Tournament thread

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:11 am

I just saw a great interview with Laviolette. That guy is impressing the hell out of me. Talk about heading into the tourney at the top of your game. Better than the limping into the tourney like Quinn the slob is doing. Quinn has a full plate. ...and he's looking wobbly.

Lavvy will be wringing every ounce out of them. He said he has a gameplan for the Yob Squad if they should meet.

I'm also taking a real hard look at DiPietro. Can you imagine what he would be doing if he had Chara & Redden in front of him? But that's another topic.

I'm pumped. Canada limps in.. The field looks tough! ...and of course if ATG runs wild it will all be just gravy.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:39 am

First up for the USA....Latvia and dog bit Arturs Irbe, time to make him our bitch!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:57 am

The Rat Pack wrote:I'm also taking a real hard look at DiPietro. Can you imagine what he would be doing if he had Chara & Redden in front of him? But that's another topic.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/torino ... &type=lgns

John Grahame was named the started by Laviolette going into the tournament. I read that DiPietro actually said Grahame didn't belong on the team. Irony's a bitch, eh Ricky?

Team USA gets the two lightweights out of the way...Latvia and Kazakhstan. They could be looking a 3-0 start with Slovakia as their third opponent. They get Sweden on Sunday and Russia on Tuesday...I think those two games will determine who wins Group B. Sweden finally has strong goaltending with Lundqvist and Lidstrom is back to being the best defenseman on the planet. Russia has scary talent but you never know if their heads are into it.

I'm pumped for tomorrow...although I'll miss all of the games while I'm at work. I'd love to have an excuse to call in sick but we're pretty busy at the office. I can work remotely from home but I know I wouldn't get any work done with the TV on. I'll have to record a couple choice games tomorrow and Thursday.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:13 am

fuck rickey. you were never worth what the isles dealt luongo for. go fuck yourself. ending up on long island...karma's a bitch, eh?

sorry guys, but i didn't see anywhere in the AP article what time the game is tomorrow. please fill me in.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:14 pm

1pm (mst) for USA/Latvia....USA network

Watching Canada vs Team Ringer errrr Italy right now. Love how those stupid fucks whistle every time someone puts a hand on a Ringer player.

Thought the cheerleaders would be a women's tourney thing, gawd, didn't someone tell the organizers that hockey doesn't need cheerleaders, you don't see them at any other venue.

Joey Moss · Post by **Joey Moss** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:18 pm

I just woke up and it's 4-1 Canada ove Italy,,,

WTF happened? I wasn't expecting 16-0 or 12-0 like the women's games but I wasn't expecting Italy to score.

Joey Moss · Post by **Joey Moss** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:33 pm

End of second and it's 6-2 Canada. Italy has scored TWICE!!!!

Oh well, Canada usually takes some time to gel. Hopefuly they'll get better. Having said that, beating italy, and getting a win, no matter what the score, is better than starting with a 5-2 loss to Sweden like last time.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:45 pm

look how freaking long those benches are. could put both teams on one bench compared to the length of nhl benches.

See You Next Wednesday · Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:27 pm

Shoalzie wrote:Team USA gets the two lightweights out of the way...Latvia and Kazakhstan. They could be looking a 3-0 start with Slovakia as their third opponent. They get Sweden on Sunday and Russia on Tuesday...I think those two games will determine who wins Group B. Sweden finally has strong goaltending with Lundqvist and Lidstrom is back to being the best defenseman on the planet. Russia has scary talent but you never know if their heads are into it.

I wouldn't count that Slovakia chicken before it's hatched. On Sirius this morning they noted that Slovakia has as many NHLers on their squad as Russia and Finland. And they aren't slouches either, Chara, Demitra, Visnovsky, Hossa, Hossa, Gaborik, Satan, Bondra, Nagy, Svatos etc.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:29 pm

Hasek is injured in game against Germany...at work so I didn't see what happened.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/icehockey/51 ... etail.html

The Czechs are fine since they have arguably the league's most valuable player as their backup but what would this do to the Sens?

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:40 pm

The early word is that he injured his groin.

I was listening to streaming Ottawa sports... they're melting!

Check out the show at http://www.team1200.com They're local at 3pm...after Rome.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:14 pm

The Rat Pack wrote:The early word is that he injured his groin.

I think I was pretty safe to assume that. I'll have to catch highlights when I get home. I can only imagine the outcry over this if he's seriously injured and it jeopardizes the Sens shot at the Cup. I don't think they're that good that they can get by riding Emery the rest of the way. That's the risk you take when you send guys over. You pay them all this money to win you a title and then they go over and get injured in what amounts to an exhibition tournament for them. Believe me, I'd be sick to my stomach if Nicklas Lidstrom blew out his kneeing playing against Latvia or Slovakia and ruining the Wings' shot at the Cup.

I'm recording USA-Latvia...that'll give me something to watch instead of speed skating or figure skating or skiing or whatever NBC is force-feeding us tonight. I actually got up at 5:30 this morning watched the first two periods of Sweden-Kazakhstan and caught the first period of Canada-Italy before I left for work. That's a great way to start the day...

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:34 pm

Nice game going on right now...3-3 between Slovakia and Russia late in the second period. I've been checking the boxscore on NBC's site from time to time. Demitra and Datsyuk each have a goal and an assist. Both are very skilled teams but you wonder how far their goaltending can take them. When Czechoslovakia split, the Czechs kept all of the goalie talent on their side. I have my doubts that Budaj and Lasak can carry this team to a medal.

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:03 pm

They had the Malkin-ATG-Datysuk line rolling for awhile. Scary stuff!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:40 pm

The first mild upset of the prelims...5-3 Slovakia over Russia. Gaborik nets a pair late in the third to give the Slovaks a key early win in Group B. Sweden posted a decisive win this morning over Kazakhstan with Red Wings' prospect Stefan Liv in goal and without Forsberg in the lineup. This is shaping up to be a tough group.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/results/1501489/detail.html

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:45 pm

Pavel Bure looked like he was about to have a stroke.

Both teams looked really good.

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:50 pm

Nail-biter going on with the Latvia vs. US. 3-3 in the 3rd.

Yikes

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:08 pm

Most exciting hockey, I have seen played in years, to watch.

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:17 pm

It ends with a 3-3 tie.

Latvia is acting like they just won the whole tourney.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:29 pm

Those Euros need to stick the whistles and drums up their asses. This is hockey, not soccer. Clean checks by the US and Canada, and the Euros get all pissed and start whistling like little girls. Grow some fucking balls.

al? · Post by **al?** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:08 am

This can't be far behind.....

USA! USA! USA!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:12 am

Cross Traffic wrote:Those Euros need to stick the whistles and drums up their asses. This is hockey, not soccer. Clean checks by the US and Canada, and the Euros get all pissed and start whistling like little girls. Grow some fucking balls.

I liked the atmosphere in the arena. The Latvians were gutty throughout. Don't be surprised to see Irbe get a shot with a NHL team...maybe a Vancouver gives him a call. I thought the older players on Team USA looked sluggish. The best players on the ice were Cole, Gionta, Conroy, Blake and Rolston. Grahame played okay except for that two goal rally the Latvians had. They played a very tough second period but the Americans looked like they were skating in quicksand. The first and third periods were very good for Team USA and they out hit the smaller Latvian team and kicked their ass on face offs. I'm not happy with the tie but they didn't play horribly...I give the credit to Irbe and Team Latvia on playing their hearts out.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:01 am

Just as I figured, Chelios would be caught up ice, leaving Schneider to fend for himself on a 2 on 1. I thought Latvia played a spirited game, much more impressive than I expected.

Mainiac · Post by **Mainiac** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:13 am

The US is old and slow. They don't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting a medal.

fix · Post by **fix** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:38 am

al? wrote:This can't be far behind.....

USA! USA! USA!

I laughed.

RACK al?!!

Not a bad first game by Canada considering they just got there not even 24 hours prior. The fact that they didn't run the score up on Italy shows that Quinn has some class and respect for the home town underdogs.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:46 pm

Caught the third period of the Switzerland's upset win over the Czech while I was in the dentist chair. Aebischer was awesome...probably posting the best goaltending performance so far. I thought the Swiss could be a darkhorse because of their goaltending tandem of Aebischer and Gerber. I had them getting the fourth spot in Group A. This is a huge win that could put them on their way to advancing to the playoff. They still have those games with the Italians and the Germans but if they can grab 3 or 4 points from those two games, they'll move on.

I didn't catch any of Finland-Italy but the Fins move to 2-0 with another shutout win. They hammered the Swiss yesterday. They've easily been the most impressive team so far considering they don't have Lehtonen or Kiprusoff in goal. I would've put them in a gold medal favorite if they had either guy playing but they've looked very good so far...albeit against the lesser half of Group A.

See You Next Wednesday · Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:44 pm

Dan Wetzel Column at Yahoo!

I think ihe is 100% on the mark with this article. The whole idea that the Olympics provides wonderful marketing for the NHL is so flawed. Right now, ESPN for example is showing zero hockey highlights. Ther is no NHL news now for three weeks. Any momentum the season was getting is gone. And the fact that the games simply cannot be viewed live by most of the population means interest in it will just e even more limited.

Hopefully this is the last year of NHLers in the Olympics.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:08 pm

do you canadians hate the road unis? last time i checked, black wasn't even in the national flag, nevertheless the dominant color. stick with red. i can say i'm surprised the us didn't beat you to that punch. yanks are all about throwing black where it doesn't belong.

well, at least they aren't doing the stripe down the shin.

Mainiac · Post by **Mainiac** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:55 pm

5 - 0 Russia over Sweden in a big game for Russia. My pick for the gold is looking better after yesterday's loss.

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:00 pm

Most of the uni's suck. Thanks a lot Nike.

Last years U.S. National Team jersey were the best in a long while.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:06 pm

I give Sweden credit for sticking with their traditional look. I've always been a fan of the yellow jerseys. They're the only country who has kept their same look for an extended period of time. I think Switzerland is the only other country that hasn't fallen prey to the new Nike gear. The thing I can stand about the uniforms in the vertical stripes and how high the numbers are on the sleeves. I can deal with the whole form-fitting thing but vertical striping has to go.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:15 pm

good call, shoalz. they aren't wearing fucking football jerseys.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:36 pm

Some of these refs are the absolute SUCK! The Swedish ref (to quote Doc Mike "The best of the Euro refs") for the US/Kzh game has missed at least 4 picks, including one interference where the Kzh player pushed one of the US players right into the back of the goal frame. No call.

Nice to see the Swiss upset the Czechs today. Do find it amusing that Jagr is wearing a Jofa broomball helmet, you know, the one Gretz used to wear that has zero protection for the head.

al? · Post by **al?** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:48 pm

See You Next Wednesday wrote: Hopefully this is the last year of NHLers in the Olympics.

2010 in Vancouver will likely be the last year for NHLers in the tournament, as well as the entire womens tourney.....mercifully.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:03 pm

al? wrote:
See You Next Wednesday wrote: Hopefully this is the last year of NHLers in the Olympics.
2010 in Vancouver will likely be the last year for NHLers in the tournament, as well as the entire womens tourney.....mercifully.

There's no way that the NHL wouldn't have their players in the Vancouver games. That'll be a huge draw up there. Beyond then, who knows...

al? · Post by **al?** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:18 am

That will be a very tough ticket to get (the gold medal game).....I'm already on it.

and yes.....if I get it, I will put on the war paint.

The Rat Pack · Post by **The Rat Pack** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:24 pm

You know... The US may just lose to the Slovak's.. But I'll take comfort that they're not the Swiss. :D

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:19 am

Team USA is going to need help to advance out of the prelims after that loss today. They're going to be lucky to steal a point or two from the Russians and Swedes. If Latvia beats Kazakhstan and Team USA loses both of their final games, they better pray they can win on the goal differential tiebreaker.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:14 pm

Switzerland clinches a spot into the quarterfinals with their tie against Germany this morning. You have to wonder which goalie they decide to go with once the elimination tournament begins.

al? · Post by **al?** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:59 pm

Where ya at USA, where ya at? I caint see yaaaa.

Hotel rooms across Italy are bracing themselves.

T1B

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