ESPN Previews the Olympic Tournament

[Dolemite]

Pavel Bure is a Figurehead? Ouch.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/winter06/hockey/columns/story?id=2318152&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos2

Click to read more...

 

[Epsilon]

They have the USA beating the Czech Republic.

I guess ESPN figured they had to pimp the USA somehow.

 

[CREW99AW]

They have the USA beating the Czech Republic.

I guess ESPN figured they had to pimp the USA somehow.

Isn't that why the games are played,to see who can pull off the upset,who can live up to the hype?

 

[shawn_kemp*]

how about a petition asking the media to stop making those ridiculous predictions, huh?

 

[BigE]

They've changed it now; Canada over Sweden in the final.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Isn't that why the games are played,to see who can pull off the upset,who can live up to the hype?

Sure and that's totally understandable, but first of all the Czechs don't have Tommy Salo in net and Second if it goes to a Shootout like ESPN predicts the US is toast because with the talent the Czechs have up front and the Best breakaway goaltender ever Dominik Hasek between the pipes, the US is sunk

Sorry

 

[Danny__K]

No one expects the Americans to get anywhere near a medal. We beg to differ. The Americans surprise with a bronze medal over the Russians.

Theres a reason no one expects them to medal. Expecting them to beat out 2 of Canada, Russia, Sweden and the Czechs to get a medal is wishful thinking. that being said its a 1 game winner takes all tournament and anyone can win.

For the states to take a medal in addition to winning the games they should, they're going to need to pull 2 "upsets"

The A2 vs B3 game is going to be the most interesting game of the quarters. As you are going to have one of Canada/Czechs vs one of US/Russia/Sweden possibly relegating one of the medal favourites into the consolation side of the draw.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

They have the USA beating the Czech Republic.

I guess ESPN figured they had to pimp the USA somehow.

Did anyone think the U.S. would beat the Czechs in the World Championships in Prague in 2004? No, but they did, and in a shoot-out no less! The U.S. was also up on the Czechs 2-0 going into the 3rd in the Worlds in 2005 only to lose in a shoot-out. Anything's possible.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Sure and that's totally understandable, but first of all the Czechs don't have Tommy Salo in net and Second if it goes to a Shootout like ESPN predicts the US is toast because with the talent the Czechs have up front and the Best breakaway goaltender ever Dominik Hasek between the pipes, the US is sunk

Sorry

First of all, it isn't set in stone that Hasek is the starter. The Czechs might go with Vokoun, who the U.S. has beaten in a shootout in an important international game (the semis at the 2004 Worlds on the Czech's home ice).

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Theres a reason no one expects them to medal. Expecting them to beat out 2 of Canada, Russia, Sweden and the Czechs to get a medal is wishful thinking. that being said its a 1 game winner takes all tournament and anyone can win.

For the states to take a medal in addition to winning the games they should, they're going to need to pull 2 "upsets"

The A2 vs B3 game is going to be the most interesting game of the quarters. As you are going to have one of Canada/Czechs vs one of US/Russia/Sweden possibly relegating one of the medal favourites into the consolation side of the draw.

That is perfect logic, thank you, honestly

 

[Habsruleen]

from the article:

"Andrei Markov, who has struggled this year in Montreal."

HUH?? Say what you will about the Habs, he has been our best player night in and night out. I don't think this guy has watched Markov play much this season.

 

[Nihilism]

..that's ESPN for you

 

[octopi]

Pavel Bure is a Figurehead? Ouch.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/winter06/hockey/columns/story?id=2318152&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos2

I just wish they could be on good terms with Igor Larionov. A 36 year old GM is just one more inexperienced piece of the puzzle for this years team Russia.For Pete's sake, they could ice a forward line of Ovechkin-Malkin-Kovalchuk, who are all barely more than boys. On the flip side, however, that team will be unbelieveably good at forward in the Olympics to come after this. And in 4 to 8 years, Ovechkin will be the captain....and he's going to have great leadership skills/dressing room presence.

 

[Corto]

First of all, it isn't set in stone that Hasek is the starter. The Czechs might go with Vokoun,

They might.

But the chances are Hasek will start. Even if Vokoun is as good as Hasek, throughout Dom's career teams fed off his energy and will to win.

 

[Ovechkin_mvp]

I just wish they could be on good terms with Igor Larionov. A 36 year old GM is just one more inexperienced piece of the puzzle for this years team Russia.For Pete's sake, they could ice a forward line of Ovechkin-Malkin-Kovalchuk, who are all barely more than boys. On the flip side, however, that team will be unbelieveably good at forward in the Olympics to come after this. And in 4 to 8 years, Ovechkin will be the captain....and he's going to have great leadership skills/dressing room presence.

Ovy and Kovy are both LW, I doubt it.