I was all set to dash something off about this afternoon's USA win over Norway, but then the SUI-CAN game got in my way.
While I was perfectly content webstreaming the USA game while working and not even looking at my computer, I just spent the this evening on the edge of my seat wondering WHO THE HELL IS JONAS HILLER???
Team USA did so many things wrong this afternoon that the blowout I was hoping for didn't come until well into the third period. With a score of 3 - 1 for a good chunk of the game, Norway was never realy out of it at all. It didn't matter that the SOG were 39 - 11 in favor of the US. They just didn't play well enough. The 6 - 1 final doesn't tell the whole story.
Coach Scott Gordon received a shout out for supposedly orchestrating Ryan Miller's assist on the goal that got the late game energy flowing by yelling "Change! Change!" from the bench. Miller skated out and passed the puck up ice and the game suddenly turned around. (This is all from Pierre's behind the glass bench vantage point. You couldn't hear it on the webstream.)
This would have been great exposure for the Islanders and for Scott Gordon had the game not been buried on CNBC and airing at 3 pm. But I digress.
Let's talk about Mark Streit and Team Switzerland. They have upset Canada before, they almost did it again tonight. With the stellar play of Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, the entire country of Canada held their breath until Sidney Crosby took his SECOND turn in the shoot out. The ONE point that Canada didn't recieve may very well be what changes everything in this Olympics.
Canada and the USA will face off on Sunday night. They both have time to prepare. But if tonight's internet activity is any indication of the viewership expected of that game, I am wondering if NBC will still opt to pre-empt Hockey for curling -- AGAIN.
If you are unhappy with the coverage NBC, the NHL's partner, is giving Hockey, then I urge you to write and tell them. Email them at
[email protected]. These games are in North America and are being pushed aside. Think of what will happen when they are in Russia in four years and the time difference will be far greater. We may only have highlights if we don't let them know how we feel.
On today's NHL Hour with Commissioner Bettman, a caller said he understood why the NHL may not want to continue participation in the Olympics but felt that having the NHL on the world stage would increase the fan base. That is a great point, however, how can it increase the fanbase if the network that broadcasts the games feels they can just cut to a hockey game midway through the first and carry commercials anytime they need? I missed a Swiss goal on Brodeur while CNBC on channel 771 was airing a commercial.
If the NHL is looking to increase the fanbase, I think the game should receive a little more respect from their so-called partner.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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