Olympic Hockey Thread

[Flubber]

So Finland is leading germany 1-0-- I expect the Finns to win in a game that will probably be closer than it would normally be as I expect the Finns to rest up their top players a bit.

The Kazaks beat Latvia to end their slim quarterfinal hopes. ( I think Latvia needed to have their win and a US loss be by an aggregate differential of 16 goals) . In this event all the also-rans have some points and nobody got crushed every time. Thats nice.

So whats left today

Finland-germany -- see above
canada-Czech -- a weird game to call since I don't yet know what result achieves which QF opponent. I would think that both teams are more worried about actually starting to play well than anything else. neither really has the option to hold back since both of them need to work hard to ge their crap together

Sweden - Slovaks-- Since it is clear that a Sweden loss "wins" them 3rd and a date with the Swiss, I expect a Slovak win here. I just hope it bites the Swedes in the ass with a Swiss QF win

US-- Russia-- The states have nothing to play for since their date with Finland is assured but like Canada and the Czechs, they need to get their crap together. Russia probably just wants another consisten effort-- a slovak win means they get 2nd regardless of this game but other results in that game could potentially see the Russians in other placings

[Lawrence of Arabia]

Wow

ITALY tied the Swiss.

Interesting that the Swedes have stated outright that they would love to play the SWiss in the quarters, raising the spectre that they could throw their last round game so that they can finish 3rd in their pool and get the Swiss.

lulling everybody to sleep - until its time to strike again and topple a GIANT.

[Kontiki]

1-0 Canada on a goal by Richards.

[Pekka]

yaeh I'm a bit disappointed how off they play.. I mean I know they're not pushing it but.. I mean come on. Just play the game.

But Germany plays the type of hockey where it's pretty difficult to find lots of openings so.. I guess it's not too bad. Maybe we can do another shutout tough? That would be cool.

[Kontiki]

2-0 Canada. St. Louis gets the second one.

[Flubber]

3-0 canada

Its good to see them end the drought but according to the story I saw, it doesn't sound like the Czechs are getting great goaltending.

The descriptions of the 3 goals were

a weak shot that fooled Tomas Vokoun between the pads.

St. Louis, who banked it in off Vokoun's stick from an awkward angle to make it 2-0.

stepped into a slap shot and blew it by Vokoun

[Flubber]

Oh and I have Finland at 2-0 over the Germans in the 3rd.

So more impressive defence for the Finns. I'd be interested to find out how much their top players played in this one.

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia


lulling everybody to sleep - until its time to strike again and topple a GIANT.

The swedish coach said that it´s only a matter of throwing the game without it being obvious that they do it...

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Zoid


The swedish coach said that it´s only a matter of throwing the game without it being obvious that they do it...

Well they are playing the Slovaks who have been undefeated thus far so its not like they are prohibitive favorites or anything . .. heck simple and usual tactics like resting all your first line and your top goalkeeper might be enough.

Intentionally throwing a game seems terrible. But no one would blame any team for resting their top players with a quarterfinal game looming tomorrow .

If the scores hold up it looks like Canada will be third in their pool and the Czechs 4th. That means Canada gets RUSSIA if the Swedes lose regardless of the Russia result

If the Swedes win . .. they are first if Russia does not win with the Slovaks second and Russia 3rd

If the Swedes win and the Russians win, 3 teams will be tied at 4-1 .. . On goal difference the Slovaks would have to be third while the Swedes would be 2nd to the Russians first unless Sweden managed a blowout win.


HMm on this construction, the SLOVAKS have incentive to lose as well since a loss would likely get them into 3rd . . . and if the Swedes win, the Russians could get 3rd and a date with the Swiss. Its almost laughable but I hope most teams are more concerned about building momentum than trying to drop in the standings.

The reality is that the Russia US game starts 30 minutes after the Sweden Slovakia one so thre may be some scoreboard watching going on

Report: Sweden considers final game options


TSN.ca Staff

2/21/2006 11:15:48 AM

Swedish Olympic hockey coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson has the hockey world buzzing following comments which suggest they may not put forth a full effort in today's final round-robin game against Slovakia.

Gustafsson told Swedish television that he was "debating" what would be best for the team as it heads into the game.

Sweden currently sits at 3-1 in Group B, which leaves them in third place. As it stands now, Sweden will face Switzerland, which has clinched second place in Group A.

If Sweden were to defeat Slovakia and Russia lose to the United States, it could finish as high as first or second and that would leave them to face either Canada or the Czech Republic, depending on the outcome of their game today.


The Globe and Mail reports that a Swedish internet website which published the coaches remarks had received negative reaction from readers, who insisted that the team give a full effort in today's game.



Aside from the opening game of the tournament, Henrik Lundqvist has carried the load for Sweden in goal. But reports suggest the team is prepared to start Mikael Tellqvist, who has not seen one minute of action at the Olympics, in goal today against Slovakia.

The IIHF says it will be monitoring tonight's game very closely and following the contest, they will hold a meeting to determine if any action needs to be taken.

[Flubber]

Finland is 2-0 winners over germany to go 5-0


Canada leads Czechs 3-1 in the third.

[Chemical Ollie]

And the Slovaks don't want to meet the Czecks, so both teams might want to lose tonight

[Chemical Ollie]

Originally posted by Serb
You must be kidding.

You know she's an expert in sitting down doing the splits?

[Zoid]

The IIHF is not pleased... This could be a real stinker of a game with both teams playing to lose... Let´s hope it not comes to that.

[SpencerH]

Given the way the Canada-Czech game has gone, one would have to wonder if Canada is laying-back.

[Asher]

Another game, another set of stupid penalties by the slow McCabe...