Game Thread: United States vs. Finland
by Casey Richey on Feb 26, 2010 12:00 PM CST
in Game Threads
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PrintEchoing the sentiments of Baroque, I haven't been this nervous for a hockey game in a long time. To me, this is more unnerving than a Red Wings game because this is an entire nation's hopes for hockey gold on the line against a very tough Finland team. There are no NHL teams today and all past transgressions are forgiven (see: Kane, Patrick) in my book if the United States can advance to the gold medal game.
United States vs. Finland, 3:00 p.m.
This game will be a tough, hard fought battle for both teams and the winner is guaranteed a medal while the loser has to play another game for the chance to take the bronze. The Finns have a very potent attack and good passing game that could stretch the US defense. However, the US brings speed and physical play to a team that strays from it for the most part. Look for the US to implement that mindset to make Finland second guess certain plays. If Finland is able to use its game plan and not have to play by US rules, the game could be a lot tougher for the Americans.
Key factor: Ryan Miller, G. Miller has been solid all Olympics long and it doesn't appear as if he will let up anytime soon. He's excellent fundamentally and with a star-studded defense in front of him, there's little that should bother him.
Red Wings involved:
Brian Rafalski
#28 / Defenseman / United States
5-10
194
Sep 28, 1973--Dearborn, MI
Olympic Stats:
4 goals, 2 assists, +5
Valtteri Filppula
#51 / Center / Finland
6-0
193
Mar 20, 1984--Vantaa, Finland
Olympic Stats:
2 goals, +1
Feel free to comment below. I won't be able to join in because I'll be at work...le sigh.
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I was more nervous
Because the expectation were that the Wings would win. The US has been a great story, and it would be a shame if they don’t win a medal, but my expectations coming in were that they weren’t going to win a medal, so I consider all the success just to be icing on the cake.
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
Me in 140 characters
Should say I was more nervous last year (and basically anytime during the playoffs)
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
Me in 140 characters
I'm nervous because
This is just an endless series of consecutive Game Sevens in an event that only happens every four years. And I would love to sit here and say that I am happy with the success they have had thus far – and after the thing is all over and I have some time to reflect, I will be – but right now I just want them to win two more of those consectutive Game Sevens (Games Seven?!?) and win the best prize available.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
And I too will be at work. :(
Which blows all kinds of chunks. :(
:(
:(
:(
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
in that case
I give all fair warning that this is merely a cry of disconnected anguish and stress, with no bearing at all on anything hockey-related whatsoever, game situation or other wise:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Thanks for the warning!
I’m actually so nervous right now that I refuse to put the TV on until 3 o’clock. I don’t want to hear all the pregame stuff. I’d rather just watch the game.
No kidding
I wish the nervous nausea actually made me throw up instead of just queasy – then I could have gone home sick!
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
This whole business about Nick Lidstrom “announcing his international retirement” is depressing me. I don’t want to hear about him retiring, international or otherwise!
Will Raffy continue his magic today?
I wish it was USA-Slovakia and Finland-Canada instead so I know which team to cheer for. Of course, I’m rooting for USA, but I’m not particularly fond of Finland losing.
I’m feeling the same way. It would have been cool for Finland/USA to play in the final. With a US win and a Finland silver, we could have had double medaling Wings. We still can, I guess, but not the same combination.
I found that really funny
but also depressing. I also loved when everyone kept asking why he was on the team. Didn’t Hossa insist on it? Otherwise he wouldn’t play for the team.
What's up with Hossa and Kopecky?
I think I heard Hossa did the same for Chicago. Not like they’re on the same line or anything. Just supporting his countryman, I thought then, but Team Slovakia… everybody’s gonna be from Slovakia.
Who knows?
Nobody ever said hockey players were always normal. Maybe he thinks Kopecky is his good luck charm or some strange thing like that.
Hossa and Kopecky?
It sort of works, actually.
I think there’s new nicknames in the works for those two. They are now going to be Batman and Robin, in my book.
they are comaprable in usefulness
Robin seemed to get in the way more than anything.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Not many games can beat that awesome USA-Canada game
I feel sorry for my friend who wasn’t aware that it was on MSNBC and kept yelling at his NBC channel, “Gimme some hockey”
Sounds like a friend of my moms. He lives on the West Coast, thought the game was on at 3 their time, and was all settled down with snacks and stuff when his brother called and told him the game was long over.
yay!
I’ll admit it, I’m a devil-worshipper – but that’s just because he’s so cool!
(Zach Parise, not the actual devil – he’s probably pretty cranky.)
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
I’ve had a soft spot for him since I watched him play WCHA Hockey. Any of the alums from there I watch as closely as i can. Though there seem to be a lot.
its a friday, everyones already checked out pretty much
by Casey Richey on Feb 26, 2010 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
Hearing the announcer say Filppula’s name excitedly and not being able to cheer is weird. I don’t know if that’s happened too often before.
for me
Only when he is on the wrong side of a big hit.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Forgot about that situation
I was referring to the fact that he had a scoring chance. Which he luckily (again, weird to say that) didn’t score on.
Once again, we are debating switching out goalies. Wonder if the Finn coach will learn from the Russian mistake?
Quick! Put in Bryzgalov!
Oh, wait …
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Okay, I bet there are some here who don’t have a feed. I’ll do a quick summary?
Malone
Parise
Johnson.
There’s about 10 left in the 1st.
Wow does it feel good to type that.
I could get to like Kane
I don’t hate him like some guys, I just think he’s an annoying little punk – but he’s also a kid, so there is plenty of time for him to grow up.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
If it was v. Canada or Slovakia
I have no problem with Team USA slaughtering the other team, but I like Team Finland… respect Kippy…
I hate to say it
but go Hossa, and whoever the hell you play with…
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
I know Red Wings Nation hates "20 cent" Kane
But I like him as a player. He always seems to be at the right spot.
I like him a bit
I think he’ll grow out of his punk attitude as he gets older. He’s so talented it’s tough to remember sometimes that he’s just a kid.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
could say the same about Crosby
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he hasn't yet though
And Kane never punched a guy in the nads from behind, either.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
OH MY GOD
Save some for Canada/Slovakia….
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
I already forgot who got the 6th goal.
maybe it was Stasny with the assist and Malone goal? they scored while I was trying check the assists.
So can we rest the the team now
and let Miller practice up for the gold?
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
The consequence of having Wings on both sides
I enjoy the US win, but not quite as much when I know there’s a Red Wing feeling miserable from it somewhere.
This reminds me of that 9-1 Red Wings game v. BJs
You see it, you like it, but you don’t believe it, and you almost feel sorry for the other team.
I like Finland more than the BJs
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
I hate to say it
But the best way for Finland to win a medal might be if the US faces Canada again. At least then the Americans would get the silver if they lose, and Finland might have a better chance beating Slovakia than Canada.
But I really, REALLY don’t want to hear the Crosby slurp-fest that will ensue. :(
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
that too
Although if Kipper recovers, he’s more than capable of stoning Canada.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Really Pierre McDouchebag...
So the team getting raped 6-0 in the first period is not sayin much…..wow I’d never guessed.
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
Another reason I loved that USA-Canada game
It made Perry look like an idiot. He even tripped Pronger with his fall.
I know
I can understand the first two guys – that happens sometimes – but when Pronger blundered along and tripped over both of them? How could the big oaf miss that?
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
I'd say the fears and nerves were misplaced
thought I’d snaek a peek at the score, and WOAH…6-0?
are the Finns playing euro-trash hockey or something? Even the Russians didn’t get blasted this hard the other night?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
NBC invented "Eurotrash virus" and infected the poor Euros.
Those haters.
God, I feel sorry for Finland. Mostly Val.
plenty of time to blow the lead
Raffy is a Red Wing, after all – two goals, three goals … this size lead would be a real challenge. An Olympian challenge. ;)
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!
So...now what do I do all day
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
Wow, what a 1st
I left work at 3 and by the time I get home at 3:15, the game’s already over.
Anyway, it would have been a total microcosm of the Red Wings season if Raffy and Fil had endured season ending knee injuries on that penalty Rafalski got.
These games are placed perfectly tonight. I get to watch the US now, then go to a college game, watch the Wings prospect Smith play, and then come home and watch Canada/Slovakia.
Makes sense to me
Canadian team playing in Canada, you’d think they oughta get dibs on when to play (i.e. prime time)
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
are the Badgers up in Houghton this weekend?
it’s sad how my life is reduced to work and Olympic hockey right now.
And Olympic hockey is about to end…
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Yes they are.
We’re going to get our rears kicked (shhh) but at least I can keep a close eye on Smith for the majority of the game. I have a ton of fun watching prospects. It’s awesome to see them now and then hopefully one day see them in a Wings uniform.
Watch Smith on the power play, the guy is like a shark on the prowl, just waiting for a chance to kill the puck
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Will do.
Any other guys I should be watching for?
I’ll walk into the game tonight looking like I researched them. :P
Geoffrion (#5 I think) is the big scorer
I’m totally blanking on whether he’s the captain or not, I’ve only seen three games this year.
I like Cody Gobolef, the kid is feisty and can score on occasion.
Other big scorer is Michael Davies (#9). Actually, he’s kind of like the Nicklas Backstrom of this team, he can put the puck in the net, but his big thing is setting the table. I like him, too, cuz he’s tiny, he can’t be much taller than me.
Derek Stepan is worth keeping an eye on, too, I think he’s #21. He’s gonna be really good, hope he sticks around Madison a bit. He was the captain of the US team that took down the World Juniors last month, so you might have heard of him from that already.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Hey, stuff happens when the man is on the ice
Just not necessarily good stuff
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
If they start showing clips from the miracle on ice im going to cry
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
Pierre, do you have to say EVERY name wrong?
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
Buttman is such a douche bucket
STAND TALL, FLY STRAIGHT, USA ALL THE WAY!
by DetroitALLtheWay09 on Feb 26, 2010 3:29 PM CST reply actions
If they don't let NHL players play in the Olympics...
Hockey will never be a main stream sport or what buttman wants it to be. I get what he’s saying… but it’s 2 damn weeks for the good of the game!!
STAND TALL, FLY STRAIGHT, USA ALL THE WAY!
by DetroitALLtheWay09 on Feb 26, 2010 3:31 PM CST reply actions
Rafalski is now the tournament point leader with 8 points
4 goals, 4 assists
STAND TALL, FLY STRAIGHT, USA ALL THE WAY!
by DetroitALLtheWay09 on Feb 26, 2010 3:36 PM CST reply actions
Perfect game
I think this game kills any possible momentum factor Canada would have had from their Russia game now that we have an ass kicking of our own.
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