>>>End of the first period.
>>>
>>>Russia has to be in a state of complete shock.
>>
>>End of the game and the Russian men's hockey team is at the end of their 2010 Olympics. If I'm not mistaken, it the first time in about 50 years since Canada has beaten the Russians in Olympic hockey.
>>
>>I especially enjoyed watching Ovechkin (sp?) look like an average "joe" hockey player. Completely ineffective. What do you think, Canada vs. USA round two coming up? I hope so, but, I also don't want to be too premature about it. And this time I hope we'll have "Bobby Lou" between the pipes for us! As Don Cherry would say, "I know what I'm talking about" :)
>>
>
>It would be a lot to expect the U.S. to beat Canada again. If Canada keeps playing anything like they did last night it's hard to imagine anyone beating them. The announcers on the telecast I watched (CNBC) were ragging the Russian goalie (Vladimir Nabokov <g>), and the coach for leaving him in, but most of the goals weren't his fault. When a team gets 21 shots on goal in a period, as Canada did in the first, you can't put it all on the goalie. That was an all-out assault. They sure looked like their near-death experience has motivated them.
>
>Nabokov did let in one bad goal, the one that made it 4-1. Russia had just scored to cut it to 3-1, then a Canadian player, I forget which one, simply pushed the puck past him from a distance less than the length of his stick. As the announcer said, you simply can't let that happen.
>
>I hope it does come down to a rematch for the gold. Of course I will be cheering for the U.S. but won't be disappointed either way. As you say, though, let's not count our chickens.
>
>Re Ovechkin, I have been surprised by how physical he is. Had not seen him play before and figured he is one of those lithe goal scoring types. The goal scoring part is true but he plays like a beast, knocking people all over the place like some descendant of Gordie Howe. (Did you ever hear the phrase "Gordie Howe hat trick"? -- a goal, an assist, and a fight <g>).

Oh the "Gordie Howe" hat trick is well know in these parts :)

As for Ovechkin, you're correct. He's a brute and can handle himself if he had to. I just don't like his antics after scoring a goal. Have you seen him do "his thing" after scoring a goal in the NHL. The guy behaves as if it's the first goal he's ever scored every single time he puts the puck in the net, jumping in the air and at the glass/boards. Have you seen his "warming my hands over a hot stick" celebration? IMO, it's absolutely ridiculous and childlike behaviour. If you see the video, watch how his team mates seem embarrassed to be there and that he had to call them over to join in. It was his plan all along, but, he still had to call in a party.

I'd have a lot more respect for him if he wasn't such a showboat and showed a little more class. I do like his comment to Gary Bettman about playing in the 2014 Olympic games regardless of what the NHL says :) OV has guts. Wonder what the fine could be?