Official "USA is going to win the gold in hockey" thread

[Serbia]

Anyone getting up early tomorrow to watch USA vs. Russia?

I'm stuck with network television and they've surrendered the team sports to ESPN.

False. NBC has ALL the Olympic coverage in our country. Now it is correct in saying this game is not on network TV; it's on NBCSN (NBC Sports Network). But not all of the hockey games are; I've watched games on both MSNBC and USA Network as well.

This has been a public service announcement.

Bollocks.

[Serbia]

I just saw that Slovenia beat Slovakia this morning 3-1. This puts the first games of the tournament for the Russians and the Americans in a different light. The Russians had a bit of a difficult time with Slovenia. It was a one goal game early in the third before they pulled away for a 5-2 win. The US meanwhile steamrolled Slovakia, 7-1, behind a six goal second. Maybe those results were more due to Slovenia's strength and Slovakia not being prepared as well.

And in another fun-fact, both of Slovakia's goals scored in this tournament have been scored by Red Wings: Tomas Tatar against the US, Tomas Jurco against Slovenia.

Bollocks.

[Dukasaur]

That's definitely going to upset the oddsmakers.

[Serbia]

Pavel Datsyuk is a beast, but T.J. Oshie is THE MAN! USA! USA! USA!

Bollocks.

[Arama86n]

Sweden was already going into this short a few of the main characters in last years gold journey, now we just lost our captain, him being a very key player (Zetterberg, injured in first game).
So I doubt we'll be doing as well as everyone innitially predicted. I'm guessing a Quarter-final loss.
I hope I'm wrong ofc.

USA? Doubt it. Not really filld in as to what shape Finland is in for this competition, but I'm going to say a Canada-Russia final, anybody's guess who's gunna win that. FInalnd probably the third semifinalist, and yeah, maybe USA the 4th.
It will be very intersting to see what Switzerland can do in this competition after their mind-bloggling run in lasts years WC.

[Timminz]

Anyone getting up early tomorrow to watch USA vs. Russia?

I'm stuck with network television and they've surrendered the team sports to ESPN.

I believe CBC is streaming every event live (as well as on-demand after the fact). Not sure if it's available outside Canada though.

http://olympics.cbc.ca

[Serbia]

Anyone getting up early tomorrow to watch USA vs. Russia?

I'm stuck with network television and they've surrendered the team sports to ESPN.

I believe CBC is streaming every event live (as well as on-demand after the fact). Not sure if it's available outside Canada though.

http://olympics.cbc.ca

NBC is streaming live as well.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/

[Army of GOD]

Datsyuk is so slick.

Also Pavelski and Kane were killing it in the third and overtime. What a great game.

[DoomYoshi]

My favorite Team USA player:

[oVo]

Dat Soook has long been a favorite player of mine.

USA saved by a net on the loose
and a shootout.

[AslanTheKing]

Great Game,
i dont think russia will win the goldmedal, neither Usa,
my bet is canada

[Gillipig]

Sweden was already going into this short a few of the main characters in last years gold journey, now we just lost our captain, him being a very key player (Zetterberg, injured in first game).
So I doubt we'll be doing as well as everyone innitially predicted. I'm guessing a Quarter-final loss.
I hope I'm wrong ofc.

USA? Doubt it. Not really filld in as to what shape Finland is in for this competition, but I'm going to say a Canada-Russia final, anybody's guess who's gunna win that. FInalnd probably the third semifinalist, and yeah, maybe USA the 4th.
It will be very intersting to see what Switzerland can do in this competition after their mind-bloggling run in lasts years WC.

Well even though the last two games weren't impressive and we've lost some very good players (Sedin, Zetterberg, Franzen) we still are undefeated so far so I see no reason to not be optimistic of our chances. how optimistic we are doesn't impact the result anyway, just got to hope for the best . Go Sweden!!

[Dukasaur]

Those Slovenians are surprising everybody, eh? I watched the Slovenia-Slovakia game; the Slovenes were pretty lively.

[NoSurvivors]

Wow what a game USA-Russia... how on earth did those two teams end up in the same division?? That sucks for Russia... tough loss. Fun game to watch though!

[Army of GOD]

Wow what a game USA-Russia... how on earth did those two teams end up in the same division?? That sucks for Russia... tough loss. Fun game to watch though!

two of Canada/US/Sweden/Russia were going to get fucked over, just by there being only 3 groups.

[oVo]

Groups don't matter...
they just have to win.

[Serbia]

Groups don't matter...
they just have to win.

Captain Obvious with some deep insights again!

Bollocks.

[NoSurvivors]

Wow what a game USA-Russia... how on earth did those two teams end up in the same division?? That sucks for Russia... tough loss. Fun game to watch though!

two of Canada/US/Sweden/Russia were going to get fucked over, just by there being only 3 groups.

Yeah, they should get 4 groups, it would be so much better!

[Gillipig]

(1)Sweden faces the winner of Slovenia-Austria
(4)Finland faces the winner of Russia-Norway

(3)Canada faces the winner of Switzerland-Latvia
(2)USA faces the winner of Slovakia-Czech Republic


Finland rightfully got the toughest draw, they were the fourth best team so they should get the hardest opponent, but USA who were placed second overall got a harder draw than Canada who were third. Sure Canada seems to have some issues with Switzerland (at least they have in the past) but both Czech Republic and Slovakia are better teams than Switzerland so they got lucky with the draw in my opinion.

Also worth noting is that there can't be a rematch of the 2010 or 2006 final, as USA and Canada would meet before the finals, and Sweden and Finland would also meet before the finals. What can happen is a rematch of 1998, between Czech Republic and Russia (but that is very unlikely judging by how in Czech Republic has played), and a rematch of 1994 when Sweden and Canada met (more likely but I wouldn't bet it, my guess is that one of these teams won't make it to the final.)
I think we will get a new final this year, a USA-Sweden matchup, or a Finland-Canada perhaps.

[NoSurvivors]

I am predicting with my extreme bias that it goes something like this:

Round 1:
Russia over Norway
Switzerland over Latvia
Czech Republic over Slovakia
Slovenia over Austria

Quarterfinals:
Russia over Finland
Canada over Switzerland
USA over Czech Republic
Sweden over Slovenia

Semifinals:
Canada over USA
Sweden over Russia

Finals:
Canada over Sweden


I am kinda happy that it wont be Canada-USA in the finals (or that it isnt even a thought) because honestly it is usually that way in hockey it seems (or maybe I am mislead). Even though I love the rivalry (and hate the USA when it comes to the olympics (especially in hockey) ), I am glad that teams like sweden and russia will have their chance. It will make for a fun ride! Good luck to all the teams (except the states ) hahaha.

[NoSurvivors]

Finland rightfully got the toughest draw, they were the fourth best team so they should get the hardest opponent, but USA who were placed second overall got a harder draw than Canada who were third. Sure Canada seems to have some issues with Switzerland (at least they have in the past) but both Czech Republic and Slovakia are better teams than Switzerland so they got lucky with the draw in my opinion.

The swiss are better than many give them credit for. I feel how well those three teams (Switzerland, Slovakia and Czech Republic) do depends on the types of day each team has. I feel like those 3 teams are extremely well matched. It is just luck of the draw really that put Switzerland above the other two...

Also worth noting is that there can't be a rematch of the 2010 or 2006 final, as USA and Canada would meet before the finals, and Sweden and Finland would also meet before the finals. What can happen is a rematch of 1998, between Czech Republic and Russia (but that is very unlikely judging by how in Czech Republic has played), and a rematch of 1994 when Sweden and Canada met (more likely but I wouldn't bet it, my guess is that one of these teams won't make it to the final.)
I think we will get a new final this year, a USA-Sweden matchup, or a Finland-Canada perhaps.

Again, I am happy that it wont be another USA Canada final... I know many people disagree with me but that would be exciting but bland. I am just glad we get to have the show down as long as we can get past the swiss

[HardAttack]

the russia usa game, which ended 2-2 normal time and usa won after penalty shootout...
that game actually russia one regular goal had not been given ...
cameras there shown it quite clear that was a valid/clean goal... then game should have been won by russia 3-2.

[notyou2]

the russia usa game, which ended 2-2 normal time and usa won after penalty shootout...
that game actually russia one regular goal had not been given ...
cameras there shown it quite clear that was a valid/clean goal... then game should have been won by russia 3-2.

Did you steal your signature from HotWheels?

[Serbia]

the russia usa game, which ended 2-2 normal time and usa won after penalty shootout...
that game actually russia one regular goal had not been given ...
cameras there shown it quite clear that was a valid/clean goal... then game should have been won by russia 3-2.

You're incorrect. According to IIHF rules, if the net is in any way dislodged prior to the puck crossing the goal line, then it is to be disallowed. Cameras show quite clearly that the net was in fact dislodged, leading to the correct call of "no goal". The IIHF is the ruling body governing the Olympics, so there rules are the only rules that matter.

Bollocks.

[notyou2]

the russia usa game, which ended 2-2 normal time and usa won after penalty shootout...
that game actually russia one regular goal had not been given ...
cameras there shown it quite clear that was a valid/clean goal... then game should have been won by russia 3-2.

You're incorrect. According to IIHF rules, if the net is in any way dislodged prior to the puck crossing the goal line, then it is to be disallowed. Cameras show quite clearly that the net was in fact dislodged, leading to the correct call of "no goal". The IIHF is the ruling body governing the Olympics, so there rules are the only rules that matter.

Bollocks.

Don Cherry said before it happened that the net anchoring system was weak. Russians only hurt themselves (so far) by going with flimsy pegs.