Hotels in Sochi

[pchang]

And now the evil Fins have knocked them out of men's hockey. Task was a wall ad somehow Teemu hit the way back machine and played like a much younger version of himself.

[Pekka]

Yeah... good game, too bad Russia started with Varlamov... I think that was what cost them the game for sure. And Rask has been hot for few games now (ever since Canada game). Could've been different if their real #1 goalie their starter... so... I'd say coach, why? But, lucky for us.

Teemu got lucky... two failed shots that resulted into goals. But that's how goal scorers roll.... He's just playing smart, he clearly fatiques fast so he plays position and uses his speed only few times every now and then. But so far successfully.

You've got to feel a bit bad for Russia though.... they did have a good team on paper but it failed to execute.... and it was their home tournament so that always hurts. I did like the way Radulov played. Few starts didn't deliver, I don't know what was up with them.

[pchang]

I predict a win for Finland over Sweden.

[Pekka]

Oh me too!!

For one, I think we are much closer in terms of paper, but we have a hot goalie right now and defense has been decent. And capitalizing on opportunities has been excellent. Finland usually creates lots of opportunities but can't score, now it seems the opposite. Plus these teams always perform against each other anyway. So Rask factor I think is why I think Finland will win. At least I hope so! So... Canada vs Finland finals? Or US? US has a good team too.

[pchang]

Will Putin have Varlamov deported?
Will the US beat the Czechs and then Canada to face Finland in the finals?
I think the US will beat the Czechs and then Canada and then Finland.

[Pekka]

Will Putin have Varlamov deported?
Will the US beat the Czechs and then Canada to face Finland in the finals?
I think the US will beat the Czechs and then Canada and then Finland.

I dunno... I think it was coache's mistake to put Varlamov between posts... Because Bobrovski is an outstanding goalie. Pure and simple. And he was unstoppable once he got his chance today. Few stunning saves.... a horrible mistake by the coach IMO, retrospectively.

I think US will beat Czechs today, not sure if they'll beat Canada, it's possible for sure, Canada has to get their potential going on more... Crosby and his line has been a bit of a disappointment so far but I figure they'll get their game together, so will it be against US? I think so. We'll see, if they come, US will have a long night ahead of them.

Finals, be it Finland vs. Canada OR US, Finland is an underdog anyway. But, I think Rask is the hottest goalie of the tournament right now so there's always a shot. But he has to play perfectly. Against Canada, not sure if that will be enough. I think who ever comes, will just as bad. Finland plays similar style to both teams (from European countries that is), so there's always an opportunity to pull an upset but I won't bet on it. Even though I of course hope Finland could win gold (for the first time ever). But I figure US will definitely advance tonight. It's a strong team. Not as deep as Canada's, but it's been performing.

edit: to be honest, I think Finland's chances are slim, finals against Sweden would have been possible to rise up for the occasion but against US or Canada, it can get ugly. Our team is badly injured and it's lacking in depth. It has a nice mix of young and older players, but the ones in between didn't come. M. Koivu injured, Filppula injured, Bergenheim didn't want to come and Barkov injured himself during the tournament. Not necessarily what you'd consider your Crosbys and Kanes but good players for their roles to play the system for an upset. Now? It's a thin roster.

[The Mad Monk]

And as a Russian, you would know.

There is something insanely cool about that.

[pchang]

Canada offense has been underperforming. This is why I think US can beat them. I think Sweden got lucky in their group draw and is not as good as their record. This is why I predict a Finland victory. I also agree that Finland depth is not enough to beat Canada or US.

[molly bloom]

and thus were unreachable to him. .

No they weren't unreachable- after all, people swim the English Channel every year. He managed to get to Egypt and that's much further away, and he didn't get there overland.

Still it's good to see you displaying your lack of knowledge of the Royal Navy's efforts to successfully keep the French out of the British Isles.

That would be DUMB to face your enemy openly on the battlefield

Not that any of your commanders could have defeated him anyway.

By the way, you may not have heard of the Peninsula War- it has been termed Napoleon's Viet Nam. Not many Russians involved as I recall.

[pchang]

There is something insanely cool about that.

Total destruction, but in a very narrow beam. I guess we have enough redundancy to survive that kind of damage.

[Pekka]

Yah, on paper our depth is not enough against US or Canada... I agree fully with you there. We've had few good showings with top players against Canada in the past (last World Cup, lost finals 3-2, it was a really tight game)... but you are correct, Canada can do a lot better and they're known to do well when it's time to do well so to not perform would be a huge upset for them - they'll show up for sure. If they don't? It's bronze game then and US for finals. I actually don't even have a favourite, I enjoy the teams left. The only top team that is now out is Russia, I was a bit surprise about Ovechkin & co and how they didn't do more than this. I mean come on, Ovechkin, Malkin, all those guys, had some shots, but weren't able to generate more than this. I still don't think this the reason they're out. Of course you have to score more than 1 usually, but Varlamov was a wrong choice for sure and defense wasnt' tight enough. It was kind of slow, and Finland got few lucky bounces and that was it.

[Sava]

HAHAHAHH
Russia sucks

USA USA USA

[100% Wolf]

The USA pwned the Czechs

[Pekka]

What happened to Czechs anyway? They couldn't get their game on againsts Slovakia either....

[Dinner]

Serb-baiting is a popular sport here on Poly. Much more entertaining than talking to Ben.

Yeah, that's basically it.