In its opening game yesterday the U.S. bombed newcomer Slovenia 7-0!!! Woo-hoo....Canada and US are both 1-0 so far. Too bad ESPN couldn't be bothered. They suck.

Mike Knuble scored twice for the US. He's a Flyer now. I keep forgetting that they signed him before the lockout. eek!

Let's not get all that excited about the 7-0 victory--it's early days yet and Slovenia isn't a powerhouse. As for the lack of coverage by ESPN, it's wholly understandable: they have to show football players in tug-of-war contests, various athletes in bowling shirts, and a silly "Tattletales"-like game show. There aren't enough hours in the day for them to show an actual sport like hockey.

~Adam

US beats Latvia 3-1 to go to 2-0 in the tournament. Next game is against Canada for first place in their division. Way to go USA!!

Teams USA and Canada have both clinched berths in the next round since both are 2-0.

USA beat Slovenia 7-0 and Canada beat them 8-0. It's the first time Slovenia has had a team in the championships, so that's undestandable. Maybe they'll do better against Latvia.

Belorussian player tests positive for banned substance.

In an interview this morning, hockey guy Steve Levy had a bit of fun at the expense of ESPN. He was asked what we can expect to see when Team USA takes on Team Canada tonight. His initial response: "We can't expect to see much since we're not airing it. Maybe if we had developed an ESPN 4 or 5 it would be on them..."

Later in the interview, he said that though he has official inside information about what's been going on in NHL/NHLPA discussions, "some players have told me" the talks have been "far more substantive" and "everyone seems to be taking them seriously" than earlier talks. I was reminded of Tim Leiwicke's end of May statement.

~Adam

The U.S. Team bombed previously unbeaten Sweden yesterday 5-1. Way to go USA. Now both Canada and the US are tied at 5 points in their division. Bucky, alias Mike Modano, had a goal and an assist for the US.

The US win over Sweden is a good sign. From what's been in the papers, Sweden has been playing great hockey.

Everytime I see a score involving Kazakhstan, I always say to myself: "Kazakhstan has a hockey team?"

~Adam

The day before, Sweden beat Canada 5-4, and seeing as how Canada's been pretty dominant internationally recently, beating Sweden is definitely a good sign for the US.

(Edit to add) On the other hand, finishing in a 1-1 tie today with last-place Ukraine is not such a good sign. The shots on goal: Ukraine 1-6-2, total 9; USA 8-10-21, total 39 -- yet after 2 periods the USA trailed 1-0! And...from this writeup:

The penalty shot was stopped, preserving the tie.

After Tuesday's games the USA will find out its quarterfinal opponent.

[ May 09, 2005, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Maybe not the US's best effort but still they get a slot in the quarterfinals, so thats a very good thing. Go USA!!!

Sadly, it doesn't look like Kazakhstan's going to make it to the quarterfinals.

~Adam

Noooooooo! wink

This article takes the US to task for its lackluster effort (and questionable coaching) against Ukraine...but Canada didn't exactly wipe the floor with Ukraine today, needing a third-period goal from Rick Nash to win 2-1, with the shots in Canada's favor by 35-23 (and just 23-19 through 2 periods).

Edit to add: Thursday's quarterfinal schedule:
10:15 AM Canada vs Slovakia
10:15 AM Czech Republic vs United States
2:15 PM Sweden vs Switzerland
2:15 PM Russia vs Finland

[ May 10, 2005, 02:45 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

In the quarterfinals, the Czech Republic beat the United States, 3-2. It was won on a goal by Martin Rucinsky in the shootout after double overtime ended with the teams still tied. The USA blew a 2-0 lead entering the third period. So no medal for the USA. They have to be very disappointed. After that performance against Ukraine they couldn't have been overconfident, could they?

Canada edged Slovakia 5-4. Two goals by Simon Gagne. Canada plays Russia or Finland in the semis while the Czechs play either Sweden or Switzerland.

JIP thanks for the news, even if it isn't good for us US hockey fans. Woe be us... frown

[ May 12, 2005, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

Two games went to double overtime!! And the US game was decided by a shootout!! And what did we get to see..... NOTHING . These are the sorts of games that can thrill a hockey fan & can even get the attention of non-fans just passing by the TV. At least we get some highlights on ESPN News.

~Adam

Not me...ESPNews is only on digital cable here and I haven't made that jump yet.

Canada on to the finals. It looked like a cakewalk with us jumping out to a 4-0 lead early in the second period in our semi-final against Russsia. But credit to the Russian team for showing a lot of grit and determination and making the finish - a clasic! They dominated the last half of the game!

They battled back to within one by early in the third and then basicaly dominated much of the last 15 minutes of the game and could not beat Brodeur in spite of having numerous fabulous chances! Fantastic stuff! And if anybody wonders whether or not these 'World Chmpionships' mean anythuing to anybody all you had to see were a couple of video clips shown on TSN just after the game ended. One was of some Russian fans (who were in the majority at the Vienna arena) with tears streaming from their eyes after they had lost. The other a replay of the Russian bench showing the reaction of the players there as the final seconds wound down. Jumping up and down when they thought they may have scored in that last second wild scramble in front of Brodeur and then the absolute dejection and dismay on their faces, once they realized they had not scored. Great stuff!

Pat

And the gold medal winners are...the Czech Republic, 3-0 over Canada. That's a surprise. The Czechs had to go to the shootout to beat the USA in the quarterfinals and into overtime to beat Sweden in the semis.

Russia beat Sweden 6-3 to win the bronze.

Truly a surprise for me, weren't even on my radar screen. Towards the end I thought it'd be either Canada or Russia. But for Canada not even to score a goal against Czech Rep, wow. I would have loved to have seen that game. Another minor surprise was the whipping that Russia gave Sweden. I expected a closer game. Guess best word to describe this tourny was 'unexpected'.

I didn't watch the game, but as there were no crowds out on Yonge Street I figured that Canada didn't win. frown

At least our Canadian friends got to see the series on tv.

I remember the old days when I used to go see Team Canada play and they NEVER lost! wink

A lawyer from Quebec City would like for Quebec to have a team in the 2008 World championships being held in the city.