Welcome to the third of a regular feature throughout the Olympic break, an open thread to discuss all that is going on in the sport of hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. (Note: I make these the night before, scheduled to appear at 10 AM. So if you don't see any updates for the late games, that's why. Please add any corrections/updates in the comments.)
Just so you know, the Devils are stepping up online for additional coverage. The official site has a hub for the Olympics; complete with a schedule for both tournaments. The team site also has a blog written by team correspondent Scott Modrzynski called The Devil is in the Details. All posts are listed on the hub; just scroll down past the players and you'll see it on the side. Zach Parise is also providing a few words to Tom Gulitti's Fire & Ice every day, so check that out.
Last night, the Devils at the Olympics not named Martin Brodeur (didn't start), Patrik Elias (plays first game tonight) or Ilya Kovalchuk (unknown, I didn't stay up to watch Russia-Latvia, let me know in the comments otherwise) went pointless but with wins. The United States defeated Switzerland 3-1; with Jamie Langenbrunner putting up a shot on net and 13:01 of icetime, and Zach Parise putting 3 shots on net with 17:24 of ice time. Canada put a beating on Norway, 8-0, which should make Jacques Lemaire smile a little bit. And then he and the coaches realize it was 0-0 after the first and instruct the players to improve their efforts starting games. Anyway, today begins Group C action and the other half of Group B, which does involve the Czech Republic. Look for Elias on the first line, probably with Tomas Kopecky at center and possibly either Martin Havlat or Jaromir Jagr (!!) at right wing; but I'm just guessing.
In the women's tournament, the United States dominated Russia 13-0 and sealed their trip to the medal playoffs. Finland and China played late; but a Finland win would pretty much seal their fate for second place - unless they somehow beat the Americans in Group B on Thursday, then they'd get first. Group A for the women ends today, likely with Canada and Sweden moving on to the medal playoffs despite the results of both games.
Special Rule: Do not use these posts to complain about how no one cares about Women's or Men's Ice Hockey. This isn't the place for that. Violators will be banned until March 1 assuming no other rules were broken.
Please use this post will be used to collect for all your comments, analysis, and thoughts about today's hockey games in Women's and Men's Ice Hockey games. Not the other Olympic sports, mind you.
February 16, 2010 Schedule (Thanks to Steve for the TV listings, but check your local listings if you're not American)
Women's Ice Hockey
5:30 PM EST/2:30 PM PST - Group A: Canada vs. Sweden (MSNBC) - Will this be a preview of Canada-Finland, provided the United States and Canada do as they are expected to and win their finals games?
Final: Canada 13 - Sweden 1 Official Boxscore - No, that's not a typo. 13-1 in goals, 52-13 in shots, Meghan Agosta potted 2 goals and 3 assists. Finland, I do believe you are in trouble in the medal playoffs.
10:00 PM EST/7:00 PM PST - Group A: Slovakia vs. Switzerland (CNBC) - Will this be a preview of Switzerland marching towards 5th place overall?
Men's Ice Hockey
3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST - Group C: Finland vs. Belarus (MSNBC) - Are you ready for Ruslan Salei and Konstatin Koltsov to return to your TV?
Final: Finland 5 - Belarus 1 Official Boxscore - What was more impressive? Mikko Koivu's 3 assists or Niklas Hagman's 2 goals?
7:30 PM EST/4:30 PM PST - Group C: Sweden vs. Germany (CNBC) - Will Tommy Albelin be behind the bench? How will ex-Devil Johnny Oduya look?
Final: Sweden 2 - Germany 0 Official Boxscore - Germany fought hard, but Sweden had more control. Should have scored more - Sweden's shooting was lackluster. Wonder what Tommy "Scott Swedens" Albelin will contribute?
12:00 AM EST/9:00 PM PST - Group B: Czech Republic vs. Slovakia (CNBC) - Aside from Elias, the game between the two neighboring countries is reason enough to stay up late or set your DVR.
Want to watch the games online and legally? NBC has them here. Thanks to user C.J.Richey121 for the heads up.