Well, loss aside, that was one of the best hockey games I've ever seen. Only question is, why 4 on 4 for 20 minutes in OT? Bizarre.
Now for some awards:
Overachiever Award: Team Slovakia. Who thought they'd even play for a medal, much less beat Sweden and Russia?
Runner-Up: Team USA. I always thought they'd medal.
Underachiever Award: Team Sweden. Defending champs couldn't get it done when it mattered.
Runner-Up: Team Russia. Only their offense underachieved.
MVP: Ryan Miller. What a beast.
Runners-Up: Sidney Crosby (game/Gold winner), Tore Vikingstad (best name ever)
Best Team: Team Canada. Gold medalists.
Runner-Up: Team USA. No surprises here.
Worst Team: Team Russia. Terrible chemistry, abysmal defense, and offensive superstars not even trying to backcheck.
Runner-Up: Team Germany. Never even made a game that close.
Lessons Learned: Miller is an elite goaltender... Crosby wins championships, no matter the pressure... The USA has made amazing strides and, developmentally, is the best hockey nation in the world... The 2014 Olympics in Sochi will kick ass. If Bettman allows NHL players to play... NHL players easily beat players of any other league. The two teams with 100% NHL players medaled gold and silver.
And it sucks to see Crosby beat your team. Now I know how Brett feels.
- Matt
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Olympics: Moving On
First of all, USA! USA!
Now, there are some preliminary matchups that could provide the upsets we crave. Let's look at each one:
Czech Republic (5) vs. Latvia (12)
Rematch of an earlier game, where the Czechs were scared straight when the Latvians made it closer than it should have been.
Upset Potential: Highly unlikely
Canada (6) vs. Germany (11)
Two teams whose talent level isn't living up to its potential. After a spat of hot goaltenders, Canada will be relieved to face struggling Greiss. Expect a blowout.
Upset Potential: Slim to none
Slovakia (7) vs. Norway (10)
Slovakia is heating up, and should blow the suddenly overachieving Norwegians out of the water. Not even Tore Vikingstad can stop the inevitable. Unless the Slovaks have trouble scoring again.
Upset Potential: Unlikely
Switzerland (8) vs. Belarus (9)
Jonas Hiller was finally lit up in the tourney... by the Norwegians, oddly. Could Belarus find the magic they summoned in the Germany game? The Swiss will probably win, but a Belarus upset is actually plausible.
Upset Potential: Surprisingly Possible
As for the Americans, they await the winner of SUI-BEL as the number one seed. 3 wins to go.
- Matt
Now, there are some preliminary matchups that could provide the upsets we crave. Let's look at each one:
Czech Republic (5) vs. Latvia (12)
Rematch of an earlier game, where the Czechs were scared straight when the Latvians made it closer than it should have been.
Upset Potential: Highly unlikely
Canada (6) vs. Germany (11)
Two teams whose talent level isn't living up to its potential. After a spat of hot goaltenders, Canada will be relieved to face struggling Greiss. Expect a blowout.
Upset Potential: Slim to none
Slovakia (7) vs. Norway (10)
Slovakia is heating up, and should blow the suddenly overachieving Norwegians out of the water. Not even Tore Vikingstad can stop the inevitable. Unless the Slovaks have trouble scoring again.
Upset Potential: Unlikely
Switzerland (8) vs. Belarus (9)
Jonas Hiller was finally lit up in the tourney... by the Norwegians, oddly. Could Belarus find the magic they summoned in the Germany game? The Swiss will probably win, but a Belarus upset is actually plausible.
Upset Potential: Surprisingly Possible
As for the Americans, they await the winner of SUI-BEL as the number one seed. 3 wins to go.
- Matt
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Updated Olympic Power Rankings
This post brought to you by the I Hate Henrik Zetterberg Foundation.
12. Norway (0-0-0-2)
11. Germany (0-0-0-2)
10. Latvia (0-0-0-2)
9. Belarus (0-0-0-2)
8. Switzerland (0-0-1-1)
7. Slovakia (0-1-0-1)
6. Czech Republic (2-0-0-0)
5. Russia (1-0-1-0)
4. Sweden (2-0-0-0)
3. United States (2-0-0-0)
2. Finland (2-0-0-0)
1. Canada (1-1-0-0)
In fact, I say the 1-2-3 is how this tournament finishes. Finland has looked very solid this tourney, and has outplayed neighbor Sweden in every area I've seen. I trust Kipper in net more than almost every other goalie in the games. And Backstrom as backup? Good lord.
Russia is ahead of its group because it took a hot goaltender standing on his head to stop the prolific offense. Which is why I think Finland/Sweden pose a huge threat to the Commies, and why it's likely the Russians may fail to medal. Just saying.
- Matt
12. Norway (0-0-0-2)
11. Germany (0-0-0-2)
10. Latvia (0-0-0-2)
9. Belarus (0-0-0-2)
8. Switzerland (0-0-1-1)
7. Slovakia (0-1-0-1)
6. Czech Republic (2-0-0-0)
5. Russia (1-0-1-0)
4. Sweden (2-0-0-0)
3. United States (2-0-0-0)
2. Finland (2-0-0-0)
1. Canada (1-1-0-0)
In fact, I say the 1-2-3 is how this tournament finishes. Finland has looked very solid this tourney, and has outplayed neighbor Sweden in every area I've seen. I trust Kipper in net more than almost every other goalie in the games. And Backstrom as backup? Good lord.
Russia is ahead of its group because it took a hot goaltender standing on his head to stop the prolific offense. Which is why I think Finland/Sweden pose a huge threat to the Commies, and why it's likely the Russians may fail to medal. Just saying.
- Matt
Friday, February 19, 2010
Olympic Power Rankings after Day 3
The two stunning games last night have forced me to rewrite my rankings:
12. Latvia (0-0-0-1)
11. Norway (0-0-0-2)
10. Belarus (0-0-0-1)
9. Germany (0-0-0-1)
8. Switzerland (0-0-1-1)
7. Slovakia (0-1-0-1)
6. Czech Republic (1-0-0-0)
5. Russia (1-0-1-0)
4. Finland (1-0-0-0)
3. Sweden (1-0-0-0)
2. United States (2-0-0-0)
1. Canada (1-1-0-0)
Now for some logic. Obviously, teams without a win (Switzerland through Latvia) couldn't be ranked higher than winning clubs. Of those teams, Switzerland and Germany gave the best fights.
Slovakia certainly deserves a move up for beating Russia (and holding them to one goal), but they still only have 2 points in the standings, and need to hope the Czechs can also beat Russia to get a good seeding for the play-in round.
The matchup between Czech Republic and Russia is now huge. The Czechs can clinch a bye to reach the quarterfinals with a win. Goal differential may be the key in this group.
Finland and Sweden were both impressive in their debuts, but I hold more stock in defense than offense. These two are expected top 4 finishers for me.
Canada gets the nod over the US for the top spot because they are still the favorites to win the head-to-head matchup on Sunday. Meanwhile, the US could probably clinch the number 1 spot for the rest of the tourney by beating Canada. Both have clinched top-8 finishes, and an overtime decision would probably give both teams a bye into the quarterfinals.
Also, post #200. woooooo.
- Matt
12. Latvia (0-0-0-1)
11. Norway (0-0-0-2)
10. Belarus (0-0-0-1)
9. Germany (0-0-0-1)
8. Switzerland (0-0-1-1)
7. Slovakia (0-1-0-1)
6. Czech Republic (1-0-0-0)
5. Russia (1-0-1-0)
4. Finland (1-0-0-0)
3. Sweden (1-0-0-0)
2. United States (2-0-0-0)
1. Canada (1-1-0-0)
Now for some logic. Obviously, teams without a win (Switzerland through Latvia) couldn't be ranked higher than winning clubs. Of those teams, Switzerland and Germany gave the best fights.
Slovakia certainly deserves a move up for beating Russia (and holding them to one goal), but they still only have 2 points in the standings, and need to hope the Czechs can also beat Russia to get a good seeding for the play-in round.
The matchup between Czech Republic and Russia is now huge. The Czechs can clinch a bye to reach the quarterfinals with a win. Goal differential may be the key in this group.
Finland and Sweden were both impressive in their debuts, but I hold more stock in defense than offense. These two are expected top 4 finishers for me.
Canada gets the nod over the US for the top spot because they are still the favorites to win the head-to-head matchup on Sunday. Meanwhile, the US could probably clinch the number 1 spot for the rest of the tourney by beating Canada. Both have clinched top-8 finishes, and an overtime decision would probably give both teams a bye into the quarterfinals.
Also, post #200. woooooo.
- Matt
Thursday, February 18, 2010
It's Still Thursday!
NHL/Olympic post of the week!
I don't know what else to talk about, so let's rank the Olympian teams:
12. Latvia
11. Norway
10. Belarus
9. Slovakia
8. Switzerland
7. Germany
6. Czech Republic
5. Finland
4. United States of America
3. Sweden
2. Russia
1. Canada
Note: I made this ranking before today's games. I would probably move Russia into the top spot, and the US into spot number 3 now. Canada may have shaken its nerves away, now that they've overcome the adversity of not blowing out a lesser opponent. I think Canada gets gold, Sweden gets silver, and the USA gets bronze, as I've maintained.
Now, since we're all Americans here, let's analyze their performances thus far:
vs SWI - The Americans took the body early, and shook off opening day jitters to really dominate play. They didn't let Hiller get too comfortable, and made the defense of the Swiss look like Swiss cheese (har har). It was a good win, and in light of Canada needing the shootout to beat the Swiss, it looks very good now.
vs NOR - Besides a complete misfire that led to a shorthanded goal, it was tough for the US to control this game any more. The result was never even close to in doubt. I'd say this proved the Americans are capable of competing with the Canadians and Russians. Let's hope they can build off this win and become gold medalists.
NHL Video Game Song of the Week:
I nominate Raccoon Eyes, by Priestess. From their Prior to the Fire album, which fucking rules.
From NHL10. But you probably already knew that.
- Matt
I don't know what else to talk about, so let's rank the Olympian teams:
12. Latvia
11. Norway
10. Belarus
9. Slovakia
8. Switzerland
7. Germany
6. Czech Republic
5. Finland
4. United States of America
3. Sweden
2. Russia
1. Canada
Note: I made this ranking before today's games. I would probably move Russia into the top spot, and the US into spot number 3 now. Canada may have shaken its nerves away, now that they've overcome the adversity of not blowing out a lesser opponent. I think Canada gets gold, Sweden gets silver, and the USA gets bronze, as I've maintained.
Now, since we're all Americans here, let's analyze their performances thus far:
vs SWI - The Americans took the body early, and shook off opening day jitters to really dominate play. They didn't let Hiller get too comfortable, and made the defense of the Swiss look like Swiss cheese (har har). It was a good win, and in light of Canada needing the shootout to beat the Swiss, it looks very good now.
vs NOR - Besides a complete misfire that led to a shorthanded goal, it was tough for the US to control this game any more. The result was never even close to in doubt. I'd say this proved the Americans are capable of competing with the Canadians and Russians. Let's hope they can build off this win and become gold medalists.
NHL Video Game Song of the Week:
I nominate Raccoon Eyes, by Priestess. From their Prior to the Fire album, which fucking rules.
From NHL10. But you probably already knew that.
- Matt
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday (Night) Hockey
Oops, forgot to make a post.
Anyway, here's a hastily typed series of observations about the Olympics:
* I'm not convinced Russia is going to medal. Their D and goaltending are suspect (has Nabokov ever accomplished anything in a playoff?), and half the team is made of KHL players. The politics of representing Russia's league on Canadian soil could be this team's undoing. Prediction: 5th place.
* The NHL-sized rink could prove to be the Achilles' Heel for the finesse teams such as Sweden and Finland. Although the Swedish team has a lot of NHLers in its ranks, ones who've proven themselves in the playoffs. The reigning gold medalists should at least get bronze.
* While I think Canada comes up with Gold this year, I think the US is going to give every team a very good fight. Finland could be another surprise, as could Slovakia.
Game of the Night: Washington at Ottawa
WHY: Both teams, until recently, were riding franchise-best winning streaks.
WHY NOT: I hate them both.
Prediction: Capitals 6, Senators 3
Alternate Game: Boston at Tampa Bay. Potential playoff positioning?
NHL Video Game Music of the Week:
Pretty emo, but this fucker gets so stuck in my head every time I hear it. From NHL07.
- Matt
Anyway, here's a hastily typed series of observations about the Olympics:
* I'm not convinced Russia is going to medal. Their D and goaltending are suspect (has Nabokov ever accomplished anything in a playoff?), and half the team is made of KHL players. The politics of representing Russia's league on Canadian soil could be this team's undoing. Prediction: 5th place.
* The NHL-sized rink could prove to be the Achilles' Heel for the finesse teams such as Sweden and Finland. Although the Swedish team has a lot of NHLers in its ranks, ones who've proven themselves in the playoffs. The reigning gold medalists should at least get bronze.
* While I think Canada comes up with Gold this year, I think the US is going to give every team a very good fight. Finland could be another surprise, as could Slovakia.
Game of the Night: Washington at Ottawa
WHY: Both teams, until recently, were riding franchise-best winning streaks.
WHY NOT: I hate them both.
Prediction: Capitals 6, Senators 3
Alternate Game: Boston at Tampa Bay. Potential playoff positioning?
NHL Video Game Music of the Week:
Pretty emo, but this fucker gets so stuck in my head every time I hear it. From NHL07.
- Matt
Friday, February 5, 2010
Just Another Useless Hockey Opinion
17 = 666
A Devil...a DEVIL...clearly this was the "wild card team" that some reports had him going to. I read a great article this morning on TSN written by Bob McKenzie. (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/?id=309019) He argues that Waddell did everything in his power to get the best return for Kovalchuk. He says people are crazy if they think he would've fetched Cam Barker, Patrick Sharp, or Kris Versteeg in a trade. He goes on to say that Waddell played his cards right. As soon as he had the Devils offer he went public saying he was open to trading Kovy, in order to flush out some last minute bids for him. He goes on to say Waddell received what he was asking for. He wanted a top 6 forward (Bergfors has the potential), a top 4 d-man (Oduya has the minutes to suggest he's a #4 d-man), a prospect (Patrice Cormier), and a 1st round pick. True.
I respect Bob McKenzie and most of the NHL writers at TSN...but I whole heartedly disagree. Let's breakdown this trade.
NJ Acquires: Ilya Kovalchuk (F), Anssi Salmela (D)
ATL Acquires: Niclas Bergfors (F), Johnny Oduya (D), Patrice Cormier (F), NJ 2010 1st Rd pick
*Also the two teams will swap 2nd round picks
Let's look at this deal from the side of Atlanta first.
Alright so obviously Waddell wasn't going to get everything he desired out of a rental player. I highly doubt Kovalchuk will re-sign with NJ. I just don't see it happening. I don't think Lou will offer him more than what Waddell did (101 million over 12 years). But what did Waddell bring in?
Bergfors...a solid young forward. He started the year out hot, but has tailed off. You can attribute that to the fact that he's a rookie and is still adjusting to the NHL. He has a scoring touch and could end the year with 20 goals (has 13 right now). That's a very solid rookie season. If Bergfors can follow it up the next two years with 25+ goal seasons, then it was a very solid pickup for the Thrashers.
Johnny Oduya is a middle of the road puck moving defenseman. I'll be honest I don't know that much about him...don't watch the Devils that much. Matt may have more insight on some of these Devil players than I do. But from what I read he's a "safe" return. He won't make mistakes, but by no means is a game changer. He's a #4 or #5 d-man.
Patrice Cormier. Many know him has the guy who threw one of the most heinous elbows is hockey history. He was recently suspended for the rest of the year in Juniors. Sadly this was the not the first time Cormier had been suspended for throwing an elbow. This kid is just a dirty player. IF he every makes it to the NHL he's not projected to be more than a 3rd or 4th line player. So as far as bringing in a good prospect...Waddell fails here. What a waste. He would've been better off asking for a 3rd round pick (or not swapping 2nds). Maybe the Devils asked him to take Cormier off their hands because of the embarrassment...who knows.
1st round pick. Ok so Waddell gets his 1st round pick, but here's the thing...it's going to be a very late 1st rounder. Essentially it's the same as having an extremely high 2nd. What makes it worse is that the two teams swapped their 2nd round picks. So let's say the Thrashers tank...and the Devils win the cup. The Devils essentially give up maybe...10-13 spots? That's not THAT huge.
Waddell didn't really receive much in return. This is the second time he's barely gotten anything for a superstar player. He traded Hossa to Pitt for depth players. Waddell needed to try and get the best value for Kovalchuk...maybe he did? This is where I think Waddell failed...he did not allow teams to talk to Kovalchuk's agent. In my opinion it was his thought process that if he didn't allow teams to talk to his agent it allowed Waddell to pick from more than just one team. It wouldn't handcuff him when he went to trade Kovy. However, it hurt him because it limited what he could bring back in return. If a team knows they're not just getting a rental player they'll be more willing to give up more in the trade. Waddell needed this trade to be a homerun because let's face it...he's getting rid of one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league...and he failed.
From the Devils Prospective
They're making a run at the Cup. Who knows how much longer Brodeur will be playing. After this year...another year...maybe 2? They know that with him playing as well as he is this year, they'd better make their run now. I respect that...and instantly they become the favourite in the East. They have the goalie and the defensive system to get them deep in the playoffs. Now they have the clutch player to score them that "big" goal when it counts. And what did they give up? It's not going to hurt them in the long run. A couple of mid-level players to bring in a superstar. Good for them.
Winners: The Devils
As a side note...the Thrashers a few years ago had a great young team. They were primed for offensive glory. The problem...the inability to re-sign their players. I say get that team out of Atlanta hockey has no business being. Re-locate to Winnepeg, Quebec, some CANADIAN city where hockey is beloved. You can see it just on the sports website. You log-onto tsn.ca and their front page is all about the Kovy trade. You log onto ESPN.com you're lucky to find even a headline about it.
-Brett
A Devil...a DEVIL...clearly this was the "wild card team" that some reports had him going to. I read a great article this morning on TSN written by Bob McKenzie. (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/?id=309019) He argues that Waddell did everything in his power to get the best return for Kovalchuk. He says people are crazy if they think he would've fetched Cam Barker, Patrick Sharp, or Kris Versteeg in a trade. He goes on to say that Waddell played his cards right. As soon as he had the Devils offer he went public saying he was open to trading Kovy, in order to flush out some last minute bids for him. He goes on to say Waddell received what he was asking for. He wanted a top 6 forward (Bergfors has the potential), a top 4 d-man (Oduya has the minutes to suggest he's a #4 d-man), a prospect (Patrice Cormier), and a 1st round pick. True.
I respect Bob McKenzie and most of the NHL writers at TSN...but I whole heartedly disagree. Let's breakdown this trade.
NJ Acquires: Ilya Kovalchuk (F), Anssi Salmela (D)
ATL Acquires: Niclas Bergfors (F), Johnny Oduya (D), Patrice Cormier (F), NJ 2010 1st Rd pick
*Also the two teams will swap 2nd round picks
Let's look at this deal from the side of Atlanta first.
Alright so obviously Waddell wasn't going to get everything he desired out of a rental player. I highly doubt Kovalchuk will re-sign with NJ. I just don't see it happening. I don't think Lou will offer him more than what Waddell did (101 million over 12 years). But what did Waddell bring in?
Bergfors...a solid young forward. He started the year out hot, but has tailed off. You can attribute that to the fact that he's a rookie and is still adjusting to the NHL. He has a scoring touch and could end the year with 20 goals (has 13 right now). That's a very solid rookie season. If Bergfors can follow it up the next two years with 25+ goal seasons, then it was a very solid pickup for the Thrashers.
Johnny Oduya is a middle of the road puck moving defenseman. I'll be honest I don't know that much about him...don't watch the Devils that much. Matt may have more insight on some of these Devil players than I do. But from what I read he's a "safe" return. He won't make mistakes, but by no means is a game changer. He's a #4 or #5 d-man.
Patrice Cormier. Many know him has the guy who threw one of the most heinous elbows is hockey history. He was recently suspended for the rest of the year in Juniors. Sadly this was the not the first time Cormier had been suspended for throwing an elbow. This kid is just a dirty player. IF he every makes it to the NHL he's not projected to be more than a 3rd or 4th line player. So as far as bringing in a good prospect...Waddell fails here. What a waste. He would've been better off asking for a 3rd round pick (or not swapping 2nds). Maybe the Devils asked him to take Cormier off their hands because of the embarrassment...who knows.
1st round pick. Ok so Waddell gets his 1st round pick, but here's the thing...it's going to be a very late 1st rounder. Essentially it's the same as having an extremely high 2nd. What makes it worse is that the two teams swapped their 2nd round picks. So let's say the Thrashers tank...and the Devils win the cup. The Devils essentially give up maybe...10-13 spots? That's not THAT huge.
Waddell didn't really receive much in return. This is the second time he's barely gotten anything for a superstar player. He traded Hossa to Pitt for depth players. Waddell needed to try and get the best value for Kovalchuk...maybe he did? This is where I think Waddell failed...he did not allow teams to talk to Kovalchuk's agent. In my opinion it was his thought process that if he didn't allow teams to talk to his agent it allowed Waddell to pick from more than just one team. It wouldn't handcuff him when he went to trade Kovy. However, it hurt him because it limited what he could bring back in return. If a team knows they're not just getting a rental player they'll be more willing to give up more in the trade. Waddell needed this trade to be a homerun because let's face it...he's getting rid of one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league...and he failed.
From the Devils Prospective
They're making a run at the Cup. Who knows how much longer Brodeur will be playing. After this year...another year...maybe 2? They know that with him playing as well as he is this year, they'd better make their run now. I respect that...and instantly they become the favourite in the East. They have the goalie and the defensive system to get them deep in the playoffs. Now they have the clutch player to score them that "big" goal when it counts. And what did they give up? It's not going to hurt them in the long run. A couple of mid-level players to bring in a superstar. Good for them.
Winners: The Devils
As a side note...the Thrashers a few years ago had a great young team. They were primed for offensive glory. The problem...the inability to re-sign their players. I say get that team out of Atlanta hockey has no business being. Re-locate to Winnepeg, Quebec, some CANADIAN city where hockey is beloved. You can see it just on the sports website. You log-onto tsn.ca and their front page is all about the Kovy trade. You log onto ESPN.com you're lucky to find even a headline about it.
-Brett
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)