It’s finally over. A tournament that will basically be remembered for ruthless efficiency more than any classic hockey has come to a close. And it ended with Canada on top, which it always should have. Sure, it would have been more fun if Sweden could have played them with more than a center and a half, but that’s the way things go. It probably still wouldn’t have mattered.
Quick reactions to the semifinals today. We’ll start with the bigger game to us, and that’s the battle of the 49th. Those of us here in the land of guns and poor public education love to big up our chances and talk a big game, but every hockey fan knows in their heart that Canada will always ice a better roster than the US, and better than everyone. You know in that one game things can go right, a bounce or a call here or there or one spectacular goalie performance (which the US got and that’s the only reason this didn’t end up 4-0 at least) or one pants-shitting can swing the result. But if both teams play their game, you know where it’s going. And that’s where it went.
Shall we get to the bullets? We shall:
Quick reactions to the semifinals today. We’ll start with the bigger game to us, and that’s the battle of the 49th. Those of us here in the land of guns and poor public education love to big up our chances and talk a big game, but every hockey fan knows in their heart that Canada will always ice a better roster than the US, and better than everyone. You know in that one game things can go right, a bounce or a call here or there or one spectacular goalie performance (which the US got and that’s the only reason this didn’t end up 4-0 at least) or one pants-shitting can swing the result. But if both teams play their game, you know where it’s going. And that’s where it went.
Shall we get to the bullets? We shall:
Day off from the tournament today, so it seems like a good time to apply our semi-regular status update.
The Dizzying Highs
Phil Kessel – I haven’t watched every Olympic game, so I could be ignoring some others, but what I have seen there doesn’t seem to be a more dynamic offensive player than Kessel at this tournament. I’m one of those who turned around on Kessel. I used to laugh at him like everyone else and thought he was basically playing the game as a billionaire would if he were able to buy himself into a game, completely on his own planet. But last year and especially this one, Kessel has been mindlessly entertaining to watch. Lambert’s right, how is he getting no Hart discussion whatsoever? We’re so busy trying to point out the statistical morass that the Leafs are that I think Kessel gets washed away in the current. He shouldn’t.
That was an epic: USAHOCKEY
Pros and Cons of larger ice: Chicago Tribune InfoGraphic
New Goals: Chicago Suntimes
If he isnt, I know someone who is: CBC
Who will be in goal for Canada? Sportsnet.Ca
Quick decison for USA ? ESPN
Darryl Katz did what Charles Wang couldn’t: NHL.Com
Let’s keep rolling along with our Olympic Preview.
Group B
Austria – You’re gonna have a lot of fun saying, “Unterluggaur” while Thomas Vanek is amazed he can play for a team worse than the Islanders.
Canada – As always with them, they’re absolutely loaded. PK Subban might not even play. That’s how richly talented they are. You can try and poke holes in them, but there really just aren’t any. Patrice Bergeron is a fourth-line wing on this squad, and he’s the best two-way player in the game.
Those hoping for a hilarious crash and burn will look in goal. Roberto Luongo has been pretty good even while the Canucks have completely collapsed around him, and his mental deficiencies we all used to laugh at really haven’t popped up in a while. Because they haven’t had a chance. He was pulled mid-series vs. both the Kings and Sharks the past two springs even though he actually played really well. But we know if Canada loses it’ll be his fault. And really, what do you have to do behind this defense? Even if he slips, Carey Price is hardly a drop off a cliff.
If Canada stumbles, it’ll be because they run up against a galactic goaltending performance, which is what happened in ’98 and ’06. It’ll be Rask or Lundqvist or Miller or maybe even Hiller standing on his dick and conjuring up the dark arts. Other than that, this team should sneeze up four to five goals per game.
Prediction: They’re going to wallop this group, which should see them get an easy quarterfinal draw, and then from there it’s just about not getting Rask-ed. Gold Medal Game I’m thinking.
Happy to be going: Chicago Tribune
Group A Top Spot: NHL
Always in the spotlight: Sportsnet.Ca
Wanting a Miracle: PuckDaddy
Jesus Christ! ESPN
Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater
There’s something about this team. Even when they’re not very good (the last few weeks) they can still manage to outplay other teams seemingly at will. Few of us would believe that the Hawks are playing at their highest level right now and we’ve got plenty to complain about.. and even if we don’t, we’ll at least make some shit up.. but they still have somehow won 8 out of 10 possible points so far on the road trip with only a single game remaining before the break.
Ok that date is just weird…
Kane inspired: Chicago Tribune
Hurrikane in LA: Cheer The Anthem
6000: HockeeNight
Torts is sorry: Montreal Gazette
Moving on from Broadway: TSN
This will be problematic for anyone not wearing a Maple Leaf in Russia: Sportsnet
Because girls play hockey in Europe aswell: PuckDaddy
Considering the last time they were there nobody showed up: Globe
Missing one very important name: Score
Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater
Even though both the Kings and the Hawks came into the evening careening through some tough stretches since the turn of the calendar year, the game played certainly wasn’t an indicator of some of the things both teams had been struggling with prior to tonight.
