11/23/24
February 12, 2014
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
I was struck with the sudden wish to have Ray Hudson be one of the snowboarding announcers.
I had the opposite reaction on the first day of broadcasting. They were showing qualifying trials for some ski event and I said to my wife, "These guys make Ray Hudson look calm and composed."
posted by yerfatma at 11:29 AM on February 12, 2014
I suck at Excel and can't find any free or easy-to-use confidence pool sites online (the qbert72/drjohnevans joint from years past appears to be out of commission), but would love to participate in an Olympics hockey confidence pool with SpoFites. Anyone got the time or wherewithal to set one up?
[I tried doing it manually/via Excel for Euro 2012 and it basically worked, but involved a bit more manual processing than I care to do because I am bordering on spreadsheet illiterate.]
posted by holden at 11:41 AM on February 12, 2014
The USA-Canada Ladies Hockey game this morning was fun. The Canadians get to feel good with the win and the US get to feel aggrieved that Canada's second goal probably wasn't, as it sounded like the whistle went with the puck on, but not over the line.
The six-on-four to finish was exciting too.
Meanwhile, in men's hockey, the Latvian goalie has made about three different saves with his head. They keep stopping the game to ask him if he knows where he is. I'm not sure how hard you need to be hit to get that one wrong.
I love the big ice in the Olympics.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:20 PM on February 12, 2014
This Swedish team is looking REALLY good, even playing with half their Sedins.
Also, this is Jagr's fifth Olympics, and he's not even the oldest player on his team.
Nationally-schizophrenic Petr Nedved ("I'm Czechoslovakian! No, I'm Canadian! No, I'm Czech!") is 42 years old, and played in the last non-NHL Olympics (1994).
To give the Americans an idea of how the Olympic hockey coverage is up here in Canada, both of the major sports stations have had (as part of their scrawl at the bottom of the screen) the subject: "Team Canada line combinations during practice today". Then the forward and defence lines scroll by.
posted by grum@work at 01:23 PM on February 12, 2014
Two minutes to play in the third quarter and the Latvian goalie is up to 36 saves and onto the smelling salts to keep him upright.
Still 0-0. It's a shame they have shootouts in the group stages, because I could happily watch this game for another hour.
Edit : Wow... the Swiss broke from behind their own net and scored with 7 seconds to play. This was never a great game, but it was a really tough, good one for the full 60. I'll take a lot more of that please.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:11 PM on February 12, 2014
This would be a huge upset if Latvia beats Switzerland. Switzerland is this close to joining the big six (Canada, Russia, USA, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic) as a real hockey power (along with Slovakia). They consistently upset at least one of the big six in every tournament (and constantly rise to the challenge against Canada).
posted by grum@work at 02:13 PM on February 12, 2014
Just a reminder that Sweden is currently defending the "Unofficial Men's International Ice Hockey Championship Belt" against the Czech Republic. They've held the title since beating Finland back on May 18, 2013. (271 days and counting)
posted by grum@work at 02:16 PM on February 12, 2014
Poor Belarus, the Iron Sheik of hockey.
posted by Etrigan at 03:20 PM on February 12, 2014
I thought the men's hockey started tomorrow. Guess the confidence pool is out.
posted by holden at 03:30 PM on February 12, 2014
I thought the men's hockey started tomorrow. Guess the confidence pool is out.
The USA men have their first game tomorrow. As far as US TV is concerned that's the same thing as hockey starting tomorrow.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 03:37 PM on February 12, 2014
Nick Folk wants narrower uprights for PAT attempts (or at least, he wants them if the alternative is taking away 99% accurate kicks for PATs entirely), and then he goes kind of nutbar talking about super-field-goals.
posted by Etrigan at 07:21 PM on February 12, 2014
Day one of Australia v South Africa ended up quite nicely for Australia. Hopefully I can wake up early enough tomorrow to watch Mitchell Johnson be a bad ass bowler.
posted by NoMich at 08:06 PM on February 12, 2014
Twenty six games into a thirty eight game season, there's essentially a four way race for the English Premier League title, meanwhile down at the other end, there's only four points between mid table tenth and relegation.
It's going to be an interesting next few months, with crucial matches for almost all twenty top flight clubs.
posted by owlhouse at 01:33 AM on February 13, 2014
With my family watching the Olympics in another room and the sound inescapably wafting through the house, I was struck with the sudden wish to have Ray Hudson be one of the snowboarding announcers.
The runs aren't long in duration, so there's a limit to how "magisterial" any one attempt might be. I found myself wanting to hear him crown someone "the Jedi Knight O' The Ha' Pipe".