My Olympic Nightmare

[Datsyerberger 279]

So, in all likelihood, this is one of the upcoming Olympic quarterfinal matchups:

Russia vs Canada

This being a non-medal matchup is TERRIBLE. Why, do you say? Look at this conundrum:

1. Canada loses

Pros:

*Ovy (and Dats?) get more respect; finally something to even out the Ovy vs Crosby matchup in terms of big games play.

Cons:

*Yzerman, Babcock dissing (probably undeservedly so with either prima donna stars or choking goalies) in Canadian media hysteria

2. Russia loses

*Using this as an unfounded prop for Crosby > Ovy

*Inflated Canadian egos (See: Don Cherry)

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The effects would be a lot less exaggerated either way if this were a medal matchup. Ugh, nightmare. Both the professional hockey media and internet forums are going to be ridiculously intolerable either way. I feel like I should just go out and sever my cable/internet line and be done with it.

Edited February 22, 2010 by Datsyerberger

[hak 21]

It just feels so wrong that these two teams have to face eachother already. I want russia to win, but I dont want Babcock and Yzerman to get crusified in Canada either, which they will be if they lose. Its kinda like a lose/lose situation for me.

Sweden (assuming they win vs slovakia) will face the winner of rus/can in the semis. That is a nightmare for all the swedes.

Usa will probably cruise their way to the finals.

Finals: Usa vs Sweden, Third place: Russia vs Cze

Final standings:

1. Swe

2. Usa

3. Rus

[Guest zackmorris]

It's hockey and, well, sports. There will never be a shortage of knowitall fools and overreactor drama queens.

Someone is getting overhyped and/or overly criticized because of this whole thing. My consolation is within a few months no one will remember. The foolish usually have a short memory.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I agree, it's a shame they have to face off in the quarters. But there is no one to blame but Canada themselves, if they had played better they wouldn't be in that situation.

Plus, one of those teams going out early means bigger chances for Sweden or Finland to make the medals again

[FunkedUp 29]

I'm glad Russia and Canada have to face off. That's one less contender that the US has to worry about. US has a favorable route to the medal round, relatively speaking. It's going to be great watching Sweden, Russia, and Canada (the 3 favorites) go at it.

[oldredbarnman 13]

I've been searching for the matchups, and haven't been successful. Would someone please post what the brackets look like. Thanks.

[xtrememachine1 795]

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver...cket/ice_hockey

This is a dream scenario for the US. Canada, Russia and Sweden will all have to play each other on their half of the bracket. The Canadians will have to beat Germany, Russia and Sweden just to get to the Gold Medal round... that's rough. After struggling against Switzerland and losing to the US, they better make some major adjustments soon.

[blikst 1]

I've been searching for the matchups, and haven't been successful. Would someone please post what the brackets look like. Thanks.

Qualification for quarterfinals:

Switzerland-Belarus

Canada-Germany

Czechs-Latvia

Slovakia-Norway

Quarterfinals:

USA-Switzerland/Belarus(F1)

Sweden-Slovakia/Norway (F2)

Russia-Canada/Germany (F3)

Finland-Czechs/Latvia (F4)

Semis:

F1-F4

F2-F3

Edited February 22, 2010 by blikst

[VM1138 1,921]

Qualification for quarterfinals:

Switzerland-Belarus

Canada-Germany

Czechs-Latvia

Slovakia-Norway

Quarterfinals:

USA-Switzerland/Belarus(F1)

Sweden-Slovakia/Norway (F2)

Russia-Canada/Germany (F3)

Finland-Czechs/Latvia (F4)

Semis:

F1-F4

F2-F3

So USA plays Switzerland or Belarus for sure? Wow, that should be the easiest matchup, though Hiller could play lights out.

[dat's sick 1,002]

So USA plays Switzerland or Belarus for sure? Wow, that should be the easiest matchup, though Hiller could play lights out.

I'm kind of upset that Canada couldn't atleast push OT. I'm a little afraid of Slovakia (I picked them as the upset team of the tournament) and it would have been so sweet to have Switzerland in the quarters.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

That's a bad break for Russia and I also wish the seeding was different somehow.

I don't think they match up very well with the Canadian team. Canada has a much more physical team than anything Russia has faced so far. The Czechs and Slovaks looked afraid to throw their bodies around.

I think Canada can play about 25% against Germany and still win, and will likely beat Russia. After that, there's a good chance they'll run out of gas against the remaining competition.

On the bright side, maybe we'll finally see that Malkin/Crosby ACL collision that I'm always raving about.

[Vladifan 680]

I'm glad Russia and Canada have to face off. That's one less contender that the US has to worry about. US has a favorable route to the medal round, relatively speaking. It's going to be great watching Sweden, Russia, and Canada (the 3 favorites) go at it.

Ron Wilson's biggest challenge is to get the USA ready for the next game, whoever it is. If he's smart, and I'm pretty sure he's already proven that, he'll use some of Brooks's tactics from the 80's Olympics.

I must confess I did not have enough faith in the USA to pull off a victory against Canada. So on the one hand, mea culpa personified; on the other, I AM SO DAMN PROUD OF THEM for accomplishing what they did.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I couldn't have drawn up a more ideal scenario for the US. But seriously, its absolutely astounding that one of Canada or Russia will not be medaling.

[henrik40 76]

I couldn't have drawn up a more ideal scenario for the US. But seriously, its absolutely astounding that one of Canada or Russia will not be medaling.

Agreed. I told my buddy at the beginning of the Olympics it'd be crazy if one of those two didn't medal at all. Now it's going to happen.

[cupforwings 138]

Canada will have to beat Russia and Sweden.... this will be a very entertaining week.

Finals Prediction:

1. USA

2. Sweden

3. Russia

I had USA from the beginning and am sticking with them until the end. GO USA!

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i dont think finland/czech republic are going to be anywhere near easy for team USA

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

It just feels so wrong that these two teams have to face eachother already. I want russia to win, but I dont want Babcock and Yzerman to get crusified in Canada either, which they will be if they lose. Its kinda like a lose/lose situation for me.

Sweden (assuming they win vs slovakia) will face the winner of rus/can in the semis. That is a nightmare for all the swedes.

Usa will probably cruise their way to the finals.

Finals: Usa vs Sweden, Third place: Russia vs Cze

Final standings:

1. Swe

2. Usa

3. Rus

i dont think it feels wrong. They got what they deserved! Neither team played with the intensity i was expecting in the first 3 games. Russia, a team with scoring ability on every stick, only scores 1 goal against Slovakia (who played the Czech the night before, and LOST)? Thats a dissapointment any way you look at it. Then you have Canada, ea team playing in their home country whom many have picked to win it all, gets taken to OT by the Swiss, and then lose to USA?

Im not being a USA slappy or anything, but USA and Sweden looked the strongest in the whole tournament. Do i think that Russia or Canada are ganna pack it in and call it quits? No. I think whichever team wins when they meet, will probably still place for gold or silver. I've just been really dissapointed with their play, and when you dont show up on an international level, then you get what you deserve. I think it does make Yzerman and holland look bad because they left alot of guys off the roster that many thought should have made the team, and it makes Babcock look bad because he started Broduer in both of their bad games. But Id be shocked if they didnt turn it around. With that said, Russia is ganna be TOUGH.

I hope that USA doesnt think they are guaranteed anything at this point just because they won their 3 games, because the examples that Russia and canada set in the first 3 games is a prime example of what can happen to a team that takes their talent and spot i nthe bracket for granted. You saw how big of a fight the Swiss game Canada and i would expect the same agaisnt the US if we seem them. I hope that the US can keep up their intensity and place, and the fact that Russia or Canada will be out of the medal rounds strongly increases the chances, but the US can fall as quickly as they rised up. Gotta keep the goaltending sharp and keep playing with the intensity.

Edited February 22, 2010 by Hank Dats 'N Homer

[dat's sick 1,002]

i dont think finland/czech republic are going to be anywhere near easy for team USA

I think Finland will beat the Czech but lose against the US.

Sweden and Finland always have a hard time against Canada/US, especially on small rinks in North America.

[superstarsingh 23]

Canada can blame themselves. The only reason they have to beat Russia and Sweden consecutively is their poor play. I am Canadian but cannot bring myself to cheer for a team that has Pronger, Neidermayer, Getzlaf, Perry, Crosby and the Sharks on the roster. With that said, Go Sweden. I hope we see a rematch of 2006 in Turin.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

I'm glad Russia and Canada have to face off. That's one less contender that the US has to worry about. US has a favorable route to the medal round, relatively speaking. It's going to be great watching Sweden, Russia, and Canada (the 3 favorites) go at it.

US should have a more favorable road to the medal round. they beat canada, plain and simple. pronger is a tool and my canadian boys are s***ting the bed once again. go sweden or something. i'll crank up some in flames and soilwork and watch sweden's medal blend in with their jersey. besides, zetterberg is my favorite player so i can cheer for sweden right?

if not, f*** it i'm gonna anyways!

[ilmickeyli 40]

Glad to see the Canadians jumping off their bandwagons just as soon as they jumped off the wings' wagon

[mjlegend 155]

My Olympic Nightmare is Germany coach Uwe Krupp wanting to return to play for the Wings.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

It just feels so wrong that these two teams have to face eachother already. I want russia to win, but I dont want Babcock and Yzerman to get crusified in Canada either, which they will be if they lose. Its kinda like a lose/lose situation for me.

Sweden (assuming they win vs slovakia) will face the winner of rus/can in the semis. That is a nightmare for all the swedes.

Usa will probably cruise their way to the finals.

Perhaps, but Canada only has themselves to blame for being in this situation.

[titanium2 867]

Plus, one of those teams going out early means bigger chances for Sweden or Finland to make the medals again

If that were to happen then I think I would root for Finland. It'd be a nice story for Salami.

[Guest zackmorris]

Canada is partially to blame, but if that OT game cost them a chance to avoid Russia or the qualifiers, part of the blame can fall on the stupid point system. 3 for a win, but 2 for an OT win? Wtf is the difference? Isn't one harder to accomplish anyway? I'm no expert on how the standings work in Olympic play and I'm too lazy to find out.