Big day in Olympic hockey..

[Upton]

These matchups today promise to provide some great hockey..I'm particularly looking forward to Canada/Russia

U.S. v Switzerland (just started)
Russia v Canada
Finland v Czech
Sweden v Slovakia

If the US defeats the Swiss, they'll play the winner of Finland/Czechoslovakia in the semis..

[TZ]

1. Have to admit I'm sort of rooting for Russia

Cause of my favorite NHL player Ovechkin. Sorry Joey....:P

[Renew Deal]

2. I don't want the US to have to beat Canada again.

And USA-Russia would be fun. Of course, the competition for the US is actually very tough, so there's no guarantee they'll make the final.

[MadBadger]

4. Its still 0-0 against the Swiss

[MadBadger]

3. I want Luongo to be an epic failure

Big Devils fan and i'll admit that Brodeur didnt play his best. But the Canadians are acting like all is right in the world because Roberto Luongo beat two crappy teams. So id like to see Russia score a ton of goals on Bobby Lu

[RockaFowler]

5. This USA/Swiss match is great

This is how the NHL should be. Why can't they change the rules in the NHL?? This is so much better!!!

[Raffi Ella]

20. If you're talking about the no fighting rule, I agree 100%

I don't watch NHL because of the fighting, just barbaric! takes away from the beauty that a good Hockey game is.

[El Supremo]

24. Agreed!

But what about that Canadian jumping twice on top of the USAer last Sunday? I wish I could find a picture. They didn't call a penalty.

[Raffi Ella]

29. I saw that!

I also thought I saw a punch thrown but no penalty so I thought I musta been mistaken.

[Upton]

6. NO goal..

Tied after two against a big underdog is not where the US wanted to be...

[Swede]

7. white knuckle time for team usa.

Hiller is eating rubber today.

[joeybee12]

8. YES!!!! n/t

[Upton]

9. I'd feel a lot safer

if they could get that second goal.

[joeybee12]

10. Agreed...n/t

[El Supremo]

11. We won! 2 to 0

Odd game. One goal from each team not allowed.

[joeybee12]

13. 2-0...Praise Jebus!!!! n/t

[Upton]

15. I see you've done some editing

in order that your post may reflect the true final score. However, I never saw a Swiss goal actually disallowed..

[El Supremo]

16. I had a brain fart.

The Swiss goal was reviewed right after our bad goal in the third but it hit the post. A second possible goal by the US went in after the buzzer ending the second. I'm listening on the radio.

[Condem]

12. Gotta give it up for the Swiss.

A scrappy bunch!

[El Supremo]

14. I hate the Swiss

Goddamn pussies with their Perpetual Neutrality. Not to mention hidden bank accounts.

[Condem]

17. Now, El.

Win with class.

[SpiralHawk]

18. Yeah, but ya gotta give 'em props for their cheese...

I'm just sayin...

[Raffi Ella]

19. YES!

Damn what a nerve wracking game that was. Had to get up and walk away during the second half.

[Forkboy]

21. The Russia/Canada game should be a great one.

The winner could be Gold medal bound.

[Condem]

22. Who would you rather see the US play in the semis, Fork?

The Czechs or Finns?

[Forkboy]

25. The Czechs would be the tougher team for them, imo.

So that's the matchup I want to see. No knock on the Finns, who can beat the U.S., but I think the Czechs have the better chance to do so, so that makes for the best game to watch. :)

[KamaAina]

27. The Czechs who got taken to OT by LATVIA?

blowing a 2-goal lead, no less?

[Forkboy]

28. Yep.

:P

[Raffi Ella]

23. oh yeah!

The commentators said it was gonna be an "Epic Battle".

[Forkboy]

26. I hope so!

:)

[Raffi Ella]

40. That wasn't a battle, that was a slaughter.

It was practically over by the first period.

:wtf:

[Upton]

30. Nabby's in goal for the Russians!

[Condem]

31. Nabby's nappy.

5-1, Canada. A little motivated?

[Upton]

32. Now it's 6-2

Everything can't be Nabby's fault...the Russians are getting outhit and outplayed.

It looks like a lot of Americans were celebrating Canada's death way too prematurely.

[Condem]

33. Disagree, Upton.

Anyone with any knowledge knew there was much work to be done. And I don't pretend to have any. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Canada came back and took this deal.

[Upton]

35. Canada's going to be the Gold Medal favorite again

If the US gets by the Finland/Czech winner, they better hope THIS Canada team isn't waiting for them.

[Raffi Ella]

44. oh Come on! Celebrating Canada's death?

This is their game in their Homeland no less! There should have been no question about them so please! don't hold it against us Americans for being excited that we beat them at their game on their ice, k? I mean really.

I for one can't wait to play them for the Gold.

[Lucy Goosey]

34. ...aaaand he's out of the game.

7-2 Canada.

Uh, holy shit. This was how the Canada-Switzerland game was supposed to go, not the Canada-Russia game.

[LisaM]

36. Every time I look at ESPN's website, there's a new score!

Geeze Louise!

[PRETZEL]

37. Sets up for a US vs. Canada

Gold Medal game.

I don't see any reason for the US not to be able to beat Finland and for Canada not to beat Slovakia.

Rematch against Canada would be one hell of a game.

[Lucy Goosey]

38. One hell of a game indeed...

Canada would show up absolutely not wanting to lose to the US again in this tournament, and of course the US will know how hungry Canada is, and will pull out all the stops to be able to beat the home team at their own game for the second time in a week.

It's a big "if", but if Canada can sustain the level of play they had against the Russians, they might be almost impossible to beat.

[PRETZEL]

39. That may actually work against them,

imagine the pressure,

expecting to win Gold on home ice.

Wouldn't be the first time a team laid an egg.

[murphyj87]

42. Canadian Strategy vs. Russia

The strategy for the Canadian team against Russia was to keep the puck deep in the Russian end and to pass it behind the Russian goal and put pressure on the Russian defence, which had been scouted to be the weakest component of the Russian team. Another key was to put a close checker on Ovechkin, who ended up with no points and -2 on the night.

[PRETZEL]

43. That'll probably be Slovakia's strategy

against Canada also.

Luongo isn't nearly the puck handler as Brodeur. Canada's defensemen may also be their weakest link (but not by much) so I'd expect the Slovaks to try to do the same.

[Lucy Goosey]

45. ...and I think that strategy could be effective against the US.

I think defence is Team USA's weakest link, too.

[Raffi Ella]

41. Yup!

and Our boys haven't lost one yet!

Can't wait~ :evilgrin: