Time for a Sochi 2014 thread?

[puckhead]

Groups are made up with the conclusion of the IIHF WHC.
The groups were posted in that thread, but may have been overlooked by those not interested in that tourney.
US get's a mighty tough draw in Group A

A: RUS, US, SVK
B: CAN, FIN, NOR
C: CZE, SUI, SWE

and each group will also get a lesser seed team, yet to qualify.
Under the Olympic tournament format, the top two teams in each pool — plus the next best two — move on to the quarter-finals.


Team Canada grouped with Finland, Norway at 2014 Sochi Games - The Globe and Mail

 

[pixburgher66]

GROUP OFFFF DEATHHHHHH. Man that's terrible. Canada may have the easiest road. Finland is no pushover of course, but I'd rather FIN/NOR than CZE/SUI. The Swiss always seem to be problematic.

 

[puckhead]

GROUP OFFFF DEATHHHHHH. Man that's terrible. Canada may have the easiest road. Finland is no pushover of course, but I'd rather FIN/NOR than CZE/SUI. The Swiss always seem to be problematic.

given that 8 teams make it into the QF's though, they really only make sure that they are not outperformed by two of NOR / SUI / or the late qualifiers (GER?).
But they will still need to get some points out of Slovakia or Russia (at home). One thing's for sure - they will be battle hardened from the getgo.

So I am confident they will make the Quarter Finals, but their seeding after such a strong group might give them a tougher road of it.

 

[pixburgher66]

They're going to have to beat RUS once at home pretty much...and in the medal rounds I'm sure at least one of CAN/SWE. No doubt. I guess you gotta beat the best to be the best. Honestly US hockey is looking pretty good for 2014 too. Some great US names coming up.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Russia wins the World Championships & gets the toughest group. I think that's bullshit.

Canada gets the best group possible. Must be nice. Any chance Lowe picks the team?:

 

[pixburgher66]

How do they decide the groups? By international ranking?

 

[elocomotive]

Trivia question...

Of the last 11 Olympic games, how many times has the Canadian men's hockey team medaled (any medal - gold, silver, or bronze)?

 

[puckhead]

How do they decide the groups? By international ranking?

Yes, by IIHF ranking. Just Snake style, I believe.
So Russia won, so they are in A, SVK was 2nd so they are in B, etc

Trivia question...

Of the last 11 Olympic games, how many times has the Canadian men's hockey team medaled (any medal - gold, silver, or bronze)?

2 Golds, I know.
At least 2 Silvers in the '90s
We tend to shit the bed in bronze situations.

I probably missed one, so I'll say 5 total.

 

[elocomotive]

Y2 Golds, I know.
At least 2 Silvers in the '90s
We tend to shit the bed in bronze situations.

I probably missed one, so I'll say 5 total.

So close...it's only 4 of the last 11 Olympics. I was shocked to find that out.

FINLAND is actually the only country to medal at least 4 times in the last 5 Olympics.

 

[puckhead]

So close...it's only 4 of the last 11 Olympics. I was shocked to find that out.

FINLAND is actually the only country to medal at least 4 times in the last 5 Olympics.

Before the win in Utah, Canada hadn't won a gold in 50 years.
Of course, like you guys, for a good bunch of those years we were sending amateurs against the Easter Block pros.
W00t for the Trail SmokeEaters.