What the hell, let's live blog this thing. We'll pick it up 1/2 way through at 1-1. Why halfway, because that happens to be when I finished killing Ganon of Hyrule. That's right, original Legend of Zelda references in the first sentence.

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USA 3, Switzerland 1. Bobby Ryan gets the first goal of the tournament.

Canada 8, Norway 0. Iggy nets a hat trick.

Russia 8, Latvia 2. Ovie relaxes on his way to an easy win.

 

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Day 1 is in the books, with the three favorites notching wins.  We have another trio of games in the men's hockey draw starting at noon pacific time.  Welcome to your Olympic Hockey Wake-Up Call.

After the jump we'll recap yesterday's action and give a peak into what's going on today.

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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.

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I'm not sure if the execs at ESPN think this is supposed to be punishment or something -- clearly, it's not -- but they've sent everyone in their hockey department to cover the Olympics in Vancouver. Literally everyone. Last night I was watching Sportscenter and Barry Melrose, John Buccigross AND Matthew Barnaby all appeared on my television screen during a segment discussing hockey at the Olympics. AND they weren't in a studio at Bristol. They were actually in Vancouver. Or at least outside ESPN studios in Bristol, which given the amount of snowfall in the Northeast probably looks a lot like Vancouver right now.

AND not only did they send those three to Vancouver but they sent Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside too! ESPN sent FIVE HOCKEY ANALYSTS to the Olympics. FIVE!!! I'm no fact checker but they haven't sent that many to the Stanley Cup Finals since the Finals were actually on ESPN!

So now there's so much going on I don't even know what to do with myself. From the trio on Sportscenter to LeBrun and Burnside getting upclose and personal in video blogs this is too much for me to handle. Imagine if all five did a video blog together on top of whatever mountain LeBrun and Burnside are in this video. It would be the whitest video ever. You couldn't find that much middle aged white guy at a pizza place in the middle of Staten Island (or a Denny's in Topeka if you're like Ryan and from the West Coast).

Our friends at Berry Melrose Rocks suggested this piece for all of your enjoyment. Reprinted with their blessing.

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We won't mince words. As Lenoceur sees it, no one stands a chance against Team USA. "There is no other nation on Earth with as catchy a chant as U-S-A! U-S-A!" But Team USA (U-S-A!) has other weapons besides the incessant chants of the flag wavers in the rafters. Like Sweden, they're coasting under the radar, aiming for a Group A showdown with their hosts. US hockey established a reputation as a poor guest a dozen years ago at Nagano, and they'd like nothing more than to reinvent that reputation. Beating your hosts at their own game, that's their goal.

GM Brian Burke has put together a talented team but when compared to the effusive skill in their north of the border hosts, they're a lunch-pail gang. Players who skate well, are fearless and willing to scrap and claw and fight. But unlike their hosts, they cannot win it on talent alone. They have to push and execute, fore check and take chances. They are not favorites, nor are they completely hopeless. They are lovable underdogs in the mold of the Miracle on Ice team from 30 years ago.

But will USA Hockey find their way to the top of the podium for the first time in a foreign country, or will they add to their collection of silver with an eighth second place finish? Or was 2006's team of transition really a sign of regression for the US' Hockey program. Click read more to continue reading about the challenges facing the American squad in the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament that begins later this afternoon in Vancouver. no comments

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Preliminary Game 2: Canada vs. Norway - February 16, 2010 4:30pm PST - Canada Hockey Place

Expectations are high for Canada to win gold on home soil, er on home "ice" and their first game will be against Team Norway. Any team to win gold must win either six straight games or win six games with only one loss in the preliminary round. Check out the individual team previews for Team Canada here and Team Norway here. Full game preview and team analysis after the jump...

*Updated*

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You can credit home ice just so far, after all, only the United States in 1960 at Squaw Valley and 1980 in Lake Placid has successfully defended home ice with gold medals. So familiarity with soil will not propel the Canadians to the top of the podium. Their big advantage can be summed up in a word. Depth. Waves of unrelenting talent pour off their bench.

They are a mix of old and new, fiercely talented and tremendously resourceful. Hockey success seems a birthright to Canadians which leaves the squad with a mission. The mission begins with the loneliest position on the ice and continues all the way to their front office. Click read more to continue reading about the skill of Canada's team and how they remain the odds on favorite in the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament. no comments

Apparently "Support Our Troops" is political propaganda.

Full story here.

 

“We will inform the American team and their equipment managers that this is a violation of IOC rules,” IIHF spokesman Szymon Szemberg told Reuters. “According to IOC rule 51, no political propaganda or advertisements are allowed on equipment.

“It the players don’t agree with the interpretation they can ask the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) to petition the IOC.”

Jon Quick will be asked to cover the slogan "Support Our Troops" on his helmet.  Ryan Miller has already agreed to remove "Miller Time".  Hopefully the IIHF comes to their senses and allows "Matt Man" which is a tribute to Ryan's late friend.

Tim Thomas was already covering up a slogan on his mask but the article doesn't mention what the slogan was.  Anyone know what it is?  If so, please comment.

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Sweden is no stranger to the World Hockey stage. Participants since 1920, they're among the most successful nations in the annual World Championships. But when it came to the Olympic games, Sweden remained shut out until sixteen years ago. 1994's games in Lillehammer, Norway marked Sweden's first gold. They struck the alchemist's prize again in 2006. But the defending champs aren't the lock one might expect. With Russia's waves of goal scoring forwards and Canada's insanely deep team, the Swedes find themselves sneaking into Vancouver just under the radar. They've got the field right where they want them.

Group C is a minefield. The Swedes top the pack with their fellow power on the Scandinavian peninsula, Finland, not far behind. The wily Belorussian team lays in wait to zap any opponent mistaking their place on the schedule for a win in a walk. Then there are the Germans, quick on the ice, young and hungry.

Sweden has the pedigree and the recent success, but will those attributes combined with their obvious skill be enough to get them back to the top of the podium? Click read more to continue reading about the road ahead for the Swedish squad in the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament set to begin tomorrow. no comments