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Hockey

Team Slovakia hockey preview: Somewhere in the middle

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A little over half of Team Slovakia hockey is playing in the NHL, yet the talent level is somewhere in between great and mediocre. The Hossa brothers Marian and Marcel accent the skill of the team, but their skill levels are on opposite ends of the spectrum for Slovakia. Slovakia made a miracle run to the Final Four in 2010 before losing to Canada in the semifinals. To make … [Read more...] about Team Slovakia hockey preview: Somewhere in the middle

Team Switzerland hockey preview: Getting closer

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The 2013 World Championship Runner-Up is on the verge of competing with the big dogs annually. Team Switzerland hockey is looking to medal for the first time since 1948 when they took home bronze. The 2006 and 2010 Olympic teams have been thorns in the Canadians thighs, scoring an upset in 2006 and pushing them to a shootout in 2010. The Swiss are not in the same preliminary … [Read more...] about Team Switzerland hockey preview: Getting closer

Team Sweden hockey preview: Lying in the weeds

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There is an awful lot of talk about who will win gold in Olympic hockey. What is surprising is that the Team Sweden hockey club is not getting enough love compared to Canada and host country Russia. The 2006 gold medal winners may have been upset in 2010, but are looking like a solid choice to regain their title as the best in the world. Tre Kronor has depth at every … [Read more...] about Team Sweden hockey preview: Lying in the weeds

Team Czech Republic hockey preview: Too many veterans

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Looking up and down the Team Czech Republic roster reveals plenty of notable players. The problem with those names is that the majority of them are on the back end of their careers. Patrik Elias, Jaromir Jagr, Milan Michalek, Petr Nedved, Tomas Kaberle, Michal Rozsival, and Marek Zidlicky have all seen better days. Players such as Jagr and Elias are still playing at a premium … [Read more...] about Team Czech Republic hockey preview: Too many veterans

Team USA hockey preview: Prove 2010 was no fluke

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Taking home the gold in 2010 on Canadian soil would have been sweet for Team USA. Doing so against the hometown Canadians would have been that much sweeter. A silver medal was not expected with the talent on the ice for Team USA hockey, but now is the time to show that 2010 was more legitimate than fluky. The core remains strong for the U.S., as Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, … [Read more...] about Team USA hockey preview: Prove 2010 was no fluke

Team Canada hockey preview: Repeat or bust

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Winning gold on home ice was expected. Now is the time to show how dominant the Team Canada hockey program can be. Even with their 2010 gold, Hockey Canada has failed to medal in two of the previous four Winter Olympics. For pretty much any other team, that is acceptable. For Canada? An embarrassment. The Canadian talent pool is by far the deepest in the world. As Canada’s … [Read more...] about Team Canada hockey preview: Repeat or bust

Team Austria hockey preview: Thanks for playing

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This is Austria’s first Winter Olympics hockey tournament since 2002, where they finished 12th. Needless to say, they’re just happy to be here. Surprisingly, the Eagles have at least notable and current NHL players. Thomas Vanek and Michael Grabner also play together for the New York Islanders. Forwards Vanek and Grabner are the only two forwards with NHL experience, as … [Read more...] about Team Austria hockey preview: Thanks for playing

10 former Chicago Blackhawks going to Sochi

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The Chicago Blackhawks are sending ten current players to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but 10 former Hawks will be lacing up the skates, as well. The list is a mix of established NHL players and players not cut out for playing in the premier league in the world. Of the 10 heading to Sochi, four were Blackhawks draft picks, and four have won a Stanley Cup wearing the … [Read more...] about 10 former Chicago Blackhawks going to Sochi

With offense sputtering, Chicago Blackhawks recall Brandon Pirri

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The Chicago Blackhawks recalled Brandon Pirri from the IceHogs Monday. With the team looking bored and/or uninterested during their current woes, the addition of the offensive-minded 22-year old could be what the Hawks need. Chicago is about to embark on a west coast road trip in which they play four opponents that could make noise in the playoffs. Three of the teams are in … [Read more...] about With offense sputtering, Chicago Blackhawks recall Brandon Pirri