CANADA MAN'S OLYMPIC THREAD

[CANADA MAN]

I'll post my Olympic plays in this thread for the duration of the games. (all plays from pinnacle)




3 FUTURES PLAYS:


Proposition/Future

Selection 1: Ice Hockey
Olympic Winter Games Women
Who will win the Gold Medal?
201. Canada -184
Risking 368.00 to Win 200.00 CAD


Proposition/Future

Selection 1: Ice Hockey
Olympic Winter Games Men
Will Canada Win the Gold Medal?
102. No -145
Risking 290.00 to Win 200.00 CAD


Proposition/Future

Selection 1: Ice Hockey
Olympic Winter Games Men
Will Russia Win the Gold Medal?
103. Yes +267
Risking 200.00 to Win 534.00 CAD



:mj06:

 

[CANADA MAN]

RUSSIA VS. LATVIA



Selection 1: Olympics - Men , Hockey
Russian Federation 16-February-2010 9:00 PM PST
Spread -4 for Game -109
Risking 218.00 to Win 200.00 CAD

 

[CANADA MAN]

WOMEN - USA vs. CHINA


Selection 1: Olympics - Women, Hockey
United States 14-February-2010 12:00 PM PST
Spread -9 for Game -126
Risking 126.00 to Win 100.00 CAD



:mj06:

 

[CANADA MAN]

USA wins 12-1. Surprised China even got a goal.




Olympics Record: 1-0
+$100



:mj06:

 

[munge63]

tailed you on this one for $200,also played over 10.5 for $100,thank you and keep em comin.

 

[CANADA MAN]

You're welcome munge, and congrats on hitting that Over too. Hope you're also on the Russia play for this Tuesday which I posted two days ago - it should be an easy win. Spread is still -4, but price is now -133. I wouldn't be surprised if the spread jumps to -5 by game-time. Russia could win this game by double digits. Good Luck.

C.M.

 

[bert07]

what do you think about the russia mens over 7?

 

[munge63]

i am on Russia as well,also on Sweden -3.5 over Germany and U.S. -2.5 over Switzerland,any thoughts on todays women's hockey,canada vs. Switzerland?

 

[CANADA MAN]

Watching the Canadian women right now. No play though. I do like the "Over 7" in tomorrow's Men's Russia game, and think it's a good play, but I'll stick with my Russia -4 for game instead. It just feels safer, and I got it at the very low price of -109 last Friday. Now the price is -147. Minus 4 is a ridiculous spread for these two teams. Russia could be up 4-0 after the first. I don't know what Pinnacle is thinking. :shrug:

 

[CANADA MAN]

I know this was 4 years ago, but here are the results of the Men's Hockey in 2006. Russia beat Latvia 9-2 last time they met, and now Russia sports a much better team while Latvia is not as strong.



Gold Medal Game, Feb. 26
Sweden 3 - Finland 2

Bronze Medal Game, Feb. 25
Czech Republic 3 - Russia 0
Semifinals, Feb. 24

Sweden 7 - Czech Republic 3

Finland 4 - Russia 0
Quarterfinals, Feb. 22

Sweden 6 - Switzerland 2
Finland 4 - USA 3
Russia 2 - Canada 0
Czech Republic 3 - Slovakia 1



Preliminary Round Results -

Feb. 21


Kazakhstan 5 - Latvia 2
Switzerland 3 - Italy 3
Finland 2 - Germany 0
Canada 3 - Czech Republic 2
Slovakia 3 - Sweden 0
Russia 5 - United States 4
Feb. 19


Germany 2 - Switzerland 2
Russia 9 - Latvia 2
Slovakia 2 - Kazakhstan 1
Sweden 2 - United States 1
Czech Republic 4 - Italy 1
Finland 2 - Canada 0
Feb. 18

Russia 1 - Kazakhstan 0
Italy 3 - Germany 3
Switzerland 2 - Canada 0
Sweden 6 - Latvia 1
Slovakia 2 - United States 1
Finland 4 - Czech Republic 2
Feb. 16


Finland 6 - Italy 0
Switzerland 3 - Czech Republic 2
Russia 5 - Sweden 0
Slovakia 6 - Latvia 3
Canada 5 - Germany 1
United States 4 - Kazakhstan 1
Feb. 15


Sweden 7 - Kazakhstan 2
Canada 7 - Italy 2
Finland 5 - Switzerland 0
Czech Republic 4 - Germany 1
Slovakia 5 - Russia 3
Latvia 3 - United States 3

 

[CANADA MAN]

Latvia's Roser:



ANKIPANS Girts
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:186 cm (6' 1")
Weight:88 kg (194 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthNovember 29, 1975
Age34

BARTULIS Oskars
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:186 cm (6' 1")
Weight:87 kg (192 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 21, 1987
Age23

BERZINS Armands
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:192 cm (6' 3")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthDecember 27, 1983
Age26

CIPULIS Martins
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:181 cm (5' 11")
Weight:82 kg (181 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthNovember 29, 1980
Age29

DARZINS Lauris
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:189 cm (6' 2")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 28, 1985
Age25

DAUGAVINS Kaspars
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:178 cm (5' 10")
Weight:85 kg (187 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthMay 18, 1988
Age21

GALVINS Guntis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:186 cm (6' 1")
Weight:87 kg (192 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 25, 1986
Age24

KARSUMS Martins
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:178 cm (5' 10")
Weight:80 kg (176 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthFebruary 26, 1986
Age23

LAVINS Rodrigo
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:180 cm (5' 10")
Weight:84 kg (185 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthAugust 3, 1974
Age35

MASALSKIS Edgars
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:177 cm (5' 9")
Weight:78 kg (172 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthMarch 31, 1980
Age29

MEIJA Gints
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:186 cm (6' 1")
Weight:86 kg (190 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthSeptember 4, 1987
Age22

MUSTUKOVS Ervins
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:188 cm (6' 2")
Weight:85 kg (187 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthApril 7, 1984
Age25

NAUMOVS Sergejs
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:177 cm (5' 9")
Weight:78 kg (172 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthApril 4, 1969
Age40

NIZIVIJS Aleksandrs
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:177 cm (5' 9")
Weight:78 kg (172 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthSeptember 16, 1976
Age33

PUJACS Georgijs
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:184 cm (6' 0")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJune 11, 1981
Age28

REDLIHS Krisjanis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:190 cm (6' 2")
Weight:91 kg (201 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 15, 1981
Age29

REDLIHS Mikelis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:180 cm (5' 10")
Weight:80 kg (176 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJuly 1, 1984
Age25

REKIS Arvids
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:185 cm (6' 0")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 1, 1979
Age31

SIROKOVS Aleksejs
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:182 cm (5' 11")
Weight:88 kg (194 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthFebruary 20, 1981
Age28

SKRASTINS Karlis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:187 cm (6' 1")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJuly 9, 1974
Age35

SOTNIEKS Kristaps
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:184 cm (6' 0")
Weight:88 kg (194 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 29, 1987
Age23

SPRUKTS Janis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:192 cm (6' 3")
Weight:95 kg (209 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthJanuary 31, 1982
Age28

VASILJEVS Herberts
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:181 cm (5' 11")
Weight:82 kg (181 lbs) Nationality:Latvia
Date of BirthMay 27, 1976
Age33




Russia's Roster:



AFINOGENOV Maxim
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:183 cm (6' 0")
Weight:88 kg (194 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthSeptember 4, 1979
Age30

ANANINA Ekaterina
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:172 cm (5' 7")
Weight:62 kg (137 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJune 13, 1991
Age18

BRYZGALOV Ilya
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:190 cm (6' 2")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJune 22, 1980
Age29

BURINA Tatiana
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:165 cm (5' 4")
Weight:70 kg (154 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMarch 20, 1980
Age29

DATSYUK Pavel
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:182 cm (5' 11")
Weight:88 kg (194 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 20, 1978
Age31

DEULINA Yulia
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:173 cm (5' 8")
Weight:62 kg (137 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthApril 14, 1984
Age25

DYUBANOK Inna
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:166 cm (5' 5")
Weight:63 kg (139 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthFebruary 20, 1990
Age19

FEDOROV Sergey
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:189 cm (6' 2")
Weight:92 kg (203 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthDecember 13, 1969
Age40

GASHENNIKOVA Irina
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:164 cm (5' 4")
Weight:66 kg (146 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMay 11, 1975
Age34

GAVRILOVA Iya
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:173 cm (5' 8")
Weight:67 kg (148 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthSeptember 3, 1987
Age22

GONCHAR Sergey
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:185 cm (6' 0")
Weight:94 kg (207 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthApril 13, 1974
Age35

GREBESHKOV Denis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:185 cm (6' 0")
Weight:93 kg (205 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthOctober 11, 1983
Age26

KALININ Dmitry
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:189 cm (6' 2")
Weight:96 kg (212 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 22, 1980
Age29

KAPUSTINA Alexandra
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:166 cm (5' 5")
Weight:74 kg (163 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthApril 7, 1984
Age25

KHOMICH Alena
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:168 cm (5' 6")
Weight:55 kg (121 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthFebruary 26, 1981
Age28

KORNEYEV Konstantin
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:180 cm (5' 10")
Weight:82 kg (181 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJune 5, 1984
Age25

KOVALCHUK Ilya
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:188 cm (6' 2")
Weight:99 kg (218 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthApril 15, 1983
Age26

KOZLOV Viktor
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:195 cm (6' 4")
Weight:106 kg (234 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthFebruary 14, 1975
Age35

LEBEDEVA Ekaterina
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:166 cm (5' 5")
Weight:66 kg (146 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthSeptember 14, 1989
Age20

MALKIN Evgeni
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:191 cm (6' 3")
Weight:87 kg (192 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 31, 1986
Age23

MARKOV Andrei
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:183 cm (6' 0")
Weight:90 kg (198 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthDecember 20, 1978
Age31

MOROZOV Alexei
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:188 cm (6' 2")
Weight:91 kg (201 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthFebruary 16, 1977
Age32

NABOKOV Evgeni
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:183 cm (6' 0")
Weight:91 kg (201 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 25, 1975
Age34

NIKULIN Ilya
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:191 cm (6' 3")
Weight:100 kg (220 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMarch 12, 1982
Age27

ONOLBAEVA Mariya
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:178 cm (5' 10")
Weight:78 kg (172 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthDecember 25, 1978
Age31

OVECHKIN Alexander
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:188 cm (6' 2")
Weight:99 kg (218 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthSeptember 17, 1985
Age24

PERMYAKOVA Olga
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:171 cm (5' 7")
Weight:67 kg (148 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthApril 12, 1982
Age27

PETROVSKAYA Kristina
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:170 cm (5' 6")
Weight:64 kg (141 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJune 3, 1980
Age29

POLUNINA Zoya
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:170 cm (5' 6")
Weight:65 kg (143 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJune 12, 1991
Age18

PRUGOVA Anna
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:174 cm (5' 8")
Weight:62 kg (137 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthNovember 20, 1993
Age16

RADULOV Alexander
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:186 cm (6' 1")
Weight:84 kg (185 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 5, 1986
Age23

SEMIN Alexander
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:189 cm (6' 2")
Weight:93 kg (205 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMarch 3, 1984
Age25

SERGINA Marina
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:168 cm (5' 6")
Weight:68 kg (150 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMarch 2, 1986
Age23

SMOLENTSEVA Ekaterina
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:176 cm (5' 9")
Weight:65 kg (143 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthSeptember 15, 1981
Age28

SOSINA Olga
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:160 cm (5' 2")
Weight:66 kg (146 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 27, 1992
Age17

SOTNIKOVA Tatiana
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:167 cm (5' 5")
Weight:59 kg (130 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJanuary 20, 1981
Age29

TERENTEVA Svetlana
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:163 cm (5' 4")
Weight:69 kg (152 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthSeptember 25, 1983
Age26

TKACHEVA Svetlana
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:170 cm (5' 6")
Weight:63 kg (139 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthNovember 3, 1984
Age25

TYUTIN Fedor
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:188 cm (6' 2")
Weight:92 kg (203 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 19, 1983
Age26

VAFINA Aleksandra
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:168 cm (5' 6")
Weight:57 kg (126 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthJuly 28, 1990
Age19

VARLAMOV Semen
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:182 cm (5' 11")
Weight:88 kg (194 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthApril 27, 1988
Age21

VOLCHENKOV Anton
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:187 cm (6' 1")
Weight:105 kg (231 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthFebruary 25, 1982
Age27

ZARIPOV Danis
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:184 cm (6' 0")
Weight:79 kg (174 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMarch 26, 1981
Age28

ZINOVYEV Sergey
Sport: Ice Hockey
Height:180 cm (5' 10")
Weight:78 kg (172 lbs) Nationality:Russian Federation
Date of BirthMarch 4, 1980
Age29

 

[CANADA MAN]

The Lowdown on Latvia:



- For many years the Latvian national team relied heavily on a veteran core that trained under the old Soviet system. Most notably, goaltender Arturs Irbe and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh were the team's marquee talents. But the passage of time and the end of these players' careers have thrust Latvia into a transitional phase.

- There are just a few Latvian players in the NHL, among whom only veteran defenseman Karlis Skrastins and rookie Oskars Bartulis are on the Olympic roster. Veteran Los Angeles Kings enforcer Raitis Ivanans (0 points, 115 penalty minutes in 52 games) in not on the squad. Forwards Janis Sprukts and Martins Karsums and veteran leader Herbert Vasiljevs will play key roles up front for the Latvians.

- Latvia is in a tough preliminary round pool (they're all tough, but Latvia got an exceptionally unfavorable draw) that features Russia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While the Latvians have pulled off past upsets at the World Championships, it seems unlikely at the Olympics. Keeping the goal differential down and avoiding another 12th-place finish would be a solid accomplishment for the Latvians.

- Forty-year-old goaltender Sergei Naumov (Sergejs Naumovs in Latvian) extended his career with Dinamo Riga for the purpose of participating in his third Olympics for Latvia. Naumov, who played in various North American minor leagues from 1994-2001, is small compared to many of the other starting goalies in the tournament. It often looks like there's plenty of net to shoot at when he's on goal, but he's acrobatic and quick.

- Team Latvia is likely to be significantly out-chanced and outshot in all three of its preliminary round games. Shot differentials of around 50-12 or 60-18 are not uncommon when Latvia plays elite opposition. Naumov knows the drill and is not intimidated, having been through it all before.

- Karlis Skrastins has been a hard-working, reliable and durable performer throughout his NHL career. The 35-year-old Dallas Stars defenseman blocks shots willingly and does not often throw away pucks blindly. He will be relied on to play heavy minutes in Vancouver, as he is the closest thing Latvia has to a shutdown defenseman.

- Any way you slice it, Team Latvia is going to struggle to put the puck in the net. Even so, the club has some opportunistic offensive players. Janis Sprukts and Martins Karsums paced Latvia through the qualifiers in Riga; Sprukts led the squad with 7 points in three games, while Karsums had 4 goals and 2 assists. Veteran Herbert Vasiljevs, a former NHLer who currently plays in Germany's DEL for the Krefeld Penguins, remains one of Latvia's key leaders.

- For a country like Latvia -- which has one of the hockey world's most passionate and loyal fan bases -- participation in the Olympic hockey tournament is a success in and of itself. Znaroks, his players and the hockey savvy fans are well aware that the team stands to be overmatched against all three of its preliminary round opponents. The team will give its all, regardless of the outcomes, but some of the scores could be ugly against the likes of Team Russia. Meanwhile, the extremely vocal contingent of Latvian fans will have a good time singing, stomping, chanting 'Saruj Latvija!' and whistling derisively at any call that goes against their beloved team.

 

[CANADA MAN]

...As I thought, the line has moved. It is now -4.5 (-101) at pinnacle so I'm playing it again for another hundred. :00hour



Selection 1: Olympics - Men , Hockey
Russian Federation 16-February-2010 9:00 PM PST
Spread -4.5 for Game -101
Risking 101.00 to Win 100.00 CAD


:toast:

 

[CANADA MAN]

USA vs. SWITZERLAND



Selection 1: Olympics - Men , Hockey
Switzerland 16-February-2010 12:00 PM PST
Money Line for Game +1048
Risking 19.08 to Win 200.00 CAD



O.K. call me crazy (where have we heard that before?) but I think spending less than $20 on this play is well worth it to win $200!! This is why I like this play:


SWITZERLAND:

- The tournament marks the end of Ralph Krueger's era at the helm of Team Switzerland. The Manitoba-born coach has agreed to step down after the Olympic tournament. Naturally, he would like to end his 13-year career as the national team coach on the highest possible note: a medal.

In Torino four years ago, Switzerland beat the Czech Republic 3-2 and two days later shocked Canada 2-0, with Martin Gerber getting the shutout. In the quarterfinal, Switzerland was eliminated with a 6-2 loss to Sweden, which went on to Olympic gold while the Swiss finished sixth.

- Anaheim's Jonas Hiller was always going to be the starter in this tournament, but Martin Gerber's neck injury in a Russian KHL league game earlier this season did take down a good backup. Now the team is Hiller's to carry, and the Anaheim Duck who turns 28 on the day of the Olympic opening ceremony is surely a big enough man to handle the pressure.

- The Islanders' Mark Streit is coach Krueger's go-to guy. At the 2009 World Championships he received the most ice time of all players in the tournament, and led the team in scoring with 5 points in six games. Streit will be the man on the point of the power play and he'll quarterback the action from there.

- Even if there's no current NHL experience on the Swiss offense, there's a lot of experience. Martin Pluss and Ivo Ruthemann have been around a block or two, and Hnat Domenichelli has played over 200 games in the NHL for the Whalers, Flames, Thrashers and Wild. When the Swiss National League A went on its Olympic break, the Edmonton-born Domenichelli was second in scoring with 27 goals and 59 points in 48 games. In Vancouver, he'll be making his true international debut wearing the Swiss jersey, and to do it in Canada will be special for him.

- The Ducks thought Hiller was the man of the future, so they signed him to a four-year contract extension. Hiller's new deal also made him the second-best paid Swiss athlete in the world, behind tennis star Roger Federer. A low-scoring, disciplined team like Switzerland builds its team on solid goaltending, and in Hiller, they have it.

- The gap between the top nations and Switzerland has narrowed in recent years, and while Switzerland probably wouldn't win a best-of-seven series against any of the top-six ranked teams, it just as likely wouldn't loose in a sweep, either. And with the Olympic tournament coming down to a few one-game eliminations, Switzerland has a chance to surprise.

- Of course, if that is to happen, Hiller must be on top of his game, Streit must play inspired and he must bring an extra set of lungs because he will be playing a lot, and the forwards must score on their chances. A few calls in Switzerland's favor, an effective power play, and the team can shut down any opponent.


USA


- If Team USA General Manager Brian Burke has said it once, he said it 1,000 times. Now repeat after me: "Not a penny is going to be bet on this team in Vegas. We know that. We know we are underdogs."

- Anybody remember the 1996 World Cup of Hockey? The 2010 American Olympic team is nowhere near as talented as its predecessor from 14 seasons ago, but does possess the dominant goalie -- Buffalo's Ryan Miller playing the role of Mike Richter -- to pull off a few upsets in a short, no-room-for-error tournament like the Olympics.

- Injuries have left the Americans scrambling on the blue line. Both Paul Martin and Mike Komisarek were forced to withdraw less than two weeks before the tournament. Martin, Team USA's best puck-moving defenseman, will be sorely missed by a team that will likely scuffle to score. Komisarek's big body and physical bent will be missed against teams like Canada and Sweden, both of whom feature a raft of power forwards.

- As a result, a ton of pressure will be placed on Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski. He does his job well, but has been most comfortable in the shadows, playing behind Scott Niedermayer in New Jersey and Nick Lidstrom in Detroit. But here, Rafalski will have to be 2010's version of Brian Leetch, circa 1996, carrying play in both the defensive and offensive zones.

- How young are the Americans on the blue line? Well, after the 36-year-old Rafalski, Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik is the graybeard at all of 29. Jack Johnson of Los Angeles is only 23 and Erik Johnson in St. Louis is just 21. Nashville's Ryan Suter is a mere 25, while injury replacements Ryan Whitney and Tim Gleason are 26 and 27, respectively. There will be some serious growing up taking place in Vancouver for the Americans.

- The Americans do have some game-breakers up front with Chicago's Patrick Kane and New Jersey's Zach Parise jumping immediately to mind. But unlike the aforementioned Russians or Canadians, Team USA does not possess the talent to field three dangerous scoring lines.

- Ryan Miller will be the Team USA story in Vancouver. He has earned the No. 1 job, beating out Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas of Boston. Miller is on his way to his fifth-straight 30-win season and has proven he is a big-game goalie with runs into the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the two seasons the Sabres have made the playoffs during his tenure. He will have to be at his very best to hide the noticeable shortcomings of what is, honestly, a team in transition.

- While Miller will be the focal point; it is Wilson who will be on the hot seat. Not only will he have to find a way to keep a very young and inexperienced team from becoming overwhelmed by the Olympic stage, he will have to figure out -- and quickly -- how to put the pieces he has been given together in a way that makes the Americans both effective and a pain in the butt to play against.




-

 

[CANADA MAN]

I'm not making any play for the Canada vs. Norway game. Spread is Canada -6, and while I wouldn't be surprised if Canada beats the spread, I also wouldn't be surprised if they don't. In the 2006 Games there were no real blowouts in the men's competition at all. The biggest "blowout" of the whole tournament was a 9-2 win by Russia over Latvia (which will also happen tomorrow). Canada only beat Italy by 5 goals in the first game of that tourney, and should have won by more. I think it's safer to stay away from this spread.


:mj06:

 

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Canada Man, very good writeups!

I'm tryin me some Switzerland +2.5. Hiller is an animal. USA natl team has been bad for a while.

How can Canadian-born Stastny play for the USA?

GL, Can-Man.

 

[CANADA MAN]

Thanks Chucky - Good Luck with the play!!

From Wikipedia:

Paul Stastny (born December 27, 1985) is a Slovak American professional ice hockey center who plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League

As a dual citizen, Stastny has chosen to play for the United States in international hockey competitions, which have included the 2004 Viking Cup and the 2007 IIHF World Championship.


:mj06:

 

[CANADA MAN]

I'm playing it with the spread too, but small.


Selection 1: Olympics - Men , Hockey
Switzerland 16-February-2010 12:00 PM PST
Spread +2.5 for Game -103
Risking 25.75 to Win 25.00 CAD

 

[kickserv]

I myself going with the Swiss against USA....

http://www.madjacksports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396579&page=3

 

[CANADA MAN]

I think someone should tell the Norwegian Curling team that Jesper Parnevik wants his pants back!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Remarkable-Swag-Norway-s-argyle-curling-pants?urn=oly,219748

...I actually like them and would wear these on the golf course in a second! Tacky pants rule!!