Hockey Update
Well, things get interesting now: the Olympic hockey tournament goes into the elimination rounds. It has been a wonderful and interesting tournament thus far, with lots of surprises and some interesting quarterfinal matchups. Let's preview:
Game 1: Finland (Pool A1, 5-0) v. United States (Pool B4, 1-4-1).
Finland has been the best at playing team hockey in this Olympics. They have been just amazing. They have a 19-2 favor in goals scored, for crying out loud. The U.S. has had a tough time. They have been in thrilling game after thrilling game, but always seem to come up a goal short. Their offense has been disappointing. As much as it hurts me, I can't see the U.S. winning this game.
Prediction: Finland 4, U.S. 1.
Game 2: Switzerland (Pool A2, 2-1-2) v. Sweden (Pool B3, 3-2)
Switzerland has been the most weird and perplexing team of the games thus far. Here is a team that wasn't expected to advance, but ended up shocking not one, but two major powers in a row for wins: the Czech Republic and Canada. They they go and tie Italy. What is up with this team? They only have a couple of NHL'ers. They are playing out of their heads. They are the emotional favorite, to be sure. Sweden is under investigation for maybe losing on purpose today so they could play the Swiss. This is a good team that has been playing pretty well. I can't see the Swiss beating the Swedes.
Prediction: Sweden 3, Switzerland 1.
Game 3: Canada (Pool A3, 3-2) v. Russia (Pool B2, 3-2)
Good game. The Russians have been hot and cold. At times, their offense is amazing; at others, they don't seem to know what they are doing. The Canadians started off hot, then lost a couple of shockers. I think the Canadians regroup; they have too much talent to go down this early.
Prediction: Canada 2, Russia 1.
Game 4: Czech Republic (Pool A4, 2-3) v. Slovakia (Pool B1, 5-0)
I think this will be the game of the quarterfinals. You have two countries who were once one country, and therefore rivals, playing against each other. Both are loaded with talent. The Czechs have been playing under their ability so far; the Slovaks have been playing above theirs. I'm impressed with Slovakia. I think they will win.
Prediction: Slovakia 3, Czech Republic 2.
This should be a lot of fun. And while we are at it, let's congrats the U.S. women's team for bucking up and beating Finland today for the bronze, 4-0. And let's congratulate Canada for winning another gold medal, in their win over Sweden.
Game 1: Finland (Pool A1, 5-0) v. United States (Pool B4, 1-4-1).
Finland has been the best at playing team hockey in this Olympics. They have been just amazing. They have a 19-2 favor in goals scored, for crying out loud. The U.S. has had a tough time. They have been in thrilling game after thrilling game, but always seem to come up a goal short. Their offense has been disappointing. As much as it hurts me, I can't see the U.S. winning this game.
Prediction: Finland 4, U.S. 1.
Game 2: Switzerland (Pool A2, 2-1-2) v. Sweden (Pool B3, 3-2)
Switzerland has been the most weird and perplexing team of the games thus far. Here is a team that wasn't expected to advance, but ended up shocking not one, but two major powers in a row for wins: the Czech Republic and Canada. They they go and tie Italy. What is up with this team? They only have a couple of NHL'ers. They are playing out of their heads. They are the emotional favorite, to be sure. Sweden is under investigation for maybe losing on purpose today so they could play the Swiss. This is a good team that has been playing pretty well. I can't see the Swiss beating the Swedes.
Prediction: Sweden 3, Switzerland 1.
Game 3: Canada (Pool A3, 3-2) v. Russia (Pool B2, 3-2)
Good game. The Russians have been hot and cold. At times, their offense is amazing; at others, they don't seem to know what they are doing. The Canadians started off hot, then lost a couple of shockers. I think the Canadians regroup; they have too much talent to go down this early.
Prediction: Canada 2, Russia 1.
Game 4: Czech Republic (Pool A4, 2-3) v. Slovakia (Pool B1, 5-0)
I think this will be the game of the quarterfinals. You have two countries who were once one country, and therefore rivals, playing against each other. Both are loaded with talent. The Czechs have been playing under their ability so far; the Slovaks have been playing above theirs. I'm impressed with Slovakia. I think they will win.
Prediction: Slovakia 3, Czech Republic 2.
This should be a lot of fun. And while we are at it, let's congrats the U.S. women's team for bucking up and beating Finland today for the bronze, 4-0. And let's congratulate Canada for winning another gold medal, in their win over Sweden.
posted by cc at
5:14 PM
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