Sochi 2014: Story So Far
In the opening days of Ice Hockey in Sochi 2014, we have seen a vast array of goals being scored (50 the count so far in case you were wondering) and we have seen some impressive team performances. It may be early doors so far, but we are beginning to get an idea of who might be in contention for medals soon!
Here is a review of the action so far:
Group A
The USA started strongly with a 7-1 win over an uninspired Slovakia team who lacked any real threat. Phil Kessel was the star man with a goal and two assists, Ryan Kesler and James Van Riemsdyk also impressed. Goalie wise, the Slovaks had a torrid time with St Louis' Jaroslav Halak being yanked on from net with the score at 5-1, only for backup Peter Budaj to be beaten on his very first shot faced! But with Jonathan Quick looking impressive in net and an offense that could do some damage, it appears my initial thoughts about the US could be proven wrong!
Hosts Russia began strongly with a 5-2 win over Slovenia in a game that included goals for NHL aces Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin plus one for NHL old boy Ilya Kovalchuk! After a disappointing last two Olympics, these boys will be wanting to make a big impression early, and their game against the USA tomorrow may just be key! The home atmosphere during the knock out rounds could well boost their spirits.
Group B
This has been the most impressive group so far with both Finland and Canada starring on the big stage! Finland began big yesterday with an empathic 8-4 win over struggling Austria with NHL players Mikael Granland the star with two goals and an assist. Today that they followed this up with a 5-1 win over Norway, with 43 year old vet Teemu Selanne bagging a goal to mark an incredible sixth Olympic appearence! With an amazing 14 goals scored, it will be interesting to see these boys in the later stage!
Canada began with a slightly uneven 3-1 win over Norway but make amends today with a superb 6-0 win over Austria- featuring a natural hat trick from Jeff Carter! D-Men have been big scoring-Shea Weber has proven key to their form so far adding two goals and an assist while Drew Doughty has also scored a pair of goals. The goalie situation is slightly unclear with Carey Price and Roberto Luongo starting so far- does this mean Smith will start for game three?
Spare a thought for the Austrians though, they have conceded over 14 goals and despite Michael Grabner's impressive game one hat trick, they have little reason to smile!
Group C
Sweden on paper should have been the team to beat, but so far they haven't quite shone like they should and despite their 4-2 opening win over Czech Republic, they struggled to score in the 1-0 win over Switzerland today. A bigger blow was dealt prior to this game, as Captain Henrik Zetterberg has been ruled out with an injury for the remainder of the games! Niklas Kronwall has taken over the C in his absence which seems like a wise choice. But still, this team still has plenty of talent offer us and they are unbeaten so far.
Jaromir Jagr as usual has shown no signs of ageing for the Czechs and his goals have kept their spirits alive, particularly in today's 4-2 win over Latvia and fellow veteran Petr Nedved has also impressed. This team could well be a dark horse in the competition and with Marek Zidlicky anchoring the defence, they could have an outside shot.
Switzerland has shown great spirit, but its the goal tending skills of Jonas Hillier and Reto Berra that have really made others stand up rather than their offensive skills- still a couple more games to go but you would have to stay fate isn't on their side.
With events in full swing now, I am thoroughly looking forward to the medal rounds and hopefully a potential Canada v Sweden final! Though atmosphere has been very flat so far- come on everyone, make some noise! Its the Olympics!
Here is a review of the action so far:
Group A
The USA started strongly with a 7-1 win over an uninspired Slovakia team who lacked any real threat. Phil Kessel was the star man with a goal and two assists, Ryan Kesler and James Van Riemsdyk also impressed. Goalie wise, the Slovaks had a torrid time with St Louis' Jaroslav Halak being yanked on from net with the score at 5-1, only for backup Peter Budaj to be beaten on his very first shot faced! But with Jonathan Quick looking impressive in net and an offense that could do some damage, it appears my initial thoughts about the US could be proven wrong!
Hosts Russia began strongly with a 5-2 win over Slovenia in a game that included goals for NHL aces Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin plus one for NHL old boy Ilya Kovalchuk! After a disappointing last two Olympics, these boys will be wanting to make a big impression early, and their game against the USA tomorrow may just be key! The home atmosphere during the knock out rounds could well boost their spirits.
Group B
This has been the most impressive group so far with both Finland and Canada starring on the big stage! Finland began big yesterday with an empathic 8-4 win over struggling Austria with NHL players Mikael Granland the star with two goals and an assist. Today that they followed this up with a 5-1 win over Norway, with 43 year old vet Teemu Selanne bagging a goal to mark an incredible sixth Olympic appearence! With an amazing 14 goals scored, it will be interesting to see these boys in the later stage!
Canada began with a slightly uneven 3-1 win over Norway but make amends today with a superb 6-0 win over Austria- featuring a natural hat trick from Jeff Carter! D-Men have been big scoring-Shea Weber has proven key to their form so far adding two goals and an assist while Drew Doughty has also scored a pair of goals. The goalie situation is slightly unclear with Carey Price and Roberto Luongo starting so far- does this mean Smith will start for game three?
Spare a thought for the Austrians though, they have conceded over 14 goals and despite Michael Grabner's impressive game one hat trick, they have little reason to smile!
Group C
Sweden on paper should have been the team to beat, but so far they haven't quite shone like they should and despite their 4-2 opening win over Czech Republic, they struggled to score in the 1-0 win over Switzerland today. A bigger blow was dealt prior to this game, as Captain Henrik Zetterberg has been ruled out with an injury for the remainder of the games! Niklas Kronwall has taken over the C in his absence which seems like a wise choice. But still, this team still has plenty of talent offer us and they are unbeaten so far.
Jaromir Jagr as usual has shown no signs of ageing for the Czechs and his goals have kept their spirits alive, particularly in today's 4-2 win over Latvia and fellow veteran Petr Nedved has also impressed. This team could well be a dark horse in the competition and with Marek Zidlicky anchoring the defence, they could have an outside shot.
Switzerland has shown great spirit, but its the goal tending skills of Jonas Hillier and Reto Berra that have really made others stand up rather than their offensive skills- still a couple more games to go but you would have to stay fate isn't on their side.
With events in full swing now, I am thoroughly looking forward to the medal rounds and hopefully a potential Canada v Sweden final! Though atmosphere has been very flat so far- come on everyone, make some noise! Its the Olympics!
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated and may take a while to appear. This is because the authors are busy/lazy/away.