Archive for International Hockey
Olympic hockey systems starting to take shape
Posted by: | CommentsLast week in my NHL fan guide to Olympic hockey, I briefly spoke about how systems on international ice can be a bit different than what we are used to seeing in North American rinks. After watching much of group play, we’re starting to get a sense of how teams are tactically approaching their opponents with the extra 15 feet of ice.
If there’s one common denominator in many of these games, it is that there’s still not a hell of a lot of room out there, especially in the neutral zone. I expected a lot of trapping from the Latvia’s and Slovenia’s, as overmatched teams generally employ such systems. However, even top teams like Canada, Sweden, and Finland are using these same conservative structures.
USA clinches Group A
Posted by: | CommentsFirst, my apologies for this morning. I definitely wrote an open thread post for the morning’s game against Slovenia. I definitely scheduled it to post. But it is not in the database at all. Probably just a glitch, but my bad on that. I just noticed this now because it’s been a bit of a busy weekend.
Anyway, the US dominated Slovenia this morning, taking the game 5-1 and clinching first place in Group A. Ryan Callahan notched an assist and 14:57 TOI, Ryan McDonagh scored a goal in 19:38 TOI, and Derek Stepan –dressing in his first Olympics game– was held scoreless in 4:59 TOI.
With the win, Team USA is guaranteed at least the #3 seed in the medal round and a bye to the Quarterfinals on Wednesday. If they finish with the third seed, they will play the winner of the Switzerland/Latvia game. If the Canada/Finland game goes to overtime, they will claim the #2 seed and the winner of the Czech Republic/Slovakia game.
Oshie the hero for Team USA; Sweden clinches Group C
Posted by: | CommentsT.J. Oshie of the St. Louis Blues was the hero for Team USA this morning, scoring four times in six shootout chances (James van Riemsdyk and Joe Pavelski missed their chances) to propel the USA to a 3-2 shootout win over Russia. The win gives the US a big edge over Russia, and would clinch first place in Group A with a win over Slovenia tomorrow morning at 7:30am. Rangers Ryan Callahan (13:51 TOI) and Ryan McDonagh (23:39 TOI) were held off the scoreboard, but played huge defensive roles in a very strong effort.
At noon, Sweden clinched first place in Group C with a 5-3 win over Latvia. Carl Hagelin played just 3:46 in the contest. Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves.
2014 Olympics: USA/Russia open thread
Posted by: | CommentsThis morning at 7:30, Team USA (with Rangers Ryan Callahan, Ryan McDonagh, and Derek Stepan) will take on Russia in a game that will likely determine the Group A winner. Since the winner of each pool is guaranteed a spot in the quaterfinals (along with the best record among the second place teams), this is clearly the most important game for both teams. Use this thread to talk about the game, the Olympics, or anything else you want to discuss at 7:30 on a Saturday morning.
Canada wins, Norway loses; No Rangers with points
Posted by: | CommentsToday marked the second win of round robin play for Canada and the second loss of round robin play for Norway. Canada disposed of Austria by a score of 6-0, and Norway was dropped by Finland 5-1. Both Mats Zuccarello of Norway (20:51 TOI, 4 SOG, -1) and Rick Nash of Canada (10:26 TOI, 3 SOG, +1) were held off the score sheet.
Canada’s next game is a showdown with Finland on Sunday to determine Group B’s winner. Norway takes on Austria on Sunday as well, but Norway will not make the medal round.
Through this evening, no Rangers have tallied a point in any Olympic contest.
Lundqvist stops 26; Sweden blanks Switzerland
Posted by: | CommentsHenrik Lundqvist backstopped Sweden to a 1-0 win over Switzerland this morning, stopping all 26 shots he faced. Hank has now stopped 53 of 55 shots faced thus far. Carl Hagelin was held off the scoreboard, but did register four shots on goal in 9:40 of ice time.
Sweden is now 2-0 with one game against Latvia coming up on Sunday. It is safe to say that they will make the medal round, winning their pool.
Previewing the Olympic goaltenders
Posted by: | Comments
Sochi
This year’s Olympic competition sports a pool of goaltenders amongst the strongest we have seen since the NHL began participating in the games. The United States and Finland are especially deep, each with three goaltenders that could easily start for most nations. Although the tournament has already gotten underway, and we have seen some solid (Lundqvist, Hiller) performances and some sketchy (Rask, Halak) ones, let’s take a look at what each county’s best stopper has to offer. I realize there are going to be some changes made between the pipes as the tournament goes along and most teams have several starting caliber tendys, but I’m going to break down the ones who should be starting based on ability level and previous performance.
United States- Jonathan Quick
Quick
Why not start with the Red, White and Blue? Despite this being a Rangers’ blog, I have committed a significant amount of digital ink to the King’s world class netminder. Ryan Miller was dynamite in 2010 and deserves some ice in Sochi, but this is Quick’s team. The Americans will only go as far as he can carry them, and judging from some of his playoff performances, that could include the podium to accept the gold medal. His athleticism in this tournament is rivaled only by (ironically enough) the two Russian netminders. However, his technical skills, vision and positioning are lightyears ahead of the hosts. Read More→
Nash and Zuccarello held scoreless as Canada beats Norway
Posted by: | CommentsBoth Rick Nash (Canada) and Mats Zuccarello (Norway) were held off the scoreboard this afternoon, as Canada beat Norway by a score of 3-1. Zuccarello had the most ice time (23:57) of all Norwegian forwards and registered one shot on goal. Nash played for 12:32 and had a pair of shots on net.
The Rangers have four players involved in games tomorrow. Sweden (Carl Hagelin, Henrik Lundqvist) takes on Switzerland at 7:30am EST on NBCSN. Canada is up against Austria at 12pm EST on USA. Norway takes on Finland on MSNBC, also at 12pm EST.
USA dominates Slovkia, sets stage for Saturday showdown with Russia
Posted by: | CommentsTeam USA dominated the Slovaks this morning, riding a six goal second period en route to a 7-1 win. Ryan McDonagh (18:38 TOI) and Ryan Callahan (15:43 TOI) were held off the score sheet, and Derek Stepan did not dress for the game.
Scoring for the US team came from Paul Stastny (2), Phil Kessel, Ryan Kesler, David Backes, Phil Kessel, and John Carlson. Jonathan Quick made 22 saves. The USA faces off against Russia, who beat Slovenia this morning, on Saturday morning. The winner will likely win the group and get the guaranteed spot in the medal round.
Hank makes 27 saves in Sweden’s win over Czech Republic
Posted by: | CommentsTwo Rangers are off to a good start in Sochi, as Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27 shots and Carl Hagelin had two shots on goal in Sweden’s 4-2 win over the Czech Republic. Hagelin played 12:25 in the game in a primarily defensive role. Sweden’s next game is Friday against Switzerland.
The other five Rangers participating in this year’s Olympics play tomorrow. Team USA (Ryan McDonagh, Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan) play at 7:30am against Slovakia on NBCSN, while Mats Zuccarello and Norway take on Rick Nash and Canada at noon on USA.