LIVE THREAD: 2006 Torino Olympics - DAY 8 - Saturday Combined Thread

Free Republic ^ | February 18, 2006

[Alberta's Child]

You could be right about that. I also think, though, that they've got very poor chemistry up front for this style of play. I don't like Tkachuk in the Olympics, and players like Guerin, Modano, and Weight are all over 35 years of age. They're going to wear down in a short tournament like this.

Team USA should be built around forwards like Gomez, Gionta, and Rolston (all drafted by the NJ Devils, coincidentally). They seem most at home in this type of game.

[MikefromOhio]

and with the NHL season, that's nearly impossible to do.

They don't have nearly this problem at the worlds.....

[Nexus6]

I would've had the NJ Devils Paul Martin in there over Chelios. Extremely mobile, good offensive skills, a future powerplay quarterback, much in the style of Scott Niedermayer IMO.

[MikefromOhio]

yeah....

it'd be nice.

I think the US will be in good shape in the coming decade, but right now they are in transition.

[MikefromOhio]

we will see...

I didn't honestly expect the US to advance after the tie.

I don't think they will beat RUssia and Sweden is going to be a good game.

[Accygirl]

The NHL is seriously considering dropping its commitment after this Olympics though, which makes sense. The NHL is in North American (mainly U.S. markets); they don't get any uptick in popularity by permitting players to go play for Team USA and come in sixth at the Olympics. And the U.S. could then go back to real "Dream Teams." Or at least make the top players give a commitment to play x-number of games together throughout the quad leading up to the Olympics, like Coach K. is doing with the Basketball Team. (However, since I'm an Illini alum and hate Duke and Coach K. with a passion, I still hope that he fails miserably.)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I still love Bode

;]

I just wanted to say it.

[netmilsmom]

Ohno took only Bronze in the 1000.
His girlfriend didn't qualify at all.

Between him and the hockey, I need a shot, and I don't drink. >:-(.

[Alberta's Child]

I think Martin is in Torino and would be added in the event of an injury, but I can understand why they left him off the roster. He started very slow for the Devils this year and only picked up his play in the last month or so.

[MikefromOhio]

oh.......well my Buckeyes did kick your butts the other weekend :)

If I were the NHL I wouldn't allow my players to play either.

It would even things up a bit I think.

But until that happens, it'd be just damn dumb to run college kids out there to get their teeth kicked in.

6th is better than being Kazahstan's playtoy....

[Nexus6]

Is Bryan Berard on the roster?...I haven't seen him in any games. Another obvious choice over Chelios IMO.

[Alberta's Child]

Didn't Berard fail a test for steroids or something like that?

[Accygirl]

Yep the Illini are in much sucking this year (and probably will be for another twenty years).

As for the hockey team, considering that the latest group of NHL guys can't win a game against Lativa, we're well on our way to being Kazakhstan's plaything.

[elli1]

Got a good look at the American goalie's helmet in HD - one side looked like something about 9/11 (not sure), but the other side clearly had a POW/MIA flag, and the Vietnam Veterans' memorial with a Huey flying across the background. Anybody have any info on him?

I was most intrigued by the Mexican flag he's got on his throat guard.

During the game, the announcer said that the goalie's dad is a VietNam vet and was in a helicopter that was shot down in VN.

[NCC-1701]

Looks like a Ben Rothleberger moment. Did the ball cross the goal line?

[Accygirl]

Another American athlete trying for the Olympic long chokejob (ala Bode Miller). Heck the only team actually exceeding expectations is Men's Curling..

Frankly, the American team is in much sucking right now. However, at least we're no longer tied for last place in medals with the Canadians..

[Nexus6]

I hadn't heard that, but I wouldn't be surprised. Then again, maybe he was disqualified for using Propecia (i.e. Jose Theodore).

[MikefromOhio]

nah we still beat Kazahstan.

I think the Latvia game as a game of jet lag and lack of chemistry. If you look at it, the US should've won the game big time. They won every category except on the scoreboard.

Arturs Irbe stole that game.

[MikefromOhio]

Berard got popped for a steroid earlier this year and was DQ'd for the Olympics.

Not only that, but he's currently injured with a bad back, which is what he took the steroid for anyway.....

[NormsRevenge]

Combined Live Thread..

Oh.. you folks are going Nordic on the week-end,, Cool!

Busch race over, Tony "Smoke" Stewart won todat's event.

tomorrow , the Big One! Daytona 500..

I wish I had HD.. I wish I could afford it. :-)