Feeling Bronzed: Slovakia, Finland vie for consolation prize
by Dominik on Feb 27, 2010 6:51 PM EST
in Game Threads
Email
PrintYou'd think Slovakia versus Finland for the bronze medal would be a hotly contested match of little brothers fighting for a medal they can lord over their more decorated neighbors. Finland lost to Sweden for the gold in 2006 and for the group win in this year's preliminary round; Slovakia lost their group-stage match to the Czech Republic. Yet one of them will get the last laugh in 2010 by returning home with a medal that, in the right light, looks gold-ish in color anyway.
Bronze Medal Game: Finland-Slovakia, 10 p.m. EST | MSNBC, CTV/V
So, competitive? It surely should be, but then so should have been Russia-Canada beyond the first 10 minutes, and so should USA-Finland beyond the first five. It could also be a boring game, as these two teams tend to take that approach when stakes are high.
But the Finns have an utter embarrassment yesterday to atone for. And Slovakia has its best-ever chance for Olympic glory, with several stars facing their last kick at the can. Go Ziggy, go Miro, go {gulp} Mm- ... Mar ... um, go Marian. Just this once.
Random bits of off-topic interest:
- The Rangers backup goalie shuffle continues with the waiver claim of Alex Auld. I'm hurt they didn't put in a call for Martin Biron.
- Staying with goalies: What do you suppose the odds are of Rick DiPietro, who would be 32 then -- not a bad age for healthy goalies -- being one of the U.S. three to be selected for Sochi in 2014? Or, that being a longshot from perch in February 2010, what things need to happen between now and then for it to be possible?
- I touched on this last week with my own NBC/IOC frustrations boiling over, but the guys at SB Nation's hockey hub did a point-counterpoint about NHL participation in the Olympics. A quick look would say past Olympics have had neither a ratings nor attendance effect; the impact for the NHL's visibility in Europe is unknown. Regardless, I'd much prefer a World Cup, or even pushing back the World Championships to allow even greater NHLer participation (and NHL broadcast promotion). It's an interesting topic, though; one we'll probably never have a clear answer to.
I'll be with family for this game, so I won't be commenting during the action. But Finns, Slovaks, countrymen: consider this your in-game thread for chatting it up.
56 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
* The Rangers backup goalie shuffle continues with the waiver claim of Alex Auld. I’m hurt they didn’t put in a call for Martin Biron.
Well I guess that ends the Miika Wiikman experiment.
As for DiPi, in order for him to be selected for Sochi, several things need to happen. First he needs to stay healthy (Shocker), but I think a lot would be out of his control. Of the three currently on the roster, two will still be under consideration: Miller will be 33, Quick 28 and at 39 Thomas probably won’t be. Other notable American keepers (Age at time of Sochi in parentheses) that would possibly be under consideration then are Jimmy Howard (29), Craig Anderson (32), Thomas McCollum (24), Jeff Frazee (26), Alex Kangas (26), Alex Stalock (26), plus some younger guys still in Juniors, NCAA or HS that might develop. Seriously, Sochi is 4 years from now. Too much can happen to both DiPi and the field before we should talk about this.
Hating on NBC since 2010
Thanks for digging up that list
Just what I had in mind, in a millions-of-possibilities sort of way. Because who knows — Frazee could be some heir apparent in New Jersey by then, Quick could be replaced in L.A., Anderson could be a flash or a Roloson-like steady veteran.
It’s fun to think, for example, that by performance Anderson likely deserved a spot on this year’s team, yet four years ago few would have imagined anything like that.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Exactly, and I stuck to guys who’ve already been drafted. So guys like Jack Campbell (USNTDP/USA U-20/Windsor) and Zane Gothberg (Soon to be of U of Minn) who are draft eligible in 2010 could step up and make a case for the team. And you never know, like you said about Anderson, 4 years ago did anyone think Tim Thomas would be the primary backup in Vancouver? I sure as hell didn’t.
I really like Frazee, he’s played very well for Lowell (.920%/~2.55 over the past year and a half) and has panned out better than Marty’s last heir apparent in NJ (here’s looking at you, Ari Ahonen). He might not be Marty, not many are, but he should be a good replacement when Brodeur glides off into the sunset.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Dam, I couldn’t remember Ahonen’s name, I was going to use him before Fichaud.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
I was a firsthand witness to Ari Ahonen’s incompetence. Not that, you know, the 1999 class was all that strong, at least Max Ouellet and Brian Finley made it into NHL games. The only thing saving the 99 draft from being the worst 1st round ever are the Sedins, Tim Connolly and Martin Havlat. Patrik Stefan 1st overall?!?! Pavel Brendl 4th?!?! Branislav Mezei 10th?!?!
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
The last free release of Eastside Hockey Manager, he’s actually a decent prospect and usually ends up starting somewere, lol.
I actually went through the drafts from 1990 to 2000 and rated them according to how many players played an Average NHL Career of 325 games.
As of right now, a grand total of 28 players (of 252 selected) have played an average NHL career. Of those 28, 10 were picked in the first round, 7 in the 3rd round and 7 in the 7th or 8th round. Its the Only Draft of the 90s in which the 3rd round came anywhere near as good as the first. The 2nd round only has 3 players who managed an Average NHL Career.
Its an abysmal draft on so many levels.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Rumor is scouts are scared shitless that 2011 might be the second coming of 99. THN did an article on it in their Draft preview, that beyond Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the cupboard is very bare.
One of the weakest NHL drafts of recent memory occurred in 1999 where, aside from the Sedin twins selected No. 2 and 3 and Martin Havlat at No. 26, the first round was devoid of game-breaking NHL players. So no matter how shallow the 2011 pool might seem when it comes to the first-line guys, there will always be a few who will develop swimmingly.
From this article.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Oh God Lord in Heaven, I have but one Prayer, and that is for Jeff Frazee to be the second coming of Eric Fichaud. Let this happen, Good Lord Let this happen.
I agree, with Miler at 33, Anderson at 32, I think the best DiP could look for would be as either 2nd or 3rd goalie. 4 years ago who would have predicted Tim Thomas or Miller as the Goalies for USA, so you never know.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Miller was on the USA’s roster for Turin and had just taken over full time as Buffalo’s starter, so he wasn’t that big a surprise. But yeah, I don’t think I had even heard of Tim Thomas in 2006 let alone consider him a candidate for this years team.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
It always amazes me how much American Goaltenders have seemingly dropped off the map since Beezer/Richter. Nothing against Miller, but I always get the feeling he’s a hot goalie in a good system.
I’ll probably be proven way wrong in the long run.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Well, consider this. Since DIPi was selected 1st overall in 2000, 4 American goalies have been taken in the 1st round (Jason Bacashihua in 2001, “Big Time” Al Montoya and Cory Schneider in 2004 and McCollum in 2008). During that time, Canada has had 12 Goalies taken in the 1st round.
It seems it’s the one position the US isn’t really developing to end talent of late.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, I didn’t realize Schneider was an American, he’s the kid that everyone is big on in Vancouver right?
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Yeah. he’s from The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts and went to BC.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
I think if Rick returns to form, he has a very good chance.
But, there IS that “if” -so we will see.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 28, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
I’m still for NHL participation in the Olympics. I look at the comparison the same as you would for Basketball. I remember the Dream Team winning games by 100 point margins. Games kept getting tighter and tighter though.
Slovakia and Switzerland, two teams without a lot of current big name NHL stars, showed that the sport is gaining more speed in Europe, considering that both teams had better showings against Canada when it mattered then Russia.
Then you look at the Qualifying elimination round and other then Canada’s stomping of Germany, they were all close games in which the underdog really had no right to come that close.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Well, looks like I’m in the dark for this game. the cable is out thanks to a branch falling on the line this morning. Wonderful.
Hating on NBC since 2010
Come on now, I wouldn’t let you sit in the dark
http://azsportztv.blogspot.com/2010/02/ch1.html
http://befooty.blogspot.com/2010/01/channel-2.html
http://www.ndsportstalk.com/nd1.php
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Sweet, thanks man.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
Consider yourself lucky that apparently you don’t use Cable for your internet.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
I have DSL, kind of old but allows me not to be reliant on CableVision
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
I am listening to the British feed, and one of the announcers was making fun of Al Michaels.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
lol, I’ve got the same feed. They are answering questions about the game. One of the first ones they had was for what are the A’s and C’s?
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Yet it doesn’t seem as dumbed down a broadcast as NBC’s… Odd.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
They apparently don’t feel as though they have to say something constantly or someone might change the channel. The less they say, the less possibility for them to say something stupid.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Someone should tell Milbury that.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
Yet it doesn’t seem as dumbed down a broadcast as NBC’s… Odd.
Something about an English announcer’s accent makes things sound less dumbed down.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Unintentional Humor
The half-time thing on the feed is about “Beaver tails,” a Canadian street food. So the guy is saying “Go skiing, have a beaver tail. Go skating, have a beaver tail. Do you want a chocolate tail.” I have a feeling he’s never looked up anything on urban dictionary.
Hating on NBC since 2010
lol, my feed switched over to Bobsledding during intermission.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
I think mine is the Aussie feed the more I watch, not the BBC’s
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
Apparently Nascar Driver Jeffery Bodine put a ton of money into the American Bobsledding program. He was upset that they didn’t win anything at the last games.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
LOL, The Announcers are apologizing to the Slovak fans. Chara is said Hara in Slovak, but he’s been saying it the way we’re used to hearing it and the Slovak fans are emailing them complaining.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Killjoys. Don’t they understand we’re allowed to say their names whatever way we want to. Just ask Marek Zidlicky.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
you hit it on the head, thats what the announcer basically said.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
“He went to fire the rifle but he forgot to buy the bullets” the Aussie announcer describing Salo shanking a shot.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
Yea, you definitely have the Aussie feed.
Another fan question “Why are there so much red in the crowd?”
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
lmao, the announcer couldn’t explain why the Crease was shaped differently for international play. He just said it was one of those International things.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/ice_hockey/8500638.stm
Maybe that will help explain some of the British ignorance of hockey, or just make you sad.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
What is really sad is the apparent need to call it “ice” hockey, I guess to distinguish it from “field” hockey.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 28, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
“Zednik spent a little time in Drama class in High School and enjoys gymnastics too” The color guy describing Zednik’s possible embelishment on Koivu’s trip.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 27, 2010 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
Damn
I’m really bummed I missed out on the colonial feed!
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
When kids are drafted they tell people how to say their names.
If they dont bother to correct, then nobody knows.
I remember it happened to Martinek. The announcers were saying “Mar-tee-nik” like now and then started saying “Martin-eck” but Radek told them “Mar-tee-nik” was fine. I hardly think a shy, quiet guy who barely spoke english like Radek was given that opportunity in his rookie season and Big Z wasnt. The Slovakian fans really need to get on Zdenos case and ask him why he didnt have North America say his name properly lol.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 28, 2010 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
One easy rule of thumb with Czech and Slovak names is the accent is always on the first syllable. So names like Zidlicky and Martinek are always easier to avoid Americanizing with that in mind.
Another: “ck” never sounds like how we make it sound. Neckar = “NETS-cahsh” and Zidlicky = ZID-LITS-kee.
Of course, my dad would pronounce every name, even Western-born ones, by their linguistic origin, so “Joe Sakic” did not sound like Joe Sakic in our house … nor did Tony Hrkac.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Once for a linguistics class a friend and I did a phonetic version of various hockey players’ names as our term project. Hrkac and Skrlac were the hardest ones to do as our American-English has an inability to pronounce more than two consonants without a vowel. That always messed up our attempts.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 28, 2010 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Czechs and Slovaks say
Vowels? We don’t need no stinking vowels.
The signature sentence on this topic: Strč prst skrz krk.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Finland
Is still demoralized, Slovakia is playing like they belong.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Karma kicking us Isles fans in the ass of course.
Hating on NBC since 2010
by David Hanssen on Feb 28, 2010 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
I posted this in a fanshot, but it seems Travis Hamonic has returned from his shoulder injury a month ahead of schedule and has played twice already this week for his WHL team.
Hating on NBC since 2010
Im sorry, Slovakia.
I wanted you to get your nations first team olympic medal so badly.
And with that, we will never see Ziggy play again. :(
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
[moment of silence for Ziggy]
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | 3:00 PM EST |
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | 8:30 PM EST |
|
@
St. Louis
|
Thu 02/16 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/18 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Ottawa
|
Mon 02/20 | 1:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | L 2 - 4 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
|
Buffalo
|
Sat 02/04 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Ottawa
|
Fri 02/03 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
52 | 34 | 13 | 5 | 73 |
|
Philadelphia
|
54 | 31 | 16 | 7 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
54 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
54 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 65 |
|
New York Islanders
|
53 | 22 | 23 | 8 | 52 |
(updated 2.11.2012 at 8:02 AM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- The Chicago Blackhawks’ losing streak is bad for everybody
- According to NHL, here’s why Dominic Moore escaped suspension for Fedotenko hit
- How Mats Sundin’s no-trade clause controversy made fans reconsider loyalty in NHL
- Nordiques Nation invades Hockey Day in Canada
- Youth hockey coach, parents clash over alleged tirade over 9-year old’s 200th goal puck
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
