Russia isnt the gold-medal favorite, Canada is, but Russia is the 2nd best teamQuote:
Originally Posted by Unchained
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Russia isnt the gold-medal favorite, Canada is, but Russia is the 2nd best teamQuote:
Originally Posted by Unchained
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggin
Actually, Russia is. Outside of Canada that is. All of the "experts" from USA,CNBC..etc have stated that. The Canadian coach has tabbed them as the one to beat as well. The Russians are the defending champs at Worlds.
All the experts I've heard, including ESPN's Barry Melrose, have said that the Canadians have to be the favorite, they have a more complete team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggin
this
U.S mens curling team finally won ! Guess who didn't play? John ShusterQuote:
Originally Posted by Unchained
It's about time. Seemed in that match he made a better coach than player.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggin
We must be hearing different experts,because Stevie Yzerman and Milbury as well as several announcers have tabbed Russia,and why not? The Russians are the two time defending world champions,as well as the top-ranked team in the world. To not have them as a fav is crazy (although the Canadians would be a strong favorite to challenge)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia ? Steve Yzerman, the executive director for Canada?s hockey team, said Russia was the favorite to win gold at the Vancouver Olympics.
Yzerman tried to paint the powerful Canadians as underdogs Saturday, noting that Russia was the two-time defending world champion and the world?s top-ranked team.
?They?ve got some of the top forwards in the world right now,? Yzerman said. ?They?re the favorite going into this tournament. We have to play our best, and with a little bit of luck the other countries can dethrone them.?
Considering the pressure weighing on the Canadian players as they try to win on their hockey-crazed home soil, it may not be a bad idea for Yzerman to try to deflate expectations.
?Do you think they?ll have a parade in Moscow if the Russians win the silver medal? They won?t,? the former Detroit Red Wings star said. ?The expectation in Russia is gold. The expectation in Sweden is gold. Whether they admit it or not, the U.S.A. is in this to win a gold medal.?
Still, the single-elimination aspect of the Olympics makes the games extra nerve-racking. ?I?d prefer personally to play a seven-game series because I think that?s where you see who the best team is,? said Edmonton Oilers president Kevin Lowe, an associate director for Hockey Canada. ?But the Olympics are a wonderful format.?
Yzerman tried to paint the powerful Canadians as underdogs Saturday
Russians are clearly the favorite, not much disputing that, not by that much over Canada but for sure the favorite. Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, and Evgeni Malkin etc. etc. They're ranked #1 in the world, they are definitely the team to beat.
Just 6 gold, think Norway has 5, but we're leading 23-14 overall.
How in the world could the Russians be the favorites??
Canada is playing on home ice, in front of their own fans, and their teams is as good as any, Russia included.
EDIT-
The Russians have already lost a game as well, so how in the world can they be the favorites? Canada is still undefeated, and if they win tonight, will have the best win. Russia's win over the Czech was huge today, but a Canadian win over the US team that is playing as good as any is a huge huge win
Bode Miller added an Olympic gold today for the first time, did you count that?