^ Sweden = defending champion, and this is one of the best teams we've ever fielded in the history of hockey. Had only Forsberg and Lidstrom been in their primes I would have had a hockeygasm.
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The US has a good team, and basically a bye into the finals already since they'll be facing inferior opposition all the way there, but I think their team is still too young. Anything can happen in hockey, but I've stopped holding the US as a potential darkhorse since they always prove me wrong by choking when they reach the quarter or the semi.
In 2014 they will DEFINITELY be a gold favorite though. Lots of young and promising players coming up!
Anyways... So... are you guys ready for
SUPER WEDNESDAY or what?
I'll post my predictions for the games:
USA-Switzerland
Ok, least exciting game of the evening. The US will crush Switzerland like it's nobody's business. The Swiss ARE good enough to at least put up a fight, but I think they are too tired after their game against Belarus.
A rested Team USA will win this by 3 or 4 goals at least, but don't be surprised if the score runs away further in the final period.
Russia-Canada
Russia has the advantage of being rested, but Canada didn't have too much trouble with Germany and hopefully (for them) didn't play at 100% in that game. Offensively Russia is the better team, but overall Canada looks stronger. Some people would try to argue that Canada has goaltending issues, but I just don't see it. Luongo will start, and as much as I love picking on him when he plays in the NHL he is a GREAT goaltender. But Pronger, Crosby and a couple of other players will have to step it up in this game. Crosby was in on 3 US goals in the last game, and Pronger was a worthless fucking pylon. So yeah... step it up, guys! And hopefully Doughty will continue to be as great as he was in the last game.
Ovechkin will be a threat for sure, but back during the World Juniors Canada successfully shut him down with Mike Richards, so maybe they should try that again. Will be a close game though... Hopefully high-scoring. I say Canada win by one goal, probably in overtime.
Finland - Czech Republic
Finland has had a DECENT tournament so far. Nothing more. But the Czechs didn't impress me either in their game against Latvia. On paper the Czechs look better though, but I'm rooting for Finland to play lights out tonight and win it.
This game could go either way.
Sweden - Slovakia
Slovakia got pushed hard by NORWAY, and might have even lost if they hadn't had so many powerplays. The team looked ridiculously shaky out there, and even scared. They haven't convinced me so far - despite their win over Russia earlier in the tournament. Back in the world championship of 2007 Slovakia basically had the same stars they have now, with Gaborik, Demitra, Hossa, Satan, Chara, Strbak, Jurcina, and of course Halak in the net, and that time they faced a Swedish C-team, with only one NHL-player on the roster in
Alexander fucking Steen. Not impressive by any means, but that time the teams also met in a quarter final, and Sweden won that game 7-4. That was Sweden's C-team, like I said. This time Slovakia has a very similar roster, but they're up against the best that Sweden has to offer. Given their performance against Norway it shouldn't even be close, but I suppose in hockey you just never know.
I say 4-0 Sweden, just because it would be cool if Lundqvist could have yet ANOTHER shutout! XD Hopefully Peter Forsberg will show up in this game as well. He's been awesome so far, don't get me wrong, but he's been looking a bit slow out there (he's been sick from stomach flu).
That's 6 Gold for Canada! 😀
and watch some awesome hockey, wouldn't you agree?
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That hurt right there 
