2010 Winter Olympics thread...

[Grace]

FANTASTIC hockey game!!

Rafalski - 2 goals, 1 assist!!
Ryan Miller - super performance!!

eta:
Far as I can figure, Sid the Kid was on the ice for 3 of the USA goals. And Brian Rafalski's 4 consecutive goals, on 6 shots, equals this season's production for the Wings. And he is the oldest player on the US team

[Puckstop31]

Far as I can figure, Sid the Kid was on the ice for 3 of the USA goals. And Brian Rafalski's 4 consecutive goals, on 6 shots, equals this season's production for the Wings. And he is the oldest player on the US team

The final stats have Crosby at a net -3 for the game. Seeing that he scored a goal means he was on the ice for 4 of the US goals. Rather un-"Crosby-ish", eh?

[Grace]

The final stats have Crosby at a net -3 for the game. Seeing that he scored a goal means he was on the ice for 4 of the US goals. Rather un-"Crosby-ish", eh?

Another piece from the NY Times -

You cannot help noticing that Crosby looks diminished at these Olympics. He does not have his Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin with him, either on the same line or waiting on the bench to provide the second half of that club’s one-two punch.

Malkin looks powerful and dangerous for Russia, where he is paired with Ovechkin. But with Canada, Crosby seems to be alone, and manageable.

[Puckstop31]

Another piece from the NY Times -

You cannot help noticing that Crosby looks diminished at these Olympics. He does not have his Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin with him, either on the same line or waiting on the bench to provide the second half of that club’s one-two punch.

Malkin looks powerful and dangerous for Russia, where he is paired with Ovechkin. But with Canada, Crosby seems to be alone, and manageable.

If this is really the case... It's Babcocks fault. He has the 22 other best players in the world to choose from to play with him.

This kind of thing is not uncommon in sports. You get a team, totally stacked with superstars... They, often, have a problem playing together. Especially when the chips are down.

That being said.... Assuming Canada beats Germany tomorrow, they play Russia on Thursday. THAT will be a interesting game. Because I think both teams are in the same kind of boat.

And honestly, I think Russia wins that game now.... Runs away with it even.

[Grace]

If this is really the case... It's Babcocks fault. He has the 22 other best players in the world to choose from to play with him.

This kind of thing is not uncommon in sports. You get a team, totally stacked with superstars... They, often, have a problem playing together. Especially when the chips are down.

That being said.... Assuming Canada beats Germany tomorrow, they play Russia on Thursday. THAT will be a interesting game. Because I think both teams are in the same kind of boat.

And honestly, I think Russia wins that game now.... Runs away with it even.

And then there is the U.S. team - a group of young players whose average birth year is 1983.

The victory, although not for a medal, partially validates a controversial approach taken by the team's general manager, Brian Burke, who opted to recruit young, physical and talented NHL stars with built-in chemistry from years of playing in the country's national development program in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Team Canada, in contrast, is made up of some of the most decorated veterans in the NHL, including the league's most recognizable superstar, Sidney Crosby.

source

[Grace]

Gone, but not forgotten -

VANCOUVER – Martin Brodeur may have played his last game in these Olympics.

Team Canada coach Mike Babcock announced he was benching the Devils goaltender for tomorrow's game against Germany, giving the starting job to Roberto Luongo.

"We're in the winning business," Babcock said, explaining the decision. "To win at in any game at any level you need big saves. You need momentum-changing saves. We're looking for (Luongo) to do that for us."

The move comes a day after Brodeur allowed four goals on 22 shots in a 5-3 loss to the United States during the preliminary round of the Vancouver Games. The loss pushed Canada into the sudden-death qualifying game with Germany in order to advance to the quarterfinals.

Win or lose tomorrow, Brodeur is done at the Olympics barring an injury to Luongo.

"One thing about this tournament now is if you're changing goalies you're probably out of the tournament," Babcock said. "It's pretty straight forward. This tournament now is you win or go home."

Brodeur, 37, looked shaky against the Americans allowing one soft goal and struggling to communicate with his defensemen.

Brodeur skipped the Canadian's team session with the media yesterday, but Babcock said the NHL's all-time wins leader was not surprised.

"I don't think he was shocked," Babcock said. "I talked to Marty today and just let him know the way we were going. He's a pro. He's been through it a number of times. He's won a number of championships. [He] understands it's about the team, not the individual."

Luongo, 30, will be playing on his NHL home ice. In his only Olympic action, the Canucks goalie made 15 saves in Canada's 8-0 victory over Norway on Feb. 16.