I. A lot of hockey still to come. The action has been great so far. Slovakia/Russia and Norway/Switzerland were probably my two favorite games, though I haven't caught every one. Of course, USA/Canada was great as well. I've been very impressed with the team from Switzerland so far. The Swiss, a team anchored by Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks, but not much in the way of NHLers beyond that, has been very competitive in all of their games (3 resulting in Hockey Gratis). They look forward to a rematch with the USA who beat them 3-1 in group play. Looking forward to what should be an incredible slate of games tomorrow, including what many thought would be the gold medal game, Russia v. Canada. We get that gem in just the QUARTERFINALS. It should be a brilliantly hard-fought game as one of the two favorites is promised to be left without even a medal. The final two quarterfinal matches are still to be determined.
APT's prediction: APT really likes Team Sweden. They seem to always have a great team chemistry, despite bringing in a lot of NHLers without experience playing together. They have a more difficult road than Team USA, having to play, likely Slovakia, while the Americans draw the Swiss. But Hank Lundqvist is a big game goaltender with Gold Medal experience. Team Sweden is full of Olympic Veterans. They hold that advantage, and a very stout defensive unit over the Americans. APT sees Sweden downing Team USA in the finals, while the Russians take Bronze with their second win over the Czech Republic.
Sleeper pick (the best team no one talks about): Slovakia. Despite my pick of Sweden for Gold, they are going to have their hands full if they get Slovakia in the Quarterfinal. Slovakia has played some of the best hockey in the tournament. They lost a tough opening round game to the Czech republic 3-1, but it was heavily contested, and the Slovaks were a tough break away from taking control of the contest. They went on to defeat Russia in a shootout and blow out Latvia. Look out for this squad. Though he looked a little nervous in the Czech game, Jaroslav Halak has played some great hockey in goal for the Slovaks. They are definitely a dangerous team.
II. USA Curling: For those who have watched, the action has been miserable for the United States. The US Women play their final match tonight against Switzerland (The men ended their draw yesterday, getting shalaqued by China 11-5) . Going into that game, America held a 4-13 record between the two squads, both in last place in the standings. If it seemed like Men's captain John Shuster was blowing a chance to win every game, it's probably because he was. Despite attempts to shuffle the line-up around, the US curlers never found their stride. American play, as I mentioned, comes to a merciful end tonight. (The two Canadian squadrons have produced a record of 16-1 going into the women's last draw this evening) The semifinals begin Thursday for some, while Shuster and the gang will surely be looking for a hot tub time machine and a chance to try again.
III.
There was a bit of an issue arising from the results of the men's figure skating last week. Evan Lysacek of the US (above) narrowly edged out defending gold-medalist Evgeni Plushenko after the long program. (APT caught most of the free skates, but unfortunately missed the Gold Medal winning performance. What a waste!) Lysacek's victory drew the ire of runner-up Plushenko. Plushenko gave Lysacek shit (warranted?) for not attempting any quad jumps in his routine. Most of the performances included at least one, several multiple quad attempts. Plushenko's one major error came on a quad, and he paid for it. Regardless of your opinion of Lysacek's degree of difficulty, he's wearing the rock and no one can take that away.
IV. As if I didn't bash it enough last time, a few more words on Women's Hockey. To update those who haven't been following. You have missed absolutely nothing. As would have been easily predicted by APT, USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland were the semi-finalists, with the USA blasting their opponent (Sweden) and Canada smothering theirs (Finland). At least we arrive at the most interesting part, when USA plays Canada. Good luck to our gals, I suppose. (Prediction?: USA gold, Canada Silver, Finland Bronze)
V.
BODACIOUS MILLER comes up GOLD! The much maligned American skiier has toned down the commentary and picked up the speed. Despite DQ-ing in the Giant Slalom yesterday, His Bodaciousness has rocked Vancouver, opening up with a bronze in the Downhill, then teasing us with a silver in the Super G, and his efforts culminating in a gold in the super-combined. APT is stoked by the Bodacity. Bode took his share of shit and is sending it back, not with his mouth, but his skiis. Best of luck to him in the rest of the games.
VI. A major story in this Olympics will continue to be the untimely death of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. The story continues as competitors are asked about the track. Many feel that the designers went to far with the speed and tight-turning. Several competitors have admitted feeling fear, far beyond nerves, when entering into competition on the slick track. These sledders are downright terrified of having to face this ride. With only a couple of sled events remaining, the Bolt's best go out to all competitors. Stay safe out there.
VII. Quick shout out to Apolo Anton Ohno. Though he has not secured a Gold at the Vancouver Olympics, Ohno has picked up a silver and bronze. The two medals make him the most decorated American Winter Olympian ever, with seven medals, passing legendary speed-skater Bonnie Blair. Blair however houses FIVE gold medals in her trophy case, while Ohno goes for variety with 2 golds, 2 silver and 3 bronze. Ohno will compete in the 5000m relay and is considering entering the 500m to extend his new record further. Michael Phelps was apparently in attendance for Ohno's win (likely laughing under his breath).
VIII.
The Women's Figure Skating opened tonight with the short programs. Sadly, all APT can think of is how Sasha Cohen will not be featured. I admittedly know as little going into this Olympics about the women competitors as I have going into any recent Winter O. APT promises to fight back the tears and watch some of the new stars of Women's figure skating, having something insightful to say about it in my last Winter Olympic report.
IX. Shaun White is RI-(insert clever synonym of "dic" or really any random syllable here)-ULOUS!!! There is really not much to say on it. He can do whatever he wants. He simply is twice as high off the pipe as any other snowboarder, rendering it near impossible for them to compete, unless white completely crashes and burns. He sealed the Gold Medal in the Pipe before even embarking on this 2nd run. But being the baller that he is, White put forth an incredible performance in his victory lap. Perhaps if APT owned part of a mountain and built a half-pipe in it, he would be this awesome. (Very seriously doubt it)
X. I apologize, but Ice Dancing sucks. I don't know why it ever was deemed Olympic worthy. I'm not sure of the history, but perhaps it was around before people were able to safely execute jumps. It is difficult to watch for more that a few minutes. I admit that Figure Skating is legitimate and can be quite entertaining, but ice dancing is a complete different story. With mens, womens and pairs already, it just seems completely unnecessary. The only Ice Dancing APT has every enjoyed came in the brilliant production "Reptar On Ice".
maybe also, death to smoochy.
XI. Speaking of events whose merits I have a hard-time understanding, we arrive at the 2-man luge. Now the luge is a very intriguing event. Zipping down a fast ice track on a sled, very dangerous, very badass, pretty much what any kid really wants to be doing as he/she sleds down the nearest snowy hill in December. I can see the derivation with Skeleton: head-first, even more badass, more badass name to go with it: sure, awesome. BUT, where the hell did 2-man luge come from? APT is by no means homophobic. I did theater in high school and college, which is hard to do if troubled by homophobia, but this has nothing to do with being gay or not. This event is just crazy. Someone had to be watching luge one day, standing on a hill, overlooking the track, feeling the crisp air flow past his face, watching the flakes fall off the conifers as they sway in the breeze, and think to himself "what if we threw another man on top of that man on the sled? Wouldn't that be the greatest?" APT just cannot see that scene taking place. WHO DID THIS? WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A LEGITIMATE IDEA? I get it that Bobsled has a 2 and a 4 man event. BUT THEY MADE A BIGGER SLED FOR MORE PEOPLE. I may simply never understand.
XI. I will end these sprites, which have been a little too negative about olympic events by mentioning FREESTYLE SKIING. I was watching snowboard cross early in the games, which is pretty boring during time trials, but plenty awesome once they go into 4 boarder heats, eliminating 2 at a time until they reach the medal race. I couldn't help but think how BADASS it would be if skiiers did that. I WAS RIGHT. Turns out freestyle skiing, aka Ski-Cross, does just that. Although the event went without much trouble, it certainly looked dangerous and was massively entertaining. So props to the inventor of Ski-Cross and props to Switzerland's Michael Schmid and Canada's Ashleigh McIvor for taking the golds. The broader class of sports of freestyle skiing also includes Aerials: more baddassness. Those medals are yet to be awarded.
XII. Kobe hit a game-winning 3 in his return to the Lakers tonight. Anyone surprised?
No comments:
Post a Comment