Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Preview

By: Sal Pellone 

   Vancouver 2010 was where we left off with Olympic hockey. Sidney Crosby of Canada squeezed an overtime goal past USA's goalie Ryan Miller resulting in a heartbreaking dagger through American's hearts. Our friendly neighbors from the North hoisted the beloved gold medal in their hometown while Americans had to resolve with a silver medal. 

   Olympic hockey is back and more hectic than ever in Sochi, Russia this year. From killing stray dogs to poor hotel conditions, it seems as if Sochi was not ready to host such a prolific world event. Let's just say the Olympics probably will not be back here for a while. In the midst of all the turmoil occurring in Sochi, we just have to take a deep breath in and remember that Olympic hockey is back.  

Group A

Russia

2010 Finish: Sixth  

Notable Players: (F)Alex Ovechkin, (F)Evgeni Malkin, (F)Ilya Kovalchuck, (G)Sergei Bobrovsky 

Preview: The Russians have home field advantage heading into the tournament. They have a solid offense behind NHL stars Ovechkin and Malkin. It will be pretty neat seeing Kovalchuck play again after he suddenly parted ways with the NHL for the KHL. Sergei Bobrovsky and Semyon Varlamov will most likely split time in net. 

Prediction: Silver 

Slovakia

2010 Finish: Fourth

Notable Players: (F) Marian Hossa, (D) Zdeno Chara, (G) Jaroslav Halak

Preview: Slovakia came close to a medal in 2010 finishing fourth. They face a tough group featuring Russia and the USA. The giant Zdeno Chara is the leader for the Slovaks along with Blues goalie Halak. The offense is a little shaky but have some key players like Hossa, Tomas Kopecky, and Michal Handzus. Marian Gaborik will be missed due to an injury. 

Prediction: Seventh 

Slovenia

2010 Finish: Failed to Qualify 

Notable Players: (F) Anze Kopitar 

Preview: Slovenia failed to put a team in Vancouver last Olympics. They feature only one NHL player on the team Anze Kopitar. I do not see them winning one game in the entire tournament. Maybe this Olympic appearance will erase the minds of Slovenians missing out on the World Cup. 

Prediction: Eleventh 

United States

2010 Finish: Silver 

Notable Players: (F) Patrick Kane, (F) Phil Kessel, (F) Zach Parise, (D) Ryan Suter 

Preview: The Americans came up short in 2010 and are hungrier than ever this year for the gold medal. They have one of the few rosters in the Olympics compiled of all NHL players which helps immensely. Phil Kessel and Patrick Kane are both in the top five among NHL points leaders. The three goalies for the U.S. Jonathan Quick, Jimmy Howard, and Ryan Miller are all having mediocre years which leaves speculation in the net. 

Prediction: Bronze

Group B

Austria

2010 Finish: Failed to Qualify 

Notable Players: (F) Thomas Vanek, (F) Michael Grabner 

Preview: Austria missed the last Olympics and they sure as hell do not bring anything to the table in this Olympics. Although they are a new team to the tournament, Vanek and Grabner could spark some life into the Austrian roster. I do not see them winning any games. 

Prediction: Ninth 

Canada

2010 Finish: Gold

Notable Players: (F) Sidney Crosby, (F) Ryan Getzlaf, (F) Rick Nash, (F) Corey Perry, (F) John Tavares

Preview: The Canadians are completely loaded with a surplus of NHL stars. They are for sure the favorites heading into the games. If I could name the whole Canadian roster I would, but that would defeat the purpose of the notable players. The only weak spot on this roster are the goalies Carey Price, Mike Smith, and Roberto Luongo. 

Prediction: Gold

Finland 

2010 Finish: Bronze

Notable Players: (F) Teemu Selanne, (G) Tuukka Rask

Preview: Finland grabbed a medal in the last Olympics and they have the potential to win another. In my opinion, they have the best goalie tandem with Tuukka Rask, Kari Lehtonen, and Antti Niemi. Top defenders Sami Salo and Kimmo Timonen along with forwards Teemu Selanne and Olli Jokinen are older than dirt but will try and triumph the Suomi. 

Prediction: Sixth

Norway

2010 Finish: Tenth

Notable Players: (F) Mats Zuccarello 

Preview: Norway has nothing to offer here. Zuccarello is the lone NHL player on the roster. The Norwegians' only shot is verse Austria in this division. Other than that, there is no hope. 

Prediction: Tenth 

Group C

Czech Republic 

2010 Finish: Seventh 

Notable Players: (F) Jaromir Jagr, (F) David Krejci, (G) Ondrej Pavelec

Preview: Another old timer roster featuring Jaromir Jagr and Petr Nedved will need support from young guns David Krejci and Martin Hanzal. This is a strong roster with a mix of old and new which can make a run deep. 

Prediction: Eighth 

Latvia

2010 Finish: Twelfth

Notable Players: (F) Zemgus Girgensons 

Preview: Latvia is going to be an absolute atrocity. They have a premature roster that features one NHL player. Latvia will be grateful to achieve 5 goals in this entire tournament. This team will be a quick exit. 

Prediction: Twelfth

Sweden

2010 Finish: Fifth

Notable Players: (F) Daniel Sedin, (F) Nicklas Backstrom, (D) Erik Karlsson, (G) Henrik Lundqvist 

Preview: The Swedes are favorites to win the group and can make some noise in the medal race. Henrik Sedin will be missed with his injury keeping him out. Henrik Zetterberg and Daniel Alfredsson are the leaders of the team with a lot of talent to coincide. 

Projection: Fifth

Switzerland

2010 Finish: Eighth 

Notable Players: (G) Jonas Hiller, (D) Mark Streit, (D) Roman Josi, (F) Nino Niederreiter

Preview: The Swiss are my underdog team heading into the tournament. The defense runs behind Mark Streit, Roman Josi, Yan Weber, and Raphael Diaz. Goaltender Jonas Hiller is a having a great year with the Ducks and led the Swiss last Olympics. Watch out for Switzerland to defeat the odds this year. 

Projection: Fourth