Coyotes in Sochi:
Today the Czechs beat Latvia 4-2 and Coyotes Martin Hanzal finally got into the lineup and picked up an assist. Zbynek Michalek also picked up an assist.
As mentioned earlier, Mike Smith will back up team Canada today.
The depleted Swedish roster - already without Henrik Sedin - won 1-0 against Switzerland despite the loss of Henrik Zetterberg, who has been sent back to North America. Too bad, honestly, because Zetterberg is one of the best players in the world and it would have been fun to see a fully stocked Team Sweden compete for gold, as many predicted they would. They are in tough now to medal missing basically their two best forwards.
In the loss, Coyotes star defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson played just under 17:00 and was held off the score sheet.
---- Olympic Talk
I was critical of the NHL shutting down in the middle of the season, but already the excitement of the Olympics (its like getting two playoffs in one year) is already getting to me. Despite the meaningless preliminary games and the weird start times, it really is like an extended Christmas morning for hockey fans.
Plus, I overlooked the biggest positive: No Allstar game!
The Zetterberg injury really brings up the only problem: injuries here will have a massive impact on the NHL season. The Red Wings might just have been eliminated from playoff contention. They are already in a tight race competing against five or six teams for two spots, and now their best (or co-best) player might be done for the year. Of course, all teams face the same risk but its gotta suck for the Red Wings and their fans today.
Interestingly, anyone who plays in the Gold medal game and the Cup Final this year could end up playing upwards of 130 games when you factor in preseason. That is insane.
Overall, I can't wait until tomorrow when the U.S plays Russia. The Toronto combo of Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk was awesome yesterday, combining for 5 points. The drop pass Kessel fed Carlson of Washington was probably the play of the tournament so far.
----- Medal Predictions
Despite my predictions being completely meaningless, I will predict a Canada vs. USA final, with Canada winning. Sweden will overcome their injuries to grab bronze. These are just guesses, I don't believe in "gut feelings" or psychic powers.
---- My heartfelt sympathy to anyone who's wife makes you do stupid crap today instead of watch a tape delayed Olympic hockey game when you get home from work. My wife doesn't care so I am going to stay in my jogging pants all day and watch hockey. Valentines Day combines two of the worst things in the world: phoney romance and bad puns. Sorry to anyone who has to wait seven hours for a table at a restaurant tonight, but you're welcome to come over to my place, we'll be having Kraft Dinner.
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As predicted, there was lots of ridiculous hand-wringing over the fact that Canada only beat Norway 3-1. If they don't win by at least forty today, against Austria, I think some people are going to have a meltdown. I don't get it. Goals aside, they absolutely dominated the second period yesterday and will literally be unbeatable should they play like that even half the time throughout the tournament.
Also, I think its pretty clear they weren't giving it all they have.
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Besides Petr Nedved and Jagr suiting up for the Czechs, another awesome 90's NHL star is in the tournament: Sandis Ozolinch, who is playing for Latvia.
I don't know about anyone else, but I love the fact we get to see guys like Nedved and Ozolinch. It would have been nice to also see former NHL goalie Arturs Irbe playing for Latvia. There is no truth to the rumor that Nedved almost missed the Olympics due to a contract dispute!
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Just listening to Don Cherry on the intermission and its great that he's in Sochi. What I love about Don is that he tells the truth when everyone else would try to be diplomatic. Ron brought up how if Finland beats Canada on Sunday, that goal differential could make Canada have to play an extra game.
Most people would have pretended this was a serious question, but Don just rolled his eyes. Like everyone else, Don knows Finland can't and won't beat Canada on Sunday, and he knows that Canada isn't playing at full speed against Austria and that they didn't play full speed against Norway. They are clearly trying not to embarrass the weaker teams, and this makes the fretting about not beating Norway by enough goals all the more embarrassing for those who were. There are a lot of great things about Cherry, but the fact that he doesn't sit there and pretend this is even a real game has to be the best.
As for the other broadcasters, Its nice to see Jim Houston doing play-by-play but I wish they had of brought Bob Cole. Cole is my all time favorite and I still think he's the best in the business. It's a shame they brought Glen Healy though, as he is brutal and easily the worst analyst in the entire NHL.
Hopefully tomorrow on NBC when Russia and the U.S play, there will be some Pierre McGuire between the benches, showing Healy how its done. For my money, besides Cherry and Cole, Pierre McGuire is the best hockey announcer/analyst that there is. I am also partial to Coyotes color guy Tyson Nash.
I would love to know your best and worst analysts/announcers.
As always, thanks for reading.
Twitter: @coyotes1234