2018 Olympic Sim

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Actually gotta fix this up a bit. Was using best lines in the game and not the most updated rosters. Gonna try this with regular lines and updated rosters. Best way to do it imo. Still gonna use Belarus and Japan in Slovenia and South Korea's place.

Click to read more...

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Day 1 February 14 2018

The tournament would open with Group B action on Valentines Day. However it was anything but that for team Russia as their 2 stars Iliya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk were both found guilty of doping and thereby suspended for the entire tournament. Across the hall in the Slovakia locker room the opposite was occurring as Marian Hossa was cleared to play early. Despite all of this Russia was still favored in this game and were one of the tourney favorites with stars such as Ovechkin,Kucherov,Malkin and Bobrovsky. However these developments would soon carry their way to the ice. Early in the 1st the Slovaks went ahead on a Tomas Tatar goal from Hossa. The game would remain 1-0 until late in the 2nd when Tatar struck again for the Slovaks, howver the Russinas would get a goal back just minutes later from Nikita Kucherov. Early in the 3rd Richard Panik would put the Slovaks ahead by 2 and the game looked out of reach, this would change late in the 3rd however when Evgeny Malkin struck to put the Russians within 1 alas it wouldn't be enough as the Slovaks possessed the puck and held on for a 3-2 win.

In the 2nd game of the day the Americans took on Belarus. For team USA this was finally a tournament for the new young players in Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau to prove themselves. However early in the game it seemed as if the Americans recent luck in best on best tournaments would be carrying through as Belarus kept them at bay throughout the majority of the 1st period, in which Johnny Gaudreau was lost to an injury. However near the end of the 1st the US would get on the board as double shifted Blake Wheeler would find the back of the net skating in Gaudreau's place on the 1st line. The 2nd and majority of the 3rd would see Belarus turning aside shot after shot from the Americans. However the dam burst close to the end of the 3rd as Ryan Suter blasted a shot home on the power play to put the US up by 2. This would follow with an empty net goal from Joe Pavelski and a insurance marker from Max Pacioretty to give the Americans a decisive 4-0 win.

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Day 2 February 15 2018

Day 2 started with action in group C. The so called “Group Of Death” In the first game of the day the Finns took on the Germans. In what would be Patrick Laine’s debut he didn't disappoint as he scored early in the 1st to put the Finns ahead. In the 2nd the German’s would respond in goals by Philip Gogulla and Christian Ehrhoff who scored by putting it off a Finn’s skate. However the lead was short lived as Teuvo Teravainen scored late in the 2nd to tie the game. The 3rd period was a scoreless affair and looked like it would go to ot until Patrik Laine scored with 43 seconds left to seal the victory for the Finns.

In the 2nd game of group C it was the Swedes taking on their neighbors from Norway. In what was a close game the Swedes jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Carl Hagelin and Patrik Hornqvist. The game looked like a sure 2-0 win for the Swedes until Norway scored shorthanded late in the 3rd on a goal by Sondre Olden, this however was responded to when Ricakard Rackell scored on the powerplay to put the Swedes up 3-1.

Group A action opened as well. In the first game the Czechs took on Japan. In a surprising 1st period the Czechs were held scoreless. However this would change in the 2nd as Jake Voracek put them up 1-0. 6 minutes later the ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr put the Czechs up by 2. This would be all she wrote as the 2 teams played a scoreless 3rd period. Final score Czech Republic 2 Japan 0.

In the 2nd game of Group A it was tournament favorite Canada vs Switzerland. Canada headed into this tournament quite possibly the greatest assembly of talent ever put together and were expected to run through their group no problem. 6 minutes in Brad Marchand put the Canadians on top, 6 minutes later in the first Mark Schieifle playing in his first olympics doubled the score to make it 2-0. It looked like the Canadians would run away with this game however the Swiss tightened up in the 2nd and cut Canada's lead in half on a goal by Andres Ambhul the Swiss struck again early in the 3rd as Nino Niederreiter hammered a shot home to tie it at 2. The game would go to ot where Canada’s talent would prevail as Connor McDavid scored his first international goal to win in it in ot. Despite the win many Canadians were very displeased with the effort.

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Day 3 February 16 2018

In Group B action the US met Slovakia. Both teams were coming off wins in their first games. The US came out flying however the Slovaks struck 1st on a goal by Tomas Tatar. This lead would hold until early in the 2nd when Auston Matthews tied the game at 1 on the powerplay. This lead was short lived as the Slovaks answered on a goal by Milan Jurcina and on another by Tomas Surovy at the end of the 2nd. The 3rd would produce a ton of chances for the US but no goals. The Slovaks would come away with a 3-1 win and all but assured themselves the group, they have definitely been the surprise of the tournament so far.

In the 2nd game Russia took on Belarus. Early in the game Evgeni Malkin took a 2 minute minor for slashing, the resulting powerplay would see Belarus go up by 1 on a gaol by Mikhail Grabovsky. However the Russians would tie the game late in the 1st on a goal by Nikita Kucherov. After a scoreless 2nd the Russians would go up on a goal by Ivan Provorov and would ice the game with an Artem Anisimov goal. With the win the Russians move into a tie for 2nd with the US making their final game important for seeding and the 4th spot to qualify for the quarterfinals.

In Group C action the Finns started the action vs Norway. This game was a barnburner as the Finns thrashed the Norwegians 4-0. The Finns started the 1st period out on a goal by Rasmus Ristolainen. This would be all for the 1st, however the 2nd started out just like the 1st on a goal Mikko Rantanen, these goals were followed by goals by Leo Komarov and Jussi Jokinnen. Despite some strong pressure by the Norweigians in the 3rd the game ended 4-0 and will have quarterfinal implications as Finland meets Sweden in their next match to possibly determine the group winner.

The 2nd game of the Group C. had the experts calling this the tournament of upsets as the Germans shut out the Swedes 2-0. The Germans got on the board early on in the 1st on a goal by Dennis Seidenberg. They would then add some insurance midway through the game on a gaol by Marcel Goc. THis win all but assures the Finns of a Group C victory. Although stranger things have happened

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Day 4 February 17 2018

Group A action started off with the Canadians taking on the Czechs. Both teams were coming off win in their 1st game and this would most likely be the biggest game of Group A. Canada scored late in the 1st period on a goal by Steven Stamkos. After an eventless 2nd period Tyler Seguin put Canada up by 2 early in the 3rd. Throughout most of the period it looked as if Canada would walk away easy winners.However with less than a minute left and their goalie pulled Tomas Plekanec would cut the lead in half, the Czechs would try their luck again with an extra man alas it wasn’t to be as Sidney Crosby iced the game for Canada to put them in 1st place in GRoup A.

In the 2nd game of the day the tournament of upsets moniker rang true as Japan upset Switzerland 3-1. The Swiss dominated the game early on and got on the board 1st on a goal by Kevin Fiala. However Japan would get eve on a goal by Go Tanaka. In the 2nd Japan would go ahead on a goal by Nomura with 5 mins left, Nomura would then strike again in the 3rd to ice the biggest upset so far in what has been a tournament full of them.


In Group B action the Americans took on Russia. This game would all but determine 2nd place and a chance at a bye to the quarterfinals. In a game between 2 teams that hadn’t been as good as expected the US dominated the Russians all over the ice. Early in the 1st the US got on the board on Jack Eichel’s first Olympic tally. The 2nd period would see the US go up by 3 on goals by Ryan Kesler and Blake Wheeler. A dominating 3rd period by the US saw no goals and saw a 3-0 shutout for Corey Schneider.

In the 2nd game of the day the Slovaks took on Belarus in their final game. DEspite already clinching the group title by way of beating the US and Russians the Slovaks were looking for a chance at the 1st overall spot for the medal round. Early on in the 1st Slovakia went ahead on a goal by Tomas Marcinko, minutes ;ater they followed this with a goal from Libor Hudacek to go up by 2. However 3 minutes later Belarus would get on the board on a goal by Anatoly Protasenya. Despite Belarus dominating in the face off circle this would be all she wrote as the Slovaks added some insurance on an empty netter by Richard Panik with 40 seconds left. This game guarantees the Slovaks a top 2 spot in the medal round, while Belarus is guaranteed a bottom 2 spot.

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Day 5 February 18 2018

In the 1st game of Group A action on the last day of the round robin the Czechs and the Swiss met. Switzerland has been rather underwhelming this tournament and they tried to make a statement with this game. Despite their efforts through the 1st 2 periods it wasn't meant to be as the Czechs exploded for a 3 goal 3d period to win 3-0 and take temporary lead in group A. The Czech goals came from David Pasternak,Tomas Hertl and Radim Vrbata. The loss guarantees the Swiss can finish no higher than 9th for the medal round.

In the 1st game of Group C the “Group Of Death” Germany took on Norway. In a group that had yet to be decided this game would be huge. After a scoreless 1st GErmany went up late in the 2nd on a goal by Patrick Hager. THis lead would be short lived however as Norway tied it on a goal by Mats Zuccarello early in the 3rd. Late in the 3rd it was trouble for the Germans as Tobias Rieder took a hooking minor, however they were able to kill it off. However the momentum would not suffice as Norway win in ot on a goal by Mats Roselli Olsen. The win guarantees Norway 10th place in the medal round while Germany still has yet to figure where they will finish.

The last game of Group C pitted the fierce rivals Sweden and Finland. This game would determine the group winner. The Finns along with the Slovaks have been the best team in this tournament up until now while the Swedes have left alot to be desired. The Finns went up early in the 1st on a goal by Sebastian Aho, the Swedes would tie it in the 2nd on a goal by Gabriel Landeskog. This set up what everyone thought would be a tight 3rd period however it wasn’t to be as the Finns scored 2 quick goals by Mikko Rantanen and another by Sebastian Aho. The Finns would then gain insurance on an empty netter by ERik Haula. THis win gives the Finns the top spot in the medal round.

In the last game of Group A it was all business for Team Canada as they shut out Japan 4-0 on goals by Connor McDavid,Brad Marchand,Mark Scheifele, and Ryan Getzlaf. The win gives Canada the Group title and the number 3 seed in the medal round.

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Final seedings and medal round pairings.

Rank	Team
1	Finland
2	Slovakia
3	Canada
4	USA
5	Czech Republic
6	Germany
7	Russia
8	Sweden
9	Japan
10	Norway
11	Switzerand
12	Belarus

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Premlinary Round
Rank	Team			Rank	Team
5	Czech Republic		vs	12	Belarus
6	Germany		vs	11	Switzerland
7	Russia		vs	10	Norway
8	Sweden		vs	9	Japan

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

Work and life got in the way. Starting to work on this again.

 

[CharlestownChiefsESC]

6 February 20 2018

Preliminary Round

In the first matchup of the day the Czech Republic took on Belarus. Despite Belarus dominating the faceoffs in the first the Czech’s went ahead on goals by Vladimir Sobotka and Pavel Zacha, Zacha added another goal Midway through the 2nd to put the Czech Republic up by 3. The 3rd period didn't fare much better for Belarus as the Czech's added 2 more goals by Sobotka again and Ondrej Palat. The Czech's will take on team USA in the quarterfinals.

In the second matchup of the day we had a rivalry of sorts with Germany taking on Switzerland. The first period of this one was dominated by the Germans but Jonas Hillier kept the Swiss in with brilliant goaltending. However the German domination carried over to the 2nd period as they went up 3-0 in the first 10 minutes on goals by David Wolf, Philip Gogulla, and Geritt Fauser. Going into the 3rd the game looked it of reach however the Swiss had other plans. In the matter of 3 minutes the Swiss tied the game on 2 goals by Reto Suri and the tying goal by Andreas Ambuhl. The rest of the 3rd would be even less and despite a back and forth overtime the game would go to a shoot out. This Swiss would strike early on a goal by Nino Niederreiter. It was all saves after that until Tobias Rieder tied it for the Germans on the last attempt. In the sudden death round Philip Gogulla would win it for Germans and send them on to the quarterfinals vs Canada.

In the third matchup of the day Norway took on Russia. This game was a classic for sure. Early on it was all Norway as they went up 3-0 on goals by Tommy Kristiansen, Mathis Olimb, and Mats Zuccarello. Going into the 2nd the Russians got on the board on a goal by Alexander Radulov however Norway would get one back on a goal by Ken Olimb. This was short-lived however as Russia would get within 2 on a goal by Evgeny Kusnetsov. The Russian’s would then tie it on goals by Alexander Ovechkin and Nikolai Kulemin. After a scoreless 3rd period the game would head to overtime. Late in the ot Norway would take a penalty and Russia would win on the ensuing power play on a goal by Nikita Kucherov. Russia will play Slovakia in the quarterfinals.

In the fourth matchup of the day it would be Sweden vs Japan. The game was an even affair early on, but Midway through the period Sweden went up 1 on a goal by John Klingberg 3 minutes later the Swedes found themselves on a power play and doubled the lead on a Filip Forsberg goal. Forsberg would strike again on the power play late in the 2nd to put Sweden up 3. Early in the 2nd Japan would get on the board, however Sweden would ice the game on an empty netter by Gabriel Landeskog. Sweden moves on to play thier bitter rivals Finland in the quarterfinals.