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.
Slovaks may find chink in Russian armour
THE world’s best snipers will be donning their Russian uniforms for their first big test against a legitimate foe in this exciting clash.
Slovakia was the only team to beat the mighty Russians in preliminary play at the 2006 Olympics, and they won by a margin of 5-3. Straight up, the smart money is not on a repeat of that upset, but the experienced Slovaks may just find a chink in the seemingly impenetrable Russian armour.
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.
THEY may be more Dad’s Army than Young Guns but the Slovakian hockey team believes it can cause an upset at this year’s Olympics and judging by their fast declining odds, they’re not the only ones thinking like that.
Having come in from odds of 69:1 to 44:1 for the competition outright in the space of a month, the Slovakian team has received what is most likely a vote of optimism rather than confidence from bettors anticipating next month’s Olympics. Despite finishing with a 5-1 record in 2006, after beating heavyweights Russia, USA and Sweden, Slovakia finished in fifth place at the last games, losing to the Czech Republic at the quarter final stage.
