Finland

Host Dave Thorvald with Dan Funboy wrap up the Men's and Women's hockey tournaments from Torino 2006 in this enhanced podcast with pictures. 

Topics include team leadership, puck possession, tactical strategies, tournament surprise teams, and a bit of looking ahead to 2010.

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Olympic Outsider Episode 6 - Hockey Tournament Wrap-up  (m4a)
Olympic Outsider Episode 6 - Hockey Tournament Wrap-up  (mp3)

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Quick wrap-up from the preliminary round of the Men's hockey tournament with Dave Thorvald and Toadler from upstairs.  Plus bold predictions for the quarter-final round and a wee bit of history tossed in.

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Well after the euphoria of Day Seven, Day Eight was a bit of a reality check after a variety of disappointments and underwhelming performances.  Day Nine though is shaping up nicely despite the being down 2-0 to Finland after 1 period.

A few notes: 

Men's Hockey loses to Suisse

For a loss, oddly this one didn't hurt all that much. Switzerland played their guts out and scored another huge victory.  I won't go on cause i blogged live during the game, but the short version is, ... Way to go Switzerland for stepping it up and (with your 2 huge wins) welcome to the big leagues.  

Men losing to Finland 

Underway now in the second which must be better than the first in which Canada stood around and watched Finland put on a clinic in team play, skill and hustle.  I am bit peeved right now so will hold my tongue in anticipation of a spirited comeback. 

Dropping in with some thoughts, comments, ... coming in briefly cause so much going on!

Skating away with medals

The Canadian Men and Women both earned Silver in a brand-new event - Long-track Speed-skating Team Pursuit relay.  Two teams of 3 skaters start at opposite sides of track and race around 5 times or so.  The clock stops when the third skater crosses so some team dynamics, drafting come into play. 

The Women (3 skaters per race, but may alternate through 5 team members during heats) lost to the strong Germans led by the legendary Claudia Pechstein (this is her 8th Olympic medal), along with Annie Freisinger and Daniela Anschuetz Thoms (sniff and i knew her when she was just Daniela Anschuetz).

The men went down to a Italian team skating on mission in front of the home fans.  Cool event and did anyone even notice Canada does well at new sports in the Olympics (freestyle, short track, ...)?

Well the public has spoken and they are crazy!  Well really, you never know what will happen in the Olympic tournament so I should keep my mouth shut but ...

Besides Canada (who i never pick against), I suggest that the Czechs are the team to beat. Two top goalies, forwards on fire and a better crop of defensemen than in years past.  Further, the Czechs play great as a team with a patient style which can explode at any minute for a couple of quick goals.

Russia (winners of this poll shown below) (oops, i accidentally thought the Russians, who were ahead through most of the poll, had won, sorry - Russia finished 2nd, Czechs third - see below for full details) are somewhat enigmatic darkhorses - they are disorganized like usual and don't always play with heart for their country (the old guard are resentful of the young players' money and lifestyle and vice versa).  That being said, with a crop of young guns taking over from the venerable stars, you could see some exciting performances if not a medal.