USA vs. Switzerland - Let's Drop the Puck Already!

Written by Joe Tetreault | 16 February 2010

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Our own Hextall454, got the Swiss side of things off on the right foot - I care not what Sanka says, the right foot was the Swiss foot - taking a look at the team composed primarily of players still toiling in Switzerland. Our staff wide profile of Team USA was posted just a couple of hours ago. But our concern at the moment is the game about to begin in Vancouver. And you can read all about it, after the jump.

They've come together from across the US and Canada. A suspended regular season with 23 players on their way to a tournament for national honor. In the case of the Americans their arrival in Vancouver was completed in the last 48 hours. The Swiss have enjoyed more time together as a team, having participated in other international competitions, before returning to their clubs in Switzerland. THe initial reaction is the talent gap should favor the Americans. But international hockey is complicated. How well a team gels in these situations will determine whether they stick it out to the last act, or go home early to rest up for the resumption of life as they know it.

Team USA will be looking to ride Ryan Miller, though should the team post a early lead of substance, resting Miller for later action would be well advised. Hockey observers, including your humble correspondent, have seen Miller scuffle heading into the Olympics. He's the rock upon which the Sabres have built their hopes, and fatigue has the potential to be a humongous problem.

In net for the Swiss will be Anaheim's Jonas Hiller. Team Switzerland's hope is to ride Hiller through to the playoff qualifier round. They have reason for optimism due to their familiarity with each other.

A pair of defensive minded clubs opening the Olympics will re-introduce hockey watchers to the excitement of international competition. Will the recent conclusion of the NHL schedule hamper the US' NHL heavy squad. Or will the skill and talent advantage prevail.

I see an initial tight opening period prompting adjustments from the US bench, with the talent on team USA eventually prevailing. Final score 4-2.

Joe Tetreault blogs about sports, culture, business/technology and current events at TetreaultVision in addition to being the Editor for Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

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