Archive for the ‘Olympics’ Category
Two For Two! Canada’s Mens and Womens Hockey Teams Take Gold!
She shoots she scores! He shoots he scores! With the wrap up of Olympic hockey Canada has swept the podium! The womens’ hockey team took their gold medal first followed by the mens’ team today.
Watching these games was a fantastic experience for many Canadians. The 2-0 win for the Canadian Women’s team over the United States on Thursday made it 3 Gold Medals in a row for the Canadians. Marie-Philip Poulin scored both goals and Shannon Szabados made 28 saves. After burying their goalie, the Canadian women’s team received their gold medals.
It was a huge disappointment for the United States as they took the silver medal. One would think that they would have been happy to receive a silver medal, but for these women it looked like they were in last place. As they were presented with their silver medals quite a few of them had tears in their eyes. It wasn’t until the end of the line when the medals were presented to two goalies when true Olympic spirit showed through. What wonderful smiles and excitement from those two women.
What an exciting game for the men’s team today. The Canadians had a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals scored by Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry. The United States got on the board with a goal from Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler in the second period. The United States pulled their goalie with 1:30 left on the clock. It looked as though it was all over for the United States until Zach Parise scored with 24.4 seconds left in the game forcing a 20-minute overtime period.
This game was definitely an “edge of your seat” type of game. With the Olympic Gold Medal up for grabs by either of these teams it was anyone’s game. But with a flick of a stick Sidney Crosby fired the puck into the American’s net. And the crowd went wild! Canada Hockey Place was full of red Canadian Olympic Team Jerseys that looked like a huge red sea. And the crowds continue to go wild all over Canada! What a great performance!
Fourth From The Bottom Toronto Maple Leafs To Send Players To The Olympics
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs are near the bottom of the NHL standings, they will be able to send a few players to the Olympics. Surprising as it may seem, the Leafs do have a handful of decent players who will be beneficial to the Olympic line up.
Tomas Kaberle will be in his third Olympics playing for the Czech team who won a bronze medal in the 2006 Olympics. Although Jason Blake is a long shot for the US team, Phil Kessel and Mike Komisarek will be heading to Vancouver in February.
Sweden’s team will be getting Jonas Gustavsson and Niklas Hagman who made up part of Finland’s team when they won the silver in the 2006 games will also go to the Olympics. And last but not least center Mikhail Grabovski will play for Belarus.
With all of this talent heading off to the Olympics, it makes you wonder why the Toronto Maple Leafs are so near the bottom of the standings. It would be nice for the Leafs fans to be able to wear their Toronto Maple Leafs Jerseys with pride instead of just wondering whether their team will ever get back to the way they were in the good old days.
Philadelphia Flyers To Have Strong Showing In Olympics
The Philadelphia Flyers appear to have the opportunity to have a strong showing in the upcoming 2010 Olympic games. Unfortunately, Simon Gagne who has played in the last two Olympic games for Canada has had two hernias and abdominal surgery in early November which has precluded any chance for a third shot at the Olympics.
Matt Carle, winner of a gold medal at the 2004 world juniors, has improved greatly since he joined the Flyers. He had not shined while playing with the San Jose Sharks and the Tampa Bay Lightning. If his performance continues to improve, he will be considered for the US team.
Also 35-year old Chris Pronger will likely join team Canada to play in his fourth Olympics. Kimmo Timonen will play for Finland as well as Mika Pyorala. Although Pyorala is only in his first season playing for the NHL, he has put in nearly a decade playing for Finland and Sweden. He played for Finland in the past three World Chamionships.
Jeff Carter and captain Mike Richards will suit up for team Canada although Carter still has to prove himself over the new month.
New York Rangers Olympic Prospets
The New York Rangers have a couple of prospects for the Olympics, one being Marian Gaborik who plays right wing for the Rangers will play for Slovakia. While Goalie Henrik Lundqvist is hoping to join the Swedish team and possibly relive the gold medal performance from 2006. Possibly included for team U.S.A. is Ryan Callahan.
On the injured list for the Rangers and therefore possibly out for the Olympics are Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky. Chris Drury was out with a concussion but returned late November. Drury won a silver medal in the 2002 Olympics while playing for team U.S.A. Brandon Dubinsky, however, is still out after he broke his hand during a game on November 7th, the same game in which Chris Drury suffered a concussion. Dubinsky played in the 2006 Olympics.
The New York Rangers have been plagued by illness and injuries losing 41 manpower games this season. Hopefully the remainder of the season will be a healthier one.
Four Bruins to head to the Winter Olympics
Although the Boston Bruins will likely be sending four of its team members to the Olympics, Canadian team members Marc Savard and Milan Lucic may not be that fortunate. Both players have been out with injuries. Lucic returned in great physical shape in late November so he may find himself a position on team Canada.
Shoe-ins for the Olympic teams are Zdeno Chara and Marco Sturm. Defenseman Zdeno Chara will play for Slovakia and left winger Marco Sturm will play for his homeland of Germany. Goalie Tim Thomas should be playing with team U.S.A. Center David Krejci may play for his country of the Czech Republic, however, that depends on whether he can get his game back together. Krejci underwent hip surgery in the off season and had a bout with the H1N1 virus during the season.
It seems as though a lot of players in the NHL will have their Olympic hopes made or broken due to illness or injuries.
Detroit Red Wings To Supply Players To Olympics
Although quite physically damaged at the moment, the Detroit Red Wings should be supplying the Olympics with a few choice players.
Sweden will be defending their gold medal. Although currently on the injured list, Niklas Kronwall will be playing for Sweden. Also suiting up for Sweden will be Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom. However, Johan Franzen is not expected to be fit to play for Sweden. Another Swedish player, Tomas Holmstrom, was a long shot, however, with a strong start to the season he is being considered.
Despite a broken wrist that will keep him out of play until mid-December, Valtteri Filppula is expected to play for his homeland of Finland. Brian Rafalski will play for team USA and Pavel Datsyuk will play for Russia.
Not a bad showing for an injured group of guys!
Will There Be Any Ducks At The Olympics?
Although Anaheim has had a disappointing season so far with a record of 12-13-7 with 31 points more than one third of their roster could be selected to trade their Anaheim Jerseys for Olympic Jerseys.
It looks as though Scott Niedermayer will be considered for captain of the Canadian team. Corey Perry is likely to clinch a spot on the team also. Evgeny Artyukhin would be suiting up for the Russian team. Other members of the Ducks to go back to overseas roots will be Jonas Hiller for Switzerland, and Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu will play for Finland. For team USA, possiblities include Bobby Ryan and Ryan Whitney.
Only time will tell which of the Anaheim Ducks will actually be suiting up for the 2010 winter games in Vancouver in February. Good luck to all the Mighty Ducks who are choosen to represent their countries in these pretigeous games.