Announcement

**Kontiki** · February 15, 2006, 09:47

Canada and Sweden both win their opening games 7-2 against Italy and Kazakhstan respectively.

**Footie Mad** · February 15, 2006, 09:49

Yes that's a good warm up for both teams. I hope Sweden can manage some good hockey this tournament, like in the last tournament against Canada.

**Flubber** · February 15, 2006, 10:02

Originally posted by Footie Mad
Yes that's a good warm up for both teams. I hope Sweden can manage some good hockey this tournament, like in the last tournament against Canada.

Avvording to the Canadian "experts", Sweden should be one of the best teams in the event-- I think they had the Czechs, Canadians and Swedes as favorites. The Russians are always dangerous but I don't think many folks are giving the Americans, Slovaks or Finns much chance at a gold.

As for the rest, " we hope you enjoy your Olympic experience"

**Flubber** · February 15, 2006, 10:05

The CBC did a nice little feature on the Canadians on the Italian hockey team. A bunch of them were Italian-Canadians that now play Italian pro hockey. One of them commented on the irony of his returning to Italy for work . He also joked that as a child " this was not the way I thought I would be on the ice with Team Canada"

**Pekka** · February 15, 2006, 10:07

Finland vs Switzerland just had its first period. Olli Jokinen started the scoring and it's 1-0 now. Umm pretty weird game for us, there was no real practice before this, like a good where the team was present, since last guys just arrived... plus the airliners lost some of their gear

... great.

Well, they haven't got their groove on yet but I don't see any problems ahead, though the Swiss goalie is excellent.

There was something beautiful... as Nieminen and J Ruutu play in the same line.... Nieminen shot, and Ruutu knocked over the goalie. I mean, they started implementing their beauty early in the game

**Flubber** · February 15, 2006, 10:21

Originally posted by Pekka
Finland vs Switzerland just had its first period. Olli Jokinen started the scoring and it's 1-0 now. Umm pretty weird game for us, there was no real practice before this, like a good where the team was present, since last guys just arrived... plus the airliners lost some of their gear

... great.

Not that uncommon-- The Canadian players ALL were playing NHL games on the weekend so I don't know if they had a chance to practice.

Also-- apparently Hasek's goalie gear was all MIA

Originally posted by Pekka

Well, they haven't got their groove on yet but I don't see any problems ahead, though the Swiss goalie is excellent.

I do expect Finland to dispatch all the lesser nations -- The finns may even be good enough to medal . .. its just tough to contem,plate them taking gold

Originally posted by Pekka
ahead, though the Swiss goalie is excellent.

There was something beautiful... as Nieminen and J Ruutu play in the same line.... Nieminen shot, and Ruutu knocked over the goalie. I mean, they started implementing their beauty early in the game

No drooling pekka

**Pekka** · February 15, 2006, 10:54

well it's looking good now... 5-0 after second period.. Numminen, Jokinen, Selänne, Selänne...

THat makes 2+1 for O. Jokinen and 2+1 for Selänne after 40 minutes. Pretty good. So positive note is that our point makers are starting good, you should never underestimate the defensive power of weaker teams.

Niittymäki is also playing good, no mistakes. The Swiss generated some dangerous situations but couldn't get pass Niittymäki who is playing emotionless.

This is a good game for us.

**Asher** · February 15, 2006, 10:58

You gotta love the NW division powerplay on Team Canada.

NW is where it's at, baby.

**SpencerH** · February 15, 2006, 11:36

I havent followed hockey for at least 10 years so I dont know any of the players, but it doesnt look like Canada has any superstars this time around. Afetr so many years of watching loaded teams that didnt win, maybe it's a good thing?

**Asher** · February 15, 2006, 11:42

It's obviously been a while since you've watched hockey...there are superstars on the team, they're just the next generation.

**Asher** · February 15, 2006, 11:47

Oh boy!

Sorry - we can't find that page

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/sports/icehockey/stories/index.shtml?/story/olympics/national/2006/02/15/Sports/hasek-injured060215.html

Czech goalie Hasek leaves game
Last Updated: Wed Feb 15 11:43:59 EST 2006
CBC Sports
Czech Republic goaltender Dominik Hasek led his nation to the 1998 Olympic gold medal. (Getty Images)

The Czech Republic men's hockey team received some potential bad news as star goaltender Dominik Hasek left the game against Germany with a suspected injury Wednesday.

The acrobatic Hasek, 41, is best known for leading his nation to an Olympics gold medal in 1998, including a memorable shootout win over Canada in the semifinal.

However, the Czechs are hardly deficient in goaltending talent. Tomas Vokoun, who took over for Hasek, ranks in the top five of the National Hockey League in wins and has been the Nashville Predators' MVP this season.

**SpencerH** · February 15, 2006, 11:49

Yeah it's been a long long long time since I bothered to watch an NHL game. I still find it strange that Dallas has a team.

Maybe its just that the 'superstars' of today are 'lesser lights' than those I watched in my youth. I didnt see any Jean Beleveau, Bobby Orr, or Bobby Hull's out there today. Hopefully I will.

**Asher** · February 15, 2006, 11:59

I haven't watched the game yet, but it looks like McCabe is already doing his thing. Looks like all the people, such as myself, who screamed defensive liability had something right...

The Italians were on their feet again as Bryan McCabe batted the puck out of the air right to Tony Tuzzolito, who fed Parco, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., for low shot that beat Brodeur.

**Flubber** · February 15, 2006, 12:14

Originally posted by Asher
I haven't watched the game yet, but it looks like McCabe is already doing his thing. Looks like all the people, such as myself, who screamed defensive liability had something right...

I did see the goal and I have a tough time blaming Mccabe for it. Just one of those things.

Oh and Brodeur did not look great . . it was a game where he could have had a shutout if he was sharp at all-- but given jis lengthy periods of inactivity, it was probably hard to stay focused

**Tingkai** · February 15, 2006, 12:51

It's amazing what Iginla can do when he's with players who have some skill. I picked him first in my pool and have been wondering why he isn't putting up the points. Now I know that it isn't him. What a great one timer, and ya gotta love Bertuzzi doing the screen. Goalie didn't have a chance.

As for McCabe, he was doing what every defencemen learns: Defence blocks the pass, goalie stops the shot. The Italians got a lucky bounce on a 2 on 1, and I'll give credit to Parco for making good on his chance.

If you're going to ***** about defencemen, what about Pronger letting the puck get by him and then getting beat by the Italians.

Announcement

Olympic Hockey Thread

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment