USA v Canada – Two rivals meet on path to Olympic Ice Hockey Gold

February 14th, 2010 / Lee A Jackson

Being a big fan of ice hockey, the Olympics brings one of those rare and unique opportunities for compatriots to suit up for their country. For the majority of players in the NHL, north America’s blue riband ice hockey league, the chance to put their bodies on the line for their country is rare. This is a world away from international football, as apart from the World Juniors, most of them will never get the chance to pull on a national jersey, for the chances of doing so are extremely limited. Many elite Canadians and the USA only turn out when the Olympics come around. The only other chances are the rarely played World Cup of Hockey and the World Championships. The World Championships are held though when the NHL Play-Offs are happening, so most of the elite players are tied up in that, giving less senior players the chance to have a go for their country.

There are not the long winded qualification processes, such as a national European side has to go through in order to qualify for the European Championships for example, so there simply is not as many games to play outside of the few tournaments. The national ice hockey teams in Europe do get a lot more action, and Russia, Sweden and Finland will be leading the front line when it comes to a European Challenge at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. But, as, Canada is the home of hockey, all expectant eyes will be upon them to bring home the gold medal on their home ice.

There are subtle nuances between the NHL game and the Olympics, which are controlled by the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation), such as less restrictions upon the areas win which the goaltender can play the puck. The Olympic ice rink has usually been larger than the standard NHL one, but this year it is different with the NHL size rink taking preference. Canada will be lead by Steve Yzerman, one of the great players of NHL history, and they have the power in all departments to bring home the Gold. Looking at their roster, it is something of a dream team of players, sort of like teaming up Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Buffon for a game of six a side football. They key players to watch out for on the Canadian roster are Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks. In defence they have the likes of Chris Pronger, Duncan Keith and Scott Niedermayer, and with Martin Brodeur tending net, they arguably have the best goaltender in the world.

Team USA can only look on with enviable eyes, as manager Brian Burke, who isn’t the most popular of GM’s in ice-hockey circles, admits that his side are underdogs going into the competition. He has largely gone with a young outfit, neglecting to call upon some of the more veteran type of players which adorn the Canadian ranks. One date to watch out for at the Olympics is on February 21st, when the USA play Canada in the group stage. They were paired in Group A along with Switzerland and Norway, and both will be expected to qualify. But the main threat to Canada won’t come from the USA, it will come from the powerhouse of Russia.

The KHL in Russia has lured some of the NHL’s players over to it, during the past couple of season. In order to improve their status, huge financial contracts have been offered to players in order to raise the standard and the status of their game. Something has worked, because the Russians go into the Olympic tournament on fairly equal standings with the Canadians. Russia are all about power forwards, and they can send out enviable lines to destroy opposition. Alex Ovechkin is one of the biggest stars in the NHL, playing for the Washington Capitals, and he, along with Canada’s Sidney Crosby are the poster boys of the sport. Ovechkin is rough, rugged and will body his body on the line, and celebrates every goal like it was the winner in the World Cup Final. He is a joy to watch, and then for his country he gets to line up with the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Sergei Fedorov. The Russian’s aren’t to be taken lightly, but they don’t quite have the level of defence which Canada have. Still, when you have the offence they have, it might not be needed as much.

But neither of the big powerhouses won the Olympic Gold in Turin 2006. No, it was Sweden, who will be back to defend their Olympic crown, leaning on a wealth of experience. It is a little bit of a Dad’s Army to some extent, and while they don’t have the standout stars such as Ovechkin or Crosby, they certainly have some quality and an abundance of team spirit. Their unity and teamwork, the ability to grind it out defensively, was what got them their success last time out. They are not to be dismissed by any count, as they have some high quality NHL’s throughout their squad in all positions. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was the stand out goaltending star of Torino 2006, and will be called upon again. They may have a few injury concerns, but are a very strong team. As are the Torino 2006 runner’s-up Finland. So are the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Canada crashed and burned badly at the last Olympics, finishing 7th out the twelve teams, with the USA one spot behind them. There was high expectation on them then, and even more now. Will they be able to handle the pressure and have all of their stars come together and play as a team? That is the big questions now on everyone’s lips. The NHL takes a break after Sunday’s games, but the excitement and thrill of ice hockey won’t stop there, as the elite head to Vancouver to battle for Gold.

2010 Olympics Ice Hockey Outright
Canada – 6/5 at Boylesports
Russia – 13/5 at SkyBet
Sweden – 7/1 at Coral
USA – 10/1 at SportingBet
Finland – 20/1 at Bwin