I’ve had three heart attacks so far. There is no score in the first, but Canada is going onto the power play. We’re only nine minutes into the game and it’s already the most stress I’ve felt since the Cup Finals last year.
My step kids just started a spontaneous, USA USA USA chant.
The second round of four games in the Men’s ice hockey tournament Quarterfinals happened today. I mentioned earlier that Sweden beat the crap out of Slovenia. In the second game of the day we saw a gigantic upset as Finland (lead by Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask) beat Russia, 3-1. Russia had been one of the gold medal favorites, and here they are bounced out in the quarterfinal.
At noon today there were two huge games. First, Canada beat Latvia by the skin of their teeth, 2-1. At the same time, the USA was beating up on the Czech Republic, 5-2.
There are four teams left, and three medals to hand out. Team USA is in pretty good shape… except…
The Semifinal round match ups are all set now. All four teams have tomorrow off, and then on Friday at 7:00am Eastern time, Sweden plays Finland in a battle for Viking supremacy. I think Sweden is the better team in this one, although I will be rooting for Tuukka and the Fins.
Later on Friday, at noon Eastern time, the battle for North American supremacy will commence. Canada vs The United States of America. This is a rematch of the gold medal game from last Winter Olympics. That game was quite possibly the best hockey game I’ve ever watched. The only negative about that game was the the US had to settle for the Silver. Now I will be wearing the red white and blue on Friday, and there is no doubting where my hockey loyalty lies… but it’s hard to see anyone beating Canada. Although, they haven’t quite been the monster everyone has expected, and the US has been dominant in all but one game. I think we have a chance. I think we have a shot at making it to the gold medal game.
Coincidently, if my two predictions come true we will see a rematch of the 1980 gold medal game between The United States of America and Finland. I could definitely get into a match up like that.
Go USA!
This is the falls as seen from our hotel room…
This is the falls as seen from the walkway right on the edge…
We made it into Canada! Now we’re coming home!
On my drive home today I started listening to the Clockwork Angels audiobook. It was read by Neil Peart. I’m still only at the beginning, but my first impression is that when it comes to audiobooks, Neil is a great drummer. No offense.
The other thing you learn very quickly is that Mr Peart is aboooot as Canadian as you can get. The first line: “It seems like a lifetime agoooo.”
You just have to love it.
As a Rush fan I often keep my eye out for Canadian holidays that do not exactly match up with US holidays. It helps that my company has Canadian customers and that my work scheduling software includes the option of displaying Canadian holidays.
That’s why I know that today is Flag Day in Canada! Happy Canadian Flag Day, Canada!
Inside the Red Head's Head 