Podium pondering: Mens Olympic Hockey

[Born_again]

Time for some hate mail I think?

Gold -- Sweden (5/1)
Silver -- Russia (9/4)
Bronze -- Canada (10/11fav.)
4th -- USA (8/1)
5th -- Finland (16/1)
6th -- Czech Republic (14/1)
7th -- Slovakia (44/1)

The odds have been taken from a Jan 1st post on www.crunchsports.com. The podium positioning are my predictions. To be honest, I'm feeling a little edgy with Canada over the USA, and I could have just as easily reversed the positions.
Let's hope I'm waaaaaay off the mark!!

[wthwyt]

Time for some hate mail I think?

Gold -- Sweden (5/1)
Silver -- Russia (9/4)
Bronze -- Canada (10/11fav.)
4th -- USA (8/1)
5th -- Finland (16/1)
6th -- Czech Republic (14/1)
7th -- Slovakia (44/1)

The odds have been taken from a Jan 1st post on www.crunchsports.com. The podium positioning are my predictions. To be honest, I'm feeling a little edgy with Canada over the USA, and I could have just as easily reversed the positions.
Let's hope I'm waaaaaay off the mark!!

Prediction are just that prediction. Being better than the other works sometimes, the key is heart and who wants it the most. 2002 IMO the biggest reason we won was Stevie Y because everyone on that team knew that he should have been in surgery. He played with his heart and soul and rest of the team pick up on that and went with it. So it boils down to who has the heart and soul to win, my hope is that Team Canada has it.

[refrig_guy77]

You are off the mark on the gold medal game. I have a feeling Russia will end up on top. I sure hope that Canada can do it but I don't think heart and determination is going to be enough against the Russians. They are going to be a very skilled and exciting team to watch. I think the quality of players from around the world is right up there with us Canadians.

[mountain_climber4567]

I think Russia is the biggest threat to Canada. So much talent. Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk...and they have won the last 2 World Championships. Kevin Lowe was talking about the will to win the Russians have, on HNIC tonight. The games are going to come down to who really wants it more.

[Born_again]

That's 2 for Russia and 1 for Sweden so far. There is no doubting the individual talents within the Ruskie squad, but I believe the Swedes are pretty much a gelled-up team who will forego the razzle-dazzle in favour of minimalist efficiency to bore us through to the final, and to gold.

Canada may be the most disadvantaged of them all by virtue of playing on their home turf. As 'favourites' and the home team, they carry an incredible burden of living up to expectations. Team USA may benefit from their underdog status to just 'get on with business'.

[westsidebud]

canada all the way

[animal lover1]

Canada is too young (Pronger and Niedermeyer notwithstanding) and inexperienced. Looks like we wont have Getzlaf-big loss. Great talent, but Russia is getting healthy at the right time.

Gold-Russia
Silver-Canada
Bronze-Sweden

[Poindexter]

Completely disagree, the NHL is being dominated by the young. The Canadians are too old if anything, Stamkos should have been a lock after the debacle of not inviting Crosby last time. Iginla and Morrow are past thier prime, given that I would still invite Iginla but Morrow would have been replaced by Stamkos. Dan Boyle is also past his prime and Mike Green should have been on the roster.

[mountain_climber4567]

That's 2 for Russia and 1 for Sweden so far.

Nope. I'm still betting on Canada. I just think Russia is their toughest competition. Sweden, bronze.

[RR24K]

That's 2 for Russia and 1 for Sweden so far.

Nope. I'm still betting on Canada. I just think Russia is their toughest competition. Sweden, bronze.

The weak link for Russia is the Goalie:

SEMYON VARLAMOV Still has problems with glove side.

ILYA BRYZGALOV He is the dark horse also unproven.

EVGENI NABOKOV Tends to choke under pressure.

But proof will come on the ice.

[mountain_climber4567]

Speaking of goalies, Luongo is getting the start tomorrow.

[motorhomebabe]

Speaking of goalies, Luongo is getting the start tomorrow.

And you dont think he is a weak link

[quietlywatching84]

Speaking of goalies, Luongo is getting the start tomorrow.

And you dont think he is a weak link

Oh god, your joking right?

[motorhomebabe]

And you dont think he is a weak link

Oh god, your joking right?

No look at his record :eyeballspin:

[RR24K]

So far the only difference between today game and 4 years ago is we have scored. Canada is looking sloppy and no production other than Shark players. I hope third get better.