February 24, 2010
— DrewM
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UPDATE:
US Wins, 2-0. US played well against a pesky and defensively sound Swiss team. It's like the NCAA's, survive and advance. US plays the winner of Finland-Czech Republic on Thursday.
Now onto Russia-Canada.
Still scoreless after 2 periods. The US is out playing the Swiss in every area of the game, except goalie. Miller's doing fine but he's only faced 8 shots. Jonas Hiler however has stopped 32 shots.
I hate games like this. One team is clearly out playing the other and yet the inferior team is just hanging around. I mean, it's entertaining but one bad bounce and the US could be out.
Original Post:
Because you asked for it. Well, maybe not you but that other guy, over there, he did.
End of the 1st period, no score
Theoretically you can watch it online here but I haven't been able to get it to work.
As much as I love me some USA ass kicking, this game is really a warm up for Canada-Russia. That should be a great game.
A little late but here's tmi3rds preview...
The coverage notwithstanding, this may be the most fun tournament to watch I've seen since perhaps the '96 World Cup. Very few games have been noncompetitive, and the storylines are constantly evolving.Last night, there was only one lopsided victory- that was Canada's 8-2 dispatching of Germany. The other three games were absolute nailbiters.
Switzerland had to survive overtime and the shootout to win 3-2 (SO) against a very pesky Belarus team (Belarussians, if you prefer), and one of the goals was an absolute mess by Swiss goaltender Jonas Hiller. Slovakia barely held off Norway 4-3, and the Norwegians tied it at the end of the second period with 0.1 seconds left before eventually succumbing. The Czech Republic had to go to overtime against Latvia before Boston's David Krejci scored the 3-2 overtime winner.
So let's talk about today's quarterfinal action. First some programming notes- the US (#1 seed)has the Swiss (#
on NBC (the mother ship), so we should see the US in high definition. That game airs at 3 PM ET.
The US would be making a big mistake to take the Swiss lightly. As poorly as Jonas Hiller played against Belarus, he may be playing the best net in the tournament. Switzerland doesn't have a lot of scoring punch, but they have more than enough to make life very miserable in a defensive struggle. The US would be well-advised to play Switzerland with the same aggression they did Canada- that means pounding them along the boards and punishing their defensemen every time they touch the puck. At the same time, the defensive zone play needs to tighten up significantly. The US already has one victory against Switzerland (a 3-1 decision in the first game), but would do well to put up 5 or 6 against the Swiss.
The remaining three games will be on CNBC.
The 6 PM ET start is the grand pooh-bah of tomorrow's tilts- Canada (#6) vs Russia (#3). Very few Canadian hockey fans are sleeping well tonight, as the Canadians have shown a troubling tendency to start very slow in the games they've played in this tournament. An 8-0 shellacking of Norway in the first game was 0-0 after the first period. As you may recall, the Swiss took Canada to a shootout, and Canada scored a total of 2 goals in the first two periods against the US.
Conversely, the Russians have not exactly run up the score either. Notwithstanding their blowout win over Latvia, Russia scored 2 in their shootout loss to Slovakia and 4 in their win over the Czechs. Nonetheless, this should be a titanic matchup.
If Canada gets off to their habitual slow start, they could be in trouble. As you've seen, they do better when they get out to a substantial lead. They throw a lot of pucks at the net, but they've misfired a lot from in close on second chances (and yesterday's game versus Germany was no exception). I don't mean to be down on Canada, but there was something distinctly missing from them last night. The only prediction I'll offer is that if Canada starts slow, Russia wins. If Canada starts fast, they'll probably win.
Game three, a 10 PM start in the east, is Finland (#4) and the Czechs (#5). Finland looked extremely unimpressive against the Swedes in their final preliminary round game, but the Czechs lost Jaromir Jagr to an injury early in the second period against Latvia. Without Jagr, the Czechs lack a significant amount of scoring punch. Mikka Kiprusoff has been solid but unspectacular in net for the Finns, and Tomas Vokoun has largely been excellent for the Czechs. If Jagr doesn't play, look for a very low-scoring affair and possibly a shootout.
Game four, a midnight ET start, is Sweden (#2) versus Slovakia (#7). This one's a hard one to call. The Swedes have a ton of talent, and it's hard not to expect them to walk all over the Slovaks- except that the Slovaks beat Russia. The Slovaks have more scoring punch than the Swedes do, and Jaroslav Halak has been very impressive for the Slovaks. Against Sweden's Henrik Lundqvist, I'm not sure who I give the edge to. I'm thinking that Sweden wins, but they haven't played very inspiring hockey. As they go, there seemed to be some chemistry developing between Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa) and the Sedin twins (Vancouver) that gives them a bit of extra punch...
Jeremy Roenick called it well- this is anyone's tournament to win now. Even at the #1 seed, the US are still underdogs. That's good- let the other guys beat the crap out of each other and we'll see what happens.
Morons, even if you're not hockey fans, this has been high sports drama, and it will continue. I have no idea how Mike Emrick (the play-by-play announcer for NBC and for your New Jersey Devils) still has a voice at this point. Sit back and enjoy some great hockey today. I know I will.
Trivia...why do the call Mike Emrick "Doc"? He has a Ph.D in Communications and taught at the college level.
Posted by: DrewM at
11:51 AM
| Comments (205)
Post contains 1042 words, total size 6 kb.
Or you can be a dick.
Posted by: Dr. Spank at February 24, 2010 11:57 AM (0FiCa)
Posted by: joncelli at February 24, 2010 11:58 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:00 PM (AZGON)
Posted by: Waterhouse at February 24, 2010 12:00 PM (bbn3s)
Posted by: Chewie Lewis at February 24, 2010 12:03 PM (3fiIy)
Because Mike was the seventh dwarf to show up at Snow White's?
Posted by: BumperStickerist at February 24, 2010 12:04 PM (ruzrP)
Posted by: McLovin at February 24, 2010 12:04 PM (RwvN1)
Posted by: Zatara at February 24, 2010 12:06 PM (nz654)
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 12:06 PM (tgXx6)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:07 PM (AZGON)
Sure, the man my have some style in the booth, but he dresses like a bum!
Posted by: Don Cherry at February 24, 2010 12:09 PM (wh2BB)
Posted by: Zatara at February 24, 2010 12:09 PM (nz654)
Posted by: Fritz at February 24, 2010 12:09 PM (GwPRU)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:11 PM (AZGON)
Posted by: paranoid polly at February 24, 2010 12:12 PM (r7Vc3)
Posted by: joncelli at February 24, 2010 12:12 PM (RD7QR)
Posted by: c02 emitting conservative at February 24, 2010 12:14 PM (SebJz)
Posted by: joncelli at February 24, 2010 12:14 PM (RD7QR)
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 12:14 PM (tgXx6)
What the hell did he ever do to be saddled with Chico Resch?
Posted by: McLovin at February 24, 2010 03:56 PM (RwvN1)
Rick Jeanneret! TOP SHELF WHERE MOMMA HIDES THE COOKIES!
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:15 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:16 PM (ekqTc)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:16 PM (AZGON)
"Don't be sorry. This is frankly more important than pushing a puck around a frozen arena. The gubmint is going balls out to make a scapegoat of Toyota and Evil Automakers... misdirection, folks. Distract the voters from the failure of socialized medicine."
You see this as a ploy to distract the public from "the failure of socialized medicine"? Really?
I read the events slightly differently. The gansta-in-chief is going after Toyota because he is now the de facto head of perpetually hemorraging GM and Chrysler and they are a easy target. I can't imagine the public or would stand for this kind of frontal assault on Ford.
Posted by: Dirk Diggler at February 24, 2010 12:17 PM (jmf9+)
Posted by: Waterhouse at February 24, 2010 12:17 PM (bbn3s)
Posted by: curious at February 24, 2010 12:18 PM (p302b)
The government didn't bail out Ford.
Posted by: Waterhouse at February 24, 2010 12:19 PM (bbn3s)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:19 PM (ekqTc)
Doc is the best Hockey play-by-play guy ever.
No doubt. He says some of the funniest stuff with a deadpan delivery.
Posted by: Steve L. at February 24, 2010 12:20 PM (Gkhxf)
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:20 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: joncelli at February 24, 2010 12:21 PM (RD7QR)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:21 PM (AZGON)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:22 PM (AZGON)
Posted by: joncelli at February 24, 2010 12:23 PM (RD7QR)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:23 PM (AZGON)
Hiller's looked so sharp, then to almost let that fluke goal off of him as the clock's run out.
Lucky Swiss.
Posted by: Don Cherry at February 24, 2010 12:25 PM (wh2BB)
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:25 PM (erIg9)
Two electric ice grooming thingees broke down during speed skating early last week. Then a third one tore the ice up.
Posted by: Waterhouse at February 24, 2010 12:25 PM (bbn3s)
Posted by: joncelli at February 24, 2010 12:25 PM (RD7QR)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:26 PM (ekqTc)
Posted by: Steve L. at February 24, 2010 12:26 PM (Gkhxf)
Posted by: Sheriff Joe Biden at February 24, 2010 12:26 PM (AZGON)
Posted by: little evil at February 24, 2010 12:26 PM (wh2BB)
Two electric ice grooming thingees broke down during speed skating early last week. Then a third one tore the ice up.
I can't buy a fuckin' break this winter...
Posted by: Gaia at February 24, 2010 12:29 PM (rDvlp)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:30 PM (ekqTc)
Posted by: George Orwell at February 24, 2010 12:31 PM (AZGON)
Is it REALLY NECESSARY to basically spoil the game for everyone who is at work or on the west coast and wants to watch it later with a pint of beer?
I would really like to be able to check my favorite blogs throughout the day without worrying about this kind of crap. Can't you warn and put it under the fold? Jesus...
Posted by: DaveS at February 24, 2010 12:32 PM (hF0Vm)
Posted by: Dave S at February 24, 2010 12:33 PM (uHiz2)
Is it REALLY NECESSARY to basically spoil the game for everyone who is at work or on the west coast and wants to watch it later with a pint of beer?
I would really like to be able to check my favorite blogs throughout the day without worrying about this kind of crap. Can't you warn and put it under the fold? Jesus...
Leave Jesus out of this
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 12:33 PM (tgXx6)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:35 PM (ekqTc)
Yeah maybe, but it is not like it used to be anyway. I just want to see some good games-like this one. Russia isn't the USSR.
Not yet. But soon. Trust me.
Posted by: Vladimir Putin at February 24, 2010 12:36 PM (rf03a)
Posted by: Jack at February 24, 2010 12:37 PM (bvDV5)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:39 PM (ekqTc)
"0-0 After 2 Periods"
This isn't that "the special challenges of women on submarine" post, again. Is it.
LOL 
Posted by: dive! dive! at February 24, 2010 12:40 PM (ucq49)
Posted by: Mortis at February 24, 2010 12:40 PM (QjuDE)
I've had no problems at all with CTV's video feeds, either live or replays.
Posted by: Waterhouse at February 24, 2010 12:41 PM (bbn3s)
Posted by: SnowSoul at February 24, 2010 12:41 PM (yaf1l)
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:42 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:42 PM (ekqTc)
Posted by: SnowSoul at February 24, 2010 04:41 PM (yaf1l)
HERESY!
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:43 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: fnavahoe at February 24, 2010 12:43 PM (86Yqr)
Just because no one tips you while you are selling hotdogs?
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 12:43 PM (tgXx6)
Posted by: fnavahoe at February 24, 2010 04:43 PM (86Yqr)
4-chan fears us. And rightly so.
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:45 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:46 PM (ekqTc)
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 12:47 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: The Atom Bomb of Loving Kindness at February 24, 2010 12:48 PM (CnrIa)
Posted by: SnowSoul at February 24, 2010 12:48 PM (yaf1l)
"Hey, I just got banned from the 4chan /new/ board for posting a link to Ace. Is there a history there that I don't know about?"
Well Ace was missing for awhile. You did notice all the dead hobos around the venues? With traces of blow on their bellies?
Posted by: Caught on yet? at February 24, 2010 12:48 PM (ucq49)
Posted by: The Atom Bomb of Loving Kindness at February 24, 2010 12:49 PM (CnrIa)
Posted by: Chris R at February 24, 2010 12:50 PM (AO4qz)
Posted by: paranoid polly at February 24, 2010 12:51 PM (r7Vc3)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 12:52 PM (k0ls1)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 24, 2010 12:53 PM (ekqTc)
Hey ASSWIPE,
Thanks for the spoiler alert. Not all of us can watch tv while at work and wanted to be able to watch our DVred version of the game when we got home.
Can't you at least put it below the fold? This is the second time you've done it.
Posted by: Mike at February 24, 2010 12:54 PM (T1boi)
Sometimes it's because of the Axe deodorant they wear.
Posted by: Mortis at February 24, 2010 12:54 PM (QjuDE)
--Ditto
Posted by: Sweden at February 24, 2010 04:52 PM (omtdM)
Fuck those Nazi Swedes. We haven't forgetton.
Posted by: Norway. at February 24, 2010 12:55 PM (ucq49)
Posted by: Doc at February 24, 2010 12:56 PM (WKOg4)
The centers are supposed to be squared to each other with the visitor putting their stick down first. Failure to do that or jump the puck before it's dropped will get the center tossed.
Also, the other players are supposed to stay on their side of face off dot. If one jumps across, the center goes.
It's basically to ensure an even start.
Posted by: DrewM. at February 24, 2010 12:56 PM (9B5OK)
Posted by: Skinny Guy in a Sequined Shirt at February 24, 2010 04:52 PM (UA4gE)
No need to compete, it's all over, I already won all the platinum medals.
Posted by: Whiny Russian Skating Bastard at February 24, 2010 12:56 PM (wh2BB)
Hey ASSWIPE,
Thanks for the spoiler alert. Not all of us can watch tv while at work and wanted to be able to watch our DVred version of the game when we got home.
Can't you at least put it below the fold? This is the second time you've done it.
Then turn off the computer prick
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 12:57 PM (tgXx6)
Posted by: BrucetTheRobert at February 24, 2010 12:57 PM (3ZwGl)
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 12:57 PM (VwBHJ)
Posted by: Chris R at February 24, 2010 12:58 PM (AO4qz)
Posted by: Andrew sullivan at February 24, 2010 12:59 PM (tgXx6)
If the Swiss had a couple of guys who could score, they'd be very dangerous.
Hell, they are dangerous as is but they just don't score much.
Posted by: DrewM. at February 24, 2010 01:00 PM (9B5OK)
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 01:01 PM (VwBHJ)
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 01:03 PM (tgXx6)
Why am I, who is in the same fucking time zone as the Olympics, getting stuck with yet more curling?
Posted by: Y-not at February 24, 2010 01:03 PM (Kn9r7)
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 01:04 PM (VwBHJ)
Posted by: Mortis at February 24, 2010 01:10 PM (QjuDE)
Would be very cool..party worthy
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 01:11 PM (tgXx6)
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 01:12 PM (VwBHJ)
Posted by: DrewM. at February 24, 2010 01:12 PM (9B5OK)
"one more to "ice" the game soon...."
I hope that wasn't a reference to the "Shocker Poll Result" post. The old ice cube trick.
Posted by: abused fowl at February 24, 2010 01:13 PM (ucq49)
Posted by: BrucetTheRobert at February 24, 2010 01:15 PM (3ZwGl)
Posted by: Mortis at February 24, 2010 01:15 PM (QjuDE)
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 01:15 PM (erIg9)
Posted by: BrucetTheRobert at February 24, 2010 01:16 PM (3ZwGl)
Posted by: paranoid polly at February 24, 2010 01:17 PM (r7Vc3)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 01:18 PM (k0ls1)
Working and drinking..joys of a home office
Cool . Hold it up and I'll clink your glass..... USA
Posted by: paranoid polly at February 24, 2010 01:19 PM (r7Vc3)
Double thanks! Made my day.
As a Minnesotan I grew up breathing and eating hockey. Although this won't ever be as good as the run that they made in 1980 it is still cool because we weren't supposed to do diddly this Olympics. Although It will never be the same because it's not true amatuers and the cold war made it so much bigger. But it's fun to watch them play well when they weren't supposed to.
You know what we need. A new rivalry. If we could just get Alquieda to form a hockey team just think how intense the game would be. Well that and the timed and shaped charge we would plant in the locker room would make it a win for sure. Plus just think how intense the fights would be!
Posted by: BrucetTheRobert at February 24, 2010 01:22 PM (3ZwGl)
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 05:18 PM (tgXx6)
Oh yeah...just getting done with my first, and toasting another USA hockey win! Home office work rocks! (Gotta try to stay on task though) So Cheers!
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 01:23 PM (VwBHJ)
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 05:18 PM (tgXx6)
Oh yeah...just getting done with my first, and toasting another USA hockey win! Home office work rocks! (Gotta try to stay on task though) So Cheers!
Coworkers aren't bad either..my secretary is a jack russell and my CFO is a boston terrier
Posted by: beerologist at February 24, 2010 01:24 PM (tgXx6)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 05:18 PM (k0ls1)
everyone hands are different. I can hardly play with someone else's stick. certainly not at the level of stickhandling I can with my own.
Posted by: Unclefacts, Summoner of Meteors, and Buckets of Scorn for the Left at February 24, 2010 01:26 PM (erIg9)
The greatest thing about a US win is that most American's don't care that much about it, where every other Swiss TV probably had the game on.
Cool. We won. That's nice. What's that? Why the crying, blondie? It's only the Olympics.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 24, 2010 01:27 PM (rf03a)
They probably are going to need to get Drury to a bodyshop to get the dents out before the next game.
One great game down, more to come.
I started work at 4:00 AM so I could watch hockey, I think I'm going to need toothpicks.
Posted by: Robert at February 24, 2010 01:30 PM (cd6Ip)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 01:48 PM (gdC4E)
everyone hands are different. I can hardly play with someone else's stick. certainly not at the level of stickhandling I can with my own.
Nice confession. I was talking about the tape that contacts the puck. Heh.
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 01:50 PM (gdC4E)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 05:48 PM (gdC4E)
I'm seeing a 7-10 PM ET time on CNBC.
Posted by: little evil at February 24, 2010 01:55 PM (wh2BB)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 05:18 PM (k0ls1)
Everyone's different so they come up with their own taping method. It's just whatever the individual decides is best for him.
Until, of course, Obama decides that the government needs to make it "fair" and "spread the puck around" and demand that everyone conform to the same taping pattern....
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 01:58 PM (VwBHJ)
Obama decides that the government needs to make it "fair" and "spread the puck around"
Of course, I'd be happy if he'd just...get the "puck" outta here.....
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 01:59 PM (VwBHJ)
What the fuck kinda headline is this:
"USA-Switzerland Olympic Hockey. Final"
No fucking score! I've told you about this before!
Posted by: couldn't help myself at February 24, 2010 02:02 PM (ucq49)
Fuck those Nazi Swedes. We haven't forgetton.
Posted by: Norway. at February 24, 2010 04:55 PM (ucq49)
Fuck you, Stalinist dupes.
Posted by: Finland at February 24, 2010 02:21 PM (KdA1d)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 02:24 PM (Atskn)
Fuck you, Stalinist dupes.
Posted by: Finland at February 24, 2010 06:21 PM
The Finland national anthem. Lovely song. I think I'll root for Finland.
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 24, 2010 02:28 PM (Atskn)
"Nice confession. I was talking about the tape that contacts the puck. Heh."
Duly noted. Many revelations here lately. Dudes, we thought were chicks. Chicks, we thought were dudes.
Posted by: AoSHQ sexretary at February 24, 2010 03:26 PM (ucq49)
While I like Mike Emrick, I miss hearing Gary Thorne calling games.
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at February 24, 2010 03:26 PM (Q75cY)
Posted by: NC Ref at February 24, 2010 03:28 PM (VwBHJ)
Posted by: qwerty1 at February 24, 2010 03:46 PM (udVuV)
Posted by: Waterhouse at February 24, 2010 04:02 PM (bU66q)
Posted by: the Scopes Monkey at February 24, 2010 04:05 PM (snlsw)
Posted by: BlendXD at February 24, 2010 04:22 PM (awtW3)
Posted by: qwerty1 at February 24, 2010 04:35 PM (udVuV)
btw How does it feel to be in a country that puts the ice-dancing on the first channel and the hockey game on MSNBC? : p
Posted by: fozzy at February 24, 2010 04:36 PM (ccEuN)
Posted by: ron dorque at February 24, 2010 04:55 PM (8w6pu)
Posted by: fozzy at February 24, 2010 04:56 PM (ccEuN)
Posted by: BlendXD at February 24, 2010 05:57 PM (awtW3)
Roenick made a big "holy crap!" face, and Patrick tried to give him an opportunity to walk it back, but no dice. Milbury stuck to his assessment
Posted by: forest at February 24, 2010 06:00 PM (cRmbe)
Posted by: Masshole at February 24, 2010 06:32 PM (hjyb5)
I may be able to root for the Swedes, though, should they beat the Slovaks. I will do so out of self preservation, however. It appears that the the loss to the US has awakened the sleeping Canadian giant.
Posted by: Luca Brasi at February 24, 2010 08:25 PM (W+dDU)
Posted by: MM at February 24, 2010 08:26 PM (JyNpR)
So, given that the Russians are evil, and given that they have been such a dominant force in hockey for the last 40 years, and given that the Canadians just PUMMELLED them, this game gets my vote for BEST HOCKEY GAME EVER!!!
Posted by: Kevin Canuck at February 24, 2010 09:01 PM (eXcBd)
Why not? To have two must-watch games in a week would be fantastic.
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at February 24, 2010 09:42 PM (Q75cY)
Posted by: forest at February 25, 2010 03:29 AM (cRmbe)
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Posted by: McLovin at February 24, 2010 11:56 AM (RwvN1)