Olympic Hockey OOT: Feburary 23th Qualification Playoffs

[Jesse834]

http://www.nhl.com/images/logos/nonsites/blr_large.pngVShttp://www.nhl.com/images/logos/nonsites/sui_large.png 1:00 PM MT SNET
Look for a meaningful third period. Belarus gave Sweden a hard go in the prelims, keeping things undecided until the final minutes of a 4-2 loss. The Swiss worried the No. 1 seed Americans well into third and, just tip of the iceberg stuff for Canada, took the host country to the fourth round of a shootout.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090019&navid=sb:preview



http://www.nhl.com/images/logos/nonsites/lat_large.pngVShttp://www.nhl.com/images/logos/nonsites/cze_large.png 8:00 PM MT TSN
This is no classic No. 5 vs. No. 12 showdown. The Latvians have been outscored 19-4 in the preliminary round, but they played the Czechs tougher than either of their other two opponents. These teams met five days ago and the Czechs walked away with a 5-2 win. As a result, the Czechs not only garnered a valuable three points for seeding purposes, but also an appreciation for how dangerous this Latvian team can be, despite the fact it finished last among the 12-team field.

"Tomorrow we need to not take the other team lightly, they are good players," Czech goalie Tomas Vokoun said. "We need to be prepared to play our best game." With that being said, if the Czechs show up and bring the same type of game with which they opened the tournament with a win against Slovakia, this should be nothing more than a tune-up for Wednesday's quarterfinal with Finland.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090021

http://www.nhl.com/images/logos/nonsites/nor_large.pngVShttp://www.nhl.com/images/logos/nonsites/svk_large.png 10:00 PM MT CTV
After a close loss to the Czechs to open the tournament, the Slovaks have slowly been hitting their stride, shocking the Russians in a shootout and then throttling the Latvians on Saturday.

Norway, meanwhile, has been immensely entertaining, despite losing its three games. It hung close with the Canadians for a little more than a period and the Americans for two-plus periods and then forced the Swiss into overtime in one of the best games of the tournament. It will be interesting to see if the Norwegians have any left in reserve to give the Slovaks a scare.

"The guys are gaining confidence all the time," said Norwegian defenseman Juha Kaunismaki. "We were the better team against Switzerland. We are going to bring that self-confidence to the next game."

So, it appears that the Norwegians, who have had two days to regroup from the 5-4 OT loss to the Swiss, believe they have gas left in the tank as they two nations meet for the first time at the Olympics.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090022

[Sune76]

I hope canada loses since so many posters in here are against sweden

[dissentowner]

Go Slovakia!

[Rhettzky]

I hope canada loses since so many posters in here are against sweden

I was completely indifferent towards Sweden until now. Team Ikea sucks!! ;)

[Sune76]

I was completely indifferent towards Sweden until now. Team Ikea sucks!! ;)

well i just read the sweden vs finland thread and there was unjustified hate going against sweden in there. What is wrong? Is Sweden the real rivals of canada these days?

[GirlySports]

Everyone is Canada's rival.

[Rhettzky]

well i just read the sweden vs finland thread and there was unjustified hate going against sweden in there. What is wrong? Is Sweden the real rivals of canada these days?

I don't think so, this board just has a hate on anything relating to anything these days. Don't take it personally.

[Jesse834]

Let's go Switzerland more like Let's go Hnat Domenichelli!

[Knut]

Go norway!!!!!

[Jesse834]

Hiller who looked shaky in the last game starts this game right off where he left off. 1-0 Belarus 59 seconds in.

[The Yen Man]

well i just read the sweden vs finland thread and there was unjustified hate going against sweden in there. What is wrong? Is Sweden the real rivals of canada these days?

It most likely has less to do with general hate for Sweden, and more with hate of anything Sedin. Couple that with love for Kipper and should it really be surprising that a Flames board is pro Fin and anti Sweden?

[Locke]

I hope canada loses since so many posters in here are against sweden

We're not against Sweden per se, we're just pro Finland! :D

You see, Finland has it all, does Sweden have it all? No! They might have lots but they dont have a song that proclaims that they have it all!

Besides, theres no Swedes on the Flames to cheer for!

[Table 5]

Kipper, Hagman, memories of Ville Nieminen > Sedin twins, memories of Ikea catalogs.

Duh.

[Jesse834]

Julien Sprunger. 1-1.

[Bertuzzied]

Kipper, Hagman, memories of Ville Nieminen > Sedin twins, memories of Ikea catalogs.

Duh.

that Sedin dive against the Fins was just absolutely disgusting. Diving is worse than the left wing lock for hockey.

[Jesse834]

Roman Wick is a very good player.

[jeremywilhelm]

Roman Wick to the flames. (e4)

[moon]

I don't think so, this board just has a hate on anything relating to anything these days. Don't take it personally.

Through in ###### bags like Holmstrom and Fransen from Detroit and it is pretty easy to hate the Swedish team this year.

[OILFAN #81]

Through in ###### bags like Holmstrom and Fransen from Detroit and it is pretty easy to hate the Swedish team this year.

Holmstrom is not even on the team.

[Jesse834]

Hnat Domenichelli! 2-1 Switzerland.

[GirlySports]

It's games like this that I used to cheer for a shootout (as a kid)! Cause they were cool.

Now I don't like shootouts cause I see them everyday!

[Jesse834]

Konstantin Zakharov. 2-2.

[Sylvanfan]

His Dad will see him as only a moderate disappointment if he can score one more goal!

[Jesse834]

Andrei Mezin leaves so many rebounds for second chances it is not funny.

[Textcritic]

Is Belarus the most clutch ice hockey team of the modern Olympics? No medals, but they are developing a reputation for an utterly ridiculous level of Olympic competitiveness that surpasses their skill level.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Satan in for Slovakia (Cibak out).

[Locke]

Is Belarus the most clutch ice hockey team of the modern Olympics? No medals, but they are developing a reputation for an utterly ridiculous level of Olympic competitiveness that surpasses their skill level.

No kidding, plus they have destroyed the career and life of at least 1 Edmonton Oiler. For that alone they should receive a Gold medal in ass-kickery!:D

[Jesse834]

Off to OT.

[dissentowner]

You know what I just noticed? During these Olympics I have not heard Garrett once start talking about some junk food he enjoys eating.

[Textcritic]

How did Garrett not notice the stick in his feet that actually caused the trip?! does he honestly need six replays to see that?

[LChoy]

Go Swiss? I think they have the best chance against the US

[Jesse834]

Off to a SO.

[jayswin]

Through in ###### bags like Holmstrom and Fransen from Detroit and it is pretty easy to hate the Swedish team this year.

Holmstrom is not even on the team.


Uh oh, are we in for another epic "moon arguing relentlessly that he's right even though it is very clear that he is wrong" battle? :D

[GirlySports]

Americans must be loving this.

[Locke]

First goal scored by a Swiss player named 'Deruns'

Made me chuckle...

[moon]

Holmstrom is not even on the team.

Really?

I assumed he would have made it.

I would still say that the Sedins and Franzen are ######y enough to hate the whole team.

[Jesse834]

Switzerland wins it! They will play the Americans. They should have won the first time they meet.

[moon]

Uh oh, are we in for another epic "moon arguing relentlessly that he's right even though it is very clear that he is wrong" battle? :D

It hasn't ever happened before so not sure why you would expect it here.

[jayswin]

It hasn't ever happened before so not sure why you would expect it here.


hahahahahahahahahah....wait........hahahahahahahah ahahaha

[Jesse834]

Czech will run away with the Latvians. I'm going to say the final score is 7-2.

[OILFAN #81]

Really?

I assumed he would have made it.

I would still say that the Sedins and Franzen are ######y enough to hate the whole team.

He did make it. He is injured so couldn't go. Franzen (who would have made it had he not been injured all season and just returned prior to the Olympics) took his spot.

[Jesse834]

Tomáš Rolinek. 1-0 Czech.

UBC arena sucks.

[Jesse834]

Tomáš Fleischmann. 2-0 Czech.

[Jesse834]

What a save by Vokoun!

[Jesse834]

Czechs are playing very poorly... it's really a shame Latvia isn't better.

[Jesse834]

Edgars Masaļskis with a spectacular save!

[J epworth]

Go Latvia!!! They are trying so hard right now

[Jesse834]

Latvia is playing very hard, Czech's are not... sadly Latvia just isn't very good.

[GirlySports]

Latvia is playing very hard, Czech's are not... sadly Latvia just isn't very good.

They screwed up a bunch of power plays I heard.

[Jesse834]

Jagar is not returning to third Swedish broadcast says he has head/neck pain. Gotta be from that Ovi hit.

[Jesse834]

Edgars Masaļskis just robbed Marek Židlický.

[Jesse834]

Mārtiņš Cipulis.2-1 Czech.

[J epworth]

Yaaaaaaay! What a great game, please just one more at least, they deserve it

[Jesse834]

Those Latvian ladies were damn fine!

Come on Latvia!

[GirlySports]

One of the Slovak's helmet popped off and he hit his head one the ice. Bleeding badly and players on the ice calling for the trainer, who seems to be asleep!

[Jesse834]

Miķelis Rēdlihs! TIE GAME BABY!

[Infamous1]

OMG Latvia tied it 2-2 with 3 mins left.

[silentsim]

One of the Slovak's helmet popped off and he hit his head one the ice. Bleeding badly and players on the ice calling for the trainer, who seems to be asleep!

:eek:Who?

[GirlySports]

Bartechko --- norway guy given 5 and a game I didn't see the hit, I just saw the result.

[J epworth]

Noooo waay even at 2!!!

[HPLovecraft]

Latviaaa! Tie game!

[GirlySports]

Tolesson, 5 and a game for elbowing

[RoadGame]

Wow, devastating hit in Norway-Slovakia. Looked like some of those old Stevens hits where a guy would get lined up by a teammate of SS and then he'd lower the boom.

[Jesse834]

Off to OT.

[Diet Water]

Latvia / Czech Republic going to OT.

[GirlySports]

Except it was a vicious elbow

[moon]

Great hit by Tollefson and in typical iihf fashion it is rewarded with overreaction by the refs and announcers.

If you don't want to be knocked out Barteko don't skate with your head down.

And great job by Latvia to take that game to OT!

[Diamondhead]

This is not good for Bartecko. The way his head involuntarily lifted up and hit the ice was scarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry looking. Hope he does not have a head injury. God I feel like puking. I hope I never see a replay of that ever.

[silentsim]

4 on 4 should help the czechk's due to alot more skill

but GO LATVIA!

[Jesse834]

Michal Handzuš. 1-0 Slovakia.

[jschick88]

Great hit by Tollefson and in typical iihf fashion it is rewarded with overreaction by the refs and announcers.

If you don't want to be knocked out Barteko don't skate with your head down.

And great job by Latvia to take that game to OT!

An Elbow to the head is a great hit? Wow.

[GirlySports]

Vokoun! That was close!

[MRCboicgy]

Go Latvia!

[chalms04]

C'mon Latvia!

[Diet Water]

An Elbow to the head is a great hit? Wow.

You took the bait.

[GirlySports]

Latvia looks pretty comfortable so far 4-on-4

[J epworth]

I'm so nervous

[Jesse834]

An Elbow to the head is a great hit? Wow.
nm

[Jesse834]

Marián Gáborík. 2-0 Slovakia.

[moon]

An Elbow to the head is a great hit? Wow.

If that was an elbow there will be about 5-6 elbowing calls a game when the NHL returns.

[Diet Water]

How disappointing.

[Infamous1]

latvia loses. Goalie shoulda had it.

[Sylvanfan]

Bummer!

Great job by the Latvians to last that long.

[Jesse834]

David Krejčí. 3-2 Czech is the final.

[MRCboicgy]

Awwr poor Latvia.

[GirlySports]

noooooooooo :( after all that... 5-hole

[moon]

Crap.

Sucks to see a team like the Czechs go through but good job by Latvia to take them to OT.

[browna]

Maguire just said he told MIN ownership, in his GM interview last year, that his first order of business would be to have signed Gaborik long term.

[silentsim]

Maguire just said he told MIN ownership, in his GM interview last year, that his first order of business would be to have signed Gaborik long term.

Which would have been a great decision.

Gaborik>Havlat.

[Henry Fool]

Maguire just said he told MIN ownership, in his GM interview last year, that his first order of business would be to have signed Gaborik long term.

I hate that guy. I don't care what credentials he's supposed to have, I honestly think he's faking it most of the time.

[HPLovecraft]

Crap, the Latvians deserved that win.

[Henry Fool]

Which would have been a great decision.

Gaborik>Havlat.

Gaborik didn't want to sign.

[HPLovecraft]

You took the bait.

Thinking moon baits posters is giving him too much credit. He actually believes these things he says.

[Jesse834]

Look at Jakobsen's visor. Why is he even wearing that? It doesn't ever cover his forehead.:lol:

EDIT: 18-1 shots. Wow!

[Mayer]

I hate that guy. I don't care what credentials he's supposed to have, I honestly think he's faking it most of the time.

He's a little over the top, and can be annoying sometimes, but I like him. Aside from his quirks he's actually pretty insightful.

[Diamondhead]

Great hit by Tollefson and in typical iihf fashion it is rewarded with overreaction by the refs and announcers.

If you don't want to be knocked out Barteko don't skate with your head down.

And great job by Latvia to take that game to OT!

I dont care if his head was down or not. No one deserves to be hit like that. No one deserves have their career ended or worse their life shortened for a meaningless advantage in a meaningless hockey game. That was nothing more than a sickening display of gratuitous violence.

The fact that you sit there and have absolutely no sympathy for a player that violently hit his head on the ice like that says a lot about your character.

[GirlySports]

Aasen!

[Jesse834]

Mats Zuccarello Aasen. 2-1 Slovakia.

[moon]

Thinking moon baits posters is giving him too much credit. He actually believes these things he says.

Baiting posters is for trolls like mayer.

I believe what I post because it is right.

I dont care if his head was down or not. No one deserves to be hit like that. No one deserves have their career ended or worse their life shortened for a meaningless advantage in a meaningless hockey game. That was nothing more than a sickening display of gratuitous violence.

Hockey is a physical game if you don't want to be hit don't play the game.

Players shouldn't let up because a guy is dumb enough to put himself in a vulnerable position. This isn't atom hockey these players should know how to protect themselves.

The fact that you sit there and have absolutely no sympathy for a player that violently hit his head on the ice like that says a lot about your character.

A post on an internet message board says very little about my or anyone's character.

[moon]

Norway!!

2-1.

and then they shoot themselves in the foot with a penalty.

[Jesse834]

Richard Zedník. 3-1 Slovakia.

[Henry Fool]

He's a little over the top, and can be annoying sometimes, but I like him. Aside from his quirks he's actually pretty insightful.

Well I don't see him nearly as much as you do, but to me it seems like he's trying very hard to sound insightful rather than actually being insightful. He projects confidence but what comes out of his mouth is so hit-and-miss.

[Sylvanfan]

Pierre grates my nerves because he seems to be so over the top with former World Junior players. I don't need to be told 200 times a game that Drew Doughty played for Canada at the World Juniors. He does seem to know a lot players individual histories very well, and he really has been everywhere in the world as a scout it seems. I'd be much more interested in hearing more about that aspect of things than being told about how so and so played for Canada in this World Juniors over and over.

[Jesse834]

Just saw the hit and that is a dirty hit without a doubt.

[Buff]

Baiting posters is for trolls like mayer.

I believe what I post because it is right.



Hockey is a physical game if you don't want to be hit don't play the game.

Players shouldn't let up because a guy is dumb enough to put himself in a vulnerable position. This isn't atom hockey these players should know how to protect themselves.



A post on an internet message board says very little about my or anyone's character.

It isn't right. It was a dirty hit. He lead with the elbow and hit with the elbow. No shoulder, no body on body, nothing but elbow to head. Go watch the replay again and then try to defend yourself. It is okay to admit that your initial reaction was wrong.

[Mayer]

Baiting posters is for trolls like mayer.


:lol:

Love this guy.

[moon]

It isn't right. It was a dirty hit. He lead with the elbow and hit with the elbow. No shoulder, no body on body, nothing but elbow to head. Go watch the replay again and then try to defend yourself. It is okay to admit that your initial reaction was wrong.

I have seen the hit again and still like the hit.

If they show it again I will take another hit but haven't seen anything from the hit to indicate that it was dirty.

It wasn't an initial reaction but a reaction after they showed it again which was why I didn't post immediately after it happened.

[Jesse834]

Tore Vikingstad. 3-2 Slovakia.

[Sylvanfan]

Norway again! Come on Norway lets see one crazy upset today!

I remember being at the Norway and USA game in 1988 and Norway did have a few passionate fans. Besides the final score of 6-3 the Norway fans are the only other thing I remember.

[Jesse834]

Yikes, the shots are 29-6.

[kirant]

Thank god Canada didn't have such a scary game, huh?
Latvia and Norway (And partially Belarus) are giving the favourites in the games fits.

[moon]

Norway!!

3-3

[Jesse834]

Anders Bastiansen. TIE GAME!

The final 20 is gonna to be good.

[HOOT]

These two games have been awesome!

[403ep3]

wow first latvia and now norway :eek:

[dre]

Wow

[getbak]

Crazy. Canada is the only favourite today who didn't have any trouble with their opponent.

Don't really want Norway to win this one, it would make Sweden's journey just a little bit easier.

[Jesse834]

If Norway wins it has to either be Tore Vikingstad or Mats Zuccarello Aasen that scores!

[Phil Ivey]

I have seen the hit again and still like the hit.

If they show it again I will take another hit but haven't seen anything from the hit to indicate that it was dirty.

It wasn't an initial reaction but a reaction after they showed it again which was why I didn't post immediately after it happened.

Lol. It's like you enjoy disagreeing with everyone when they're right.

All elbow on that hit. Keep watching it.

[moon]

It isn't right. It was a dirty hit. He lead with the elbow and hit with the elbow. No shoulder, no body on body, nothing but elbow to head. Go watch the replay again and then try to defend yourself. It is okay to admit that your initial reaction was wrong.

They showed the replay again and it wasn't as clean as the first two times I saw it but certainly not a 5 minute major.

it was a lot less elbow than 90% of Scott Stevens hits that are supposedly the greatest hits of all-time though.

Not a great hit but certainly not dirty or worthy of a major and similar to many hits in the NHL.

[Jesse834]

Miroslav Šatan. 4-3 Slovakia.

[Jesse834]

Damn! I was kinda of hoping Norway would win.

[HPLovecraft]

Not too many surprises so far in these Olympics... Only Canada losing to the States and I suppose Russia losing to the Slovaks.

[OILFAN #81]

Not too many surprises so far in these Olympics... Only Canada losing to the States and I suppose Russia losing to the Slovaks.

In terms of final results yes but Norway has to be a surprise. They took Switzerland to OT and lost in a 1 goal game to Slovakia. Also Latvia's performance tonight to take the Czech's to OT was a surprise. But as I said, based on results alone, only the two games that you mentioned.

[Sylvanfan]

Considering this qualifying round looked like an absolute joke with only one matchup in the Belarus and Switzerland game looking like it would be competitive on paper it turned out to be an eventful day. Sort of demonstrates how much pressure there is a lose and you are done situation.

[Dan02]

Norway V Slovakia was probably the funnest game I've been to since Sarich buried Marleau in the playoffs a few years back to spark the comeback. Coulda done without the whole headshot incident, but after Norway scored their first goal the whole place was rocking til the end of the game. I was actually high 5ing some USA fans and i didn't even feel dirty about it, i did was my hands extra good when I got home though.

The sad thing was I just commented to Jar_e about a minute before Slovakia scored the winner that Norway was starting to tire out.

Oh well my fellow Norwegian fans, we may not have won, but we outcheered the Slovaks and we'll always have the second period.:) Player of the game honours definately go to number 7 on Norway, all heart, no height. Either that or #35 the string bean who kept going after Chara.

[KTown]

Crap, the Latvians deserved that win.

Kind of like the Swiss deserving to beat Canada??? I think not, give your head a shake

[HPLovecraft]

Kind of like the Swiss deserving to beat Canada??? I think not, give your head a shake

Why should I give my head a shake?

The Latvians played a better game than the Swiss did. And maybe the Swiss did deserve to beat Canada, what's the big fuss?

Put periods at the ends of your sentences.

[Buff]

They showed the replay again and it wasn't as clean as the first two times I saw it but certainly not a 5 minute major.

it was a lot less elbow than 90% of Scott Stevens hits that are supposedly the greatest hits of all-time though.

Not a great hit but certainly not dirty or worthy of a major and similar to many hits in the NHL.

Get some glasses, man up and admit that your initial assessment was wrong. It was a dirty hit. Elbow to head. ELBOW TO HEAD. What isn't dirty about elbow to head? Tollefson's elbow hit Bartecko's head, then their knees hit each other... no other part of Tollefson's body touched Bartecko. No shoulder, no hip or torso... nothing. You don't go about elbowing people in the head. Dirty hit, worthy of a 5 minute major and a game misconduct and his Olympic participation is done.