"I'll go play the Olympic Games for my country," Ovechkin said. "If somebody says to me you can't play, see ya."Even Sidney Crosby wants NHLers to stay in the Olympics but what NHLer wouldn't? You could say this is different that the NHLers get the upper hand since the 1998 Winter games. Crosby was quoted saying:
"Russian or not Russian, I can understand," Crosby said. "I think we definitely feel strongly, me personally and I think all the players do, that it could be the opportunity of a lifetime, especially the guys from Russia. It only happens once."Evgeni Malkin also commented on this issue. Malkin, one who is well liked among hockey fans and is also made fun of because his English skills aren't so great ....
"The Olympics are great," said Malkin, who played in Turin before joining Crosby in Pittsburgh. "Great games every day."The supposed rivalry between the super star Ovechkin and Malkin has been forced to 'ease-up' in these Olympics, during an interview in which Ovechkin was questioned, who clearly didn't want the interview(s) to be so damn long as he wanted to get to a television as quickly as possible to watch the US/Canada game; the media person asked him about the rivalry with Malkin and if he likes him or not. Ovie simply said;
"Well I have like him. It's the Olympics; we're playing on same team here."The Olympics have most certainly been exciting; the US on Sunday virtually took a knife to the Canadians hearts, not only the players but their fans as well. The United States would route Canada on their own ice, one, if not the most hostile game the American-born players would play in. The Americans were booed and hindered as they took the ice; as they took on the host Canadians. Certainly, the Americans made the Canadian fans grow ever so quite as Brian Rafalski scored to put the Americans on the board first. Rafalski scored twice, Jamie Lagenbrunner would score deflecting a Rafalski shot and Ryan Kesler scored a rip out your heart for Canadian fans, empty netter. The game was swarmed with Cancuks fans; an all too familiar face to the Vancouver fans made the final score 5-3. Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry attempted to backcheck on Kesler and Kesler ended up falling and he swatted at the puck which ended up in a goalie-less net. A more of a luck goal than any other. Perry's face was nothing but devastation after he heard the disgruntled fans with that oh so lovely goal horn. Perry most likely re-watched a video of the winning goal and that is something he will never forget, a goal/play that most likely terrorized him in his sleep.
Martin Broduer just wasn't Broduer in that game he struggled on plays he usually is very successful in. Broduer is definitely the scapegoat in Canada for the loss against the Americans. He lost his job after he allowed four goals vs. the USA. Roberto Luongo got the nod for the game against Germany, in which the Canadians routed the Germans in a 8-2 win to knock out Deutschland and the Canadians will face, a very anticipated even though a little premature match-up against the Russians.
Bobby Ryan and Ryan Whitney have the right to the bragging in the Ducks locker room over specifically Scott Niedermayer, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, Especially Bobby, who assisted on Rafalski's second goal against the host Canadians. Bobby also has bragging rights over Team Switzerland who at the NHL level for the Ducks; represented by Jonas Hiller. Bobby scored his first ever and the first goal for men's hockey in the Olympics of Van2010 against his current NHL teammate Hiller putting the Americans on the board first.
Hiller helped his country of Switzerland barely edge Belarus the first series of the elimination rounds; The Swiss won 3-2 in the shootout and will play in a rematch against the Americans.Four Ducks players will be representing their respective country; Hiller and Luca Sbisa Ducks prospect; who is too young to come back up to the NHL this season; as he was sent back down for further development earlier this season. Both Sbisa and Hiller will represent Switzerland as Bobby Ryan and Ryan Whitney will be representing the Americans.
As for Pielmeier; the kid has really been something he was good when he was with the Sharks and he's trying to prove he's NHL ready. Pielmeier, born in Dreggendorf, Germany on July 7, 1989 is someone who definitely deserves NHL ice time more than just what he got in the pre-season. Pielmeier shows love for his position and the game of hockey.In Germany, hockey isn't exactly the most popular sport. Soccer definitely dominates it and while the sport has grown in the country; a majority of Germans don't care so much for the sport. Like the United States, the citizens are/were probably watching the Olympics, as hockey took the front stage but in all reality like the US, hockey takes the back burner compared to other sports markets.
Pielmeier shows swift movement in his crease and he is focused on the game, he currently play for the Bakersfield Condors where he has won various recognitions/awards such as Goalie of the Month for the ECHL. He shows confidence and heart. Pielmeier should definitely be in the minnds of the Germans when they're looking for goalies to play in the future Olympics. While Justin Pogge is basically named the No 3 goalie, behind Hiller and Vesa Toskala Pogge may have his toughest competition against Pielmeier. Both goalies want to be up in the NHL and it could be argued that Pielmeier is the better goalie. However, Pogge recently received an award as he saved a total of 97 of 100 shots within the week. One of Pielmeier's biggest dreams is to play for his country in the Olympics; and I personally most certainly will support him if and when he makes it into the Olympics. Just hope it's sooner than later. Pielmeier will need a few more games of NHL play to get used to the different speed and harder shots but like many goalies before him; he will only get better the more he plays. Which making it to the NHL will only prompt him even more for Germany to give him a good long fair look. Pielmeier's dream would definitely be complete to step onto that Olympic ice and play for the country he was born and raised in.
Pielmeier may not be the best goalie in the Olympics when he first goes into them, but he'll probably do better than a lot of people will see him as.This experience of Olympic hockey would get him far as a goalie. Pielmeier is usually smiling, he's just one happy kid and seems to take life as it is and he really enjoys life which just as a human being you can see the excellence in him, just as a person. Pielmeier is more than just a goalie.
My best memory of Pielmeier will always be that smile across his face. He has a great smile. One thing I'll always remember is in Training Camp after the boys were done. Hiller was giving him a ride and Hiller had come out to sign for fans who were graciously waiting for him to come out. He's a goalie and he took forever to come out what else is expected (hahaa). Pielmeier waited patiently behind Hiller. He had a huge smile on his face and was wearing a brand new Toronto Blue Jays hat. He was also happy because in the pre-season game against the rival San Jose Sharks; the team who drafted him in 2007; he got the nod to start the game which made him even happier. He split time with Hiller during the game and Pielmeier really showed he can play the game of hockey. Specifically North American style. This kid is prime and ready to go.The Ducks are so deep in goalie talent in the system, and Pielmeier definitely makes himself shine in games.
I really haven't been able to watch very much Olympic hockey; in fact I have yet to even watch Switzerland or Russia play for both Mens and Women's divisions. The schedule usually is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where I am at school the entire day and do not have access to a television. Due to the way they schedule the Olympics, recording has ceased to exist for me. The only thing I have seen of Switzerland was their shootout loss to Canada. Sunday was also the first time I saw either the USA or Canada play in the men's division
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