Day Twelve (Sixteen): Martin (and Bronze)

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 27, 2010 1:22 PM MST

It's (past) time for the Olympic open thread! And the good times did keep on rolling. The Canadian men had a huge day on the oval with three medals in two events, two of them gold. The Canadian women curlers gave the men's hockey club a lesson in choking as she missed shots to win in both the 10th and 11th ends to "win" the silver medal. It was hard to watch but Cheryl Bernard and her crew actually looked pretty up-beat after the fact. Obviously they would have preferred to win the gold but it seemed like they kind of knew they hadn't played all that well over the last week. Today, the big game for me is Kevin Martin's gold medal foray. His game against Norway in the round robin was very close and that Norwegian club is quality. It's likely to be an exciting final and I can only hope Martin comes out on top. If he does it, I expect some emotion from the Old Bear.

And then there's the hockey. Yesterday saw the Finns embarrass themselves against the Americans as Miikka Kiprusoff gave the worst performance from a Scandinavian goalie since NHLers started coming to the Olympics. But the whole team was awful. And the Americans were very good. Canada? Somewhat less impressive against the Slovakians. The game ended 3-2 but only by inches. It says something about the Canadian performance when I'm almost cheering for the Slovaks to tie the game. They didn't, and it's Canada-US tomorrow for the gold. That American team has some really nice depth at forward. They're not as good as Canada's forwards but there also shouldn't be any huge mismatches. But today's game is for bronze. I've got to say, I'm pulling for the Slovaks.

Schedule:

Canada (Martin) v. Norway (Ulsrud) 4:00 p.m. MST

Finland v. Slovakia 8:00 p.m. MST

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The last five minutes have been pretty darn good! Gold in speed-skating pursuit and then gold for Jasey Jay Anderson. These last few days have to be right up there with anything Canada – as a team – has ever done in the Olympics.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 27, 2010 3:17 PM MST reply actions

We may not finish at the top of the medal standings (23, with a guarantee of two more, either gold or silver), but that makes twelve (!) gold medals, which is definitely something the COC can use the justify continued funding of Own the Podium past 2010, which unbelievably is actually in doubt.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Feb 27, 2010 3:22 PM MST up reply actions

Well, it seems highly probable that Canada will “own” the top step of the podium, which is actually how the IOC does its medal count. Impressive.

It’s odd that more than half of Canada’s medals are gold. We used to have more silver than gold, and more bronze than silver. This time it seems like all or nothing.

I have to take issue with your characterization of Cheryl Barnard as a choker. I think that’s extremely harsh. Alternately, there have been a lot of chokers among the world-class athletes at these Olympics, cuz an awful lot of shit has happened with medals on the line in many different sports.

That said, if I had to choose one Canadian curling team to win Gold, it would be the Kevin Martin team with a bullet. For the Bernard crew a silver was an accomplishment, but Martin needs nothing short of the top step for his Olympics to be a success. Should be a tough, tense battle with Tomas Ullsrud who has easily been the next best team.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 27, 2010 3:53 PM MST up reply actions

You’re right about Cheryl Bernard. “Choker” isn’t really fair though I would that those were makeable shots for her. But like you say, silver was an accomplishment and not a disappointment for her. Which leads me to believe that we really shouldn’t be having these qualifying tournaments for the curlers. Just take the best team!

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 27, 2010 4:32 PM MST up reply actions

No, “choker” is exactly fair.

Bernard’s rink wasn’t that good. Her front end couldn’t throw a guard to save their lives. They got to 8-1 more-or-less on smoke and mirrors. But they played nine and a half good ends and just self-immolated. Bernard missed two shots that she ought to have been able to make in her sleep and it cost her gold.

That’s pretty much the definition of choking.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 27, 2010 6:12 PM MST up reply actions

Funny enough, I saw her miss a shot that would’ve given her two instead of one in the first end, and thought that it would come back to bite her on the ass. I hate being right.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Feb 28, 2010 1:30 AM MST up reply actions

Last weekend was about as bad as I have ever seen from a Canadian team. Hoolingsworth, Morrison, the bobsleigh tipping over, the hockey team losing, a number of medals expected and only Montgomery and Groves winning.

And then things just seemed to come together. Virtue and Moir, MacIvor, the rush on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and now today.

Just an incredible run where pretty well everyone except for Bernard and the woman’s long track pursuit team came through. Considering that at this level shit constantly happens, as we found out last weekend, that’s pretty cool.

by Pat Mc on Feb 27, 2010 5:31 PM MST reply actions

Three more golds today! Kevin Martin!

They’ve tied the Olympic record for golds at a Winter Games with a beauty shot at another gold tomorrow to set a new one. Wow. Even the tie just looks odd: the Americans, the Soviets and… Canada. And it may end up Canada alone.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 27, 2010 7:39 PM MST up reply actions

And now a fantastic win for Kevin Martin’s foursome. A perfect 11-0 record on his third trip to the Olympics leaves no doubt that Martin belongs among the greatest curlers ever, without reservations. Now instead of whispers about “just” being an Olympic silver medallist, Kevin is a gold and silver medallist. Any questions?

Kevin’s hand-picked team is clearly the best in the world. I have closely watched these guys on their four-year mission to the podium with barely a missed step along the way, and they sure didn’t miss any this week.Congrats to Ben, Marc, John, and Kevin — you guys are The Best!

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 27, 2010 7:51 PM MST reply actions

I don’t even feel happy for Team Martin yet. Just relieved.

I spent two weeks making comments about how Martin would blow it in the end. I very nearly bet Matt Fenwick money that he would. I genuinely, truly believed that Martin couldn’t do it, a belief that was (unfairly) reinforced when Bernard pulled the same trick.

I spent today in Vancouver and watched the tenth end with my laptop out and my hand in my mouth gnawing on my own knuckles. It was a perfect tenth end for a Kevin Martin rink: three rock lead, no hammer, just need to peel your way to victory. And he did. And up until the moment Ben Hebert lifted his broom because he knew Martin had made the takeout, I didn’t think he would.

The happiness will come later, I’m sure. But even Kevin just had a silly smile on his face like a Randy Ferbey-sized gorilla had just vanished from his shoulders.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 27, 2010 8:11 PM MST reply actions

By the way, I’m not sure I give a fuck about hockey anymore. The Olympics I care about are over. The rest would just be a nice surprise.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 27, 2010 8:15 PM MST up reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	54	34	15	5	73
Colorado Mile High Hockey	56	28	25	3	59
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	54	25	21	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	55	25	22	8	58
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	54	21	28	5	47

(updated 2.11.2012 at 6:02 AM MST)

21 - 28 - 5

Streak: Lost 2

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@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	12:00 PM MST
Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Wed 02/15	8:00 PM MST
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Fri 02/17	7:30 PM MST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sun 02/19	7:00 PM MST
@ Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	Tue 02/21	7:00 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	L 2 - 4
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Chicago Second City Hockey	Thu 02/02	W 8 - 4
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 01/31	W 3 - 2