Saturday, February 15, 2014

Gettin' Ready for the Puck Drop

Yeah, I know about the flag.  They're still Commies.
The coffee's made, the first cup is poured, and we're watching Milbury and Roenick pontificate before the game.  The atmosphere in the arena a half-hour before the game starts is simply electric.  There's a lot o' pressure on the home team... rumor has it Putin will be in the stands... and that pressure's a good thing for Team USA.

USA!  USA!  USA!!

Update, 0830 hrs:  That was one of the best hockey games I have ever seen (aside from the Beloved Wings' wins in the Stanley Cup Final) and it had literally everything... ending up with an eight-round shootout that the Americans won, thanks to four... FOUR!... shootout goals by T.J. Oshie of the St. Louis Blues.  Team USA's special teams were brilliant, scoring two power play goals; their penalty killing was excellent; and Jonathan Quick was stellar in goal.  All that said, the Russians were very, very tough and would have won the game in regulation had a goal not been waved off... after video review... due to the net being ever-so-slightly off its moorings.  I believe the Russians are still going to be the favorite for the gold going forward... but I haven't seen the Canadians yet.
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18 comments:

  1. Third Coast15 February, 2014 06:46

    On the first Russian goal, Carlson screwed the pooch by allowing Datsyuk to skate right up the middle. Sheesh, awful attempt at defense.

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    1. Buck15 February, 2014 07:09

      Agreed. Talk about MIXED EMOTIONS when 13 scored...

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  2. Third Coast15 February, 2014 08:22

    T.J. Oshie, you da man.
    Oh, and penalties are killers on the big ice.

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    1. Buck15 February, 2014 08:27

      Oshie, indeed. I almost can't believe what I just saw.

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  3. Kris, in New England15 February, 2014 10:32

    I didn't see the game. But am I the only one with these Olympics that feels a throwback to the Cold War? I feel like I'm rooting even harder for the US Teams when they go up against the Russians. I find myself going thru the house with my fist pumping chanting "USA USA" and screaming at the TV "Come On Murica, Beat Those Russkies".

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    1. Buck15 February, 2014 11:58

      You're not the only one. There's a lot of buzz in the hockey world talking about that Miracle On Ice and how it's resonated down through the years. The same holds true with the Rooshians, as well. They want to beat us in the worst way. This can only get better....

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  4. Moogie P15 February, 2014 11:07

    You go, Kris! USA!

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  5. virgil xenophon15 February, 2014 16:21

    Twas a great game indeed! But the Ruskis ARE a VERY strong team.. (although the Swiss clearly totally outplayed them for a while)

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    1. Buck16 February, 2014 07:00

      The Swiss are pretty scary. They came very close to beating Sweden.

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  6. Suldog16 February, 2014 17:00

    Hell of a game. The Russians got screwed on a technically correct call. It's in the rules, so it was right, but still. The rematch - if there is one - should be magnificent and a lot of fun to watch.

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    1. Buck17 February, 2014 05:16

      You're right on all counts, of course. That said, I'd rather not see the Russians again... I want to see a rematch of the 2010 gold medal game.

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  7. Suldog16 February, 2014 17:03

    By the way, did you see the Al Michaels interview with Tretiak this afternoon? For my money, probably the best goalie ever. They talked him being pulled following the first period of the Miracle On Ice game, what he felt as he watched the American team celebrating, etc. He was quite classy in his responses. Good sportsman.

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    1. Buck17 February, 2014 05:17

      I didn't see that interview. I'll have to look for it on-line... thanks!

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  8. Anonymous17 February, 2014 09:24

    Great freakin’ game. Was thinking of you, Buck, knew you’d be watching.

    What made if even better for me was the fact that somehow NBC’s Sports Network magically appeared on my DirectTV cheap man’s package when I check Fri. night to double check the game start time. I was all set to drive over to Bro-in-Law’s house to catch it. Instead…brewed some coffee, cooked some eggs…and watched a classic!

    Quick, the goalie, is the man!

    I will say though, since the game NBC has been obnoxiously over hyped the game/outcome as if it was the gold medal final. Relax, it was a prelim, NBC, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to go all crazy in a couple of days when the USA plays again in the medal round. Geez…

    tim

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    1. Buck17 February, 2014 10:49

      Instead…brewed some coffee, cooked some eggs…and watched a classic!

      Ah... it's good be in the Eastern time zone! It's freakin' oh-dark-thirty here for almost every game. No matter, it's worth it. I'm glad you got to stay home and watch, I think watching the games in yer own space is best.

      Yeah, NBC was (and is) goin' a little over the top with their coverage. I do have to hand it to 'em for their research and familiarity with the players on the opposing teams, especially on the wimmen's side. Emrick & Co know the NHL'ers pretty well, but the wimmen are another story. NBC is doin' good work there.

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    2. Anonymous17 February, 2014 13:59

      The guys in the booth are beyond excellent. I could listen to them call a chess match and be enthralled.

      I was referring to the jackwagons in the studio who just overkill a story, good or bad, to the point that it's irritating.

      tim

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    3. Buck17 February, 2014 14:03

      Ah. We're on the same page, then.

      Delete

Just be polite... that's all I ask.

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