It is hard to imagine anything more phenomenal to cover than the Olympics.

Imagine an entire city working for you.
Imagine being able to hop onto any train or bus for free at any time just by waving your press pass.
Imagine people in light blue vests, at every street, corner ready to answer any question you have.
Imagine being seated in the best seat at any venue and all you need to do is write about it.

Being so close enables another level of coverage. The game becomes more personal. More real. More "Olympic."

The best example so far came on Thursday night when the Slovaks defeated the Russians, in easily the biggest victory in Slovakian Hockey history.

The Slovaks had no right hanging with the Russians. No right whatsoever. And yet I watched it happen. I saw it slowly turning a few feet away.

I have always believed in a theory I call "Gloves on the Wall."

I must admit it is not entirely my own theory, but was born out of two things told to me as a kid by Darryl Sittler. Sittler was driving me and friend home from a game at the Spectrum (long story, but Ryan was friends with my sister).

Darryl said you could tell the momentum swings in a hockey game, if a team was ready to win or lose, by utilizing two methods. (sidenote: This is how the 14-year-old me remembers it... I think I have tweaked it a few times in the last 28 years, but Mr. Sittler holds the copywrite)

#1...by listening to which teams was skating with their sticks on the ice. If you can hear a team's sticks on the ice, that team was in it. They were in the game, focused and grabbing momentum.

#2...by looking at the boards in front of the team's bench. If players on the bench are sitting upright or standing, that team is in it. If a majority of players on a team are leaning on the boards as they sit, if you see their gloves on top of the bench, that team is gassed and has lost the momentum. That team is out of it.

Fast forward from Sittler's car to the Russian and Slovaks the other night...

Overtime done, the shootout underway. Not sure how many of you saw this. It was almost 3 am in the east at the time, but the Slovaks were all standing and the Russians, nervous they were about to suffer a huge upset were nervous, and for what it is worth, their gloves were all resting on the bench as they leaned forward.

Their are many talented Russians when it comes to the shootout, and yet the team went with Alex Ovechkin, historically an average shootout performer, as their guy for 3 of the 5 shots. You really must read Eric Duhatschek's book "King of Russia" where he follows Dave King through Russia to understand Russia's coach's thinking on going with Ovechkin. Russian kids are brought up in tiers. Your first liners are forever first liners. Your second liners are forever second liners, and on down the line...

Ovechkin is your first line player. The best player. Even if he is not the best at shootouts, he is your best player. You go with your best player.

The devastation of Russia's loss was all contained in the expression on the face of Ovechkin as the puck bounced on the three-game-weary ice as he skated in...his third attempt to beat Jaroslav Halak.

Had I not been so close I would not have seen his face.
Had I not been so close I would not been able to see him struggle to keep the disc flat as he moved in.
Had I not been so close I never would have seen the smiles on the Slovak bench as Demitra beat Bryzgalov and won Slovakia's version of the Miracle on Ice.

These Olympics have already provided so much emption.
But as for tomorrow...as for tomorrow...
What more can be said about tomorrow?
They have nicknamed it Super Sunday in Vancouver.

Russia/Czech open the day.
Finland/Sweden close the day.
and in the middle...Canada meets America.

I feel so blessed to be able to witness these moments and write about them for you. I can't even tell you how much.
- Eklund

I expected better from you. Prax.

ou make me angry. For real. But then I realize, you are simply pathetic.

Im far from alarmist. If you cared to discuss and probe you might learn something about perspective... ohhh but, hang on, you are never wrong and alll knowing... sorry I submit to thy grandeur.

Its the act of interaction Prax. You know. Having the ability to come to a public forum and have a productive interesting insightful and humorous exchange. I have never claimed to have the answers and have preachy teachings to deliver. Sounds like you projecting to me. Sounds like perhaps, Prax you have the superiority complex and lace it with arrogance and condescending guile.




- Prax

I think he likes you.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0058089/bio


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBNP5kVfuQ



- Crimsoninja




No words I have can possibly portray my feelings at this moment. Filled with so much win I can't even comprehend. Crimsoninja, you are a great man.

To whom do we owe this diamond?
- awesomerino

Carlin, for sure.

Hey Matthew why are you such an ego douche bag you (frank)ing diva why to you female dog so much and write stupid gay ass poop? you just do it for hits you have no respect for youself take time in you (frank)ing blogs and stop saying stupid sh1t just to get hits and we might stop sayig poop to you
- westsidebluejacket

[quote=Pikey]
i am almost 100% sure i will get banned for that

i am almost 100% sure i will get banned for that
- westsidebluejacket

More than two spelling errors right?

More than two spelling errors right?
- Pikey

i see 1 there might be two in there

i see 1 there might be two in there
- westsidebluejacket

The almost total lack of proper punctuation aside:

Hey Matthew why are you such an ego douche bag you (frank)ing diva why to you female dog so much and write stupid gay ass poop? you just do it for hits you have no respect for youself take time in you (frank)ing blogs and stop saying stupid sh1t just to get hits and we might stop sayig poop to you

The almost total lack of proper punctuation aside:

Hey Matthew why are you such an ego douche bag you (frank)ing diva why to you female dog so much and write stupid gay ass poop? you just do it for hits you have no respect for youself take time in you (frank)ing blogs and stop saying stupid sh1t just to get hits and we might stop sayig poop to you
- Pikey

im sorry i forgot i was in english class

im sorry i forgot i was in english class
- westsidebluejacket

I didn't make up the two spelling error ban rule. Watson did. So don't you get sassy with me.

you guys forgot "sayig"

I didn't make up the two spelling error ban rule. Watson did. So don't you get sassy with me.
- Pikey

you guys forgot "sayig"
- brodie_bruce

you guys forgot "sayig"
- brodie_bruce

Dude I don't even know you, so step off.

- westsidebluejacket

dude. "sayig"?!

they're definitely banning you.

Dude I don't even know you, so step off.
- Pikey

sorry, stranger.



(antisocial wiener)

dude. "sayig"?!

they're definitely banning you.
- brodie_bruce

i havent seen kicksave around.

i havent seen kicksave around.
- westsidebluejacket

oh, i don't know. i think i saw him around. send him a PM or something.

oh, i don't know. i think i saw him around. send him a PM or something.
- brodie_bruce

sorry, stranger.



(antisocial wiener)
- brodie_bruce

If you think I come here to talk with people, then you're more lost than a Quebecer in the vegetable produce section.

I only come here to make fun of sub-humans from Ohio (which is everyone from Ohio).

If you think I come here to talk with people, then you're more lost than a Quebecer in the vegetable produce section.

I only come here to make fun of sub-humans from Ohio (which is everyone from Ohio).
- Pikey

rude!


(people from ohio do totally suck, don't they?)

If you think I come here to talk with people, then you're more lost than a Quebecer in the vegetable produce section.

I only come here to make fun of sub-humans from Ohio (which is everyone from Ohio).
- Pikey

thats not funny (frank) u piece of poop

thats not funny (frank) u piece of poop
- westsidebluejacket

Whoa, don't talk to me like I'm Matthew Barry. Watch it.