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Hockey is an international sport. This is evident by the diverse population in the NHL. There are at least 18 different countries represented in the NHL in this current 2013-2014 season:
Austria, Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and United States all have representation in the NHL this season.
Once every 4 years this makes for a unique viewing experience for NHL fans. People of Pittsburgh find themselves with the shoe on the other foot as they are now deathly afraid of Sidney Crosby coming down the ice. People in Chicago now have concerns about Jonathan Toews shutting down America's best players. Capitals fans will watch Saturday morning as Ovechkin zooms down the wing against John Carlson. Maple Leafs fans will be hoping that Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk conveniently slow down their red hot scoring pace.
Devils fans can now welcome Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, and Ryan McDonagh with open arms. They can also call Zach Parise one of their own again.
Folks in Nashville can once again cheer for star defenseman Ryan Suter.
Blues and Blackhawks fans can all get on board with one another as they root for the combined success of Patrick Kane, David Backes, TJ Oshie, and Kevin Shattenkirk.
The Olympics can also cause some fans to potentially root against their own countries. Do fans in Tampa root for long time hero Martin St. Louis to win Gold? Is that decision made easier by the Ben Bishop "snub"?
Do Islanders fans hold a grudge against Team USA because of Kyle Okposo and throw their support behind superstar John Tavares and Canada? Are there a growing number of Long Island residents that are suddenly very anti-Austrian because of Thomas Vanek?
Does Philly go full blown anti-Canada because of Claude Giroux? Would that have been different if he had made the team?
Do Ducks fans go all in with Team Finland due to the presence of their demi-god Teemu Selanne?
These certainly make for some interesting scenarios during the Olympic tournament. Has your nationalism been impacted by a certain NHL player that plays for an opposing country?
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Tidbits from Twitter
Here are some Penguins related Olympic updates courtesy of twitter:
Safe to say Olli Maatta is blown away to be here. He said it was a goal to one day be an Olympian and never thought it would happen so fast.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 10, 2014
Maatta: "I feel like I'm a little boy just watching all these top-rated athletes here - everybody, even the skijumpers, skiers, those guys."
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 10, 2014
Dan Bylsma at #USA women's game, probably scouting Amanda Kessel for Sid's wing #Sochi2014 #NHL #penguins pic.twitter.com/Iuhior4Tmo
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 10, 2014
Ovechkin and Malkin first on the ice for practice... pic.twitter.com/C6Kx9rG5Uf
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 10, 2014
The Ovi-Malkin-Semin line is doing whatever the hell it wants in the line rushes. Be afraid
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) February 10, 2014Thanks for reading!
Follow me on twitter Follow @GunnerStaal