Quick thoughts on last night's game, tonight's game and a post-Olympic notice

Great. We beat Germany 8-2. We should beat Germany 8-2. I'm not going to dissect the game because a) I'm likely going to do that on the podcast tonight; b) I didn't watch the whole game (went out with Miss Unfinished Business last night and turned the game off when Canada was up 4-1) and c) Did I mention that this is Germany vs Canada? Aside from that, I'm glad Weber blasted the puck through the net, that Thornton scored, that Iginla scored twice, that Pronger and Neidermayer didn't look like geriatrics on the ice and that Roberto Luogno was at least competent. I'm still not thrilled with the power-play though. Paging Mike Green...

On to tonight. I'm going to talk more about this game during the podcast but I'll say here that I expect Canada to win. Why? Quite frankly, I expect Canada to win every game it plays. For all the usual reasons (it's our game, most players in history, most players in the league, we're on home ice, blah blah blah). But also, the Russian are overrated. There, I said. Russia has elite level talent on the top two lines and that's it. Their 3rd/4th lines are old, slow and okay in their own end. This elite talent hasn't blown anyone out since beating a fifth-rate Latvia team 8-2. It couldn't beat Jaroslav Halak for more than one goal in regulation or go better than one-for-seven in the shootout. And it put a big four goals in against the Czechs. Defensively, they're okay. And just okay. Heck, they would be mediocre if it wasn't for Markov and Volchenkov (a man that they haven't been playing enough). In goal Nabakov is again okay, but he hasn't been tested and has never proven himself in ANY major competitions (Stanley Cup, Olympics, World Cup of Hockey). Is Russia good? Of course. But are they the boogie-man our media is portraying them as? Not chance.

When Ethan asked me who would win and medal in this tournament, I said Canada to win, with the US in second and Sweden in third. I still stand by this prediction. Regardless of how the team has played so far, I believe it has the talent to beat anyone in a one-off game. I expect tonight to prove me right.

Finally, I'm finding myself very limited by the scope of what I initially set out for this blog. I might love the Avs, but it's tough to write about them all the time when I don't have Centre Ice. I also feel that there's much more to write about than just hockey. So beginning after the Olympics, this blog will definitely be less Avs-centric and slightly less hockey-centric. The Toronto Raptors are in the midst of a great playoff run and the NBA as a league has never been as enjoyable since I started watching basketball. College basketball season is coming down to its wonderful conclusion. The CFL and NFL aren't on the surface but they're always on the horizon. And, I love talking about all things hockey. Come playoff time, that's all that will appear (with extensive Avs coverage, assuming they're in).

The "An Avalanche fan living in Leafs Nation who spent five years in Montreal observing the daily worship of La Sainte-Flanelle" will be replaced with something a little more appropriate. But it will still me writing. Being as honest and unmerciful as I can be. On that I promise to never change. (Bonus points to anyone who identifies the previous line.)