wings87

Try nbcolympics.com

While Russia has never been a powerhouse in any of these sports, my point is that with the influx of cash by the Russian government into the various sports programs, ( not to mention flat out buying athletes as is the case with the former South Korean short track star Victor Ahn) Russia and the US will be going head to head in more sports in the years to come. As far as figure skating goes even though Russia rarely wins anything other then man's or pair's medals they still believe that figure skating is their sport. Which is evidenced by a lot of the top coaches coming from former Soviet Republics. In general the Russia Canada rivalry is bigger, but I believe it's a little divided. Where as the older generation that remembers the Soviet and Canadian battles will always have a hatred toward Canada. The younger generation that doesn't quite have the same connection to the super series might see the US as a bigger rival. Also taking into account that not counting the 1980 miracle team the US team is somewhat of a newcomer to the rivalry but if games like today continue- US vs Russia might be on the way to surpassing Russia vs Canada. Of course I'm just guessing but that's what I believe.

I didn't think we where fighting, the truce remark was supposed to be a joke. But some other sports are skeleton, women's figure skating, short track and long track skating(the last two only last couple Olympics) Russia has been pouring money into the sports program so I'm sure pretty soon the US and Russia will be competitors in more sports.

I don't necessarily disagree with you about Canada but you are trying to compare US games with the a Fins and Czechs which is off. Really the only winter sports where Russia is competitive and US isn't is Biathlon and cross country, but in other sports where Russia is competitive they are either directly or indirectly competing with the US. And whether you care about the geopolitical pissing match as you called it or not doesn't matter since it does exist. But we won't agree and I'm tired so let's just agree to disagree and move on. Truce?

Losing in hockey maybe, but losing to the US feeds into the bigger hatred the US and Russia have always had for each other. I agree with you that the game itself didn't mean a whole lot but losing to the US did. So let's not compare losing to the US team with losing to the Czechs, Fins, or especially France(not even in the knockout stage) it's not even close just like beating the US team would be a huge win for Russia. It wasn't the gold medal match but let's not minimize it either. The Cold War may have died down but with Putin coming back the Cold War has reignited again, but this forum is no place to talk about anything but hockey. In general Russia doesn't like the US, they don't like losing to the US and love winning against the US. Which makes it debatable whether they hate to lose more to Canada or the US.

Not even if you paid me, well maybe if you paid me but then I would end up selling him to Canada.

I guess I should have been clearer, by everything I didn't necessarily mean hockey. While in hockey they may hate Canada more(which is debatable) on the world stage USA is Russia's biggest rival and the hate for the US is much greater. I don't wanna go into politics or things that don't have anything to do with hockey but beating the US in anything is a big deal in Russia just as losing to the US is a big dagger to the heart.

While the hype is over blown, the loss to the USA means a whole lot in Russia. They not only lost but lost to their biggest rivals in everything on home ice in the Olympics with their President in the building. Plus tell guys like Kesler and Mcdonagh that this game didn't mean anything, both of those guys had huge shot blocks off of big shots from Ovechkin and Kovalchuk. It's definately not the miracle on ice but this game meant a heck of a lot to both teams. Also for some fans, like myself, that used to live in the Soviet Union and have no love loss for Russia this game gave me a huge smile.

I don't think you can call delay of game there, it's not like Quick knocked the net completely off, he went to make a save and the net barely got dislodged. On a side note I never liked Radulov, but today I think all USA fans owe him a debt of gratitude. So if I'm permitted on behalf of all USA fans I would like to say: Thanks Sasha we couldn't have done it without you.

I could see where there could be conspiracy complaints, but IMHO there is no controversy. If the net is off then it's no goal the refs followed the rules and disallowed it. Really the only mistake the officials made was not seeing that the net was off in the first place. But what's a great game without a little controversy, huh?

I've got a giant man crush on Oshie right now, just think of all the shootouts the Wings would have won if we had him.

Awesome.

While I get the premise of the article I simply don't think you can call a franchise that has made 22 consecutive playoff appearances a dark horse.

Scary is putting it mildly, I wish him and his family the best and a fast recovery.

He might not have a top gear yet. Though after sitting 5 weeks it's not surprising, as long as he stays healthy he will continue to improve with time.

There is always some concern with a guy coming off injury, but I thought he looked good for someone who missed 5 weeks.

I'm so sick of the Panther games they lack any excitement, I'm just sitting there waiting for the game to end(hopefully with a win but as quickly as possible). On another note Pav looked decent tonight, he's still extremely cautious of contact but that's to be expected with being out for 5 weeks. The most important thing is that he got through the game healthy.

Can you imagine Mickey during the game saying "the rise n grind line scores again ". Or "the Rise and grind Line really stuck it to the goalie"

Both seem to have been lucky, we should all wish them a speedy recover and good health.

I'm with you, my family keeps telling me I've become an unpleasant person to watch games with.

If they lose another game to Florida I'm going to start throwing things.

I'm concerned the only reason he is playing is to see whether he is healthy enough to play in the Olympics, I hope he is healthy enough not to have a setback.

Little Caesars Eaters.

St. Louis should never have been left off the team in the first place. He deserves to go the most.

Saw this on Twitter. They're better off buying tents and sleeping outside. I feel bad for Weber having to sleep in one of these beds.