He was his usual self though. Took bad penalties, made selfish plays and displayed a ton of talent and skill.
- PhillySportsGuy

They had Zherdev!?!?

Have you never heard of Juhamatti Aaltonen before?
Or, more likely, Olli Maata?
- jmatchett383

No, no I haven't.

I know. Good rivalries. I would like Finland a lot more if they had Filpulla, Barkov and the Koivus. As it stands, they have very little offense. If Selanne and Granlund are shut down, there aren't many others who can pot a goal.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, they just made Russia their female dog. This team's D is stellar and that's huge. Don't count them out at all.

Getting booed at the Olympics is about as bad as it gets.
- Briere

HOW DID ALL THOSE PHILLY SPORTS FANS GET TO SOCHI????

They had Zherdev!?!?
- jmatchett383

No, but you can say those same things about Zherdevs work on constructing the building.

I picked Finland as a big underdog for this series and said that thier success or lack there of hinged on their defense and goaltending.

/stealth brag
- jmatchett383

?

don't underestimate the finns bro
- aightwebang17

If it was 2006, I'd agree with you. I'd say Group C is the hardest, as Czech Republic, Sweden, and the Swiss all can win any given day. Each of the other 2 is basically 2 good teams and 2 walk-overs. But yes, Canada probably has the easiest draw.
- jmatchett383

I don't see much of a downgrade in the two finn teams and I'd say their goaltending is much stronger than in 2006. Definitely not a cakewalk win for Canada.
- aightwebang17

Not a cakewalk at all, but I don't think they're going to be that strong. Their blue line will be their weak link?
- jmatchett383

He was his usual self though. Took bad penalties, made selfish plays and displayed a ton of talent and skill.

He was one of the few Russians who consistently got chances. He also battled pretty hard for pucks throughout the tournament.

NBC Sports analysts glowing over the Russian loss and happily criticizing them.
- PhillySportsGuy

I didn't watch it. Who were the analysts?

HOW DID ALL THOSE PHILLY SPORTS FANS GET TO SOCHI????
- johndewar

HAH!

Im pretty sure many of the Russians are glad to be heading back to the States.
- PhillySportsGuy

.....where someone from the Russian mob will be waiting to collect an "Olympic tax".

I didn't watch it. Who were the analysts?
- johndewar

milbury and JR

Well, they just made Russia their female dog. This team's D is stellar and that's huge. Don't count them out at all.
- Giroux_Is_God

Russia is overrated. A good defense can frustrate them. Thats why they never win these things anymore. They are made up of the same players. No grit and not much two-way play. Datsyuk is the only NHL player who played well for the Russians.

I didn't watch it. Who were the analysts?
- johndewar

JR and Milbury

?
- aightwebang17

~the callout~

?
- aightwebang17

And based on paper matchups, Canada did have the easiest draw (but Finland's defense and goaltending made them almost good enough to beat Canada). As for "their blue line being their weak link" I was referring to their versus Canada's. which I still think is the best in the tournament. Those comments were all with regard to ease of draw and play within their pools. Sorry for not being more specific, and thank you for your research efforts.

milbury and JR
- Briere

Wow. They let those two guys analyze hockey games together?

Eeessh.

I like JR well enough. He is just incapable of shutting up.

Milbury? Well....yeah. He's Mike Milbury.

This analyst pairing is the rough equivalent of the Flyers having a defensive pairing of Luke Schenn and Nick Grossmann in a 5 on 5 matchup.

jesus, its thundering here! some where the Norse god Thor is celebrating.

jesus, its thundering here! some where the Norse god Thor is celebrating.
- Briere

+50 !!!

+50 !!!
- jmatchett383

seriously, it LOUD and torrential rain. if this snow......

And based on paper matchups, Canada did have the easiest draw (but Finland's defense and goaltending made them almost good enough to beat Canada). As for "their blue line being their weak link" I was referring to their versus Canada's. which I still think is the best in the tournament. Those comments were all with regard to ease of draw and play within their pools. Sorry for not being more specific, and thank you for your research efforts.
- jmatchett383

Ah, thanks for the clarification. You can understand how one might not interpret "I don't think they're going to be that strong" as a /stealth brag.

Wow. They let those two guys analyze hockey games together?

Eeessh.

I like JR well enough. He is just incapable of shutting up.

Milbury? Well....yeah. He's Mike Milbury.

This analyst pairing is the rough equivalent of the Flyers having a defensive pairing of Luke Schenn and Nick Grossmann in a 5 on 5 matchup.
- johndewar

They should add Don Cherry and Jack Edwards in there just for giggles.

I love it that Russia lost. How embarrising. Just wish we could have been the ones to do it.

What a bunch of choke Richards the Russians are. No chance at a medal with that team is pathetic.

Eat poop Putin, and hand over Snowden while you are at it.

?
- aightwebang17

whoopsies

They should add Don Cherry and Jack Edwards in there just for giggles.
- Tomahawk

I think I'd have to drunk to listen to that broadcast.

And based on paper matchups, Canada did have the easiest draw (but Finland's defense and goaltending made them almost good enough to beat Canada). As for "their blue line being their weak link" I was referring to their versus Canada's. which I still think is the best in the tournament. Those comments were all with regard to ease of draw and play within their pools. Sorry for not being more specific, and thank you for your research efforts.
- jmatchett383

lol