1st Round Over...Moving on to 2nd

With the 1st round over and since it has been a while since my last post, I'd figured it would be an appropriate time to write this piece on the 1st round.

Starting in the Eastern conference, the only real shock had to have been the Hurricanes over the Devils in seven games. I say this because of the fact that the Devils had goalie Martin Brodeur back and he is always a crunch time goaltender. However, in game 7, he did let up two soft goals that gave the 'Canes the eventual victory to move on. Carolina's offense did answer many questions on whether they can solve Brodeur and had no problem scoring.

Boston had no problem with Montreal sweeping them in four games. They basically just had to play four games because Montreal was non-existent. Goalie Tim Thomas was great and the B's offense was all it was along with their D. Montreal goalie Carey Price looked vulnerable in all four games and could be a reason why the Canadians got swept. He received a fake cheer after he stopped the puck so it was obvious to even their fans that he did not play well.

Washington and New York was a great series because it had everything. Great goaltending, highlight goals, and big saves. However, goalie King Henrik for the New York Rangers played poorly in game 5 and 6 that may have caused the New York Rangers to lose this series. The Rangers however did not show up for those two games as well.

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia was an OK series. Pittsburgh came back to win in the final game to take the series in 6. Philly's offense looked lack-lustered and did not show up for the series. Pittsburgh looked like the team they did last year and could be a threat to move on.

The Western conference was the most exciting conference to watch. A number 8 upset a number 1 and the Chicago vs. Calgary series was great to watch.

Anaheim beat the number 1 seed San Jose Sharks in 6. San Jose should be the Harry Houdini of the playoffs because they disappear when it comes to the playoffs. Anaheim has hot goaltender Hiller who took the series over and could be the new J-S Giguere.

Detroit had no problem with Columbus and no one thought other wise. This could of been a chance for rookie goalie Steve Mason to shine but he did all season so there should be no blame his way. Detroit is just too good.

Vancouver also had no problem with St. Louis. I thought the Blues would have given the Canucks a harder series but Vancouver has goalie Roberto Luongo who is going to take over this playoffs.

The most exciting series to me was Chicago vs. Calgary. Each game was exciting to watch because every game was up in the air. Chicago did take the series in 6 and I think their young offense and goalie Khabibulin can carry them far.

Check back tomorrow to se my prediction for Round 2.

The Nuch

Please Don't Mess This Up

After being granted the no. 1 pick for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in June in Montreal, the New York Islanders hold their fate in either highly touted offensive Canadian John Tavares or two-way defenseman Victor Hedman (Sweden)...For most Islander fans, the logical pick is to go with forward John Tavares...1) because he is the best player in the draft and could put the Isles back on the map...2) the Isles need that young stud to build a team around and 3) HE IS THE BEST PLAYER!!....

Over the past couple of years, the Islanders have made the draft more of a head ache instead of something enjoyable...Take for instance last years draft...The Isles had the number five pick, and could of selected Boston University standout Colin Wilson...But that would of been to easy of course...They traded the 5th pick to to Toronto for the 7th pick and then traded that pick to Nashville for their spot which was 9th....Passing up on defenseman Luke Schenn (TOR), the best European in the draft Nikita Filatov (CBJ) and Wilson (NSH)...The Isles got a forward in Josh Bailey who could be good due time...

This isnt the first time the Isles made people scrath their heads on Draft day... In the 2003 draft, holding the 15th pick, the Isles passed up on now NJ Devils Zach Parise, Duck's Ryan Getzlaf and Flyer's Mike Richards...Hows is their pick Rob Nilsson doing, I don't they traded him to Edmonton for Ryan Smyth... who the Isles could not resign in the offseason...

Now lets not get started on the year 2000...OK, they got goalie Rick DiPietro who is a fan favorite on Long Island...BUT THEY HAD ROBERTO LUONGO!!!! The Isles did not need a goalie...Lets take a look at who they passed up...Senator's Dany Heatly, Wild's Marian Gaborik, and Kings Alex Frolov....The Isles got nothing for Luongo either...They got forwards Mark Parrish and Oleg Kavasha...All you need to do is say Kavasha to an Islanders fan and they run for the hills...

Lets not mess this up Islanders front office...You got the no.1 pick and use it wisely...Get Tavares....Dont trade the pick for other picks, but better yet...DRAFT HIM!!

The Nuch

2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The end of the regular season in the NHL is the most exciting time for hockey fans and other sport fans because it means only one thing... we get to embrace the Stanley Cup Playoffs...The 82 game schedule is finally done and now the remaining 16 teams only have to win 16 games to win the most prized trophy in all of sports...the Stanley Cup....The eight teams from the east and the eight teams from the west buckle down and play with that do-or-die attitude which makes these playoffs more popular to watch than the other three major sports....The Detriot Red Wings are still in it which means we can have a repeat in champions but Im not going to go to far down that road and predict that winner just yet....Here are my first round predictions for both the Eastern and Western conference...

East

1. Boston vs 8. Montreal - The Boston Bruins seemed to be cursed when facing the Canadians in the playoffs but Boston is way beyond Montreal this year...Boston is all-around better than Montreal and have the scoring, defense, and goalie to pull this series out...Montreal's goalie Carey Price is not having the season Canadian fans wanted out of him and I think that will be the achilles heel for them...Boston is the top see for a reason and will win this series...Boston in 5

2. Washington vs. 7. New York Rangers- The rangers sneaked their way into the playoffs with big wins toward the end of the season to jump ahead of Montreal and the pressing Florida Panthers...The Rangers need their top guns to come out in Chris Drury, Scott Gomez and Nik Antropov if they want to move on to the next round...Washington, like Montreal, does not have the goaltending to make them as dangerous in these playoffs...Alex the great cant do it all by himself...Rangers in 6

3. Carolina vs. 6. New Jersey- The Devils did not have future hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur for most of the season but still found ways to win (thanks to AHL goalie Scott Clemmensen)....Devils forward Zach Parise lights the lamp with help from guys like Jamie Lagenbrunner and Travis Zajac, and with a playoff hungry Brodeur, the Devils can be dangerous...Carolina rides the wave of Eric Staal and if goalie Cam Ward plays the way he did in '06, Carolina can be just as dangerous...I like Carolina just for the fact that the Devils D has be non existent...Carolina in 7

4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Philadelphia- The battle of Pennsylvania at first was not a matchup everyone thought could of happened since Pittsburgh was playing so poorly and Philly was playing so good...However, the beauty of hockey draws these two rivals together in a first round matchup...Both of these teams have great offense and goaltending...However it comes down to two men....No no Crosby and Malkin, but Jeff Carter and Daniel Briere...If these two are clicking Philadelphia should have no problem...Philly in 6

West

1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim- San Jose just wrapped up the President's Trophy for the first time in team history and should be the team to beat in the west...The have the key ingredients to win it all with the scoring and goaltending...Anaheim squeaked their way in to gain the last spot with very good play in the last couple of games and should play San Jose tough...San Jose is too good though and should take this series...San Jose in

2. Detroit vs. 7 Columbus- This is bittersweet for Columbus fans...Their team makes the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and they draw the defending Stanley Cup champs in the first round....We all know how good Detroit is with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsuyk but Columbus does have soon to be Rookie of the Year goalie Steve Mason...Detroit is too much though for Columbus...Detroit in 5

3. Vancouver vs. 6 St. Louis- Who would ever of thought of St. Louis to jump in but they went from the dweller to 6th in a blink of an eye...With the way they are playing with forwards David Backes and the return of Paul Kariya, St. Louis can make this series interesting...Vancouver has star goalie Roberto Luongo and the Sedin twins which can carry them through...Vancouver in 6

4. Chicago vs. 5 Calgary- Chicago makes the playoffs for the first time since the 2000s and can thank the pair of John Towes and Patrick Kane for that...Goalie Nik Khabibulin played very well for the Balckhawks in net this year and can be the x-factor since he did win a cup in '04....Calgary also has a x-factor goalie in Mika Kipersouff who can take his team as far as he can...Jarome Iginla and newly arrived Oli Jokinen help Calgary as well...Calgary in 7

The Nuch

What the Heck?

"Wow, talk about your all time back fires"....I dont know what happened over the weekend but all my picks for the Frozen Four went right down the toilet....Besides BU, there is not a number one team that advanced past the first game...Michigan lost to Air Force 2-0, Denver lost to Miami 4-1, and I dont know what happened to Notre Dame but they lost to Bemidji State 5-1....

For a tournament that could have easily had all number 1's in it, is now the tournament of underdogs....Michigan could of easily won the whole thing and so could of Norte Dame but they decided not to score which is important to win hockey games....BU had a easy game against Ohio State but a tough one against UNH...Denver for some reason cannot win when they play at the U of Minnesota arena and looked so lacklustered to be there...

I was right in 3 picks with Duluth beating Princeton...even though the score was 1 more for each Duluth won in ot 5-4...I had BU beating OSU and Vermont beating Yale...I dont know why the number ones decided to go take spring vacation early but its definitely not the Frozen Four matchups people had in mind...

BU plays Vermont who squeaked their way into the Frozen Four with a 2ot win over Air Force...BU should have no problem again...Vermont is going to be a little snake bitten in the fact that its a bigger stage and BU has been in this position before...BU 4-2

The story of the year..Bemidji State...no one and I mean no one gave these guys a chance but hats off to them...Bemidji beat ND and Cornell convincingly and is now in the Frozen Four....Miami beat Denver and Duluth in solid games...who knows about this one..I mean if Bemidji is the real deal they should beat Miami ...why not they beat the CCHA champs and an ECAC powerhouse....still think Miami will win...5-4

I like BU to win it over Miami...BU is so strong and with the teams that got knocked out they could of easily faced Michigan but they draw Vermont who they play regularly...BU over Miami 5-2

The Nuch

2009 NCAA Hockey Tournament

True hockey fans can break away from all this basketball madness and now concentrate on their "real" brackets....the NCAA D1 Hockey Tournament...The men's division 1 ice hockey tournament begins play this weekend...

Its set up the same way as the men's basketball tournament but instead of 64 teams there is only 16...There are four number 1 seeds as well as four designated regions with the four winners from each moving on to the "Frozen Four" in Washington D.C....Also, teams that win their conference get an automatic bid but if you finish within the top 10 to 12 and do not win your conference, a team can get an at large bid....However, there will be new champions this year as defending tournament champions Boston College is out...Here are my picks...

East Regional - Bridgeport, Conn. Fri.-Sat.

No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Air Force - Air Force was in the same spot last year being a no.4 seed but only facing Miami(OH) and losing to them in OT...Air Force goalie Andrew Volkening and Forward Jacques Lamoureux are bright spots for this team but Michigan's offense and defense are just too strong... Michigan 5-1

No. 2 Yale vs. No. 3 Vermont - Probably the most exciting game for this region....Yale had a great year in winning the ECAC and is fast in attacking the net...Vermont is strong with Viktor Stalberg and overall a good year in the Hockey East....look for Vermont to move on just because they been here before and I think this might be a little too much for Yale...Vermont 4-2

East Regional Winner- Michigan...Look for Michigan to be punching their ticket to the Frozen Four...Michigan was ranked 3rd in the country for a reason and Vermont will not be able to keep up with a freshman goalie in net...Michigan 5-3

West Regional - Minneapolis Fri.-Sat.

No. 1 Denver vs. No. 4 Miami- Denver lost a tough one to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the WCHA Finals last weekend but is still capable of going far with sophomore goalie Marc Cheverie and fast forwards who can score...Miami didn't have a dominating year this year in the CCHA like lasr year when they were a no.1...They switched goalies all year have been inconsistent through out their postseason...Denver 3-1

No. 2 Minnesota Duluth vs. No. 3 Princeton - UMD is coming off a cinderalla season going 10-11-7 in the WCHA yet pulling out the WCHA Championship...Junior goalie Alex Stalock has been a work horse for the Bulldogs and MacGreggor Sharp and Justin Fontaine lead their offense...Princeton had another great year with Goalie Zane Kelemba taking home Player of the Year for the ECAC...Princeton has been here before but UMD plays in the best league and is hot right now...UMD 4-3 OT

West Regional Winner - Denver... Sorry UMD but Denver has your number this time...Denver is a fast team who can score and stop pucks...UMD might be over matched because they havent been in the NCAAs since '04...Denver 4-2

Midwest Regional Grand Rapids, Mich. Sat.-Sun.

No. 1 Notre Dame vs. No. 4 Bemidji State - No contest...sorry Bemidji fans...Norte Dame will move on with ease...Bemidji might get A goal and that should be good enough for you guys...Norte Dame 7-0 (1)

No. 2 Northeastern vs. No. 3 Cornell - This should be another great game to watch...Both these teams finished 2nd respectively in their conferences....Northeastern has Hockey East Player of the Year in goalie Brad Thiessen while Cornell has sophomore forward Riley Nash...I like Northeasterns aggressive play and Thiessen...Northeastern 3-2 or 4-3

Midwest Regional Winner - Northeastern...Thiessen is the Player of the Year for a reason and will be pulling out all the stops....Northeastern is very aggressive and comes right at you...good game nonetheless...Norte Dame had a run last year but not this time...Northeastern 4-2 (EN)

Northeast Regional Manchester, N.H. Sat.-Sun. (BEST REGION)

No. 1 Boston University vs. No. 4 Ohio State - BU is coming off a phenomenal year as they finished 2nd in the country and Hockey East Champions...they had a year that all BU fans always want to see beacuase of their dominance...Ohio State is another team that turned it around in '08-'09 though and put themselves back on the map...BU has Colin Wilson and Kevin Shattenkirk...enough said...BU is too much for OSU...BU 5-2

No. 2 North Dakota vs. No. 3 New Hampshire - What a match up...college hockey fans couldn't be more excited to see these two teams go at it....this is something that a National Championship game would look like given these two teams names and histories...I like UND...i no i have been going with most 1's and 2's but UNH seems to choke in the first round a lot...especially at home too (anyone remember '07)...UND came on like gang busters in the second half and think their offense is just a tad above UNH...UND 5-4

Northeast Regional Winner - North Dakota...they just seem to have a knack at winning in these tournaments and think will be able to give BU a run for their money...UND will have that pump off a strong win from UNH and BU may hurt from playing OSU...another great game but UND will walk out...UND 3-2

So there you have it... my Frozen Four is Michigan, Northeastern, Denver and North Dakota...

Check back for my Frozen Four predictions to see if I was right....

The Nuch

Steve Mason - The Savior of Columbus

Steve Mason came out of left field...However hockey fans across the nation and in Canada are circling Mason for this years rookie of the year award...

The 20-year old native from Ontario, Canada basically saved the Columbus organization from another disappointing season and turned them into a contender in the West...In previous seasons Columbus was a doormat for NHL teams as they haven't made the playoffs in their existence....This year Mason basically took over the number 1 role and is carrying the Blue Jackets on his back....He came on the scene when Columbus starter in the beginning of the season Pascal Leclaire went down from injury and Mason hasn't looked back since...

Mason stared his road to the NHL with a 3 year stint in the major junior hockey league OHL...He was a main stay with the London Knights winning over 60 games for them in 3 seasons...In 06-07, Mason won 45 games which is the second most for wins in season by a goalie in the OHL and was named the OHL Goalie of the Year....London then traded Mason to Kitchner but Mason sat out most of the season due to injury....Mason in 2008 went on to win a gold medal in the World Junior Championships for Canada and took home every award a goaltender could including MVP....

Mason jumped to the NHL in November and gave Blue Jackets fans have something to cheer for...He was starting regularly over Leclaire when Leclaire came back and had shutouts in 3 games...Mason should be this years rookie of the year ....Hes 10th in wins....3rd in goals against average....1st in Shutouts and 8th in Save %...Mason was also the NHL rookie of the month for two straight months in November and December....

There are some candidates in Blake Wheeler in Boston....Kris Versteeg in Chicago and Bobby Ryan in Anaheim....However, Mason is the most important player to his team and I dont think Columbus would be where they were without him while those other players teams would probably survive without them...

Congrats Steve as you will be the 2009 Rookie of the Year

The Nuch

What's Going On?

The craziness of March Madness is not quite over as the brackets were released last night and the nation is in a frenzy filling out their picks.

Me, on the other hand, found the time to break away from the madness and am getting back to my blog.

Why is it so difficult and frustrating to be an Islanders fan? I would rather have two options with this team... Either be really bad, or be really good...I can say for myself and some other Islanders fans out there that enough of this "Hey lets finally play good hockey when it doesn't matter anymore..." What I mean is that the New York Islanders have a tendency to start really bad or good, then tank or do good at the end of the season... Its different in this case because they have no shot in making the playoffs... In the 06-07 season at the time they started wining they put themselves back in the playoff hunt, made moves and ultimately received the 8th seed... However for this year and in some years past, when the Islanders have no shot in winning they play good the last month...This is what fans want every game...don't give it your all when it doesn't matter anymore...Last night a rookie in Peter Mannino made 40 saves to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2...Chicago is 4th in the west!!...they beat a playoff bound Montreal team in overtime and lost a hard fought battle to the top ranked Boston Bruins...

This is hockey that Isles fans wanted all season...not when the games mean nothing...it actually hurts them because now they are losing their no. 1 sport in this June's draft...In their past 10 games the Isles went a great 6-2-1...that included a spanking of the Devils, wins against Colorado, Phoenix, Chicago, Buffalo and Montreal...and loses to the Rangers and Bruins...at home the Isles have a respectable 16-14-5 but a god-awful 8-24-3 away from Nassau Coliseum...if the Isles want to be in contention they have to win on the road...

Its just frustrating because the Islanders are a team that had one of the best sports dynasties around in the '80s which helped put Long Island on the map...they were strong in the early '90s, then became a joke until the early 2000's...then went on to make the playoffs in 3 consecutive seasons, and now are a joke again...there has to be some consistency with this team...now all of a sudden they want to win...where was this in Oct. and Nov. ...just lose so that we can build our team around John Tavares who is going to be No.1 regardless of what team falls there...

C'mon Isles...smarten up...don't lose out on the first pick because you want to win some games for pride...you don't have to throw away the games but if you wanted to win ...win a little earlier than this..

The Nuch

If the Playoffs Were Tomorrow...

It would be interesting to see what the match ups for the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals would be if the NHL regular season would end today...Even though there is less than a month left in the regular season, some teams have not yet solidified a spot..this makes it even more interesting to see who the final 16 teams will be...only teams like Boston and New Jersey in the Eastern Conference and San Jose and Detroit in the Western Conference have nothing to worry about..

If the season did end today you would have teams like the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres on the outside looking in for a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs...the Rangers have 76 points and sit in 9th place and the Sabres have 73 points and sit in 10th place...however with double digits games remaining, both those teams still have a chance to get in and knock out teams above them that have a point or 2 more...but if the season did end today...golf is coming early for those two teams who have the talent to be in these playoffs...

In the west you have 5 teams on the outs clawing their way to get into the playoffs and become that 8th and final seed...Edmonton and Nashville hold the 7th and 8th spot which is good for the playoffs but 5 teams below team are only separated by 5 points...wow, the west is always tough and close but you would never think this close...Minnesota and Dallas are a point behind both Nashville and Edmonton...Anaheim is 3 points out...Los Angeles is 4 and St. Louis is 5...Minnesota and Dallas who are almost regulars in the playoffs are out and you have Columbus and Chicago, two teams that did not make the playoffs last year, sitting in the 4th and 6th spots...in fact Columbus has not made the playoffs since their existence...

Eastern Conference (Best of 7)

#1 Boston vs #8 Pittsburgh- I would take Boston in 5...Pitt is not the same team as last year which reached the Stanley Cup Fianls...Boston is too good and deep

#2 New Jersey vs #7 Florida- Who would of thought Florida would be here...Florida as of now has no one over 50 points and David Booth only has 24 goals...New Jersey has been here before and will sweep the young Florida Panthers club

#3 Washington vs #6 Carolina- Washington was in this spot last year and lost to Philadelphia..will it happen again...YES!!...Washington has suspect goaltending and if Cam Ward plays the way he did in '06, Carolina wins this in 7...

#4 Philadelphia vs #5 Montreal- Very, very interesting season for Montreal...they went from a force to be reckoned with to a team in complete turmoil...they fired their head coach, Alexi Kovelev only has 16 goals and Carey Price only has 1 shutout on the year to go along with 14 loses and 20 wins...Phily is strong with 6 guys with over 20 goals..Philly wins in 6

Western Conference (Best of 7)

#1 San Jose vs # 8 Nashville- San Jose will take this series in 4...Nashville plays strong at home and MAY squeak one out but San Jose is just to powerful

#2 Detroit vs # 7 Edmonton- Detroit is the defending Stanley Cup champs and they definitely have the team to repeat...Edmonton has good youth but Detroits experience will over power them and Detroit will win in 5

#3 Calgary vs # 6 Columbus- This could be the series to watch in this Conference...Columbus has yet to play a playoff game while Calgary is almost always penciled in..Calgary has the goaltending in Miika Kiprusoff and defense...Calgary's offense is strong too and will take this series 5

#4 Chicago vs #5 Vancouver- Its exciting to see a team in Chicago make the playoffs with guys like Patrick Kane and Johnathan Towes but Vancouver has elite goaltender Roberto Luongo...Vancouver is another name stay in the playoffs and their experience will take them to the second round...Vancouver in 6

The Nuch

Rick DiPietro, Should He Stay or Should He Go?

When your the first goalie to be taken number 1 in a NHL draft some might say you have a promising future...you play your developmental hockey for the USA program, take a scholarship to one of the most prestigious college hockey schools in the nation in Boston University and then get selected first overall in June by the New York Islanders in 2000...Rick DiPitero had big expectations as he became the new face and franchise for the New York Islanders...However, maybe fans feel that in some cases "DP" may of out stayed his welcome...

According to DiPietro's hockey biography...In that one year at BU, DiPietro was named to the All-Rookie Team, named Second Team All-Hockey East, awarded the team's Co-MVP and was named Hockey East's Rookie of the Year... In addition, DiPietro nearly set the NCAA record for most saves in a game when he stopped 77 out of 80 shots in a 3-2 quadruple overtime loss to St. Lawrence University during the NCAA regional final...and in his one and only Beanpot Tournament, DiPietro was named MVP and won the Eberly Trophy awarded for the tournament's top goaltender....thats quite a resume to put together for NHL teams to take a look at when your ready to be drafted...it was so good that the Islanders traded away (now superstar) Roberto Luongo to free the crease duties for DiPietro for the 2000-2001 season...

Its always tough to put the burden of a NHL franchise and future on a teenage goalie...Former New York Ranger first round draft pick Dan Blackburn was forced into retirement at the age 23 because of injury...the poor kid couldn't raise his glove hand and had to wear two blockers....to put that much pressure on a goalie at that young of an age can really hurt their confidence...most goalies lose games and their stats are poor...many of these young superstars actually have to go back to the minors for a year or two or three so they can be more prepared for the NHL...New York Rangers elite goalie Henrik Lundqvist was drafted in 2001 and didn't make his debut until 2005...hes now an all-star an Olympic gold medalist...DiPietro made his debut that season after he got drafted and won 3 games in 20 appearances...not the start you want in a franchise goalie...after playing in the minors, DP got the call again in the 03-04 season and helped the Islanders make the playoffs...was this the goalie Islander fans dreamed of??? Not so fast...

Even though DP became an all-star and a Olympian...injuries plagued him... He sat out the end of the 2007 season because of a concussion and put the work load on then back up Wade Dubielewicz who carried the Isles into the post season...DP then missed the end of the 07-08 season because of his hip and the Isles missed the playoffs...now its the same thing in the 08-09 season as DP only played a handful of games and is out the rest of the season for a knee injury...for someone who has a 15 year 67.5 million dollar contract its starting to get old now...

Yes, DP is a fan favorite on Long Island but its time now for the Isles to look ahead...they need to do something about their goalie situation...who knows about DP for the seasons to come since all his injuries...its tough because hes good yet is it worth to keep him and his contract???...the Isles need to start developing goalies...its the only way that position will get better in the future...its time for Isles to either s*** or get off the pot with DP...either make a move or do something with him...its staring to get annoying to see 5 different goalies throughout the year...

The Nuch

Is It 2010 Yet?

We're less than a year away from one of the most watched events in the Winter Olympics and the hockey world couldn't be more excited...Every person cheering for their participating country in the men's ice hockey event tends to put what their doing down, put feelings aside and cheers for their home country...The 2010 Winter Olympics couldn't be in a more wonderful place then the birthplace of hockey...Canada...In February 2010, 12 countries will compete in Vancouver for the covenant prize of a gold medal and bring their country that feeling of excellence...In 2006, Sweden beat Finland for the gold in a very memorable game (which also started the career of Henrik Lundqvist) 3-2...

However, the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy wasn't very kind to the USA team...Team USA finished with a disappointing 1-4-1 record... They tied a weaker Latvian team 3-3, beat Kazakhstan 4-1, and lost to Sweden, Russia, Finland and Slovakia by 1 goal...They didn't have a player or goalie break the top 5 in stats and finished the tournament in 8th place...This 2010 team though maybe the team that can bring USA home a medal (any will do)...Here are my top 6 defensemen, 12 forwards and 3 goalies...


Goalies

1. Tim Thomas(Boston)- I hate to say it since he is a Boston Bruin but this guy is clutch...he'll be team USA's #1 goalie and if he plays the way he does now, they definitely have a chance

2. Ryan Miller(Buffalo)- Very reliable goalie for Buffalo, hes a proven winner in both college and in the NHL and if anything happens to Thomas, USA shouldn't feel worried with him in net...Ill consider him more of a 1A instead of a number 2 goalie


3. This is tough...you have Rick DiPietro(NYI) who was on the 2006 team but his injuries may hurt him...look for guys like Craig Anderson (FLA), Robert Esche(Russia) and maybe Johnathan Quick(LA) to make a push for #3


Defense (not in order)

1. Brian Rafalski(Detriot)- Best US born defensemen in the game right now


2. Ryan Whitney(Anahiem)- Even though he just got traded, very strong blue liner


3. John Michael-Liles(Colorado)- Fast with the puck and can help with the breakout


4. Paul Martin(New Jersey)- Another sold defensemen that can hold up any top guy


5. Mike Komisarek(Montreal)- Big and tough, what USA needs to slow down the elite player


6. Jordan Leopold(Calgary)/Keith Ballard(Florida)/Matt Carle(Philadelphia)- Both proven D in the NHL and college level

Can Jack (St. Louis) and Erik Johnson (LA) make a push to make the team??...They ll have to both be injury free and have break out years

Forwards (not in order)

1. Zach Parise(New Jersey)- On pace to be a 50-goal scorer this season will be looked upon to lead this team


2. Chris Drury(New York Rangers)- Needs to have the years he has had in the past... not so fast on giving him the captain reign just yet


3. Dustin Brown(LA)- The tough guy you need to go in the corners...oh ya and he can score


4. Patrick Kane(Chicago)- We know what this youngster can do and the US needs his energy and passion


5. Phil Kessel(Boston)- Read #4


6. Brian Gionta(New Jersey)- Another 2006 participant and is that spark plug needed


7. Jamie Langenbrunner(NJ)/Mike Knuble(PHI)/Scott Gomez(NYR)- Veterans that are needed to step up and lead


8. Pat O'Sullivan(LA)/Blake Wheeler(BOS)/Paul Statsny(COL)/Chris Higgins(MTL)/Peter Muller(PHX)-All can make their case to be fourth liners but its up to them for the year they produce

The Nuch

2009 World Juniors

Its been 2 months since the gold medal game between Canada and Sweden at the '09 World Junior Tournament in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and not only did Canada capture gold, it was their 5th consecutive...

Canada has been dominant in this tournament ever since its existence and always produces a team with future NHL stars such as Sydney Crosby, Carey Price, and Ryan Getzlaf.....so it was no exception with this years team that they would have the same dominance with John Tavares and Cody Hodgson leading the way... However, the '09 USA Team definitely had their chance to capture gold with their roster... well if not gold then silver, well at least a bronze! However, it was a disappointing turnout for the Americans as the finished 5th with a 5-3 quarterfinals lost to Slovakia (credit to Slovakian goalie Jaroslav Janus) and a horrific performance by USA goalie Tom McCollum...

USA had a top line that any team would want...they had 2 top ten draft picks in the '07 and '08 drafts respectfully in Colin Wilson (Boston University) and James vanRiemsdyk (University of New Hampshire) and a definite first rounder in this years draft in Jordan Schroeder (University of Minnesota)...The three of them were dominate in the opening round and finished with a combined total of 30 points with vanRiemsdyk leading in goals and Schroeder leading in assists...USA breezed through Germany (8-2), won a hard fought battle against the Czechs 4-3 (McCollum was bad in that game), crushed Kazakhstan 12-0, and lost a heart breaker to Canada 7-3 after being up 3-0...USA finished the preliminary round with 3 wins and 1 loss....

USA drew Slovakia in the first round and many thought the US would breeze through and face Canada in a very anticipated semi-final rematch...not so fast...McCollum played like any goalie would do against a team that he and the rest of the world thinks they could beat...he was lazy...got beat with shots that a first round draft pick should of stopped and never really let his team have a chance to win...I was never was sold on McCollum to begin with...I never liked USA to go with a major junior goalie because they dont know he meaning of one and done because they play a best of 7 playoff format...USA had success with college goalies in Al Montoya and Jeff Frazee(winning goal and bronze) so why not go with NCAA...

McCollum just looked very lethargic and unmotivated...It looked like he didnt care that he was playing in one of the biggest tournaments in the hockey world....We shouldn't put all the blame on him since USA did have opportunities to score but McCollum better take some responsibility on that loss...USA wen on to beat the Czechs 3-2 in overtime to capture a very meaningless 5th place

Caps off to Canada though...Islander fans must be very excited to hear Tavares (MVP) name being called first overall in this summers draft...Canada didn't make much of the gold medal game either in 5-1 win vs Sweden (they tied the Russians with 1 second left then beat them in a shootout in the semi-finals the night before)...USA must take this tournament and use it for motivation for next years....

The Nuch