IlliniKrush Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I figured i'd make a hockey-only thread, as i predict many of us will post about it...so it will be easier to keep it out of the other thread. My predictions: Gold: Canada Silver: Czech Republic Bronze: Sweden Russia has enough talent to medal, but their entire program is in such dissaray right now (and has been for years) that i just don't see them getting it together and medaling...but if they somehow do, a silver or bronze is easily obtainable. I don't expect the US to medal. The roster is full of nice players, but the talent isn't of the same caliber of some of the other teams. I don't like the US goalies, though Dipietro does have the ability to be a pretty good backstop. If he catches fire, the US could do some damage. But i wouldn' tbe surprised if goaltending ends up being their downfall. The US is going to have to win games by outworking some of the other teams. I think there's no doubt they'll play with a ton of passion, and we'll see how far that will take them. Games start wednesday morning. Every single game is televised live, many of them on MSNBC. Also i just heard Marco Sturm is out for Germany, which hurts much of their chance of being a tough opponent. Anyway, can't wait to enjoy these games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiff Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I think Grahame is starting for the US, but I'm not sure. Anyway I'm predicting (and rooting for) a Sweden gold. I like Lundqvist in net and picking Canada to win is boring. Also, hoping Miikka and the Fins can give the Canadians some trouble. Gold: Sweden Silver: Canada Bronze: Czech Republic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I love watching the Swedes play. Poetry in motion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Excellent. I love the larger rinks they use in Olympic play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I really wish Ruutu was playing for Finland. I still have memories of his spectacular goal against Canada in the WCH in 2004, in which he beat multiple defenders to score. Ah, well. I'll still enjoy it. And I agree with you about the US. I doubt they metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 We're betting on Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 (edited) QUOTE(Spiff @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 12:58 PM) I think Grahame is starting for the US, but I'm not sure. Anyway I'm predicting (and rooting for) a Sweden gold. I like Lundqvist in net and picking Canada to win is boring. Also, hoping Miikka and the Fins can give the Canadians some trouble. Gold: Sweden Silver: Canada Bronze: Czech Republic I would expect to see Ryan Miller (BUF) starting for the US... my medal predictions GOLD: Canada (seriously, have you guys seen their roster??) SILVER: Sweden BRONZE: USA gotta go with the US. This is a hoop dream, but we will see. Regardless, this US team is going to be looking really good in '10, with all of the juniors from last years squad gaining more experience, but right now, they are overmatched... Edited February 14, 2006 by Steve9347 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 Miller isn't even on the US roster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 Will Forsberg play? The good news for the Swedes is that Forsberg is coming to Torino. The bad news is they still don't know whether Forsberg and his gimpy groin will actually take part in any part of the '06 Games. "He won't play the first couple of games, for sure. Hopefully, after he rests for a few days, he will be OK for the rest of the tournament," coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson told reporters after the Swedes held their first workout here in Torino. Forsberg, who has missed the last eight games, was scheduled to be on an overnight flight out of Philadelphia on Monday and will arrive sometime Tuesday in Torino. The 32-year-old appeared much less confident about his prospects of suiting up in an interview posted on the Flyers' media line. "Well, I'm going to fly over and see how it goes," Forsberg said. "It's still not 100 percent and I'm going to rest a few more days and see how it goes. It's not [certain] I'm playing over there, but they want me to come over and see if it heals up and if it feels 100 percent this weekend we will skate over there and get going and get ready to maybe play a couple of games. If it's not, then I'm not going to play. I'm just going to go over there and see how it goes." The Swedes play Kazakhstan and Russia in their first two games, but Forsberg's presence will only become crucial for the Swedes when the quarterfinal games are played on Feb. 22. With Forsberg in the lineup, even a hobbled Forsberg, the Swedes are a legitimate gold-medal threat. Without him, their chances decline precipitously. "He's one of those guys that can win you a game," Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson said Monday. "He runs the power play. It's a big boost for us." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 Hasek missing his equipment - http://www.nbcolympics.com/icehockey/5105194/detail.html Only 2 players from USA in Italy right now - http://www.nbcolympics.com/icehockey/%20/i...358/detail.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Who's waking up at 4:30am for Kazakhstan vs Sweden? LOL The best games tomorrow are Russia vs Slovakia at 1:00 and USA vs Latvia at 2:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaus kinski Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 I really like Sweden, the difference between them and Canada would appear to be on defense-Canada does have an edge there, if Sweden can stay out of penalty box against Canada's power play, they will win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 14, 2006 -> 09:51 PM) Who's waking up at 4:30am for Kazakhstan vs Sweden? LOL was up (unexpectedly) for most of the game. as expected, was pretty one-sided. biggest story was the condition of the ice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Sweden beat Kazakhstan 7-2 Canada beat Italy 7-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro1983hat Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Has anyone checked with Janet Jones for the over/under on goals in the US/Latvia game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Finland shutout Switzerland 5-0 Right now Czech Republic is up 2-1 on Germany in the 2nd period. Worth nothing, Hasek is out with an injury: Goalie Dominik Hasek , who starred in the Czech Republic's surprise victory in the 1998 Olympics, left Wednesday's round-robin opener against Germany in the first period with an apparent leg injury. Hasek, one of the NHL's top goaltenders for years, grimaced in pain as he spread his legs to stop a shot during a German power play about six minutes into the game. He didn't face another shot for the next few minutes, but left the ice when play stopped nine minutes into the period. After consulting briefly on the bench with the Czech coaches, Hasek was taken to a locker room to be examined by physicians. He returned to the bench area late in the period, a towel draped around his neck. Losing the 41-year-old Hasek would be a major blow to the Czechs, who are seen as favorite Canada's biggest challenger for the gold medal in Torino. Because Olympic teams must play five games in eight days during round-robin play and another three to win a medal, even a minor injury can sideline a player for all or most of the tournament. Hasek, who now plays for the Ottawa Senators, is a six-time winner of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goalie. He also won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP in 1997 and 1998 and led the Detroit Red Wings to the 2002 Stanley Cup. Hasek has been troubled by groin injuries in recent years but has played 43 games this season. His 2.09 goals-against average is one of the lowest in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiff Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 I didn't realize Miikka pulled out of the olympics, but Finland got it done against Suisse anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Russia up 2-1 going into the 2nd period over Slovakia USA about to take on Latvia at 2pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Slovakia just tied it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 USA with an early 5-on-3, as Irbe tried clearing the puck and it went over the boards. I really wish they'd put that Slovakia/Russia game in HD. That's a helluva game there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Slovakia's only goal was bulls***, guy out of the box gets away with a checking from behind penalty, results in a 3 on 2 goal. It was a bad no call. Good period though, ton of scoring chances for us. I have the 2nd tv going for slovakia/russia, should be a good finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 WAKE UP Man for man you have more talent that every Latvian player, start playing like you want this. Also that 2nd goal was weak as hell, Grahame. I know Dipietro's a head case, but he's the only goalie we have that can play at a gold-medal level. Better come out in this third period and win this game. Right now they are just playing lazy and taking too many unnecessary chances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illinilaw08 Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 15, 2006 -> 03:24 PM) WAKE UP Man for man you have more talent that every Latvian player, start playing like you want this. Also that 2nd goal was weak as hell, Grahame. I know Dipietro's a head case, but he's the only goalie we have that can play at a gold-medal level. Better come out in this third period and win this game. Right now they are just playing lazy and taking too many unnecessary chances. No access to a TV, what's the score of the US game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 3-2 Latvia after 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 (edited) Also, Slovakia over Russia 5-3. Gaborik with two nice goals to win it, both in the last 5 minutes of the game. Edit: Does Russia just collapse after this? It's not a good loss. Slovakia isn't bad, but not a good loss if you consider yourself a medal contender and still have to play USA and Sweden in pool play. Shots: Slovakia 36, Russia 23. Edited February 15, 2006 by IlliniKrush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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