Time for hosts to claim what is rightfully theirs
THE preliminaries have been played. The seeding has been set. And wow, what a difference a day can make. Canada, previously the hands down favorite to win the gold medal is now ranked sixth going into the playoff rounds after being stunned by the Americans in a 5-3 loss.
Russia favourites by a hair in mouth-watering match up
THIS game between Russia and the Czech Republic, respectively ranked number 2 and 5 to win the tournament outright, will likely be a high-flying and high-scoring affair.
Latvians playing for – but unlikely to find – respect
Czech firepower will be too much for Slovak defense
THE Czechs and the Slovaks lace up for the senior’s game in a tale of declining superstars making their last stands at the Olympics.
With all-star caliber players in Marian Hossa, Marian Gaborik and Zdeno Chara, the Slovaks will only have one goal in Vancouver – win at all costs.
Bookmakers and bettors reassess nations’ prospects as both countries face losing their captains
LONG-SHOT medal contenders Finland and the Czech Republic will be facing even steeper odds at the upcoming 2010 games in Vancouver after injuries to both teams’ captains.
Patrik Elias, captain of the Czech team, was carried off the ice on a stretcher after sustaining an injury during a game with his NHL club the New Jersey Devils. The loss of Elias, who captained the Czechs to bronze in Turin in 2006, will undoubtedly create a leadership void on the Czech team both on the ice and in the locker room. The Czechs who were already long-shots at +1300 or 13/1 will likely face even longer odds in the wake of the injury to Elias.
