Did anyone watch Olympic Hockey today?

[William33 110]

A great game between two great teams......

[alienlovechild 75]

A great game between two great teams......

Beaten at their own game on their home turf in the Olympics. Way to go for the U.S. hockey team!

[Dave and Helena 0]

It was AWESOME! I was convinced Canada would win it all but then they barely beat Switzerland and now this loss. I'm stunned. Now I'm hoping for a final between the U.S. and Sweden.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Yep...many Canadians are in mourning, many are aggravated and many more are in denial. And I'll concede that there are probably a few that don't rightly care.

Needless to say, there's a bit of a heated debate about it up in the Canada forum.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Beaten at their own game on their home turf in the Olympics. Way to go for the U.S. hockey team!

Because winning a round-robin stage game really is important. Lets be honest here, Canada (and Russia) have superior teams to the U.S.. But in this game, the U.S. goalie was phenomenal. I'm not going to get excited until it's a medal round game. Good game though, very entertaining.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Because winning a round-robin stage game really is important. Lets be honest here, Canada (and Russia) have superior teams to the U.S.. But in this game, the U.S. goalie was phenomenal. I'm not going to get excited until it's a medal round game. Good game though, very entertaining.

I don't necessarily disagree...but the thing is, they're better teams on paper than the U.S. team. But you can't factor out the intangible aspect of team chemistry...something the U.S. team seems to have more of than the Canada team. My initial prediction was Russia, U.S. and Canada on the podium. I still think that's a good possibility, based on the games lately.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't necessarily disagree...but the thing is, they're better teams on paper than the U.S. team. But you can't factor out the intangible aspect of team chemistry...something the U.S. team seems to have more of than the Canada team. My initial prediction was Russia, U.S. and Canada on the podium. I still think that's a good possibility, based on the games lately.

I think the intangibles are very important in olympic hockey. I really despise the miracle on ice references that they are bandying about in the media, but, I do think there is one analogy that rings true. When a really good goalie gets hot, that can carry a team very very far.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I think the intangibles are very important in olympic hockey. I really despise the miracle on ice references that they are bandying about in the media, but, I do think there is one analogy that rings true. When a really good goalie gets hot, that can carry a team very very far.

Agreed. And Ryan Miller is no flash-in-the-pan either. He's been hot all season and is a definite candidate for the Vezina. I really like the makeup of the U.S. team. Very gritty and physical, with just enough scoring power to get it done. They remind me of the Sharks team from the late '90's / early 00's.

[SMR 368]

Because winning a round-robin stage game really is important. Lets be honest here, Canada (and Russia) have superior teams to the U.S.. But in this game, the U.S. goalie was phenomenal. I'm not going to get excited until it's a medal round game. Good game though, very entertaining.

I don't really know about who is better on paper. But I really think this is an early celebration (or mourning, if you are from north of the border). As long as you make it to the playoffs, the Round Robin doesn't mean much. It just tries to make sure that two good teams don't play early. It makes it easier to get the silver or bronze, but it doesn't matter for gold. If there are any Canadians out there shooting for silver, speak up now.

5-3 is by no means a blow-out score and shows that both teams are competitive offensively and defensively. Anything could happen on a given day. We'll see what happens in the playoffs.

[Peikko 1,575]

At least this is a 'real' sport, eh SMR?

[The_Dude 1,142]

Agreed. And Ryan Miller is no flash-in-the-pan either. He's been hot all season and is a definite candidate for the Vezina. I really like the makeup of the U.S. team. Very gritty and physical, with just enough scoring power to get it done. They remind me of the Sharks team from the late '90's / early 00's.

I thought the U.S. team was deliberate in their physical play. The Canadian team seemed for lack of a better word, vengeful, which in the context of the game, put them at a disadvantage. They seemed overly concerned with decimating the U.S. team with those monster hits that it took their attention away from the game, and when they did finish their checks, took them out of the transitions.

[SMR 368]

At least this is a 'real' sport, eh SMR?

I don't know why you got your knickers in a twist over this one. I consider figure skating to be an art. Art isn't really competitive. Sports are. That's my opinion. Why does that upset you?

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I thought the U.S. team was deliberate in their physical play. The Canadian team seemed for lack of a better word, vengeful, which in the context of the game, put them at a disadvantage. They seemed overly concerned with decimating the U.S. team with those monster hits that it took their attention away from the game, and when they did finish their checks, took them out of the transitions.

As a Leafs' fan I see Ryan Miller when he's with the Sabres and he plays that way whenever the Leafs play the Sabres. He kills us. The Canudians spent way too much time passing the puck, shoot already. Storm the net and shoot. In the second period Canada owned the US but Ryan Miller was solid. Brodeur wasn't too bad but he wasn't playing the way he normally does.Team USA was giving us a little payback for SLC. Now we have to beat Germany and the Russians to get anywhere. GO Team Canudia, GO!

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

As a Leafs' fan I see Ryan Miller when he's with the Sabres and he plays that way whenever the Leafs play the Sabres. He kills us. The Canudians spent way too much time passing the puck, shoot already.

I agree...sort of...but Canada DID have 45 shots, which is quite a high total...

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't know why you got your knickers in a twist over this one. I consider figure skating to be an art. Art isn't really competitive. Sports are. That's my opinion. Why does that upset you?

Upset? I find your opinion hilarious, not upsetting.