Sweden Wins Hockey Gold!
February 26, 2006
I previously wrote about how I dislike using NHL athletes for the Olympics. When team USA played Sweden last weekend I found myself rooting for Sweden because I can’t stand Rick DePietro (an Islander) and love Henrik Lundqvist (a Ranger). It is sad to say, but I think I was more enthusiastic about this game then I would have been if it was USA vs Canada.
Regardless, it turned out to be a great game. I think the NHL really missed the boat when they allowed NHL arenas to be built using the current dimensions back in the 90s. Using the old NHL rules, but on a larger ice surface works. Still plenty of good checking, but tons of room to setup huge shots.
Lundqvist played a solid game, but Henke really won the game in the third period. He had a lot of help from his teammates blocking shots. Those Swedes put on a defensive clinic that Jed Ortmeyer would approve of.
I’m sure the NHL will send players again in 2010 when the games will be held in Vancouver. No jet lag and the games will be held in hockey’s birthland. Team Canada will be under huge pressure to score a freaking goal after they were shutout three times in this Olympics and anything less than an appearance in the gold medal game will be unacceptable. After that I have a feeling that we’ll see amateurs in 2014.
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