Olympics Hockey- Women

I'm rooting for Finland to win, mainly cause my Finnish friend said that if I didn't, he'd kill me. :wink:

So yeah. so much for real competition....Sweden lost to Canada 8-1.......

Let's see what Finland can do to Team USA...........

Well, she does have a smidgen of a point. Canada really does not need to run up the score if that is their intent. Then again, it's up to those other teams to step it up in their womens hockey programs. It's not up to Canada to downgrade their playing level just to be even with weaker teams. I think the Americans would run up the score as well, it's just that they can't.

When did this become the special olympics? I thought the idea was to win and be the best you can be, not make sure everyone goes home feeling good about themselves.

USA 7, Finland 3 in Final.....

In NFL (Football), if the score difference gets too great, the winning team will pull out their first team and send players in off the bench. It's good sportsmanship, protects top players from injury, and gives bench team some playing time, especially the backup quarterback.

However, if Women's hockey rewards for total points, then it's understandable to run up the score.

Seem's the Italians were happy just to play the Canadians.

Go USA!.... we got some tough 'Merican butt, but I guess hockey is where the most tough Canadians are... The USA/Canadian match is going to be a real battle. Hope the refs allow for a little more body slam'n.

First off in the women's game Body contact is permitted.. Body checking is not.. it has to do with plane of motion. I cannot stand you up at the line.. i must skate with you an neutralize your scoring attempt or puck movement by using body position and angling.
Fins use a 1-2-2 forecheck standard for them. USA generally uses a combination 2-1-2 or 1-2-2 agressive right wing lock.
Switzerland uses a 1-4 FC and the run a zone type defence.. called an arrowhead. Only problem being the US has the guns to overpower it. Both Italy and russia use a passive 1-2-2 to clog up the center ice area.. they also try to play a combination zone man on man D... but against Canada it failed pretty miserably.
Goal differential is important. first off the team who takes first overall gets last change, which is important for matching lines and catching tired lines with fresh legs. If a unit has been on the ice for 30 seconds generally they will change on a stoppage.. but lets say a unit has been out 20 second.. the face off is in thier end and they don't change.. thats when you send out your intensity line to keep the trapped and tire them out even more until you score... by changing players one at a time if need be....It's the game inside the game.. learn it.

Watch for what canada does on forecheck and defensivly in thier own zone....

....The U.S. will meet Sweden in Friday's semifinals. Finland must regroup to play Canada, which beat the Swedes 8-1 earlier to cap a 36-1 run through the preliminary round....

Apparently, the U.S. woman's team just about fell asleep at the beginning of the game with Finland.....

U.S. women rally to beat Finland, 7-3: ".....I wouldn't say the USA is not as strong," Pehkonen said. "They have the best players in the world....." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/o ... index.html

Canada allows first goal of Games: ....Canada refused to apologize for being really good.....
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/o ... index.html

It seems that the Olympic ice rink is larger than a standard ice hockey rink. I heard someone comment that the American team may be able to use that to advantage because of some strong break away players.... Hey! I am looking for any advantage for my U.S. gals.

The Canadian women look really good. Saw a Canadian gal come out from behind the net and sink a goal with a backward shot while she was partially airborne. It was kind of like a Michael Jorden moment. (Sorry I only have American athletes to compare to.) Also, saw a Canadian stick a goal from darn near half court, a long shot! That was scary. Canada has a 40 year old player?

oh my, Your not actually looking to SI for anything intelegent in regards to hockey are you? The writers at SI have far less knowledge about hockey than the average 8 year old Canadian. It's like asking a CBC sports reporter about baseball, the average 8 year old American kid would blow his knowledge away. Just know, that Canada and the US are the only really good teams in the womans tournament, they will meet in the gold medal game, and it's probably going to be a nail biting tough game like most of the games between these two teams. Just look at the gold medal game in Salt Lake, will be the same type of game.