USA vs Canada for "All the Marbles!"

No question that all my predictions went out the window during the very first week of the Olympics, but that goes to show you that (1) I either know nothing about hockey, OR (2) that being such a short tournament - similar to the actual game of hockey itself - situations can turn with the flip of the puck or change in momentum (and I'd really like to think I do know at least a little about hockey!)!! ; P

Yesterday, Finland and Slovakia played with the Bronze medal on the line. It was a pretty even start with Slovakia quickly catching onto Finland and scoring goals leaving them on top until the third period in which the Finns pulled out strong to finally earn the Bronze!!

My predictions were Russia (Gold), Canada (Silver), Sweden (Bronze) ... I KNOW, don't even start on me (I didn't even expect the USA to medal, but that was only because I was taking into account the youth and inexperience of most of the players, so HUSH!)!! I'm hoping that I can redeem myself somewhat by Canada losing against the USA and their getting the silver (and USA coming out on top). Anyway, both Russia and Sweden were eliminated quicker than [I had / a lot of people] expected and only lasted up until the elimination round.

Regardless of the outcome, this will be a pretty exciting game and one that I'm anxious to watch (neither team has anything to be asshamed of as they both did quite well throughout the tournament). And for those of you who believe that USA will defeat Canada with no problem simply because of the result of the last time these two played ... I say to you, that means nothing and they both are starting from square one today (Canada definitely got a wake-up call and they'll be better prepared for Team USA today ... mark my words!)!!

As an extremely touching tribute during today's game, Team USA will be honoring soldiers wounded in battle in either Iraq or Afghanistan for the Gold-Medal game. In a program they've called "Operation Homefront," all 23 players making up the team will be playing for an individual soldier. Penguins own defenseman, Brooks Orpik, has been teamed up with Pittsburgh native Staff Sergeant Shawn Barber (CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE).

“It's an honor,” Barber said. “Brooks Orpik is a strong, tough, hard-nosed player that leads by example, and is solid at his position – which is how I try to lead. Growing up in Pittsburgh we pride ourselves on our toughness and hard work and I can't think of a better player to represent me, the city of Pittsburgh, or the United States.”

Another interesting sidenote of today's game, not only will Team Canada be playing to earn the Gold, but they will also be playing to put their country in the Olympic record books as Canada currently has a total of 13 which has them tied for the most (Gold medals) for a nation in the Olympics.

And not that Americans really need pumped-up for this game, but here's a little something to get your blood pumping!!! ENJOY!!!

Canada BIG Among Yesterday's Winners

WHAT A GAME!!! It wasn't so much the nail-biter that everyone expected, but it was quite and old-fashioned butt-whooping Canada laid on Russia last night and they came at them hard from the start (and Russia continued to look like they'd been hit by a Mack truck for most of the game and never managed to recover scoring only 3 of the 7 goals they needed to make a "comeback"). Canada was ready for Russia and they looked like that didn't know what hit them ... or in Ovi's own words,

"I think how we start the game it's like small kids and big kids play against each other and big kids dominate," Ovechkin told NHL.com shortly after it was all over for Russia in these Olympics. "They got the puck deep, used their power and they scored goals. We had to at that time realize and bounce back, but it was pretty hard to when the score is 3-0. It's pretty hard."

But isn't that just like him? His talk is as big as his showboating and then he doesn't have much left for when the team really needs him to pull through (and he's SO one-dimensional) ... which is why seeing what the above picture portrays will NEVER get old for me!!

Here are the results:

• USA - 2, Switzerland - 0 (RECAP)
• Canada - 7, Russia - 3 (RECAP)
• Finland - 2, Czech Republic - 0 (RECAP)
• Slovakia - 4, Sweden - 3 (RECAP)

Friday's Semifinals schedule (no games today):
3:00 PM - USA (1) VS Finland (4) -- TV: NBC, CTV, V

6:30 PM - Canada (6) VS Slovakia (7) -- TV: CNBC, CTV, V

Latvia, Belarus, Germany, and Norway Eliminated

Not really any surprises yesterday with the Swiss, Canada, Czech Republic, and Slovakia moving on to today's quarterfinals.

Ovi's hit on Jagr was obviously a bigger blow than Jagr had everyone believe as the big news from last night was his leaving in the first minutes of the game against the Czech Republic due to a sore neck. Jagr didn't return and his team barely made it past elimination without him. The team doctor said the injury resulted from Ovechkin's hit he sustained during the Sunday night game against the Russians.

"We hope he'll be available to play tomorrow," Czech coach Vladimir Ruzicka said after his team's great escape at the University of British Columbia's Thunderbird Arena. "We believe he will be ready. And obviously, we're hoping he can play the whole game."

Here are the results:

• Switzerland - 3, Belarus - 2 (RECAP)
• Canada - 8, Germany - 2 (RECAP)
• Czech Republic - 3, Latvia - 2 (RECAP)
• Slovakia - 4, Norway - 3 (RECAP)

Today's Quarterfinals schedule:

3:00 PM - USA (1) VS Switzerland (8) -- TV: NBC,V, SNET

7:30 PM - Russia (3) VS Canada (6) -- TV: CNBC, CTV,V

10:00 PM - Czech Republic (5) VS Finland (4) -- TV: CNBC, TSN,V

11:55 PM - Slovakia (7) VS Sweden (2) -- TV: CNBC, CTV, RDS

Penguins Olympic Diaries

Fleury bought tickets to go watch alpine skiing yesterday, but couldn't go because Team Canada played Germany last night.

Read about this and MORE in Fleury's Olympic Diary on the Penguins webpage!!

Also read Orpik's Olympic Diary HERE!!

Qualification Playoffs Begin Today

Today's schedule:

• 3:00 PM - Switzerland (8) VS Belarus (9) @ Canada Hockey Place (TV: SNET,USA,RDS)
• 7:30 PM - Canada (6) VS Germany (11) @ Canada Hockey Place (TV: CNBC,CTV,RDS)
• 10:00 PM - Czech Republic (5) VS Latvia (12) @ UBC Thunderbird Arena (TV: CNBC,TSN,RDS)
• 12:00 AM - Slovakia (7) VS Norway (10) @ Canada Hockey Place (TV: CNBC,CTV,RDS)

The big news for Team Canada is that Luongo will be starting in goal against Germany tonight. Everyone loves Brodeur and he is a good goalie, but sometimes he's just "off" and against the US I felt he was "playing the puck" too much for his own (or his team's) good. He was taking advantage of the difference in Olympic rules that allow him to do that more at the risk of winning (playing better). I honestly wish that they'd give Fleury a shot (and, YES, I am bias with that, but the kid deserves a chance ... he's clutch when it counts!)!!

A Special Olympic Edition of "Yinz Luv Da 'Guins!"

YINZ LUV DA 'GUINS

(Episode 4)

More Surprising Wins Yesterday: Russia, USA, Sweden

Russia and Sweden weren't that far of a stretch (although I'm sure no one expected the Swedes to blank the Fins and for it to be a more even matchup), but with the anticipated USA-Canada match-up, everyone was expecting the Canadians to come out on top (shamefully, that includes me too!). All the games were spectacular to watch, but the one with most interest was probably USA vs Canada and there was no disappointment with that as the two teams gave us some of the best hockey we've seen so far in this Olympics (almost like playoff hockey). I think my favorite goals were the first and the last both scored by the USA (Rafalski, Kessler) ... those were exciting!!! Could there be another "Miracle" in the making??? I can't wait to find out!!!

Here are the results from yesterday:

• Russia - 4, Czech Republic - 2 (Malkin had 2 goals and an assist); RECAP
• USA - 5, Canada - 3 (Crosby had a goal); RECAP
• Sweden - 3, Finland - 0; RECAP

Today's schedule:
No games scheduled until Tuesday, February 23rd (Qualification Playoffs)

3:00 PM - Switzerland (8) VS Belarus (9) @ Canada Hockey Place

7:30 PM - Canada (6) VS Germany (11) @ Canada Hockey Place
10:00 PM - Czech Republic (5) VS Latvia (12) @ UBC Thunderbird Arena

12:00 AM - Slovakia (7) VS Norway (10) @ Canada Hockey Place

Yesterday's Winners: USA, Canada, and Slovakia

I don't know ... I may be wrong in my predictions ... Canada is playing well, but aren't outplaying their opponents by much, and a surprising loss last night for Russia against Slovakia (the picture above pretty much says it all after Ovechkin misses a shootout attempt; LOVE how it looks as though Slovakia is "heckling" him!). I predicted Russia winning the gold, silver for Canada and Sweden with the bronze (USA not medaling), but the way it looks now it may be all over the boards and nothing close to what I had thought. We shall see!!

Here are the results from yesterday:

• USA - 6, Norway - 1 (Malone with another goal!); RECAP
• Canada - 3, Switzerland - 2 (SO -- Crosby scored GWG); RECAP
• Slovakia - 2, Russia - 1; RECAP

Today's schedule:

3:00 PM - Belarus VS Sweden (MSNBC)

7:30 PM - Czech Republic VS Latvia (CNBC)

11:55 PM - Finland VS Germany (MSNBC)

Finland, Sweden, and Czech Republic Winners at Yesterday's Games

No surprises yesterday as Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic were all winners yesterday. I'm anxious to see what it'll look like the further we get into the tournament (all the teams are playing some really great hockey!)!!

I was anxious to see Jagr play, but I didn't get to see much since it was on so late but the Czech Republic did well in general ... I read that Jagr had a goal and played really well especially with how the Slovakians were checking him into the boards left and right. As a side note ... another one of my FAVS, Jarkko Ruutu, had a sweet deflection goal in yesterday's game against Belarus that happened to impress the NBC panelists yesterday (he always impresses me and I will always believe he's a much better player than anyone gives him credit for ... his reputation precedes him and the player he is!)!!

Here are the results:

• Finland - 5, Belarus - 1
• Sweden - 2, Germany - 0
• Czech Republic - 3, Slovakia - 1

Today's schedule:

3:00 PM - USA VS Norway

7:30 PM - Switzerland VS Canada

11:55 PM - Slovakia VS Russiasee

USA, Canada, Russia all Winners Yesterday!!

Team USA and Team Switzerland were the first to play yesterday afternoon followed by Teams Canada and Norway in the early evening and Team Russia and Team Latvia late in the evening closing in on early this morning. All the teams I'm rooting for (until it gets down to the wire ... then I must shed my Penguins loyalties and root for Team USA as a proud American!)!!

Here are the results:

• USA - 3, Switzerland - 1 (Ryan Malone scores first goal at Olympic games by a Pittsburgh-native!)
• Canada - 8, Norway - 0 (Sid had 3 assists)
• Russian - 8, Latvia - 2 (Malkin scored one of the 8 goals and had 1 assist)

Today's schedule (CLICK HERE for TV schedule):

3:00 PM - Finland VS Belarus

7:30 PM - Sweden VS Germany

11:55 PM - Czech Republic VS Slovakia

Men's Olympic Hockey Schedule

VISIT the Pens webpage for a schedule of the upcoming weeks' Men's Olympic hockey. ALSO VISIT the official Olympic site (it includes playoff rounds).

Keep track of the results of all the men's hockey teams HERE.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

12:00 PM (est) -- Men's Preliminary (USA vs Switzerland)

7:30 PM (est) -- Men's Preliminary (Canada vs Norway)

11:55 PM (est) -- Men's Preliminary (Russia vs Latvia)

PensTV Olympic Special

Orpik Wallpaper

Yesterday, the Pens webpage posted wallpaper of Olympic Brooks Orpik.

CLICK HERE (for 800X600) or HERE for other sizes.

And check back to the Pens webpage later today for the Team USA wallpaper!!

Penguins Olympic Wallpaper

The Penguins webpage is currently featuring Olympic wallpaper for all five players participating (and the three countries they're representing) -- links below direct you to the 800 X 600 wallpaper; to choose other wallpaper, CLICK HERE:

TEAM RUSSIA (Gonchar and Geno)
Gonchar

Geno

TEAM CANADA (Sid and Fleury)

Sid

Fleury

TEAM USA - Brooks Orpik (coming soon)

Penguins Olympic Special

On Monday, February 15th, FSN - Pittsburgh will broadcast a PensTV Olympic Special hosted by Steve Mears and Rob Rossi. It will air at 6:00 PM (est).

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Last night, the 2010 Winter Olympics officially kicked off with the opening ceremony in Vancouver last night.

If you're interested in updates and exclusive information on Team USA (not just hockey, but all olympic events that Team USA will participate in), then be sure to visit "Olympic Team USA" - the official webpage of the US Olympic committee. You can sign up for their news updates that you'll get directly to your email.

I've visited the site on numerous occasions and it really is a pretty complete picture of anything Team USA, so if you have the time, check it out!!

Malkin Back to His Original Number

A few weeks ago, I was able to order my Malkin Olympics name / number t-shirt, but was perplexed to see it was #11 instead of #71.

Since then, I've been trying to find out exactly why he needed to wear a number other than the one he currently wears playing in the NHL, but haven't come across anything until yesterday in an article on the Penguins webpage.

It indiretly stems from the fact that #17 has been retired by the Russians in honor of Valeri Kharlamov ("legendary Soviet star"). Ilya Kovalchuk normally wears that number, so he chose #71 which forced Malkin to pick another number - #11.

Malkin actually chose that number because it was the one he wore when he was young.

“I wore No. 11 until my first game in the Super League when 11 was taken by an older player,” Malkin said. “I took 71 because it looked similar.”

Olympic Hockey Teams Merchandising Underway

Have any of you noticed the new Olympic (NHL-specific) merchandise that they've started advertising lately?

I noticed it the other day on the Pens webpage with Crosby in his Team Canada jersey as well as Malkin in his Team Russia jersey (pics below).


I already bought my Crosby Olympic name / number t-shirt (I'm an American girl ... can't spend the big bucks on a jersey for a nation I'm not rooting for ... saving the money to spend on a Team USA Orpik jersey, hopefully!)!! I'm anxious to also pick up name / number shirts for Malkin and J. Ruutu, but I'm not sure they'll be selling them ... as of right now, they're not available, so we'll see (and I'll let you know or you can let me know if you happen to know of where I can purchase them!)!!

CLICK HERE to view [NHL] Olympic merchandise