Here is part two of newly acquired (for a bag of hockey pucks and a roll of used hockey tape) staff writer Drew Doyle’s breakdown of the Men’s Olympic Hockey Tournament…
…and in case you missed part one I will provide you with the link below, I know it’s Lent so I am in a giving mood.
___________________________________________
…and they do (see Part I for Drew’s prediction come true).
Game 3 – United States vs. Switzerland
Did I tell you about Jonas Hiller? I did, didn’t I? Another remarkable performance by the Anaheim no longer mighty Duck. 47 shots faced 45 stops. The guy is a machine! Actually he’s a neural net processor, a learning computer. Thanks T1000. Frustrating the Yanks through two periods, the “plucky” Swiss team rarely tested their opponents; Ryan “I fought the IOC and tied” Miller posted the shutout stopping all 18 shots. First American goalie to do that since Mike Richter back in SLC. Jersey Shore Heartthrob Zach Parise scores twice for Uncle Sam’s Finest and steals some of the spotlight away from fellow NoDak alum Patrick Kane. Where have you gone Patrick Kane? We miss you. Due for a big game as well was Denver Pioneer alum and classmate of yours truly, Paul Stasny. Centering the #1 line currently, but has also been held without a point in 4 games. NEEDS to step up. He will, that’s what Denver Pioneers do. I should know. I haven’t. But people I know have. Couple goals disallowed for the Americans otherwise this could have been a different game. International refs are pansies. But I will give them props for the replay quickness. NFL refs take note, International Ice Hockey Federation refs are EFFICIENT. USA wins 2 – 0 and advances to Semifinals and is guaranteed to play for a medal. Power play needs to improve.
T1000 sounds better than Jonas
Game 4 – Canada vs. Russia
Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby. Olympic Style. The clash of the titans was supposed to be Canadian size vs. Russian offensive firepower. The Canadian crowd was at fever pitch as this game started and didn’t stop, rocking like Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf. This game was close for about 10 minutes. The Canadians embarrassed the Russians, 8-2. Russian coaches refused to match lines against the Canadians and paid the price. Ovechkin was supposed to show the world how hockey gets played in Mother Russia in anticipation of the next winter games, but he quits playing around the 7 minute mark of the second period. Good news for Hawks fans, San Jose Sharks Goalie Evengi Nabokov of Russia gets pulled, his confidence shaken just in time for the annual playoff run collapse of the Sharks. Johnny Toews and Duncan Keith representing big time this tourney and tonight was no exception, both end up on the score sheet with a pair of assists. Brent Seabrook rode the pine for a majority of the game, and will most likely continue to do the same for the remainder of the tourney. Poor Seabs. But he’s taking it in stride. “At least there’s unlimited salad and bread sticks at the Olive Garden” Seabrook said after seeing a team low in ice time Wednesday(Which is good for the Blackhawks who need him rested for the 2nd half of the NHL season). Bird on a Wire. And that’s five movie titles in one paragraph. Canada advances to the semis to face the Slovak nation and fellow Blackhawks Tomas Kopecky – not doing much, and Stanley Cup Chaser Marian Hossa – doing very well for the Slovaks. Canada should win this and go to the gold medal game, the Canadian Hockey Team train is back on schedule folks, donuts and molsons are now being enjoyed in the Great White North once again.
Game 5 – Finland vs. Czech Republic
Jaromir Jagr was clearly still suffering the after effects of his bodily destruction by Alexander the Great, and that did not bode well for the Czech’s medal hopes. Finland, well they’re Finnish’ers. HA! Pretty boring game, but I stuck through it, and made it out alive. Finland was the higher seed but didn’t necessarily play like it, but they find a way to score more goals than their opponent and take this guy 2 – 0. You know this game was bad when the recap on most sports websites is 11 lines. Finland moves on to the semi’s to face the Beacon of Freedom, THE United States of America. Their time might be coming to an end.
Game 6 – Sweden vs. Slovakia
The Swedes with their Volvo’s and other popular exports Henrik Zetterberg, Henrik Lundqvist, and Daniel Alfredsson brought their Gold Medals from Turin into it and the Slovaks had none of it. Tomas Kopecky scores for the Slovaks and Marion Hossa adds three assists and the Fightin Slovaks roll to a 4-3 win, upsetting the heavily favored Swedes. Lina, the Swedish bartender and coworker of mine at Branch27 (1371 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, Illinois) was devastated. “They’re all so handsome! And now I’ll never see them again.” “They also play in the NHL Lina, you’ll see them again.” “But not in yellow.” And there you have it, even the safest peoples in the world can’t be protected from heartbreak. Some accidents you just never see coming. Volvo for Life. Slovakia meets Canada in the semis. Blackhawks fans get excited; you’ll actually have enough Hawks on one sheet of ice to form one line!
So all in all, we’ve seen some of what we expected, and some of what we haven’t expected. Variety is the spice of life as they say. This tourney is looking like its shaping up to be Canada vs. USA for the Gold Medal. What sweet retribution it would be if the US Men’s and Women’s teams both played Canada for the gold and won! Might go down as one of the best performances by either in the history of USA Hockey. To whet your appetites here’s a video of the greatest moments in USA vs. Canada. Check check check it out!
And here’s Hillary Duff “saying” yes to Edmonton Oiler Mike Comrie. Dudes the heir to a Canadian furniture empire, plays hockey for a living, drops a cool $1 million on a rock, and gets Hillary Duff for the rest of his life. Man that is just peaches and cream. NSFW-ish:
Check out the next round of games this Friday!
Well, must say that i watched at a couple of great matches the last days. Although i have to say that it isnt said Canada will win easy from the US. Again Canada had some good luck tonight from Slovakia. The US will be winning sunday with 6-2! Something else: Hey Crosby! Get a smile at your face !