Swiss to face USA, Canada and Russia battle

by Casey Richey on Feb 24, 2010 7:21 AM CST in Game Recaps

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How we got here...
Game one:

Switzerland outlasted Belarus in a shootout and goes on to face the United States in another 3:00 p.m. ET match-up. The Great Toblerone got a pretty exceptional performance out of Jonas Hiller and will need more of the same if they want to advance past the US.

Game two:

Germany was horribly outmatched and it showed all night long in an 8-2 loss to Canada. Canada's Shea Weber provided a highlight reel goal by literally ripping the net with a blast from the point. The Canadian win sets up a game that many were hoping to see at some point: Canada vs. Russia.

Game three:

The Czechs actually had a lot more on their hands than they probably expected by only beating Latvia by a single goal.The 3-2 victory for the Czechs put them into the next round against Finland.

Game four:

Slovakia edges Norway (unfortunately) and will face Sweden in the next round. The 4-3 Slovakian was a little closer than expected considering their scoring depth. But I suppose that's why they play the games.

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Comments

I have already started feeling nervous and nauseous. Before the win over Canada there was no way I would have been this nervous because I knew the team wasn’t likely to do very much.

Hope can be a terrifying and exhilerating emotion. ;)

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 24, 2010 7:53 AM CST reply actions

Looking at the draw

There is a distinct possibility that US could wind up in the gold medal game (duh). I had little expectations for them prior to these games, but now I’m a little nervous, like Baroque, and now think they can win two (or three) games.

Hopefully I won’t be crushed by a stunning loss to the Swiss.

I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
Me in 140 characters

by ReichardZ on Feb 24, 2010 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

I agree

The USA has the easiest path of all. Hopefully that doesn’t bite me in the ass for saying that but it just is based on the matchups.

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Feb 24, 2010 9:47 AM CST up reply actions

I am terrified

of Jonas Hiller. Maybe it’s just the Red Wings fan in me, but I don’t like today’s matchup.

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by handsomerob1 on Feb 24, 2010 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

not just you

The Swiss are very tight defensively and Hiller is out-freaking-standing. There is a reason they lost in a shootout to Canada – I knew that was going to be a loss purely because the Swiss had no shooters who could possibly beat Brodeur that game, and eventually one of the Canadians was going to beat Hiller.

That’s why I am so scared, and have been since this morning.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 24, 2010 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

Hiller is only a little above average

except when he plays against the Red Wings. During the Olympics, Hiller hasn’t looked like the Hiller who allowed 2 goals (one shorthanded) on 86 shots in his last two games against the Red Wings this season. Granted, the Red Wings shooting percentage is near the bottom, but it’s not that bad.

What that means is that Rafalski won’t score, but because of Miller, neither will the Swiss. There is still plenty of offense on team USA aside from its top defenseman and oldest player.

by bleep bloop on Feb 24, 2010 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

That “one shorthanded” goal was a goal given up while shorthanded, not a shorthanded goal.

by bleep bloop on Feb 24, 2010 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

USA!!

i checked out some of canadian blogs and postings…. talk about a very bitter bunch.

by bond021 on Feb 24, 2010 9:13 AM CST reply actions

Alot like Blues fans...

lolz…I crack me up

by 42jeff on Feb 24, 2010 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

a lot are insisting

that the USA didn’t win the game, that Canada lost it. Which is the dumbest argument ever. Of course, my the way things work, if one team loses, the other has to win.

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Feb 24, 2010 9:45 AM CST up reply actions

Silly me!

I thought that superior goaltending was the backbone of the US victory. What I saw was a lot of good scoring opportunities from the Canadians and an American Goaltender really stepping up and stopping the puck. Of course, the offensive of the American team certainly helped too :D

by Megan, fan of the D on Feb 24, 2010 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

What I saw

was Miller repeatedly stoning the Canadian offense and Rafalski putting the American offense to shame. If not for Miller, it could have easily been 4-8. If not for Rafalski, it probably would have been 2-4.

by bleep bloop on Feb 24, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

I like

The comments that “the US only won because of superior goaltending, they were outplayed most of the game.”

That is an entirely accurate statement and irrelevant to the fact that the team won – teams have won games, tournaments, and playoff series based on “being outplayed but saved by goaltending.” Just because it wasn’t a total team effort doesn’t make it worth less as a win. :)

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 24, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

I don't even know

if I would say the U.S. was “outplayed.” Out-shot? Yes. Out-hustled? Take a look at Kesler’s empty netter and answer that one.

The U.S. knew that they didn’t have the skill to match up with Canada. The U.S. game plan all along was to get in front early, then keep the Canadians from scoring later on. This was evident from the first shift, when they absoultely took it to Canada and ended up with a goal. It was also apparent after Canada’s first (or second?) goal when they scored 20-plus seconds later. I don’t think you can truly say that Canada out-played the U.S.

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by handsomerob1 on Feb 24, 2010 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

depends on how "outplayed" is defined

There was definitely a lot more furious action around Miller than Brodeur, but is wasn’t as though Brodeur had nothing going on and then got a single shot with the rebound cleared away. The US might have been outplayed territorially for most of the game, but more like 60% – 40% split than 90% – 10% or something ridiculous.

The speed of the Americans made it closer than the talent of the Canadians would have suggested initially.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 24, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions