Robert Esche has been told he'll get the start in goal tomorrow for the USA's game against Russia. The article says that a possible reason that Rick DiPietro isn't starting is that Wednesday's quarterfinal game is in the late afternoon (Turino time), less than 24 hours after tomorrow's game.
I don't know why they started John Grahame in the first game and then went to DiPietro -- Grahame was a career backup until this season. He has almost no playoff experience. I don't think he has much experience in international tournaments either.
Of course, if the USA doesn't start scoring goals they could put all three of them in goal at once and it won't matter. wink
Full Version: Men's Hockey
All I have to say is that the game had better be LIVE everyhwere including the west coast, or else! :mad: And interesting choice in goalie. Not to worried there, its in point production that I am concerned. Lets Go USA! 
It's on USA Network, not NBC, so presumably it's live everywhere.
Maybe Laviolette has a mandatory viewing of the movie "Miracle" tonight to help get the guys motivated. wink Just a thought.
There is little or no chance the US wins unless the forwards start playing better. It's a mistake to change goalies at this point, if that actually happens.
Wow. Don't look now, but last time I checked the upstart Italian men were leading the Swiss 3-2 early in the 3rd. eek! eek!
Final just in, Swiss/Italy play to a 3-3- tie. Wow. Very interesting. Just read a story off the web on the US's outlook on things. Laviolette seems surprisingly upbeat and feels the US can turn around the slumping offense. We shall see today.....It still sounds like Esche willl be in goal today, then it appears it wil go back to Diepietro who I think has played really well, and quite strongly overall. Most of the players also said they don't feel goaltending is the concern, its the offense. Lets Go USA!
I didn't hear when he was on, but they're talking on the local sportsradio station here about an interview earlier this morning with a Phila. Inquirer reporter at the Olympics. Apparently he says that Sweden is going to throw the game against Slovakia today, because if they lose, based on the standings they'll have a better chance of winning the gold medal. The way they're talking, it was like Sweden actually announced this.
I can't find anything online about it, except that Lundqvist won't be in goal for today's game. I imagine we'll get a clue if Peter Forsberg actually takes the ice today.
I can't find anything online about it, except that Lundqvist won't be in goal for today's game. I imagine we'll get a clue if Peter Forsberg actually takes the ice today.
The Canada/Czech game was just awesome. Canada scores the first 3 goals, then the Czechs come back, and Canada hangs on for the win, 3-2. This game was played like it was for the gold medal. Highly enjoyable game. Lets hope the US/Russia game is the same. Fingers and toes crossed. Lets Go USA!!
About that \"Sweden throwing the game\" situation...
QUOTE
If Sweden won, it could meet the winner of the Canada-Czech Republic game in a quarterfinal game Wednesday. However, a loss would definitely pit the Swedes against Switzerland -- considered a much weaker opponent even though it has beaten Canada and the Czechs in Turin.
Kalervo Kummola, chief of the Finnish Hockey Association, was sent by the International Ice Hockey Federation to watch the game and determine if Sweden was giving a full effort.
IIHF president Rene Fasel said through a spokesman he was \"disappointed\" with the coach's remarks and felt they were out of place.
\"We are discussing extensively within our group what is good and what is not good. It is a tricky situation and we are facing difficult pre-conditions how to deal with this situation,\" Gustafsson told Swedish TV on Monday. \"Shall we try to select our opponent or shall we do what it takes to win and then take the opponent that comes our way?\"
Gustafsson said he and his staff were trying to determine the best way to handle the game.
\"It is the question: shall we win or shall we play a good game to get a 0-0 result? There are many questions going through our heads right now,\" he said. \"So it is difficult. We are trying to deal with this in a professional way and hopefully we will take the right decision.\"
Gustafsson's suggestion his team might be better off losing the game created a stir in Sweden, with newspaper Web sites jammed with readers' e-mail comments that the Swedes should play their best no matter what.
Finland has had 4 shutouts in their 5 games (and allowed just two goals in the other). The USA would seem to be in deep trouble tomorrow.
Kalervo Kummola, chief of the Finnish Hockey Association, was sent by the International Ice Hockey Federation to watch the game and determine if Sweden was giving a full effort.
IIHF president Rene Fasel said through a spokesman he was \"disappointed\" with the coach's remarks and felt they were out of place.
\"We are discussing extensively within our group what is good and what is not good. It is a tricky situation and we are facing difficult pre-conditions how to deal with this situation,\" Gustafsson told Swedish TV on Monday. \"Shall we try to select our opponent or shall we do what it takes to win and then take the opponent that comes our way?\"
Gustafsson said he and his staff were trying to determine the best way to handle the game.
\"It is the question: shall we win or shall we play a good game to get a 0-0 result? There are many questions going through our heads right now,\" he said. \"So it is difficult. We are trying to deal with this in a professional way and hopefully we will take the right decision.\"
Gustafsson's suggestion his team might be better off losing the game created a stir in Sweden, with newspaper Web sites jammed with readers' e-mail comments that the Swedes should play their best no matter what.
U-S-A-U-S-A-. Puck drops momentarily. This is a big, game. C'mon guys. I believe........
SPOILER ALERT:
I don't know if anyone is taping this game, but just in case:
Well the bad news, the US commits two costly turnovers ( hello!!!!!) :mad: , and is taking way, way too many stupid penalties,
but are only down by one goal, as its 2-1 Russia after one. I hope to God Laviolette informs the guys in blue, to stop taking stupid penalties. You cannot do that against Russia who have already scored one short handed goal.
But overall the US is skating well, and I can't blame Esche on the 2 goals allowed thus far.
Lets hope for a more intelligent US second period!!
[ February 21, 2006, 12:18 PM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]
I don't know if anyone is taping this game, but just in case:
Well the bad news, the US commits two costly turnovers ( hello!!!!!) :mad: , and is taking way, way too many stupid penalties,
but are only down by one goal, as its 2-1 Russia after one. I hope to God Laviolette informs the guys in blue, to stop taking stupid penalties. You cannot do that against Russia who have already scored one short handed goal.
But overall the US is skating well, and I can't blame Esche on the 2 goals allowed thus far.
Lets hope for a more intelligent US second period!!
[ February 21, 2006, 12:18 PM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]
Russia getting a shorthanded goal means that Russia took the penalty -- in fact, Russia's power play was just 3 for 29 coming into this game.
I can't believe it took over 18 minutes of the period before the announcers realized that Russia changed goaltenders between periods.
Compared to the USA-Russia game the Slovakia-Sweden game has no intensity whatsoever.
[ February 21, 2006, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
I can't believe it took over 18 minutes of the period before the announcers realized that Russia changed goaltenders between periods.
Compared to the USA-Russia game the Slovakia-Sweden game has no intensity whatsoever.
[ February 21, 2006, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
Well a bit of more encouragment for the Americans, they can score more than one goal per game!!, as its 3-2 Russia after 2. Anything can happen in the 3rd.
Slovakia wins, so the matchups are set for the quarterfinals Wednesday:
Russia-Canada
USA-Finland
Czech Republic-Slovakia (they were once one nation... wink
Sweden-Switzerland
The Russia-Canada winner plays the USA-Finland winner.
Russia-Canada
USA-Finland
Czech Republic-Slovakia (they were once one nation... wink
Sweden-Switzerland
The Russia-Canada winner plays the USA-Finland winner.
I am going with: Canada over Russia, Finland over USA, Czech Republic over Slovakia (hardest one to pick), Sweden over Switzerland.
On the one hand, the USA scored some goals. But the scoring chances were 34-12 in favor of the USA. Russia doesn't strike me as a strong defensive team, and they used the backup goalie the last two periods, and still won the game. The USA had to work like mad to get goals. Russia makes it look easy. I think it will take a Finland meltdown for the USA to win tomorrow.
In the other games, I'll go with Canada, the Czechs and Switzerland in an upset.
In the other games, I'll go with Canada, the Czechs and Switzerland in an upset.
You got to admit though the US didn't give up though. Yeah, they made some stupid mistakes in the first, and paid the price, but for long stretches of all 3 periods, I thought they seriously outplayed Russia. This was the best game they played so far, even though they lost. But To beat Finland,it will require no stupid penalties, and a concerted team effort, defense, and the best game they have played so far. I found myself wondering if Diepietro would have played, if Russia would have gotten the game winner. Esche played pretty well though, but I wondered. I don't know......It can be done. I know who I will be rooting for. Yeah, the odds are against the US, but hope springs eternal with me. GO USA and GO Canada!
TV schedule for the quarterfinals (all times Eastern):
10:30 am Sweden vs. Switzerland, MSNBC
11:30 am United States vs. Finland, USA Network
2:30 Canada vs. Russia, MSNBC
3:30 Czech Republic vs. Slovakia, USA Network
10:30 am Sweden vs. Switzerland, MSNBC
11:30 am United States vs. Finland, USA Network
2:30 Canada vs. Russia, MSNBC
3:30 Czech Republic vs. Slovakia, USA Network
Was reading a story about the Yanks in my paper this morning. I guess Esche was thinking he would have liked to have that 5th goal back, against the Russians, and thought that may have been a bit soft. But you can't look back. Yanks say that they are ready and know what they need to do. Lets hope so, there will be no room for mistakes this morning. And please watch the stupid penalties too guys. Lets Go USA!
[ February 22, 2006, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]
[ February 22, 2006, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]
Our goaltender sucks! Can you stand on your FEET instead of sitting on your BUTT!
Uh oh...Yet another softy by our goaltender as I type this.
3-2 Finland
Uh oh...Yet another softy by our goaltender as I type this.
3-2 Finland
And Team USA is done. The team showed a lack of discipline and scoring touch throughout the tournament. They surely deserved their pitiful 1-4-1 record in the Olympics.
But what really sucks is the US came out in the first period, flat and nervous , and looked really bad, before Laviolette brilliantly called a time out to settle them down, which they did. They they brilliantly take way too many stupid penalties and allow at least what 2 5 on 3's, against the power of this Fin team. A major no no. They did not play a smart game, even though they were never out of it. A tragic if yet fitting game. Now, going to root for Canada to beat the Russians, whose Coach incidentally said he too felt the US outplayed his team during lots of stretches of the game yesterday. But I think the Fins looked vulnerable many times today, and are beatable, by a better team than USA.
Making the meadl round witha 1-3-1 record? I realize there are alot of NHL players in the tournament, but did they have to adopt their playoff criteria?
QUOTE
hockeyTom:
But what really sucks is the US came out in the first period, flat and nervous , and looked really bad, before Laviolette brilliantly called a time out to settle them down, which they did.
I think that was more a sign of desperation than brilliance.
But what really sucks is the US came out in the first period, flat and nervous , and looked really bad, before Laviolette brilliantly called a time out to settle them down, which they did.
QUOTE
Todd:
Our goaltender sucks! Can you stand on your FEET instead of sitting on your BUTT!
Uh oh...Yet another softy by our goaltender as I type this.
3-2 Finland
This is what happens when Team USA leaves its best goaltender at home.....oh well, he'll be fresh and ready to bring home the Cup for the Sabres....
Our goaltender sucks! Can you stand on your FEET instead of sitting on your BUTT!
Uh oh...Yet another softy by our goaltender as I type this.
3-2 Finland
Oh, enough about Ryan Miller. wink He wouldn't have done any better than the others. The entire team was weak. Even with Miller this team wouldn't have won a medal, with losers like Mike Modano...
[ February 22, 2006, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
QUOTE
Mike Modano took no shots in the loss that bounced the U.S. men's hockey team from the Olympics.
He saved his best one for afterward.
The three-time Olympian was benched for most of the third period in the Americans' 4-3 loss Wednesday night to Finland in the quarterfinals. Then he took aim at the people who put the disappointing squad together.
\"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not,\" he said. \"Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that.
\"Normally we wouldn't have to worry about stuff like that.\"
The Americans came out flat in the opening period Wednesday, allowing Sami Salo's short-handed goal that gave Finland a 2-0 lead. Modano scored two goals in the tournament, yet was a non-factor in the finale, when he didn't so much as put a puck on the net.
\"It's very disappointing, because the people at USA Hockey do a tremendous job,\" general manager Don Waddell said of Modano's comments. \"There is a lot of pressure on people. The top people at USA Hockey are volunteers.\"
Of course, this mediocre Team USA did advance just as far as the mighty Team Canada so things can't be all bad. eek!He saved his best one for afterward.
The three-time Olympian was benched for most of the third period in the Americans' 4-3 loss Wednesday night to Finland in the quarterfinals. Then he took aim at the people who put the disappointing squad together.
\"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not,\" he said. \"Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that.
\"Normally we wouldn't have to worry about stuff like that.\"
The Americans came out flat in the opening period Wednesday, allowing Sami Salo's short-handed goal that gave Finland a 2-0 lead. Modano scored two goals in the tournament, yet was a non-factor in the finale, when he didn't so much as put a puck on the net.
\"It's very disappointing, because the people at USA Hockey do a tremendous job,\" general manager Don Waddell said of Modano's comments. \"There is a lot of pressure on people. The top people at USA Hockey are volunteers.\"
[ February 22, 2006, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
National Mourning has been declared, Canada lost 2-0 to Russia and is out of the medal round!!!
There must be a conspiracy theory about all of this, both US and Canada mens teams denied medals.
There must be a conspiracy theory about all of this, both US and Canada mens teams denied medals.
A great day for Canada with four medals, including two gold, but I suspect some people will consider the day a disappointment just because of the result of the hockey game. After all, so many people in this country consider hockey to be our national religion.
I must admit though, I've never been able to REALLY get behind this team ever since they chose Bertuzzi. I thought that was just not right and many people I talked to here in Toronto felt the same way. Somewhat appropriate he was the one sitting in the penalty box when Russia scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
And now that the Olympics are out of the way - fans and media here in Toronto are much more likely to start asking for Pat Quinn's head on a platter. In spite of how poorly the Leafs have been playing for most of the season, I think many of us were not being as critical of Quinn as you would normally expect, simply because of of him coaching the Olympic team. Considering his failure with that team too, the pressure will really be on him now if the Leafs stumble out of the gate when NHL play resumes.
[ February 22, 2006, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Travelpat ]
I must admit though, I've never been able to REALLY get behind this team ever since they chose Bertuzzi. I thought that was just not right and many people I talked to here in Toronto felt the same way. Somewhat appropriate he was the one sitting in the penalty box when Russia scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
And now that the Olympics are out of the way - fans and media here in Toronto are much more likely to start asking for Pat Quinn's head on a platter. In spite of how poorly the Leafs have been playing for most of the season, I think many of us were not being as critical of Quinn as you would normally expect, simply because of of him coaching the Olympic team. Considering his failure with that team too, the pressure will really be on him now if the Leafs stumble out of the gate when NHL play resumes.
[ February 22, 2006, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Travelpat ]
I agree Pat. I think criticism of Quinn was held back because of the Olympics. Of course no matter how badly the Leafs play its still damn hard to get descent tickets to a Leafs game.
I think we will blame the Olympic loss to Russia on no magic loonie being planted in the ice like we did at Salt Lake
I think we will blame the Olympic loss to Russia on no magic loonie being planted in the ice like we did at Salt Lake
All told, a sad day for hockey in North America for sure. The rest of the world has caught up with and is playing better than us. Well, we get 4 more years before Vancouver. wink I look forward to the Olympics in my back yard. Well, practically. wink
Simon Gagne didn't play in the third period after the hit he took in the first period from Kasparaitis (shockingly, a legal hit). :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Hey Joe:
I didn't see it. Are you saying it should not have been a legal hit? What happened?
I didn't see it. Are you saying it should not have been a legal hit? What happened?
QUOTE
hockeyTom:
All told, a sad day for hockey in North America for sure. The rest of the world has caught up with and is playing better than us. Well, we get 4 more years before Vancouver. wink I look forward to the Olympics in my back yard. Well, practically. wink
Do you think the larger (European sized) ice surface has anything to do with the poor results for the North American teams. Was Salt Lake's rink a normal North American sized surface? I assume it will be the usual North American sized surface for Vanouver in 2010 which may bode well again for the USA and Canada.All told, a sad day for hockey in North America for sure. The rest of the world has caught up with and is playing better than us. Well, we get 4 more years before Vancouver. wink I look forward to the Olympics in my back yard. Well, practically. wink
[ February 22, 2006, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Travelpat ]
QUOTE
Jim at Outsports:
Hey Joe:
I didn't see it. Are you saying it should not have been a legal hit? What happened?
No, it was a legal hit. Kasparaitis has a reputation, though. I'm angry because it's Yet. Another. Injured. Flyer. :mad: :mad: :mad: And I can't find any reports yet on whether it might be serious.Hey Joe:
I didn't see it. Are you saying it should not have been a legal hit? What happened?
[ February 22, 2006, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
QUOTE
Travelpat:
I'm fairly sure that the Olympics are always played on the larger ice surface.QUOTE
hockeyTom:
All told, a sad day for hockey in North America for sure. The rest of the world has caught up with and is playing better than us.
Do you think the larger (European sized) ice surface has anything to do with the poor results for the North American teams. Was Salt Lake's rink a normal North American sized surface? All told, a sad day for hockey in North America for sure. The rest of the world has caught up with and is playing better than us.
And on the comment that "the rest of the world has caught up with us" -- ummmm, Canada hadn't won a gold medal in the Olympics in 50 years until they won in 2002. And the USA only wins gold when they get a Miracle On Ice. wink The rest of the world caught up to Canada some time ago, and the USA has yet to catch up to anyone, really.
[ February 22, 2006, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
QUOTE
Joe in Philly:
Gee, Kasparaitis injuring someone with a legal hit.....I can't imagine!!! QUOTE
Jim at Outsports:
Hey Joe:
I didn't see it. Are you saying it should not have been a legal hit? What happened?
No, it was a legal hit. Kasparaitis has a reputation, though. I'm angry because it's Yet. Another. Injured. Flyer. :mad: :mad: :mad: And I can't find any reports yet on whether it might be serious. Hey Joe:
I didn't see it. Are you saying it should not have been a legal hit? What happened?
Signed,
Tim Connolly
I stand by what I thought. Due to the large influx of Europeans who for a lack of a better word have invaded the NHL the past many years, they have taken the game, well Canada's game, and made it better, mostly for them.
I've been in meetings all day and missed the losses--TiVo tonight--but am not surprised. Neither Team USA nor Canada have looked at all good & have not been playing as cohesive teams. Part of the success European teams have been having is because many of those players play together through the year, adding a few NHL players to already existing teams. The USA and Canada feature jerry-rigged teams brought together for just a couple of weeks.
By the way, as Joe states (correct, as always--doesn't he ever get tired of being right all the time? wink ) the Olympics are always played on the larger ice.
~Adam
By the way, as Joe states (correct, as always--doesn't he ever get tired of being right all the time? wink ) the Olympics are always played on the larger ice.
~Adam
Adam, I am not right all of the time.
Just 99 percent.
I'm surprised at Canada's failure -- not so much today as through the entire Olympics. True, they had little practice time beforehand due to the NHL schedule, but a lot of them have played together before. And you'd think they'd have gotten better as the games went on.
Just 99 percent.
I'm surprised at Canada's failure -- not so much today as through the entire Olympics. True, they had little practice time beforehand due to the NHL schedule, but a lot of them have played together before. And you'd think they'd have gotten better as the games went on.
I didn't get to see any of the games today due to work. I am not surprised the US lost but expected much more out of Canada who in my opinion is more talented.
I was listening to "66 the FAN NYC" on my way home and both the host of the show and callers were ripping into DiPietro's performance. Things were said like "DiPietro was Finland's # 1 star", "Every puck that went in the net hit him first", and lastly "Rick was so depressed that he walked into a busy Torino street hoping to get hit by a bus but it went between his legs"
So really, was Rick DiPietro that bad or were people just venting.
I was listening to "66 the FAN NYC" on my way home and both the host of the show and callers were ripping into DiPietro's performance. Things were said like "DiPietro was Finland's # 1 star", "Every puck that went in the net hit him first", and lastly "Rick was so depressed that he walked into a busy Torino street hoping to get hit by a bus but it went between his legs"
So really, was Rick DiPietro that bad or were people just venting.
Like Adam, I wasn't at all surprised by Canada's loss to Russia today, albeit disappointed. I managed to see some of the game, thanks to a cancelled meeting at work. Wayne Gretzky sure looked haggard and dejected following the loss, and blamed himself for the team's overall lacklustre performance in Torino. And by his own admission, it sounds like it's time for The Great One to step aside from involvement in future Olympic teams from Canada. It's also being widely reported here that the 2010 Games in Vancouver will be the last time we see NHL players participating...good news, I say.
I wouldn't mind seeing a natural rivalry like Finland-Sweden in the gold medal game, with Suomi winning (due to their overall great play but also partly because I think Saku Koivu is adorable:) ) I kind of soured on the Swedes (kick me for that one ) when I heard rumours that they deliberately lost their final round-robin game to Slovakia, in order to get an easier opponent in today's quarter-final (ie, Switzerland, rather than Canada or Czech Republic).
I wouldn't mind seeing a natural rivalry like Finland-Sweden in the gold medal game, with Suomi winning (due to their overall great play but also partly because I think Saku Koivu is adorable:) ) I kind of soured on the Swedes (kick me for that one
) when I heard rumours that they deliberately lost their final round-robin game to Slovakia, in order to get an easier opponent in today's quarter-final (ie, Switzerland, rather than Canada or Czech Republic).
I would have to pick Finland to win the whole thing, but the game between them and Russia should be just simply awesome. A clash of titans. The other one frankly might bore me to sleep.
Very cathartic story on the web about Gretzky and the loss in hockey for Canada yesterday. From what it sounds like he will most likely not be as heavily as involved if at all that he has been in the past and most recent. Just too much of a toll on him. Plus take into account all the losses he had in his family in just the past couple of months too. Joe Sakic had some interesting comments. He said the opposing players on the European teams, they're skills were much higher and much greater than they were back in '02 in Salt Lake City. I would agree. The other thing I noticed was that they ( Europeans) skated far far better than the Americans. Even Russia looked like the better skating team between them and Canada. Many times the Yanks looked like they had weights attached to their ankles or something. Age possibly had alot to do with this, and both Canada and the US said the team in 2010 in Vancouver would be younger. Lets hope so!!!!
Semifinals:
10:35 am ET Czech Republic vs. Sweden on MSNBC
3:05 pm ET Russia vs. Finland on USA Network
I only got two out of four right in the quarterfinal predictions but I'll try again. I'll say it will be Sweden vs. Finland for the gold.
10:35 am ET Czech Republic vs. Sweden on MSNBC
3:05 pm ET Russia vs. Finland on USA Network
I only got two out of four right in the quarterfinal predictions but I'll try again. I'll say it will be Sweden vs. Finland for the gold.
SPOILER ALERT:
If your recording this don't look below!!!!
Talk about a blowout. Its already 5-1 Sweden only halfway through this game, and the Czechs have just pulled their goalie in favor of Vokun.
This may get ugly if things keep going the way they are going. Hey Czechs just got another, so now its 5-2 Sweden.
[ February 24, 2006, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]
If your recording this don't look below!!!!
Talk about a blowout. Its already 5-1 Sweden only halfway through this game, and the Czechs have just pulled their goalie in favor of Vokun.
This may get ugly if things keep going the way they are going. Hey Czechs just got another, so now its 5-2 Sweden.
[ February 24, 2006, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]
Saku Koivu of Finland (and the Montreal Canadiens) has been elected as an athlete representative to the International Olympic Committee, along with Canadian cross country skiier Beckie Scott. They were the top two vote-getters of 15 candidates.
QUOTE
The two become members of the IOC athletes' commission, and will be inducted as full committee members on Sunday. They will serve eight-year terms.
To be eligible for election, athletes had to have competed in either Salt Lake City or Turin and never have been found guilty of a doping offense.
The athletes' commission is comprised of 19 members, including eight from summer sports, four from winter sports and up to seven appointed by the IOC president.
Evgeni Malkin of Russia has been suspended for their semifinal game.To be eligible for election, athletes had to have competed in either Salt Lake City or Turin and never have been found guilty of a doping offense.
The athletes' commission is comprised of 19 members, including eight from summer sports, four from winter sports and up to seven appointed by the IOC president.
QUOTE
Russia only will be without Malkin for Friday's contest, as the 19-year-old was suspended for attempting to kick Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier with 61 seconds remaining in Wednesday's quarterfinal win over 2002 Olympic champion Canada.
Malkin, who was selected by Pittsburgh immediately after Team Russia teammate Alexander Ovechkin was chosen first overall by the Washington Capitals in 2004, received a match penalty for the offense. He has collected two goals and four assists in six games in the tournament.
Malkin, who was selected by Pittsburgh immediately after Team Russia teammate Alexander Ovechkin was chosen first overall by the Washington Capitals in 2004, received a match penalty for the offense. He has collected two goals and four assists in six games in the tournament.
well this game was a bit of a bore.. as expected in any games the Czechs are in.. and it's too bad, because they have some real good players.
Sweden gets to the final after throwing a game in order to face the Swiss instead of Canada.. i'll definitely be cheering for the winner of the Finland-Russia game, and i'm expecting the Russkies to win that one (even without Malkin).
The team with the best player (Ovechkin) should win
Sweden gets to the final after throwing a game in order to face the Swiss instead of Canada.. i'll definitely be cheering for the winner of the Finland-Russia game, and i'm expecting the Russkies to win that one (even without Malkin).
The team with the best player (Ovechkin) should win
I am really looking forward to the Russia/Finland game Leph. I too will go out on a limb and say Russia, but expect a close one here, maybe even beyond regulation too. I prefer Russia to win. Just my 2 cents worth. wink
Man this game is everything the Sweden/Czech game was not. The hitting is just incredible. Two more periods to go. I am not going anywhere. Intense city!!!! eek!
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