We’ve got USA v. OAR. First hockey game I’m watching these games. Let’s do this.
So this is the last game before elimination begins. It’s part of the group play to determine seeding moving forward. We are currently sitting first in the group with 1 win and 1 overtime loss for 4 points. Slovakia and OAR are sitting second with 3 points and Slovenia is last with 2 points. A win would guarantee a direct spot in the quarterfinals, otherwise it gets a little tricky but means we would most likely have to play an extra game in the elimination qualifiers so let’s just make this easy and get a clear win!
13 minutes left in the first period and not much to report so far. It’s definitely getting a little heated between the players as they probably discuss lingering effects of the cold war and if vodka or whiskey is better.
0-1. Russia strikes first. A little bit of sloppy defense lead to an opportunity for Russia that they took advantage of. It’s ok though. Still a lot of hockey left to play.
Our inability to do anything with that powerplay is not the best sign for how we are playing tonight.
Random but interesting facts about our players: Defensemen Noah Welch is a local from Brighton, MA. He is donating his brain to concussion research after his death.
Quote of the game so far: “he doesn’t look like he’s left the cheesburger phase of being a teenager yet”
Finished the first period 0-1 and OAR will get a power play to start the 2nd period. Things could be better….
But we did just win a silver medal in men’s short track 1,000, thanks John-Henry Krueger. Someone please tell the boys in the locker room to give them a little boost!
Just saw some of the cheering sections. Strong game by Russia with some traditional facepainting:
But oh shit, who is that cheering for the USA? Is that George Washington and Ruth Bader Ginsburg waving a flag. Game’s over. You can’t beat that.
0-2. They must have left momentarily to get a snack because Russia just scored again (they are actually heavily favored to win the gold, not giving excuses just stating some facts).
If you want to read something instead of watching the US blow another power play opportunity here is a fun article about Chris Borque who is part of the only father-son hockey Olympians to play for different countries.
0-3 with .2 seconds left in the 2nd period. That’s not going to be easy to come back from mentally.
0-4 to start the 3rd period. Ilya Kovulchuk (I don’t know if that is spelled correctly and I don’t care) is the new enemy number 1 for US hockey.
Not our best showing and now we wait for the Slovenia/Slovakia overtime to end to figure out our next step.
Royer's Olympic Blog 