Canada vs. Slovakia : Hossa Sucks

These Olympics have been full of showdowns for Sidney Crosby, and Team Canada.

First they faced Team USA, pitting Sid against Penguins teammate Brooks Orpik.

Then, Sid vs. Ovie. Ovechkin was once again taken down by a team that included Sidney Crosby.

Tonight, Team Canada takes on Slovakia. And who’s on Team Slovakia? Dun dun dun…..Hossa. If you’ll remember, Marian Hossa was a member of the 2007-2008 Penguins. The same Penguins that went to the Stanley cup finals, and lost to Detroit. We all know what happened after that. Hossa went to Detroit, thinking his chances were better, and then got beaten my his old team, the Pens.

Knowing Hossa’s luck, tonight’s game will probably end up the same way every game involving Sid does. With a loss.



Also, if you like my blog, check out these blogs:
Pensblog
Puckhuffers

Hockey Fights

They make a boring game more interesting. They make a losing game worth watching.

Hockey is pretty much the only sport in which players can get into a full blown fist fight, and be back in the game in 2-5 minutes.

But why is it allowed? Is it only in the NHL? Why do they do it?

The main reason it’s allowed is that it’s tradition. Fighting in hockey has been around since the 19th century.

And no, it doesn’t only happen in the NHL. It exists in ametuer hockey, just as much as professional hockey.

As for why they do it, it usually has to do with frustration. Most players fight because they are frustrated that another player is playing dirty or basically doing things they shouldn’t. Usually in these situations, they player that starts the fight feels that the other one has not been punished for what ever it is that they did.



For more on hockey fighting see:
Wikipedia - Fighting In Hockey

Also, for some fighting videos see:
Hockey Fights

Winter Olympics 2010

So.. the Olympics start tonight. That’s good news and bad news. The bad news is no NHL hockey for the next two weeks. The good news is, we get to see quite a few Penguins and former Penguins playing for their country.

Marc Andre Fluery is playing for team Canada, along with Sidney Crosby. Jordan Staal and his brother Eric (of the Carolina Hurricanes) tried out, but didn’t quite make it.

Team Russia has Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar. They also sadly have……..Ovechkin. Blah!

Brooks Orpik is playing for good old Team USA. Two former Penguins, Ryan Whitney and Ryan Malone, are also playing.

With Penguins on three different teams, it can be hard to choose who to root for. Normally, I would say Team Russia, because Malkin’s is pretty much my favorite, but Russia has Ovechkin. I have a hard time rooting for a team that has Ovechkin. So, I say….

Go Team Canada!

For pictures of all the Olympic-bound Penguins in their team jerseys, click here.