Team Canada vs. Team Russia: Who Will Win Gold?
Eric has had articles featured on NHL.com and CBS Sports and has also created the hockey blog Tips for Hockey
Four years ago, the Winter Olympics were played in Turin, Italy. All of the great athletes from around the world showed up to compete in the historic event. However, the 2006 Mens Hockey Tournament was destined to make a different impact on history. The history was made, not by the teams that were at the top, but by the teams that weren’t.
Team Canada may have had it’s most embarrassing performance in it’s history and definitely in recent memory. They ended up finishing in seventh place, despite having great NHL talent on their team. However, they suffered from a lack of chemistry. Even though they had a bunch of top goal scorers, those goal scorers failed to work together.
On the other hand, Team Russia hasn’t been the same since the Soviet Union days. They no longer have the talent that they did in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. In fact, since they changed from the Soviet Union to Team Russia, they have not won a gold medal.
Both teams are using a similar strategy. They are loading up their rosters with some of the best talent in the world. One county is trying to reestablish itself, and the other is trying to redeem itself.
Team Russia is looking to reestablish the results they saw while they were the Soviet Union. They are primarily focusing on utilizing the depth of their offensive talent. They will be putting players like Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk on the ice, along with Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov in goal.
Team Canada is taking a different approach and looks to have learned a lesson from 2006. This time, they are focusing on chemistry. In fact, there are some players that aren’t on this Canadian team that were on the team four years ago, most notably, Marty St. Louis and Shane Doan. They also have an influx of young talent that will be mixed with older veterans. More importantly, they have a legendary goalie in Martin Brodeur, who will probably get the start.
It’s obvious that both teams have talented players on their roster. However, once you get past Russia’s first line, the talent starts to favor Canada. I think that Team Canada has a little more depth. I’m also starting to think that Russia made the same mistake that Canada made in 2006. I’m worried about how they picked the team. It looks like they picked the players with the best stats and didn’t focus on chemistry. Yes, it can work, but it’s a risky move.
One of the reasons that I’m saying that is because the Russians are mixing players from the NHL with players from the KHL. They have less experience playing together and I’m not sure if the KHL talent matches the NHL talent that the Canadians have, even at the lower lines.
It’s all going to come down to chemistry. If the Russians are able to make their chemistry work, then they will be a threat. However, if they actually have made the same mistake that the Canadians did in 2006, then they won’t be a threat. In fact, that could stop them from medaling at all. If they want to beat the Canadians, they have to work well together.
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What? No Sweden?
No United States? Come on, Joe Pavelski and David Backes are CLEARLY going to be the two best players in Vancouver PERIOD haha.
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Team Canada all the way! Vive le Canada!
I think Russia has enough offense to overwhelm Canada if they meet in the Gold Medal game, but pound for pound, I agree with you – Canada’s got the best roster.
f*ck chemistry russia win XD
reestablish? how about last world cups won by russians? ohh i see we must beat girls third time a row then they finaly recognize russia as great team. ok we will do it XD
Ok. Seriously – “They will be putting players like Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk on the ice…” How the HELL can you not include Evgeni Malkin on this list? Those three players are great, but you’re talking about the NHL reigning scoring champion and Conn Smythe winner…
Russia has taken the World Championship title for 2 years in a row with most of the same players on the team, these guys have experience playing together and they do have great chemistry. They will definately be a major threat to everyone playing hockey at these Olympic games. Plus, Ovechkin is unstoppable!!!
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Team canada all the way baby! Niedymayor and Pronger are the best shutdown pairs in the tournament. Plus, we’ve got one of the most potent players in the name of Sidney Crosby. With Brodeur in nets too. Team canada is going to own the games. Gold medal here we come!
Do you think Brodeur is going to get the start? I think Luongo or Fleury are both playing well enough to take a run at the starting job.
This is guite obviosly.Russian team is above all others…At last.they had two playres best in the world…without competition.Ovechkin and Ilja Kovalchuk..They follow the shadows of glory…Of the Tretjak,Ragulin,Firsov,Maiorov Boris and Evgenij,Harlamov,Fetisov,Polupanov,Vikulov,Starsinov,Ahmetov,Aleksandrov,Loktev..Great Firsov..And the others from the Hall Of Glory..It would be very nice see them at least only one match with dresses marked SSSR..
Your too concentrated to Team Canada and Russia, so it may come to you as a surprise to find out that the Finns are going to win the whole tournament.
Neither. Sweden will win gold.
“One of the reasons that I’m saying that is because the Russians are mixing players from the NHL with players from the KHL. They have less experience playing together and I’m not sure if the KHL talent matches the NHL talent that the Canadians have, even at the lower lines.”
You forgot that these “not talanted” guys from KHL won 2 world championships in a row
and all of you are forgetting the russian team from the last world championships had most of there olympic roster while canada had guys like shawn horcoff scott upshall and luke schenn
hehe,you’ll be surprised.. GOLDEN Czech Rep..
I sting is SEWN ONE OF US MUST LOSE 1/4
YOU VERY STRONG KAMANDA,I THINK EVEN BETTER OUR,And IF MY VYGRAYUT THAT THIS SIMPLY POVEZLO.
GO RUSSIA !!!!