farce poobah

11 guys hit the scoresheet again tonight. That's terrific for morale in the locker room.

The 5000 fans at The John are having fun tonight.

I think it was to be on NBCSN ...

I agree with this. Team USA beat the teams we should have beaten - the first four opponents - and scored 25 goals (while allowing only 6). The Canada game was surprisingly close. Team USA gave them just one goal - less than anyone else in the tournament. Being within one bounce of Canada is not something to be ashamed of. What they should be ashamed of is mailing it in the Bronze medal game; I can hardly recall a sadder performance from USA (and I've been watching for 30+ years). As to talent, I think a few more USA players might make Canada's roster (Ryan Miller instead of Smith or Luongo; Ryan Kesler and Zach Parise would be candidates for 3rd and 4th lines; and Carlson might be considered for the 7th-8th defensemen). And Canada left home 4 of the NHL's top 16 scorers (!) So I agree, top to bottom USA simply didn't match up with Canada. Anyone thinking we could win based on talent was deluding themselves. USA needed to outwork Canada AND get a couple bounces. Overall, thinking back to 1998 when the NHL players came into the games, USA hockey is closing the gap but its a really long and slow process. We are well behind Canada, closing the gap on Sweden and Finland, and I would say we're now ahead of Russia.

I could swear I saw (former Sioux player) Brad Pascall on the ice after the game. He's now VP Hockey Operations for Hockey Canada.

Sweden playing really well also ... This game is so well played I almost can't tell its on the big ice. Most big ice games are interminably slow, because plays take so long to develop. These two teams are closing down time and space so quickly, the game looks like a regular-sheet game. Oh - and Mike Babcock is a genius. Especially in-game. He makes adjustments based on who's getting it done. Sharp contrast to Bylsma, who failed in that regard (obviously USA players are accountable in that failure too).

He really does elevate in the biggest games.

Toews!!!

Duluth has definitely crossed the line - into intent to injure - multiple times in the last few years. I agree.

4 goals in 8 minutes ... against a solid opponent ... on the road This team is starting to play up to their potential.

I haven't felt this crappy ... since I hit crossbar-post-out-nogoal in the broomball shootout for intramurals my senior year at UND.

Clearly: Dos Equis.

I think that's unlikely, because IIHF has made significant changes in response to the IOC direction to minimize lopsided games and grow the sport outside USA and Canada. One big initiative has been coaching partnerships, where USA and Canadian coaches partner up with various national federations. Each WCHA team has a coach with a partner, for example Elander is mentoring Germany. http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/sport/women/ambassadors/peter-elander.html Another is the competition itself, where they set up the top 4 teams in one pool, and the bottom 4 teams in another. So there was no USA vs Russia or Germany game. (Unless of course Russia/Germany were to advance.) That said, the competition (beyond USA v Canada) is certainly among the most lopsided of any on the Olympic program.

LOL I didn't see which referee called the penalty. Pollock (CAN) or Jerabek (CZE).

Crosby with a disgusting dive that draws a penalty on Finland. Selanne calling him out on it, as they go back to the bench. Bravo.

Correctamundo! Full list here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/shootoutstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAZAll&viewName=shootoutSkaterCareerTotals&sort=shootingPctg&pg=3 As surprising as how good some guys are, is how low some great players rank on that list.

Two players in the Olympics have a career NHL shootout percentage of .500 or better (minimum 15 attempts). Name them.

Well written. Most school policies are like what you described, and nobody gets fired just because of one parent complaint. There's a lot more to this story than what's come out so far.

Given that Women's Worlds were in Burlington Vermont not that long ago, it would seem indeed that a bid from the Ralph would be well received by IIHF.

Its also their first Big Ten win.

I can't believe our own TV guys don't know the rule about entering the crease before the puck. THat was the right call. stays 4 to 3 Could have been a UNO penalty for goalie interference

That is a REALLY SOLID 40 minute effort. Let's keep it going through the last twenty.

He's not just captaining it. He's making sure the magazines explode with the ammunition aboard. (What kind of lunatic tries to go into the opponent locker room between periods to pick a fight? And how predictable was it that Calgary could get Tortorella that far off his game just by starting their 4th line?) Monday, he gets an in person hearing with NHL brass, following which a fine and suspension are almost a certainty. Next step will be Gordon Lightfoot writing a song about the wreck of the Vancouver Canucks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A

Team Canada announces captains of their men's Olympic Team: C: Crosby A: Toews A: Weber http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=701346&navid=nhl:topheads Congratulations Johnny!