The Winter Olympics

[skatingtripods]

Jonas Hiller had a fucking awesome tournament. He was great in the two games against us and unreal in the Canada game. Very very impressive.

Sigh of relief for the US.

[peeker643]

Two things re: Canada vs. Russia

1. The NHL All Star game called and is wondering where the defense is.

Is this a 3 on 3 drill?

2. Is there anyone in hockey who can successfully move Rick Nash off the puck or his chosen position?

[skatingtripods]

1. The NHL All Star game called and is wondering where the defense is.

Is this a 3 on 3 drill?

Russia's defense was a serious question coming in to the Olympics. It's being validated tonight.

2. Is there anyone in hockey who can successfully Rick Nash off the puck or his chosen position?

Yes. Rick Nash. His laziness during Jackets games pisses me off so much that I can't stand him.

[peeker643]

1. The NHL All Star game called and is wondering where the defense is.

Is this a 3 on 3 drill?

Russia's defense was a serious question coming in to the Olympics. It's being validated tonight.

2. Is there anyone in hockey who can successfully move Rick Nash off the puck or his chosen position?

Yes. Rick Nash. His laziness during Jackets games pisses me off so much that I can't stand him.

Must be a motivational issue. Because against the US and again tonight he looks engaged and immovable.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

1. The NHL All Star game called and is wondering where the defense is.

Is this a 3 on 3 drill?

Russia's defense was a serious question coming in to the Olympics. It's being validated tonight.

2. Is there anyone in hockey who can successfully move Rick Nash off the puck or his chosen position?

Yes. Rick Nash. His laziness during Jackets games pisses me off so much that I can't stand him.

Must be a motivational issue. Because against the US and again tonight he looks engaged and immovable.

Tripods just hates him. That's all. Haters gonna hate.

[skatingtripods]

[Cerebral_DownTime]

lol. Nice.

[leadpipe]

Excuse me sirs, could you please put out the cigars.

[jb]

Excuse me sirs, could you please put out the cigars.

Tells you all you need to know about the type of women who play women's hockey.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. It was disgusting what they did to Barndon Teena.

[motherscratcher]

Excuse me sirs, could you please put out the cigars.

Tells you all you need to know about the type of women who play women's hockey.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. It was disgusting what they did to Barndon Teena.

Hockey...where the men are men.

And so are the women.

[waborat]

Excuse me sirs, could you please put out the cigars.

Tells you all you need to know about the type of women who play women's hockey.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. It was disgusting what they did to Barndon Teena.

Hockey...where the men are men.

And so are the women.

[waborat]

Early laugher...

Can't even take a leak without them scoring...

Rematch Sunday

[motherscratcher]

Holy shit!

Does hockey have a mercy rule?

[skatingtripods]

I am beyond shocked. I really expected a close game.

The US needs to just play it out and avoid bad habits.

[jack_tors]

This is a friggin blood bath! I had no idea USA had this game in them. Real nice to see the forwards scoring. Lets finish this one off and get ready to beat whoever wins the other game.

USA playing for the gold medal??? Who thought that was a possibility?

[motherscratcher]

I am beyond shocked. I really expected a close game.

The US needs to just play it out and avoid bad habits.

Bad habits? What does that mean? Those announcers parroted your take almost like they were reading this thread.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

I am beyond shocked. I really expected a close game.

The US needs to just play it out and avoid bad habits.

Bad habits? What does that mean? Those announcers parroted your take almost like they were reading this thread.

Tripods has Future Tivo.

[skatingtripods]

I am beyond shocked. I really expected a close game.

The US needs to just play it out and avoid bad habits.

Bad habits? What does that mean? Those announcers parroted your take almost like they were reading this thread.

Laziness is the biggest bad habit. You can psyche yourself out of a game like this and do bad things and they stay with you. Things like trying to make a move at the blue line and give up an odd man rush instead of getting the puck deep and protecting the lead. Make Finland go 200 feet to score.

Also, just things like bad cross-ice passes, not backchecking, letting Finland run Miller like they just did.

You've got to continue to play competitively, not lackadaisical.

The most important thing for the US is to not get overconfident. This game doesn't mean shit on Sunday, assuming the game stays the way it is.

Edit: Also, watch Ryan Miller. Watch his angle play. His controlling of rebounds. Those are the biggest bad habits that can kill us. He has had problems with focus with Buffalo. He has to stay focused, square his shoulders and face shooters. The worst thing that could happen to us, outside of an injury, is Miller to let in a couple of soft goals and let them beat him up.

[waborat]

I am beyond shocked. I really expected a close game.

The US needs to just play it out and avoid bad habits.

Bad habits? What does that mean? Those announcers parroted your take almost like they were reading this thread.

Laziness is the biggest bad habit. You can psyche yourself out of a game like this and do bad things and they stay with you. Things like trying to make a move at the blue line and give up an odd man rush instead of getting the puck deep and protecting the lead. Make Finland go 200 feet to score.

Also, just things like bad cross-ice passes, not backchecking, letting Finland run Miller like they just did.

You've got to continue to play competitively, not lackadaisical.

The most important thing for the US is to not get overconfident. This game doesn't mean shit on Sunday, assuming the game stays the way it is.

Edit: Also, watch Ryan Miller. Watch his angle play. His controlling of rebounds. Those are the biggest bad habits that can kill us. He has had problems with focus with Buffalo. He has to stay focused, square his shoulders and face shooters. The worst thing that could happen to us, outside of an injury, is Miller to let in a couple of soft goals and let them beat him up.

Thx Skates...

I'm enjoying the hockey tutorial throughout these games

[motherscratcher]

Thx Skates...

I'm enjoying the hockey tutorial throughout these games

Agreed. I like hockey but I watch it the same way most chicks watch football. I have no idea what anything means or why anything happens, but I know when something good happens because people start clapping and yelling.

[waborat]

Thx Skates...

I'm enjoying the hockey tutorial throughout these games

Agreed. I like hockey but I watch it the same way most chicks watch football. I have no idea what anything means or why anything happens, but I know when something good happens because people start clapping and yelling.

Ha, I hear ya MS...

I'm not quite that green...

Been watching international hockey in the Olympics since '80, been to a few Penguins & Red Wings games, Lumberjacks, Monsters, etc...

Actually know what icing is

But I've never understood the strategies (other than score & keep the damn puck outta the net) and/or schemes of the sport

[skatingtripods]

But I've never understood the strategies (other than score & keep the damn puck outta the net) and/or schemes of the sport

It's a game of positioning and pressuring. There are plenty of different formations you can use.

I'll try to put together some basketball analogies to explain it. Think of forechecking like a press. That's when you pressure a guy in his defensive zone. Similar to running a man-to-man or a 1-3-1 or a 1-2-1-1, there are different types of forechecks. There's a 1-3-1, also called a 3 high, where one guy pressures, the two guys on the outside try to shadow the defenseman's outlets (the left and right wing), and the middle guy's job is usually to watch the opposing center. It's a forecheck mostly employed by defensive teams.

There's another variation of a forecheck that would be similar to a trap in basketball. The first guy pressures the puck and the second guy goes to a spot on the strong side (side where the other defenseman is) and pressures him. The goal is for the first guy to hit the puck carrier and neutralize him from receiving a return pass. This is a more aggressive forecheck.

Usually, what you'll tend to see is a passive 1-2-2 where one guy stops in front of the net and then as the defenseman picks a side to try and exit the zone, the forward follows him. It's designed to get a turnover in the neutral zone. This way, it's more safe than the high-pressure forecheck, because you're less likely to be outnumbered when the opposition enters your offensive zone.

Really, the key to hockey is to not be outnumbered in front of your own net. If the puck is below the goal line, the defenseman on the side of the ice with the puck carrier takes that man. The center plays on the strong side goalpost and is the first guy to help if the puck is loose or the puck carrier gets tied up. The weak side defenseman's responsibility is the back post. The two wingers have the responsibility of covering the point men, or the defensemen of the team with the puck.

Similarly, there are different penalty kill and powerplay formations. There's four main penalty kills. An aggressive box, a passive box, a triangle and one, or a diamond. The triangle and one is where three guys form a triangle and the guy closest to the puck pressures the puck carrier. The other are self-explanatory and are designed to prevent passes and get in shooting lanes.

There's two main powerplay formations. An umbrella and an overload. An umbrella is in the shape of an umbrella. One guy in front, one guy down low and then a triangle of guys towards the blue line. An overload is where you overload the side with the puck and attempt to get the puck to the point or the middle of the ice by having the support of two guys.

Basically, at 5 on 5, the important thing to do is not get outnumbered at all. You always want to match their guys, but never leave your own guy open.

I think things like this are the real reason why hockey doesn't get the love it should. A guy dumps the puck in to the zone and people ask "Why is he passing to no one?" They just don't understand the intricacies, and even the simple things of the game. The flow of the game gets broken up quite a bit with offsides too. Baseball is easy. See ball, hit ball, catch ball, throw ball. Football is easy. Block, run, catch, throw. Basketball is the simplest game on the planet. Obviously, there are plays and formations in those too, but it's not as critical to understanding the game.

Seriously, if you guys have any questions or don't understand, I'll try to explain them as best as I can.

[motherscratcher]

Actually know what icing is

Me too. I love icing. I think vanilla is my favorite, but I'll really eat any kind.

[FUDU]

Even though I am thoroughly enjoying this I still portend hockey goals are 90% garbage goals in which the circumstances surrounding the situation were skewed and unintended. Goals off a skate, knocked in by goalie's own team, almost completely obstructed views etc...

Not knocking those of you who are knowledgeable fans (hell I went to THE hockey school in the state) but it too often has the feel as if I'm watching the breaking of a pinata at a 5 year old's birthday party.

[Triple-S]

the more I watch hockey in the olympics, the more I wish C-town had an NHL team. starting to really gain an appreciation for the sport.

makes me want to dust off my old copy of "NHL 2000".

[Cerebral_DownTime]

the more I watch hockey in the olympics, the more I wish C-town had an NHL team. starting to really gain an appreciation for the sport.

makes me want to dust off my old copy of "NHL 2000".

NHL 10 for 360 is pretty good. They have all the Olympic teams and tons of Euro leagues.

[Triple-S]

the more I watch hockey in the olympics, the more I wish C-town had an NHL team. starting to really gain an appreciation for the sport.

makes me want to dust off my old copy of "NHL 2000".

NHL 10 for 360 is pretty good. They have all the Olympic teams and tons of Euro leagues.

auctually was about to buy that myself tommorow for PS3 (weather not-withstanding). Used to love playing with the Olympic teams in 2000, glad to see they're still there. Do they have a create-a-team option? would love to re-create the Cleveland Barons (not the minor league team) and have them rock the Q.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

the more I watch hockey in the olympics, the more I wish C-town had an NHL team. starting to really gain an appreciation for the sport.

makes me want to dust off my old copy of "NHL 2000".

NHL 10 for 360 is pretty good. They have all the Olympic teams and tons of Euro leagues.

auctually was about to buy that myself tommorow for PS3 (weather not-withstanding). Used to love playing with the Olympic teams in 2000, glad to see they're still there. Do they have a create-a-team option? would love to re-create the Cleveland Barons (not the minor league team) and have them rock the Q.

I don't know if that have a create a team. I haven't really messed around with it that much. Just doing the season mode with my Blue Jackets. The menus are kinda shitty and scoring can be hard till you get the hang of aiming your shot with the left stick.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Milan Jurcina has been smashing Canadians tonight.

[dmiles]

Went through the whole thread and didn't see any mention of Tanith Belbin.... So there I've said it.

Also cool that Slovakia made the Semi-Finals interesting.

[dmiles]

My LL team last year peppered the Skate Park with home runs. In Encinitas the Magdalena YMCA built a pretty cool skate park just beyond the RF fence. In some of the jumps below, you can see out to the field, but about a 220-225 shot puts it in the skate park. When Shaun White is working out, word spreads fast and the kids are all watching. Tony Hawk and Bucky Lasek have been known to pop in, but I've only seen Shaun White, and I don't know the famous folks from that sport.

Anyway if you wonder how a coastal SoCal kid got the bug, it started with skating, and of course most kids around here end up snowboarding at some point every winter at Mt. High, Mammoth or Big Bear.

Shaun with some LLers and my all-star/travel ball leadoff hitter (though my kid wasn't around).




Our Majors field is in the background at the top of the screen but you can't quite make it out. Everything is jammed in here, if LL ever mandated 225 fences we'd have to move because the skate park overlooks the field. By the way my team, is the Encinitas LL Indians of course....

[dpdad]

Did anyone else see the women's curling final last night? Started watching and couldn't tear myself away. That blue-eyed redhead for Canada was a very attractive MILF.

This is where NBC missed the boat, IMO. Instead of features on these gay boy skaters or 25 year-old swimsuit model skiers, do more features on people like Cheryl Bernard of Canada. Guarantee you the ratings would go up.

[FUDU]

So we're in position and going for Gold in the 4 man bobsled and it isn't being broadcast on television?

This is 2010 right?

Unreal.

[Ziner]

So we're in position and going for Gold in the 4 man bobsled and it isn't being broadcast on television?

This is 2010 right?

Unreal.

They did have time for a half hour production tying in some tiny town on newfoundland and 9/11. People love tying anything to 9/11, it gets old.

[FUDU]

We won the Gold in the 4 man bobsled, not that anyone saw it, exciting huh?

[waborat]

So we're in position and going for Gold in the 4 man bobsled and it isn't being broadcast on television?

This is 2010 right?

Unreal.

They did have time for a half hour production tying in some tiny town on newfoundland and 9/11. People love tying anything to 9/11, it gets old.

THAT was one of the best human-interest stories I ever watched...

Honestly...

Although I agree, where was that story over the past 8.5 years?

[FUDU]

Great story indeed.

Anybody see the cross country final?

Incredible, so many classic finishes to that sport, and the awe inspiring determination and flat out strength of those guys, probably the best competitors in Olympics period.

[Triple-S]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PReim0Axt4

Hockey time folks.

America V. Canada for all the marbles.

should be fun to watch as this is probably a bigger pressure for the Canucks.

[waborat]

Great story indeed.

Anybody see the cross country final?

Incredible, so many classic finishes to that sport, and the awe inspiring determination and flat out strength of those guys, probably the best competitors in Olympics period.

Another great finish!!!

Amazing, the stamina those cats have...

Let the puck drop now in the Olympic finale

[Cerebral_DownTime]

I just want to win in Canada in front of those fans. Just to ram it right down their throats would be sweet.

Porbably lots of Molson and Blakc Velvet being consumed across the great white north.

[comish]

Some serious hitting going on

[peeker643]

Some serious hitting going on

Danny Heatley going ass over elbows into the US bench.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

I hope it goes to the shoot out, that would make Tripods' head explode.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Some serious hitting going on

Danny Heatley going ass over elbows into the US bench.

lol.... It's funny because he killed someone.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Shit.....

[comish]

Love it, punches thrown. This is pretty good Tv even though I'm no huge hockey fan.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Fighting in hockey is great. But I understand why the don't allow it in the Olympics.

[comish]

That hurts...US needs to show some fight here.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Just keep getting puck on Luongo, eventually he'll choke.

[comish]

As you were saying