Whitney's inconsistency (along with Niedermayer, strangely enough) is one of the primary reasons the Ducks are fighting to make the playoffs. Well, that, and the Ducks play in the Western Conference, which is awesome, unlike the weak sauce Eastern Conference. :)

Canada is buzzing this period, not a good sign for USA.

Good job protecting the puck by Nash, he must have been pressing the A Button.

I haven't seen much of Whitney since he went to Anaheim, but his problem in Pittsburgh was that he always thought he was a forward. He wasn't just an offensive defenseman. He really played like a forward and completely neglected the blue line at times. You can get away with that at times, but it was essentially his MO. I couldn't believe it when he got named to Team USA.

I'm only giving them partial credit. They never should have put themselves in this stupid position in the first place.

Nice save by Miller there, that was huge.

breath....

This is going to be a hell of a finish.

Here we go...

SI

Couldn't ask for much more thant this. What a way to end the games.

i just shit my pants

got a feeling canada's gonna take this

Let's hear more about this.

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

ARE YOU KIDDING ME:?!?

SI

PARISE

Wow...Parise

YES!!! YES!!!

FUCK ME!!!! WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw

Sweeet!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a game!!!!

WOW.

I don't know if I could handle being a hockey fan. I'm stressing out ;).

OMFG

HOLYSHITFUCKYES!

Suddenly the number of people in the thread went from like 12 to 28

SI

OT is gonna be epic

can someone explain the OT rules here ? Sudden death ? (german commentators normally explain everything 3 times, strangely not this time)

Yes. 20 minutes on the clock, sudden death. If nobody scores in 20 minutes, they go to a shootout.

Yes, sudden death, but only until time runs out. If neither team scores by the end of the period, it goes to a shootout (please don't happen.) Also, each team only has 4 skaters on the ice which opens things up more.

Fresh Ice, 4 on 4 for 20 minutes. Does the younger, hungrier USA team have an advantage?

10 minute 4 on 4 sudden death.

10 minute sudden death OT, follow by shootout if still tied

This game will be over in the first 5 minutes...

20 minute for the final? cool.

nope, only 10 minutes in the Olympics

I have not been able to stand the Devils for a couple decades now, but I have to say, got a mad man crush on Parise. That kid's amazing.

Well, it seems like the US defense, which is their strength (not named Miller) is going to have less ice time so I'm not sure how much that helps them.

That's kindof a point to speak to: I remember the US team was slammed for the defense selections but they really have come through.

SI

They said 20 earlier... *confuzzled*

Niedamayer should never have been on the ice there

Did Roenick just say Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight?

It's 20 minutes of overtime for the gold medal game.

Speaking of important questions to speak to: do I throw the steaks on the grill now (I'm a medium to medium-well guy so mooing steaks are not an option) or should I just let the coals ash some more for 15 more mins of sudden death?

This 10 minute vs 20 minute thing is important!

Because there's no way I'm leaving the tv during this... (tho I can see the grill and tv both from the front door if I'm really crafty)

SI

first to score wins, right?

Dola

I'd take the more talented home team over the young hungry guys any day. From my admittedly unhockified analysis, Canada has dominated this game and the US has had to scratch and claw for everything.

Yes.

And now we're up to 37 in the thread

SI

I disagree to an extent. Not with the point that the defense has played well, but that this doesn't help them. It's a different game, four on four. Defensive skills that aren't matched by as much speed and offensive skills (qualities usually shown in defensmen) aren't as valuable here. Speedy, good puckhandling offensive guys, with at least some defensive ability, are more important here. So guys like Parise, Langenbrunner, Ryan, Kane, these are good players for this situation. Also, Erik Johnson and Rafalski are good defensive players for this situation.

Canada won't be able to march out older guys as much in a speed game, and big guys like Pronger are less effective.

Not that Canada doesn't have some great options in this setting either of course. They have some of the greatest players in the world, who are perfect for this.

No way do I see this going the full 20 with 4 on 4. I would rather see 5 on 5 in this tournament though. 4 on 4 changes the game a bit too much. Granted, it beats deciding on penalty shots though, which I don't see this getting to.

It's called "okay, now what do I do for 20 minutes?"