US loses another 2-1 game: At 1-2-1, the US has looked pretty darn bad. We are solid defensively, but absolutely horrible in the opponents zone. To have two long 5-on-3 powerplays and not even get a decent scoring opportunity is just pitiful.
Eric Cole sure looked good today.
posted by mikelbyl at 03:26 PM on February 19, 2006
The U.S. hockey team isn't skating. It looks like slow motion. I don't know whether you can blame it on the fact these guys aren't used to playing with their "teammates," or whether Olympic rules are too stringent, or...whatever. The only time they really skate and act like hockey players is when the other team scores and goes ahead. Then, it seems, it's too late.
posted by roberts at 03:30 PM on February 19, 2006
Maybe they are too old or they just dont care or whatever. Hope they don't trash their rooms. The Canada-Finland is a pretty good game. Nittymaki is absolutely standing on his head. Hope that carries back over to the NHL, my Flyers need it.
posted by GoBirds at 03:45 PM on February 19, 2006
On a brighter note, the US mens curling team is rippin it up.
posted by GoBirds at 05:14 PM on February 19, 2006
It just serves them right leaving guys like JR and Brian Leech home. DiPietro wasn't bad, it's a shame Ryan Miller wasn't on the team. It just goes to show you the lack of US-bred talent offensively.
posted by The Gangstinator at 05:28 PM on February 19, 2006
This isn't the senior league, it's the Olympics. Team USA needs to keep this in mind when they put a team together four years from now. God bless every member on the team now, but we need a youth movement if we're going to be able to compete.
posted by wingnut4life at 06:34 PM on February 19, 2006
Yeah, what's up with dat? The only two hockey games I've watched in years (US v Slovakia and US v Sweden) and both times it looks like we're just playing catch up, and only really hustling at the end. Makes me think of that Johnny Mathis song: "Too much, too little, too late ..."
posted by worldcup2002 at 08:11 PM on February 19, 2006
...it's a shame Ryan Miller wasn't on the team. Miller was just flat out disrespected because he's a relative unknown. I saw him play against my beloved Michigan Wolverines when he was a Michigan State Spartan, and the man can flat out stop the puck. Shame on Team USA for snubbing him. DiPietro is no Miller. Just look at the win/loss and the save percentage, and you'll see they made a mistake.
posted by wingnut4life at 08:43 PM on February 19, 2006
DiPietro is not the problem here. Not even freakin' close. It's the fact that the forwards can't finish despite all the great chances that they've created. They're not scoring goals and that's 90% of team USA's problem.
posted by NoMich at 08:55 PM on February 19, 2006
DiPietro is not the problem. the fact that they can't put the puck in the net is the problem. you can't look at the win/loss record. he plays for islanders ferchrissakes. i'm not saying that Miller didn't deserve a spot, but i don't think DiPietro was a bad choice.
posted by goddam at 09:00 PM on February 19, 2006
I got your number, lady!
posted by NoMich at 09:11 PM on February 19, 2006
he plays for islanders ferchrissakes. Islanders sucking, and Team USA sucking. Coincidence? I think not!!! No, Depietro is not the problem, goddam and NoMich. I'm just venting on the Miller snub. It just goes back to putting the puck on the net, and our guys just aren't getting it done.
posted by wingnut4life at 09:55 PM on February 19, 2006
Miller would have been a good choice for the team, but you have to remember that they start picking players well before the Olympics start. I didn't think the U.S. looked that bad today. Yes, they lost, and yes, they can't seem to score. But they played with a lot more hustle than they have in the previous games, and I enjoyed watching them. Sweden is good. Really, really good. A 2-1 loss to Sweden isn't anything to be proud of, but I don't think it's something to be ashamed of either. Maybe I just have low expectations for the U.S. team.
posted by Samsonov14 at 10:54 PM on February 19, 2006
On a brighter note, the US mens curling team is rippin it up. Amen! Why does it always seem like I'm the only other MF that actually LOVES Curling? To those who joke about it I have no doubt that you know NOTHING about the game! At the very least watch the movie "Men with brooms". You'll love it! It is one of the only games left on any level that is still played with honor.
posted by commander cody at 02:55 AM on February 20, 2006
On a brighter note, the US mens curling team is rippin it up. posted by GoBirds at 5:14 PM CST on February 19 BTW gobirds there's still a chance for Canada against the USA in the Curling finals. All that has to happen is USA beating BG (and I could do that in my sleep...what do the Brits know about real Curling?) and Canada beating Finland, which will be a challange. Out of the 4 teams left the scary ones are the Fins. Damn they look good!
posted by commander cody at 03:04 AM on February 20, 2006
All that has to happen is USA beating BG Ahem...obviously I meant GB.
posted by commander cody at 03:05 AM on February 20, 2006
Eric Cole has more heart than anyone on this team. If the team just shared his passion and committment they'd be 3-0-0.
posted by storagepro at 08:41 AM on February 20, 2006
The US got plenty of chances. They puck just is not bouncing thier way. That's hockey for you. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. So far my only disappointment was the tie with Latvia.
posted by njsk8r20 at 09:29 AM on February 20, 2006
The penalty-kill is deciding both tournaments. Anyway, the US is going out in the quarters, at very best: looking at the Finns right now, a US-Finland matchup is a spanking in waiting.
posted by etagloh at 03:00 PM on February 19, 2006