Ryan Miller was the Hockey Tournament MVP.

The Men’s USA Hockey team fell short in their quest for Gold losing 3-2 in overtime.

There was no Miracle On Ice or Squaw Valley.

However, this team has NO REASON to hang their heads.

No one gave them a shot at a medal. No one gave them a shot to beat Canada in their first matchup.

But that’s what America is all about.

No one gives us a chance but we always rise to the occasion.

We always rally around each other.

We always bounce back.

Team USA trailed 2-0 going into the second period and cut the lead to one. U.S. Goalie Ryan Miller was all world in this tournament and he kept his team in it yet again.

The Americans continued to attack and pressure the talented Canadian team. Team Canada netminder, Roberto Luongo looked shaky and let up rebound after rebound.

The clock worked against the Americans as they trailed by one with less than two minutes left. They could have mailed it in. They could have conceded to the country that invented the sport.

However, Americans don’t quit or give up, we persevere.

And persevere they did.

Thanks Team USA. You made us proud to be American.

Zach Parise scored the tying goal with about 25 seconds left on the clock and the United States forced overtime.

However in overtime, Sid the Kid, arguably the best hockey player on the planet, beat Miller to secure gold for Team Canada.

Team USA’s dreams of gold were dashed in the blink of an eye, but the citizens of this country embraced them with open arms.

You made us proud to be Americans.

You made us realize that ice hockey is the best game on the planet.

People who don’t even like hockey, rooted on their country and their brothers on skates.

It wasn’t just men playing a kids game, it was our fellow Americans defying the odds and not listening to the doubters.

Most of the US players had tears in their eyes during the medal ceremony. They were disappointed and may felt they let everyone down.

Gentlemen when you put on those jerseys, you were playing for the name on the front and not the one on their back.

Herb Brooks would have been proud of you.

Our country is proud of you and we will never forget your fight and fire!

You made us cheer and you made the world take notice.

You encapsulated what America stands for. Hard work and the undying will to overcome.

Thank You.

]]> http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/28/team-usa-hold-your-heads-high/feed/ 10 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/27/apolo-ohno-skating-his-way-into-olympic-glory/ http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/27/apolo-ohno-skating-his-way-into-olympic-glory/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:05:45 +0000 JA Allen http://sportsthenandnow.com/?p=3845

Ohno stays upright during the 2010 Olympics 500-meter short-track finals.

What did I love about the 2010 Winter Olympics?

Without a doubt, it was Apolo Anton Ohno and the exciting world of short-track speed skating.  What a ride!

Yes, Ohno was robbed of a silver medal in the 500-meter short-track speed skating final.  Come on, ref!  The only fair thing to do was to start the race over or “replay the point, gentlemen,” because no one escaped the hands-on havoc during the last lap of that terrific race.

Ohno came into the final as the defending champion, having won the gold in the 500-meters four years ago.  But no one really expected him to repeat in 2010, although you can never count Ohno out.  The man simply does not know how to quit.

27-year old Ohno definitely was not the fastest man on the ice last night but he was the smartest and perhaps the most powerful, experienced and determined.  Like a cat with two more lives to spare, Ohno went after the medal and took his chances.

You simply have nothing to lose if you are out of the running for a spot on the podium. There is no point in holding back or playing it safe.

Ohno Celebrating before being disqualified

Short-track is not the most beautiful event on ice because that honor must be accorded  to figure skating –– but it is the most compelling, engaging and down right thrilling action on the ice because it is over in a heart-beat unlike hockey that goes on for hours.

It is hard to imagine how much strength it takes to retain your balance during never-ending curves and short, often deceptive straight lines –– holding your own on the edge of your skates with no lanes and opponents riding your hips.

Last night during the quarterfinals, Ohno had to dance his way through a couple of downed competitors sprawled on the ice and that cost him seconds of time and made his time the slowest.

That he did not stumble and fall himself was a miracle and a testament to his superb timing and control.

In the semis one more fallen racer, Korean Lee Ho Suk, gave Ohno a further medal shot as the American managed to escape with another tricky maneuver past the skater who spilled out of contention.  Luck seemed to be with the crafty Ohno.

Ohno exhibiting intense concentration during the Olympic finals

That put him into the finals with three extemely fast skaters.  Ohno needed to finish in the top three in order to medal.  There were two Canadians, Charles Hamelin and Francois-Louis Tremblay, and one South Korean, Sung Si Bak –– and Ohno needed to pass at least one of them.

At he end of the race Canadian Hamelin crossed the finish line first sideways and Ohno crossed second.  The other two skaters lay spread eagle on the ice.  The Canadian referee disqualified Ohno, saying he pushed Tremblay.

But the replay was not conclusive and Ohno felt he was unfairly treated as the South Korean snatched away his silver medal and Canadian Tremblay swiped the bronze.

It was the first short-track event of the 2010 Olympics where Ohno failed to medal and it left him one more event –– the men’s 5,000 meter relay for his last chance to climb onto the podium during a medal ceremony.

For the whole race, the U.S. team comprised of J.R. Celski, Travis Jayner and Jordan Malone in addition to Ohno, remained mired in fourth place.  By this time the French had fallen way off the mark, well back in fifth place.

The South Koreans and the Canadians battled it out for the number one spot, leaving the U.S. team to battle for the bronze medal with the Chinese during the final two laps anchored by team leader Ohno.

Ohno on the podium with U.S. teammates, winning the Bronze Medal in the 5,000 meter relay.

With the crowd screaming, on its feet, Ohno did the impossible once again, forging a win in a micro-second spurt, edging out the Chinese skater Song Weilong and stealing the bronze for himself and his young, enthusiastic teammates.

It was a perfect photo-finish for Ohno who leaves Vancouver and the 2010 Winter Olympics with 3 more medals, a silver and two bronzes and 8 medals in total.  The eight  medal count makes him the most decorated of all Americans in the history of the Winter Olympics.

There are those who continue to scoff at short-track speed skating as an Olympic event.  Let them scoff because it certainly requires extreme athleticism, power, speed and courage to engage in such intense and volatile competition unlike – say – beach volleyball and maybe synchronized swimming.  Please!

Indeed, short-track speed skating is not for the faint at heart.  The future will prove this sport along with snowboarding to be the salvation of Winter Olympics because it is these events that will attract the young who will wish to emulate Apolo Ohno and Shaun White.

Proof of the passion for this sport moving forward was the thrilling silver medal run of Katherine Reutter of the U.S. in the women’s 1,000 meter short-track event, finishing behind Chinese short track speed skater Wang Meng.  Reutter is the future of this event for American women.

Most speculate that this is Ohno’s last Olympic adventure.  It would stand to reason that he would decide on another path since he has accomplished so much on the ice and really has nothing left to prove in his chosen sport.

Speed skater Ohno winning number 7 and loving it.

Ohno’s star power is a great addition to the sport but the incentive for him to continue to train in hopes of another medal or two in 2014 seems miniscule.  Those who watched him compete in 2010 saw the best athletes in the sport in action.

Ohno provided one thrill after another, flashing that winning smile and offering his fans promise for another adventure down the road…

The hit heard around Russia.

Alex Ovechkin is one of those players who can change the flow of a game with one play. Sometimes, it’s with a scintillating goal from some obscure position. Other times, Ovechkin just knows how to be in the right place at the right time.

Sunday during the Czech Republic vs. Russia game was a perfect example of Ovechkin’s good timing. While Ovechkin is known to be a great scorer, he is also known for delivering the big hit from time to time. It was in this game where Ovechkin put a hit on Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr that declared Russian control of the game.

In the final period Russia lead 2-1, the Czechs had to make some moves offensively to tie the game, and they had to do it soon. Jagr had possession of the puck on his way toward Russian territory.

Back when I played hockey, I rarely heard any other piece of advice as much as I heard, “Keep your head up!” Especially in open ice.

Unfortunately, for Jagr, by the time he picked his head up to look, Ovechkin was a split second away from him and delivered a bone-crushing hit. Jagr instantaneously dropped to the ice, feeling the whiplash from the contact.

The puck was loose and Russian Alex Semin picked up the gift. He took it down to the Czech zone, and passed it to Evgeni Malkin, who shot successfully past Tomas Vokoun to put the Russians ahead 3-1.

Ovi has Russia fighting for another gold medal.

The Czechs didn’t go away, scoring with about five minutes remaining to make it 3-2. But after the Czechs pulled the goalie, Russia’s Pavel Datsyuk scored on the empty net with assists from Malkin and Ovechkin. Russia defeated the Czechs 4-2.

The hit that Ovechkin made on Jagr kept the Russians in the lead. Had the hit not occurred, the Czechs would have scored, and instead of the game being 3-2, it would have been 2-2. Who knows who would have won the game then?

Thus Ovechkin’s hit ultimately created the situation that gave the Russians the match. Now Russia has a bye through the quarterfinals as a result of the victory and winning Group B.

Throughout the Olympics, there has been criticism of Ovechkin’s ability to show a clutch performance. Nonetheless, Ovechkin’s significant role in the win against the Czech Republic ought to hush the critics now. I wonder how Mike Milbury feels now.

Jean Claude Killy was one of the brightest stars of the 1968 Winter Olympics.

It was the 1968 Winter Games—Grenoble, France.

The distinctive and enduring Olympic theme Bugler’s Dream , was introduced that year.

Drug and gender testing made it’s first intrusion into The Games.

A worldwide television audience viewed the spectacle for the first time in living color.

Two names, above all others, emerged from those Olympics to be indelibly etched in our hearts and minds:

Ageless US figure skater Peggy Fleming emphatically and beautifully declared to the world that American figure skating was back – after the entire US team was wiped out in a tragic 1961 air crash.

Dashing French alpine skier Jean-Claude Killy stole hearts—and at least one of his three gold medals—before a frenzied home crowd on the slopes of Chamrousse.

While Fleming’s story fairly drips with drama and significance, the telling of that tale on these pages will have to wait for another time.
Jean-Claude Killy was reared in the high ski country of Val d’Isere in the French Alps. As with many eventual sports heroes, Killy as a child often gazed through his classroom windows, hearkening to the distant call of his obsession. Truancy became a problem and his father eventually permitted him to drop out of school at 15 to pursue his dream.

A year later, Killy qualified for the French national junior team. He quickly developed a reputation for speed, but his reckless abandon prevented him from finishing many of his races. Still, at 19, he was chosen to compete in the giant slalom at the 1962 World Championships in Chamonix.

Three weeks before the championships, in typical hell-bent-for-leather fashion, Killy lost control near the end of a prelude race and went down hard. He bounced up immediately and crossed the finish line on one ski—still recording the fastest time!

It was soon learned his other leg was broken. Killy was reduced to an infirm spectator for the World Championships.

As part of a long range plan (looking ahead to 1968), the French ski coach entered Killy in the three (now five) men’s events at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

Again Jean-Claude faced bitter disappointment. Battling amoebic dysentery and hepatitis, Killy fell early in the downhill and lost a binding in the slalom. He finished fifth in his best event, the giant slalom.

Finally, at the age of 22, Killy’s trademark speed and attacking style began to fuse together into a dynamic winning combination.

At the 1966 World Championships in Portillo, Chile, he won the downhill and combined.

Timing was everything in 1967. In January of that year the inaugural season of the World Cup series was introduced, just as Jean-Claude began to peak in his career.

He won 12 of 17 races, including all five downhills and four of five in the giant slalom. He was overall points leader in all three disciplines and easily won The Cup.

The following season, Killy’s devil-may-care assault on the 1968 World Cup was in full-glide as the Grenoble Games opened in February.

In that one year only, Olympic competition counted toward World Cup standings, so Killy viewed the opportunity to perform before his countrymen as an advantageous “next step” in his pursuit of world domination in alpine skiing.

In the downhill, Killy’s break-neck attack allowed him to just slip past teammate Guy Perillat by .08 seconds to win gold.

Then, in the giant slalom (which for the first time included two runs rather than one), a wider margin of more than two seconds secured another gold for Killy.

A “clean” sweep of the three events was not in the cards however, as controversy marred Killy’s third gold in the slalom:

Jean-Claude was leading after his second run. Norwegian skier, Haakon Mjoen then weaved his way down the slope in a quicker time, but was disqualified for missing a gate.

The great Austrian, and Killy’s chief rival, Karl Schranz followed with his second run. About mid-course, Schranz suddenly halted, as in the fog a mysterious figure crossed his path. The Austrian was granted a re-run and produced the fastest time. Schranz was declared the winner.

A Jury of Appeal later disqualified him for missing a gate and Killy was awarded the gold.

Jean-Claude Killy was only the second man to ever sweep the alpine skiing events since the legendary Tony Sailer.

Some say the echoes still reverberate from the slopes of Chamrousse in honor of France’s greatest sports hero. He was awarded the French Legion of Honor.

Before the closing ceremonies however, another controversy arose concerning Killy’s amateur status. At that time, any hint of commercialism or brand marketing was strictly forbidden.

Killy was not subtle in his post-race photos, allowing company trademarks to be clearly visible on his equipment. Alleged under-the-table payments for such favors were not easily proved.

In protest, IOC president Avery Brundage was conspicuously absent from the alpine skiing awards ceremonies.

Killy rode the momentum of his Olympic sweep to another World Cup championship in 1968. Then, at the top of his game, he retired from skiing.

Considering the marketing controversy at Grenoble, Killy interestingly became a spokesman and endorser for Head Skis, Schwinn Bicycles, Rolex and Chevrolet.

Between 1967 and 1970, he had a short stint as a racing driver, participating in the Paris Dakar Rally.

In 1972, at 29, Killy returned to skiing in the US pro circuit for one year and won the season title in 1973.

In 1995 Killy returned to the arena of his greatest glory and has been a member of the IOC ever since.

Jean-Claude Killy will forever be honored as one of the most memorable characters in Winter Olympics history.

Team USA was jumping for joy with their win versus Canada.

On the eve of the Miracle on Ice and wearing throwback 1960 jerseys, Team USA made history again.

This time it was against Canada at its own game. It was the first time the US beat their neighbors to the north in Olympic play in the last 50 years.

No one gave the US squad much of a chance again.

It wasn’t the Soviets this time but a Canada team littered with NHL All-Stars.

Just like Jim Craig did 30 years ago, Ryan Miller kept his team in the game with save after miraculous save.

Miller stopped 42 shots and none of the cheap variety. He gave his team a chance to play with the high powered Canadians.

And compete they did!

The Americans took the mostly Canadian crowd right out of the game. Defenseman Brian Rafalski scored just 41 seconds into the contest.

And the Americans knew they were poised for a spirited performance.

The game would go back and forth going into the second period with the score tied at two.

However, just as Mike Eruzione did in 1980 versus the Soviets, Chris Drury scored the pivotal goal that gave the Americans the confidence the rest of the way.

Ryan Miller was Jim Craig-esque with 42 saves.

Team USA knew they could compete and win against the more talented and experienced Canadian Team.

A few members of the old American guard, Brian Rafalski and Jamie Langenbrunner combined for the score that put Team USA up 4-2. It was the goal that broke Goliath’s back. The whole country of Canada knew their backs were against the wall.

Even a Sid the Kid power play goal with less than three minutes was not enough. Team Canada didn’t convert on scoring chances and Ryan Miller robbed them at every turn.

The play that completely encapsulated the upstart and gritty Americans was the open net clinching goal by Ryan Kesler.

Getting mugged by a Team Canada defenseman, Kesler outmuscled his opponent to bat the puck into the empty net.

Game.

Set.

Match.

Seeing Team USA celebrating in their old school uniforms, could only make you think of Jim Craig, Jack O’Callahan, and Mike Eruzione embracing one another after beating the powerful Soviets.

Call it what you will.

It looks like karma was on the Americans side on this night in the birth place of hockey.

In 1960, 1980, and now 2010, it wasn’t a matter of talent. It was a matter of passion, the will to win, and team work.

I bet Herb Brooks was smiling down from heaven.

And he will be smiling ear to ear when they bring home gold.

U-S-A.

OK – I confess.

2007 Winners of Dancing with the Stars Apolo Ohno and Julianne Hough.

I watched Apolo Anton Ohno on Dancing with the Stars and fell in love with him as he moved that gorgeous blond Julianne Hough around the floor.  He was, in a word, magnificent.

That radiant smile and generous persona lit up the airwaves.  The man knows how to please and how to dance…

How does that translate into Olympic speed skating?  Practically speaking, Ohno has become a cottage industry for the Olympics.  He has drawn his Dancing with the Stars fans in droves into this exciting Olympic event.  His charm and genuine good humor also endear him to speed skating fans and fellow athletes around the world.

Saturday night as he skated in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals of the 1,000 meter short-track, it was difficult to watch, waiting for Ohno to do the seemingly impossible once again.  He has made a habit of finding a way to medal in cliffhanger fashion.

Last night in the semifinals where he had to finish in the top two, his original move to pass on the outside was thwarted and Ohno found himself in trouble once again.  But the wily American simply waited until there was a microscopic opening and darted past on the inside, securing second place and earning a spot in the finals.

I finally remembered to breathe as the replays began.

Did I fail to mention that Pacific Coliseum was packed.  Yes, there were two Canadian brothers skating in the event, but the cheers for Ohno also rocked the place as he has become a focal point for advertisers and commentators at the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver in 2010.

In the finals Ohno almost suffered the agony of defeat.  After making a daring move into second place with 2 1/2 laps to go, Ohno slipped, almost falling and found himself at the back of the pack in an instant.

The two Canadians, brothers Charles and Francois Hamelin, and the two Koreans,  Le Jung-su and Lee Ho-suk, raced ahead of the American who had lost all of his acceleration in the debacle.   With just one lap to go, Ohno summoned the strength to skate past the two Canadians and secure a bronze medal by a whisper.  There was no time left to move on the two Koreans who took gold and silver.

Ohno celebrates capturing his 7th Olympic medal in Vancouver.

By winning that bronze medal, Ohno secured his 7th medal in winter olympic competition, surpassing the astounding Bonnie Blair who won her six medals in long-track speed skating.

Her last medals, both gold, in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races she won in Lilliehammer in 1994.

16 years later, Ohno now owns the mantle for the number of medals won in winter olympics with seven –– and he has the opportunity to add even more.

Upcoming for Ohno are the 500-meter short-track race as well as the 5,000-meter relay where he will complete with other American speed skaters against the Canadians, Chinese and Koreans.

This means that Ohno has an opportunity to add even more to his medal count.

What is the difference, you ask, between long-track and short-track speed skating even though the distances covered are often the same, i.e, 500, 1000, 1500, 3000 and 5000 meters? This is the same question I asked myself because short-track speed skating reminds me somewhat of roller derby on ice, if the truth be known.

Short-track speed skating uses mass starts much like those used to begin marathon races.  Such mass starts were often practiced in the United States and Canada but the more traditional skating and the two-man or two-woman starts continued to be practiced outside the North American continent.

Short-track speed skating is relatively new, incorporated into winter olympic events for the first time in 1992.

In contrast to long-track racing where skaters compete in pairs and in lanes on a 400 meter track, speed skaters in short-track have mass starts on a much shorter track and there are no lane requirements once the race gets underway.

Ohno demonstrates short-track quickness, speed and power.

There are bumps, jabs and aggressive tactics for all the participants which ultimately makes the race very exciting to watch.  That may account for the sport’s new-found popularity with fans.  It can be dangerous and difficult out there on the ice –– but that is also its lure.

It is into this chaotic, icy world that the young Ohno, with athletic talents and abilities beyond those of most mortal teenagers, decided to enter.  With his father’s support, Ohno made it all the way to pinnacle of the sport.

Soon to be 28 years of age, it is doubtful that after the 2010 Olympics we will get to see Ohno compete again.  So the message is –– if you haven’t already watched him skate, do so now because he has only two remaining events.

The 500 meter short-track speed skating competition begins on Friday February 26.  Assuming Ohno reaches the finals of the 500-meter race and also that the American team reaches the finals of the 5,000-meter relay, Ohno could stand on the podium another two times.

It will be interesting to see how long Ohno’s record will stand –– perhaps another 16 years before the next great winter olympian surpasses the great Ohno.

The  top six teams in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament play each other today in the final game of the seeding round.  The winners today and the loser with the best record will grab the four tournament byes into the quarterfinals. Win the quarter final game and you’re guaranteed to play for a medal.

The match-ups feature the countries that met in the last three olympic gold medal games. Group A features the USA versus Canada game a reprise of Salt Lake City. The Czech versus Russian gold medal game from Nagano is also the final match-up in group B. Group C is a game  between Turin’s gold and silver medalists Sweden and Finland.

The point system for this olympics has a bureaucratic complexity that makes one fear the NHL will be adopting it for their regular season immediately.

The Russians have lost a shoot-out game to the Slovaks already.  A loss to the Czechs will drop them behind Slovakia to be seventh seed in the tournament. Canada with their overtime win over Switzerland garnering them only two points will not  get a bye without a victory over the Americans.

Hopefully it won’t come down to goal differentials to determine final seeding. Then the complexities will grade into byzantine ones.

Match-ups

Group A

Canada vs USA    7:40 pm EST , Sunday Feb 21st

The Canadian trouble with the Swiss leaves more vulnerable to missing out on the bye then the US. Does this make them more desperate? Time will tell.

The Canadian line-up features a ton of talent and with Getzlaf, Nash, Staal and Iginla they have some of the best power forwards in the league. The defense, especially Pronger and Doughty, had some problems when faced with the Swiss speed. It remains to be seen if veterans Niedermayer and Brodeur can perform at the high level expected of them. If the Canadians lose to the US today look for Luongo to replace rodeur in nets the rest of the way.

The USA played to form in the first round beating Norway and Switzerland with little trouble. Ryan Whitney is another defenseman who had trouble with the Swiss skating.

The US team has a nice blend of size and speed. Parise, Kane  and Kessel should give the Canadian team fits.  Backes and Callahan will exact a physical toll from the Canadian defensemen.

Prediction

Canada 3 USA 2

This should be another tight game. The Canadians will have to pick up their tournament play to beat the speedy Americans. Goaltending may tell the tale in this Brodeur versus Miller match-up. Look for these two to meet again no matter what happens in the seeding round.

Group B

Czech Republic vs Russia  3pm EST, Sunday Feb 21st

The Czech’s are a team that also won the games they should so far in the preliminary round. They beat the Slovaks and crushed Latvia.

They’re lead by captain Patrik Elias and the still dangerous Jaromir Jagr. Young playmaking centers David Krejci and Tomas Plekanec will inform the Czech offense. Michalek,  Havlat, Elias, Jagr and Erat give them a much bigger group of finishers to play with then they have on their own club teams.

The defense seems to be a collection of players most known for their offensive skill. Still Kaberle, Kubina, Kuba and Zidlicky are a group of mobile puck movers.

The Czechs also have a goalie,Tomas Vokoun, who might tourn out to be the best goalie in the tournament. Throw in a long  history of Russian baiting and this could be the best game of the tournament to date.

The Russians slipped when they lost to the talented Slovakian’s in the preliminary round. Now like Canada they need a victory to insure a bye.

The offensive talent on this team is, as always, staggering. Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Semin, Malkin, Gonchar, Datsyuk and Radulov represent a who’s who of world class offensive talent. Since the break up of the Soviet Union consistent defensive play has been harder to come by.

The Russians of a line up of good goaltending with Nabokov, Bryzgalof and Varlomov but they seem outmatched by the Czech’s, Swedes and Americans in nets.

Prediction

Russia 6  Czech Republic 5

This game should feature the high octane offense of the Russians and a talented Czech squad that won’t be intimindated by that for a moment. Looks like Oveckin and company will prove to be, barely, too much for the Czechs.

Group C

Finland VS Sweden    Midnight EST Sunday Feb 21st

This another match-up of traditional international hockey rivals.

The Swedes are another favourite that’s struggled in the early going. Struggling though is better then losing or going to overtime.

Still they are the oldest team in the tournament. Forsberg, Ohlund, Modin, Tallinder, Holmstrom and Lidstrom all seem to have their best years behind them. Daniel  Alfredsson is 37 though he doesn’t seem to be slowing down yet.

That leaves Zetterburg, the Sedins, Franzen ,Lundquist and Oduya in their prime leading this team. Only Backstrom, Hornquist, Enstrom and Ericksson are here representing the next young wave of Swedish hockey.

The Finnish game should be the acid test for this Swedish team. If they can’t beat the Finns, who can they beat in this tournament?

Last Olympic’s silver medalists, the Finns, are again lead by strong goaltending. Kiprusof has the reins but Backstrom is ready to jump in if he falters.

They are, as always, a hard-skating, tough checking group. The Finns of late seem to be  less of the hyper talented Jari Kurri/Teemu Selanne mode and more of the annoying, agitator Esa Tikkanen type player. The Finnish leagues must be horrible to play in.

A team of hard nosed agitators will be hard for anyone to play against. They looked overmatched in Turin and  Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne are approaching the end of their careers. Still I think this team has aged a little better then the Swedes have.

Prediction

Finland 4 Sweden 2

The Finns look to have a step on the Swedes. It’ll be especially tough if Henrik Lundquist is still nursing a groin injury. Back-up Jonas Gustavsson looked lost in the victory over Belarus.

Once the final seeding is determined the real Olympic hockey tournament gets under way with elimination games played on Tuesday.

Any of these top six teams that doesn’t win a bye will likely cruise through their first playoff game against Latvia or Germany. Still not gaining a bye means your first quarterfinal game comes against a top four team.

The other two likely opponents for the bye teams will be Switzerland and Slovakia. The Swiss are probably beatable by anyone despite their speed and goaltending but the Slovakians look to have a real shot at finishing in the top four.

Slovakia has been searching for  a great international goalie since the split with the Czech’s before the Nagano Olympics in 1998. They may have found him with Jarolsav Halak.

Some of the Slovak line-up , Ziggy Palffy, Richard Zednik, Miroslav Satan And stumpel seems to come from another era. Still any team with  Chara, Gaborik, Demitra, Hossa and Vishnovsky on it has to be feared.

These final games of the preliminary round settle nothing. However the bye to the quarterfinals and the pyschological benefit of beating a top six rival can’t be underestimated .These will be the best games  of these olympics so far. Once the seeding is set it will only get better.

Shaun White's joy during his Olympic medal ceremony epitomizes what is good about the Olympics.

I must start this article off by saying that I know absolutely nothing about snowboarding, the lingo or what qualifies someone as being good at the sport. However, after watching how Shaun White has handled himself off the slopes, I’m willing to learn.

With his long red hair, non-traditional outfits and crazy tricks, White is not exactly typical of the athletes that I generally gravitate toward. And while I have always enjoyed winter sports like skiing and ski jumping, I have not warmed to what I see as the brashness of participants in some of the newer “X Game” type sports.

But, after watching the now two-time Olympic halfpipe champions pure joy at being part of the Olympic experience, I’m beginning to think that I should rethink my bias.

While some athletes such as Bode Miller and Shani Davis seem to epitomize the definition of surly, White has been bouncing around the Olympics like a kid in a candy store. That seems especially amazing considering that this is his second go around as part of the Olympic experience.

In interviews White has simply seemed to be happy to be here and determined to soak up every Olympic moment he can.

Shaun White performs many amazing tricks on the snowboard.

Even though his looks and sport scream new age, his understanding of the importance and privilege of being part of the Olympics is refreshingly old school.

Additionally, he has already expressed his plan to compete again in the 2014 Olympics to be held in Sochi. He is also lobbying for the addition of something called “Slopestyle” to the Olympic menu.

I have no idea what that is, but if it will help ensure that White is back to soak up more Olympic moments, then I’m all in favor.

So I’m off to learn about halfpipe and slopestyle (thank goodness for Wikipedia) so that hopefully by 2014 I will not only be able to appreciate White’s actions off the slopes, but also his performance on the course.

Evan Lysacek became the first American man to win gold in figure skating since 1988.

The scintillating Olympic performance by Evan Lysacek not only brought the American a gold medal, but also helped lift the United States back to prominence in an event it once dominated.

From the time Dick Button claimed the first medal by an American with the first of his consecutive gold medal performances in 1948 through the gold medal winning skate of Brian Boitano in 1988, the United States was regularly contending for and winning Olympic medals in men’s figure skating.

Overall, the U.S. won six gold medals and 12 total medals during that 40 year stretch. In 1956, the U.S. became the first country since Sweden during the first Olympic figure skating championship in 1908 to sweep the victory stand.

Other U.S. stars including David Jenkins (1956 bronze and 1960 gold) and Scott Hamilton (1984 gold) continued the American prominence in the sport.

However, following Boitano’s victory in Calgary and a silver medal by Paul Wylie at the 1992 games in Albertville, the U.S. suddenly fell from prominence in the sport while Russia and Canada seized control.

Only a bronze medal by American Timothy Goebel at the Salt Lake City games in 2002 saved the U.S. from enduring a decade without a medal in the event.

Lysacek combined athleticism and grace to win Olympic gold.

Lysacek’s victory ended a streak of five straight gold medals by Russians. Interestingly, it also prolonged a streak of now 10 straight Olympics in which someone from North America (either U.S. or Canada) has medaled in men’s figure skating. The last time no one from North America graced the Olympic podium was in Sapporo in 1972.

Figure skating (both men’s and women’s) was once the pinnacle individual sport of the Winter Olympics (arguably alongside the men’s downhill). However, the increase in popularity of other sports including snowboarding, curling and short track skating has eroded some of the interest.

In addition, the lack of American superstars may also have hampered the sport.

Having a gold medal winner like Lysacek should certainly help rekindle some interest in the sport. However, his emergence comes at a time when the U.S. women’s team does not have a clear superstar and medal favorite.

The U.S. women’s team has placed at least one women’s skater on the podium in each of the last 11 Olympics and 14 of the last 15 dating back to 1952. Included in that total are seven gold medals, seven silver medals and five bronze.

With that streak seemingly in jeopardy, it could be tough for U.S. Figure skating to reap full reward from Lysacek’s victory. Given that he is 24 years of age and competing in his second Olympics, his win in Vancouver could very easily have been his final Olympic skate.

But regardless of whether the U.S. can build lasting momentum and reclaim stature for figure skating in the long term, the short term reality is that Lysacek is the Olympic Champion and for at least one night figure skating recaptured the hearts and minds of Olympic fans.

South Carolina's Beau Welling provides the U.S. Curling Association with ideas from someone from a non-traditional curling background.

Given that the sport of curling was invented in Scotland and perfected in Canada, you might be surprised to know that one of the biggest fans and advocates for the game is a golf course designer from South Carolina. Yet, when the Olympics start later this week Beau Welling will take his place among representatives from more typical winter sports locales as a board member of the Unites State Curling Association.

That someone with no background in the sport could become a decision maker at the national level illustrates the desire by the leadership within American curling to grow the popularity of the sport with a non-traditional fan base across the country.

Welling’s road to Vancouver is an interesting tale that started in 1988 when curling was a demonstration sport at the Calgary Olympics.

“I remember briefly watching it in 1988 with the rocks and brooms and thinking it was one of the most ridiculous sports I had ever seen,” Welling recalled.

It wasn’t until 14 years later in 2002 when Welling’s compulsion with the sport started to be cultivated.

“I saw it on television in Salt Lake City and was inexplicably drawn to the sport,” Welling said. “One of the guys in our office was from Canada and knew the sport, so I would come in every day asking him questions.”

By the time of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, curling was a ratings bonanza for NBC and Welling couldn’t get enough of it.

Just weeks after the 2006 Olympics, the US National Championships were being held in Bemidji, Minnesota and for some odd reason Welling felt that he should be there. Unfortunately, he was scheduled to be in Europe on business at the same time.

In a moment that would have lasting implications, Welling’s trip was cancelled at the last second leaving him an unexpected free week and feeling like fate was sending him to Bemidji.

“When my trip was cancelled I felt like it was a sign that I was supposed to go to Bemidji,” Welling said.

Thanks to his secretary, Grace Bishop, Welling had tickets and unbeknown to him was the talk of the town.

Bemidji is near the Headwaters of the Mississippi, is the home of mythical legend Paul Bunyan and is literally a different world from Welling’s hometown of Greenville, South Carolina.

“When I got there it was literally like the North Pole,” Welling recalled.

But it didn’t take long for Welling to feel at home.

On his first morning in town he went down to the hotel breakfast bar and the only other person there was Pete Fenson, skip of the men’s rink that won the first-ever U.S. medal in curling, a bronze at the 2006 Olympics.

“I was like a kid in a candy story,” Welling recalled. “I’ve met lots of famous golfers, but I was really excited and nervous to meet one of my curling heroes.”

Meeting Olympic medalist Pete Fenson was a thrill for curling's Southern gentleman.

Welling introduced himself to Fenson and was surprised at the response. As it turns out, the prospect of having a businessman from the South coming to Bemidji had been a favorite topic among the locals and Fenson was as excited to meet Welling as Welling was to meet the Olympic medal winner.

He ended up staying in Bemidji for nine days and became completely immersed in the sport.

“I kept meeting person after person and it was really amazing,” Welling said. “It is a community of people with a great camaraderie and to be accepted was very special.”

The trip included Welling’s first experience trying the sport. He instantly realized that while it may appear on television to be a sport of grace and technique, it is also physically demanding thanks to the 42 pound stones.

“I was shocked at how difficult it was,” Welling said. “I had no idea where it was going.

“The physicality is something you don’t realize watching on television. After 20 stones I could barely walk.”

When asked about his curling prowess Welling is quick to say that he has definitely improved, but credits having Olympic caliber instructors for any advances in his performance.

“It is like having Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods teaching you how to play golf,” Welling said.

During his time in Bemidji, Welling began talking with officials within the sport about ways to improve the profile of curling the United States.  The mission of the USCA is to grow the sport in the United States and to win Olympic medals.

Several months after his trip, Welling received a call from USCA President Georgia West and after a long discussion about how the sport could move forward, he was surprised to receive an invitation to become a member of the USCA Board of Directors as their representative from a non-traditional background.

Welling says that he now designs golf courses to support his curling habit.

The 2009 U.S. Curling Nationals in Colorado marked the first time the event had been held in an arena.

He has been involved in a number of innovations within the USCA, including an attempt to elevate curling to a spectator sport in the United States. The 2009 U.S. Championships in Colorado included coverage from NBC Universal and marked the first time the event had been held in an arena.

One challenge that continues to face the sport of curling is the perception by many that it is just a winter version of shuffleboard.

Welling cringes at that notion and is quick to point out the similarities to three other sports or games.

He believes that the similarities between curling and golf are what ultimately drew him to the sport. Both originated in Scotland and are built around camaraderie, integrity and spirit. Both sports also rely on a combination of physical and mental prowess.

The scoring for curling is similar to that of the game of bocce.

Welling also sees similarities with chess as there is a tremendous amount of strategic thinking needed to in the sport. It is often referred to as “chess on ice.”

“You have to always be thinking about the next move,” Welling said.

In addition, the fact that it is played on ice brings with it the same need for physical balance and the ability to move on the ice that is required for other ice sports.

This interesting combination has made curling one of the sports to watch in the Olympics. It is one of the few sports that has seen its ratings increase in recent Olympics and is slated for significant airtime in Vancouver.

Once considered a niche sport, curling is now becoming more mainstream, something Welling ultimately attributes to its “everyman” quality as a sport that can be played by everyone from youngsters through older adults.

“It is a lifetime sport where three or four generations can play together and have a great family experience,” Welling said.

Curling will be featured on an episode of The Simpsons that is scheduled to air next Sunday, February 14th. It has also attracted a number of celebrities who, like Welling, have been inexplicably drawn to the sport.

Country singer Toby Keith and his band have participated in curling. San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis has also become intrigued by curling and will serve as the Honorary Captain for the U.S. Curling team in Vancouver.

Welling believes that one of the keys to long-term success for curling in the United States is for curling clubs to continue sprouting up across the country.

There are now clubs in places such as California, Texas and North Carolina. While there is currently no club in Welling’s home state of South Carolina, he believes it will happen someday.

In fact, he spearheaded a joint resolution of the South Carolina legislature to promote curling as an official Winter Olympic sport of the State of South Carolina and to appoint representatives to investigate the designation of curling as an official Olympic sport for South Carolina.

It might be a while before someone from South Carolina is competing in curling at the Olympics, but thanks to Beau Welling, South Carolina is playing a role in shaping the future of curling in the United States.