion.

I'm sorry, Mr M, but we're going to have to dock you points for that error.

88

The W Downhill on Wed was great.  Killer, super fast course, nasty crashes, lots of pretty girls in spandex and the US goes 1-2.  Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Vonn and kicking ass and taking names in Vancouver.  They could easily go 1-2 in the Super G again tomorrow.

If the ghey finger skating isn't working for you, check out the W ski events.  They've been great.

89

The Canadian press and public are utterly unforgiving of anything less than perfection from their boys, in a way that makes the New York press pale in comparison.

It's not winning a silver, it's losing a gold.

90 Oh, no doubt, Andy... I just remember some horrifying stuff in print after the World Cup, and after Torino... I would have loved to see the US press come down as hard on the NBA All-Stars who kept choking on the World Championship or Olympic stages.

91 Slovakia (my grandparent's homeland) beats the Russkies 2-1 in a shootout!

I can die happily now.  Commie dicks.

92

re:90

Not enough ice these days...I'd rather see more ice and more opportunity for the 'O' to create itself. 

93 Garrett-

No doubt. You can definitely tell that some of these teams really struggle with the smaller ice surface. All the same, I'd much rather watch an international tournament than the usual All-Star bullshit. Of course, my NHL team (the Preds) don't have a million players playing in the Olympics, so I won't have the hangover blues (provided the Preds make the playoffs).

94 An American would not have done what the russian did, it's not sportsmanlike, but yet, he brazenly did it, here we would call him a sore loser:
" Playing It Safe for Olympic Gold"
"Shortly after Evan Lysacek regaled the media about how he'd just upset Russian figure skater Evgeni Plushenko on Thursday night to win the men's free skate, Plushenko sauntered into the bowels of the Pacific Coliseum and all but denounced his American vanquisher as an unworthy Olympic champion.

"We need to change the scoring system," Plushenko snorted, "if the Olympic champion can't jump [a] quad."

A quad is launching oneself off the ice and spinning four times before landing, and not falling while doing so. That is a 1,440-degree spin.

Plushenko, who was attempting to be the first man to win consecutive Olympic figure skatin gold medals in 60 years, did it and lost. Lysacek didn't attempt one and won."

95 My wife gave up on the men's figure skating program a while ago... she regards it as too queenie. I'd go for the laugh of a fight between Lysacek and Johnny Weir... it'd come down to whose purse is bigger.

96 Lysacek has a girl friend.  He's had a lot of girlfriends apparently. 

The anchoress has Brian boitano's skates up for all to see.

97

"We need to change the scoring system," Plushenko snorted, "if the Olympic champion can't jump [a] quad."

I guess Obama's found his new "government reform" Czar.

I'd rather see more ice and more opportunity for the 'O' to create itself. 

Obama plays hockey?

Of course, my NHL team (the Preds) don't have a million players playing in the Olympics,

Luckily that's not a problem for me as I don't live in a city with an NHL team--I'm in Toronto.

98 Canada has some things theyÂ’ve got to work out. They tried to play a very physical game against Switzerland Physical? With Sidney Crosby? What did he do to contribute? Hit 'em with his purse?

99 Nice write up.

100 There are some faux sports in the Olympics, curling could be one of them, that should be shunned mercilessly.  People should show up in the venues, stand up and boo until they're hoarse.  Throw trash on the ice.  Whatever.  Same deal with the Summer games.  Syncronized swimming.  Jesus Christ on a bicycle.  We should buy tickets and moon them while booing.  Now, being a conservative Republican it is impossible for me to engage in that kind of behavior but I would certainly support the efforts of others in that regard.

101 Curling.  AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

That is all.

102 Well, we kinda know why they knock out their teeth, right?

Not that there's anything wrong with that, eh?

103

I thought you have to be born in the country you play for in the olympics.

Posted by: Ben at February 19, 2010 11:01 AM (wuv1c)

Nope.  If you were born there, or you're a citizen there, or your parents were born there, or are citizens there, or if you can find it on a mpa, or if you like the local cuisine.

104

What's wrong with curling? At least it has a measurable result and isn't "judged".

105 Not to nitpick, but Marty Gerber was playing for the Hurricanes during the 2006 Olympics. I had season tix that year and watched him help the Canes win the Cup that year.

As for the Olympic tourney, there is a reason why the IIHF schedules the "creampuffs" against the USA, Canada, Russia and Sweden early. They know that those teams have had no practice together and will be ripe for an upset in the early part of the tourney. The IIHF is sick with Euroweenies and pretty much sets the game up for the "European" style of play, much like FIBA does for Olympic basketball.

The lack of Euros in baseball/softball is the reason why those sports are no longer in the Olympics. The US/Caribbean, Latin Americam and Japan/Korea dominate baseball, and the Euros just can't have that.

As for the aroma of hockey, yeah, it's really that bad. I worked in hockey for several years, and it is something that you get used to, but it freaks most women out. One day when the team was on the road, I had to get some things from the team's locker room and took my wife into the locker room. She almost threw up. Once the playoffs ended, we would replace the carpet and paint the walls and ceiling, but it really didn't help. The only time the equipment ever really dried out during the season was during the Christmas break (3 days) and All Star break (4 days). For about 30 weeks straight, the equipment was used daily.

And hockey has the smelliest equipment, it is proven by science.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWvVb7EXoQ

106 Cainiac- Your point is well-taken, but at which point did Cam Ward have to take over? And in the interest of full disclosure, I worked for a season in a 'Canes ECHL affiliation. Seemed to me the Red Wings (granted, already geriatric) were exhausted by the time the playoffs came. And Eric Stall, Erik Cole, and Rod Brind'amour are great guys.

107 "Lysacek has a girl friend.  He's had a lot of girlfriends apparently."

No doubt. What's his competition for the ladies in the figure skating world? He's an alpha male by default.

108 Tmi3rd,

Ward took over going into the playoffs. Gerber did the heavy lifting throughout the regular season and seemed to run out of gas once the playoffs started to get near. Ward gets insane during the playoffs, but is kind of meh during the regular season.

That 06 run had some great moments especially the Eastern Conf Finals against Buffalo.  The Cup finals against Edmonton was also pretty good, especially game 7 which happened to take place on my wedding anniversary. (MrsCaniac was more than happy to go to the game instead of dinner!)

The Everblades is a great organization. I worked for Roanoke back when it was in the ECHL.