12/22/24
February 16, 2006
Men's Hockey: Swiss shock Czechs: David Aebischer got stronger with each Czech shot that smacked against his pads. He turned aside 40 shots - including 20 in the second period - and carried Switzerland to one of its greatest hockey victories, a 3-2 win Thursday over the world champion Czechs. If Hasek is out, do the Czechs really have a chance for another gold?
posted by wingnut4life to other at 06:52 PM - 26 comments
If Hasek is out, do the Czechs really have a chance for another gold? Yes. Vokoun is just as good if not better, and unlike Hasek he doesn't have an history of flipping out or getting weird "injuries" at the worst times.
posted by qbert72 at 09:09 PM on February 16, 2006
Well, Vokhoun is a really good backstopper. But with Hasek only having a 30-40% chance of playing again, Vokoun's going to have a tough go of it. With the schedule compacted like it is, you need both of these guys to be healthy. Hopefully the Czechs will shake off the shock and pick up the play. Besides, Hasek better get healthy because he's one of my goalies on my fantasy team!
posted by wingnut4life at 09:17 PM on February 16, 2006
You can't win an Olympic Gold with one player. Jagr refuses to give anyone else the puck when he's on the ice, and if he can't learn to pass like his team-mates, they won't have a chance. Hasek ended up in Calgary because he chose not to go back to Detroit. He won't be flipping out anymore because Vokhoun will take his place by resurrecting the team.
posted by mrhockey at 09:21 PM on February 16, 2006
With the schedule compacted like it is, you need both of these guys to be healthy. Vokoun has been a real workhorse in the NHL during the last three seasons: 69, 73 and 47 (on pace for another ~70) games played. He can manage it by himself, I think.
posted by qbert72 at 09:33 PM on February 16, 2006
Hasek ended up in Calgary because he chose not to go back to Detroit. He went to Ottawa, not Calgary.
posted by grum@work at 10:23 PM on February 16, 2006
Jagr refuses to give anyone else the puck when he's on the ice granted, i haven't been able to watch any czech games so far so i don't know what he's up to there, but he is tied for second in the league in assists.
posted by goddam at 10:45 PM on February 16, 2006
The American team makes me sad...
posted by fatfryar at 11:40 PM on February 16, 2006
Same shit, different pile, grum. And Mr. dam, if he'd pass the puck more, from the games I've watched, he'd have 35 goals and 125 assists this year, just this far. Why do you think nobody keeps him more than a couple years? Granted, he can score, but his coaches have said the same thing I am saying ever since he left Pittsburgh.
posted by mrhockey at 06:41 AM on February 17, 2006
Well, looks like the Czechs took another hit. Patrik Elias is done with bruised ribs. Maybe him and Hasek can carpool to the airport.
posted by wingnut4life at 06:56 AM on February 17, 2006
I can't believe you guys thinking this is business as usual for the Czechs - that Vokun will step in and they won't miss a beat - this is huge! Vokun is a great goalie... Who's never won a damn thing - Hasek has Cups, and Gold medals on his resume. You don't think these guys feel better with the Dominator - the best player they've probably EVER produced - than Vokun? You don't think that being there before makes a difference? I think you're wrong. It's a huge blow to their chances (which I think are still good, but wow - they just lost to the Swiss - Hello?!?) mrhockey - from what I've seen, Jagr has been the best player in the league this year. He's a suck, for sure and has been a whiny suck for the past few years, but this year he looks like Lemieux looked in 2002 - born again. New passion and having fun. And he damn well passes the puck and passes it well. You've likely been watching too many power play highlights.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:42 AM on February 17, 2006
Vokun is a great goalie... Who's never won a damn thing Well, except for the World Championships in 2005, against squads with many NHL players that are also appearing in the Olympics this year.
posted by grum@work at 08:01 AM on February 17, 2006
Come on gang, we all know the CZE had some defensive problems even with Hasek in the pipes. Their lack of a physical defensive presence with Kaberle, Kubik, Malik and Zidlicky combined with their forwards lack of commitment to play in the defensive zone and concentrate on creating opportunities on offense causes huge problems for whoevers in goal. The loss to the Swiss is the perfect example. Now take Elias out of the tourney and Hadamzick will be hard pressed to find ways to keep CZE's united and Jagr's head in the game. They've got Finland then Italy next before they face the Canadian juggernaut on the 21st. The Finn's are playing great hockey and won't be a push over, Italy has nothing maybe they can get it together in time for the Canadians. I'm not holding my breathe and anyone looking for the CZE to upset the Canadians will be greatly disappointed. That sound you hear is Mr. Gretzky rubbing his hands in anticipation.
posted by skydivedad at 08:23 AM on February 17, 2006
Vokun is a great goalie... Who's never won a damn thing Well, except for the World Championships in 2005, against squads with many NHL players that are also appearing in the Olympics this year. .... Ah, shut up, grum.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:30 AM on February 17, 2006
Patrik Elias is done with bruised ribs. Good, now he can get the rest he needs before the season gets back underway. Good point grum. I've been able to see Vokun a couple times in person this season and he is no slacker. Hasek being out may affect the older player's confidence but I think/hope the Czechs will be alright.
posted by njsk8r20 at 08:36 AM on February 17, 2006
And Mr. dam uh, it's MS. dam.
posted by goddam at 08:48 AM on February 17, 2006
This is just the wake up call the Czechs need. And they will beat the Canadiens. Do you think the final will be without them? It is just that some of the teams in Europe got little better and unfortunately the Czechs have a tendency to underestimate the underdogs.
posted by Mr C at 09:17 AM on February 17, 2006
Vokoun is a great goalie... Who's never won a damn thing - Hasek has Cups, and Gold medals on his resume. At Vokoun's age, Hasek was a great goalie... who'd never won a damn thing. they just lost to the Swiss - Hello?!? Whatever happened to taking time to make a "team"? The loss to the Swiss is pretty bad, agreed, but there's no way the Czechs will miss the cut. Then the real action starts.
posted by qbert72 at 09:37 AM on February 17, 2006
Do you think the final will be without them? Mr. C..... That's exactly what I think. I thought that before the tourney started. The departure of Hasek and Elias makes this even more likely. I didn't drink the CZE kool-aide! I prefer the Canadian kool-aide......
posted by skydivedad at 09:43 AM on February 17, 2006
Hey q - yes, I know it takes time to make a team, and still believe it - but there is still no way in hell that Czech team should lose to the Swiss. In fairness, they were absolutely the better team, but the Czechs looked much worse than they did during their first game. I think it's obvious that they're worried. And Vokoun is not better than Hasek. I firmly believe it's a downgrade (is that even a word?).
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:09 AM on February 17, 2006
Close, Weedy. You want to say: "Vokoun is a Microsoft upgrade in net." </nerdsnark>
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:29 AM on February 17, 2006
Vokoun has been one of the top 5 goaltenders in the NHL over the last 3 seasons. I think he's good enough for the Gold. He's already got his bad game behind him. And he's there, whereas Hasek has once again bailed out. Now, I can't say how his teammates will react to this perceived downgrade. That's the greater danger here.
posted by qbert72 at 11:43 AM on February 17, 2006
Yes, Vokoun is a great goalie, but so was Hasek. In this compacted schedule, you have to use at least two good goalies. Now their back-up backstopper is Milan Hnilicka, who is rated as a career back-up, not a starter. As far as Elias, it's another huge loss, but at least they have a decent winger to fill the void in Ales Kotalik. I'm going out on a limb and declaring their gold medal hopes dashed.
posted by wingnut4life at 03:51 PM on February 17, 2006
In this compacted schedule, you have to use at least two good goalies. I can guarantee you that Latvia is not starting anybody but Arturs Irbe in all its games.
posted by qbert72 at 04:02 PM on February 17, 2006
Aw, man, I take it all back. I watched the second half of the Finland-Czech Republic game, and Vokoun played like crap. I can't believe that's the way he usually plays, but for now it's not looking good for this tournament.
posted by qbert72 at 08:53 PM on February 18, 2006
Now it's getting worse. Jagr is banged up, too. Hopefully, with some chewing gum and duct tape, he'll be back on the ice.
posted by wingnut4life at 09:17 PM on February 18, 2006
I watched the whole game live and was quite surprised to see CZE play the 1st period in a slumber like state. Jagr's goal eventually gave them some life in their legs but Aebischer was on fire. It was real physical in front of both nets and a real treat of a hockey game to watch. The Swiss played inspired the CZE looked very frustrated.