Note: Those of you who were visiting Fear the Fin last February will remember that we had an everyday coverage of the men's hockey tournament at the Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, Canada. This was a tournament that saw eight Sharks play for their native countries. As time passes, we will on occasion get back to the topic of Olympic hockey and today's article will serve as an introduction to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. 

When three years ago the city of Sochi was announced as a host city for XXII Winter Olympic Games, not a lot of people outside of Russia have heard the name. Yet three years from now, the eyes of the world will turn towards a what has long been considered a jewel of Russia. Sports fans all across the world will remember the name of the city for decades, just like today we remember Lillehammer, Nagano, or Salt Lake City (not the most known city for those outside of North America). 

While Russia with its long and freezing winters sounds like a perfect location to host winter Olympics, it's never happened before in the history sports. Moscow hosted summer Olympics of 1980, which you will remember were ignored by US athletes, but the privilege of hosting winter games have eluded Russia until now. One reason is no doubt political, as political regime that prevailed in Soviet Union did not encourage too much interaction with the Western culture and people. Another reason is geographical. Most of the country does get covered with snow between November and March, which gives cities an opportunity to open free community rinks where kids like Malkin, Datsyuk and Nabokov can grow up playing hockey for free every night. But the country has generally flat surface, and not too many Russian cities would be able to host winter Olympics with all the alpine events as part of the program. 

Sochi is a rare exception to this pattern. On the map, Sochi borders Georgia and is across the sea from Turkey. For centuries, it was part of Georgia and belonged to the Ottoman Empire, until Russia won that territory in 1829 in a war. The conflicts over that territory continues for several decades, and it was in 1860s that Russia began to actively colonize and populate the area. Compared to many other ancient Russian cities that are close to thousand years old, Sochi is an infant. It doesn't have the history or the architectures of cities like Moscow or Kazan.

Sochi did not become a favorite Russian city until Joseph Stalin decided to build a summer home there.  During the Soviet Union era when the country borders were closed for its citizens, most of the Russians in Eastern Russia, including my family, headed to Sochi for their beach or skiing vacations.  Even today, Russia's President has a home there where he can hide for some rest. Well, technically, he's not hiding, because it's obvious to the locals when he's in town from the battleships that show up on the horizon of the Black Sea to patrol the area.

Now that the area is developed, located on the shore of the Black Sea and right at the bottom of the Caucasus Mountains, Sochi is both a vacation resort with sandy beaches, palm trees, bikinis in the summer, and a skiing resort in the winter. In all of Russia, I could not think of a better and a more beautiful location to host the Winter Olympics. 

The city of Sochi, however, is not a hockey town. The nearby mountains stay snow capped for most of the winter, but the city below it does not get much snow - in a way, much like Salt Lake City or nearby countries of Turkey and Greece. If it snows, the snow doesn't last. Sochi never had a professional hockey team, and, of course, did not have an arena that could be good enough to host world class hockey tournament of any kind, let alone the one that will likely feature the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Marcel Goc. 

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Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing.

That much was evident today as the IOC handed out silver medals to Team USA. Joe Pavelski looked as if someone had just told his mother to buzz off; Zach Parise's eyes indicated a desire to use his medal for skeet shooting on Monday morning. The pain was palpable. It was everything.

And yet, as a hockey fan, it is hard to imagine the 23 players composing Team USA's roster will feel the same way in two months time. What they did these past two weeks was extraordinary-- undefeated up until the Gold Medal game, a team that wasn't ever supposed to be here to begin with. Heart. Youth. Physicality. Speed. Goaltending.

The kids will be alright.

Despite the loss, United States Hockey is on the up and up. A victory over Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey set the sphere in motion, the WJC's two months ago kept it rolling, and today's gritty comeback against the Canadians solidified it's trajectory. The youngest team in this year's Olympic Games has a lot to be proud of, and for a country that has always played second fiddle to it's northern brother on the ice, it is refreshing to see. All the country needs now is continued support of youth programs across the United States and a decent television deal to garner further support. Grow the game at the grassroots level. Hockey will never reach the level of love it receives in Canada, but there will be a day when it enters into the same ballpark. Today has done a lot in that regard. This was important.

Congratulations to Team Canada, all of the fans who flooded Vancouver for the game, and most importantly, Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, and Dany Heatley. Your pleasure may be my pain today, but there will be a moment when that dissipates and I look back on this fondly.

And thank you, Team USA. From Ryan Miller to Joe Pavelski, you showed heart and courage in the face of unrelenting odds. I am proud to be an American today, proud to be an American hockey fan, and proud that my country has a bright future ahead of it in the international arena.

Winning is everything. But maybe, just maybe, it's not the only thing.

Go USA.

Granted, I don't live in the country. Haven't even been there despite being born in St. Paul, a mere six hours south of the Canadian border. But one can only imagine what today means to Canada, the birthplace of hockey, the country who has proudly proclaimed "It's Our Game" on assorted signs and poster board throughout these Winter Games.

Funny thing about games-- you may own it on paper constructed by your design, but at the end of the day, you still have to play them. Last Sunday proved that.

It's a motto that CBC and CTV and TSN have fed to us, and on some level, I agree with it. They own the game in that they live and breathe it on a daily level. It's a part of their national fiber. The Miracle on Ice in 1980 was one of the few times the sport of hockey truly entered the public consciousness in the States, and even that was more a product of politics and international relations than the actual sport. If Switzerland was a hockey superpower at the time, with the skill and success of the USSR, there would be no miracle, no movies, no media obsession. It would just be another game, definitely an upset and bright mark for the United States' hockey community of course, but still, just a game.

To Canadians, today is more than just a game. It is a point of national pride, and I bet if you polled 1,000 members of the population in a random sample, at least 800 of them would say that this is the most important Gold medal that the country could earn in Vancouver, and just may determine how fondly they remember the Games ten years down the road despite currently leading the podium parade in Gold Medals with 13.

The pressure on the team will be enormous. With the entire country watching, every move magnified, every shot second-guessed, it will play a large role in the game today. Get an early lead and watch the crowd roar; go down early and listen to crickets.

And that's the rub, really; Team USA wasn't meant to be here. They weren't supposed to be undefeated, nor the one seed, nor were they meant to be improving exponentially with each twenty minute period that passed. A bunch of kids, the youngest team in the tournament, kids who are led by a mere two players (Rafalski, Drury) that had Olympic credentials two weeks ago. The fact that they are even here is a testament to the coaching staff, management, the skaters, and of course, Ryan Miller. It truly has been a wonderful Olympic Games for United States Hockey, no matter the outcome of today.

Essentially, there's no pressure.

So what gives? Frankly I'm not sure. I'd like to believe that Team USA trots to the top of the podium today, Gold wrapped around Joe Pavelski and Ryan Kesler. But if you're asking for odds, and asking me to answer truthfully, I'd have a hard time betting against Canada. I just don't think guys like Jarome Iginla, Chris Pronger, Sidney Crosby, and Dany Heatley are going to allow the reverse of Salt Lake City to occur. Ryan Miller is the reason the USA is undefeated up to this point, and last Sunday's tilt really was an issue of goaltending-- Miller stole the game, Brodeur gave it away.

With Roberto Luongo in net today, Canada has their answer between the pipes. He hasn't been fantastic, but he really doesn't need to be. Ryan Miller does. Three goals is the defining line I think, and while Miller has proved that he can hold that line, it's going to require a superhuman effort to get there. There is just too much firepower on the Canadian side of the ice. A brief look at the rosters will show you that the Americans are overmatched.

Funny thing about games though-- you may own it on paper, but at the end of the day, you still have to play them.

Go USA.

As you can imagine, the early exit of Team Russia at the Winter Olympics is treated as a national tragedy back in Russia. A good majority of the sports coverage is about hockey, as if the Olympic games are over. Even Vladimir Putin said that a serious analysis should be undertaken to determine what went wrong in Vancouver for all Russian athletes, including the hockey team. Those of you who care can most likely read all those thoughts on your own, in Russian. However, in the midst of all this, Russians also try to break down not only what went wrong for Russia, but also what went right for Canada. As United States is going to face Canada on Sunday for the gold medal, a few of those thoughts from the current San Jose Shark Evgeni Nabokov and the former Shark Igor Larionov may still be relevant to the upcoming classic between the two rivals.

First, a few excerpts from an interview Nabokov gave to Sport-Express, following the loss to Canada on Wednesday. 

Would you say that the physical approach to the game played a major role in the outcome of this contest? 

I don't think they surprised us in any way. We knew that they were going to be hungry for a victory and that they'll start a game this way. With the help of their fans, they had to. On the other hand, they scored the first goal too fast and didn't stop after that. They continued to push, and we were unable to stop the bleeding. The difference in shots by both teams speaks for itself. They did not stop for a second and played very well.

How did you react to the decision by the coaches to substitute you? 

I never take those easily. It's never easy to watch the game from the bench. But either way, Canada deserved a win.

Was it hard to shake the hands of your Sharks teammates, Thornton, Marleau, Heatley and Boyle? 

No, we knew we had to do it no matter what was the outcome. I wish them luck. The way they play together is a pure Canadian hockey in action. They don't leave the crease, they constantly shoot, and they're first to rebounds. 

Which goals do you blame yourself for?

Does it matter now? There were too many of them that went in. It's hard for me to analyze this right now. My job is to stops the pucks. Unfortunately, I failed at my job. 

After the first period did you think about asking for a substitute?

I never ask to be pulled.

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Team USA scored six goals in 12:46 against Finland. Just about all you need to say about that. Canada essentially dominated their game as well, and Roberto Luongo was seen reading Team USA scouting reports in between making 9 easy stops.

Until the third period of course. Slovakia turned on the burners after being outplayed for fifty minutes, and pulled within one goal with five minutes remaining. It came down to the last sixty seconds, where Pavol Demitra clanked one of the post to seal Slovakia's fate.

Canada-USA gets underway on Sunday at noon, setting up a rematch of the Salt Lake City final in 2002. Someone placed a silver dollar under center ice before the Games began right?

At any rate, since the NHL began to send players to the Olympics in 1998, there have been four Gold medal games. And while a short tournament played every four years is pretty volatile when you're looking for statistical trends, it is quite interesting to see how the two North American teams have fared:

[Update]: Gabe from Behind The Net has offered a correction-- the 2002 Salt Lake City Games were played on International ice. The chart above has been corrected, but the rest of the post will remain the same.

The different type of playing surfaces are what I'm trying to get at here-- international rinks are generally 200 feet long and 98 feet wide, while North American rinks are 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. In general, a large majority of non-North American players skate on these wider international rinks throughout their career, emphasizing stickwork and speed compared to the physical play and boardwork that North American skaters are known for. And the results, despite the small sample, seem to show that this may be playing a part.

There is also the possibility home-ice advantage is having an effect, with both Salt Lake City and Vancouver producing USA-CAN Gold medal games.

If nothing else it's quite interesting, and will continue to play a role in how each nation selects their 23 man roster before heading to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Go USA.

It's another day at the office for Team USA, this time against a Finnish squad that received Silver at the 2006 Winter Games. The winner earns an opportunity to compete in Sunday's Gold Medal final. Did anyone truly expect the United States to be here right now?

"If you would have said at the beginning of the tournament that we'd be 4-0 and the No. 1 seed, everybody would have said you're on crack or something," Ron Wilson told Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Guess that answers it.

Backed by the strong play of Ryan Miller, Team USA goes into tonight with an unblemished record in the tournament, and most surprisingly, has yet to trail on the scoreboard in a single game. The Americans most recent victory came against the scrappy Swiss, who boasted notorious Shark-killer Jonas Hiller between the pipes. And just like their victory over Canada on Sunday, it was one they fought hard to earn. Hiller stifled the American attack for forty two minutes until Zach Parise deflected a Brian Rafalski shot into the net.

Up until then, it was a game that featured near misses and a razor thin margin for error. Although Miller was his usual self, making 19 stops throughout the course of the game to lock down a shutout, he did require some luck to blank Switzerland. Sandy Jeannin fired a shot that clanked off the inside of the far post only moments after the Americans took the lead. The puck was cleared, and for a moment, all eyes were turned towards the Jumbotron as officials reviewed the play.

Alas, it was not meant to be. And rightfully so-- although Hiller was excellent, the Americans greatly outplayed Switzerland, more so than their initial victory over them in group play. They have only gotten stronger as the tournament has progressed. Odd man opportunities that plagued the unit throughout their first two games have been corrected. The lines have begun to gel.

But with Finland's roster mostly intact from 2006 where they took home a silver medal in Torino, there is no looking past today.

Miika Kiprusoff's skill set may be declining as his age increases; the same can be said for the entire roster of Finland. They will ice a team that stretches well into their 30's, and compared to the 26.5 average years that comprise this young American squad, undertones of experience vs. youth will be a storyline. Two Americans have medaled (Rafalski and Drury in 2002). By comparison, fifteen Finns have, nearly three-fourths of the roster they bring into tonight.

As we have seen throughout the tournament however, it only takes one game, one player, to turn the tides. Kiprusoff currently has a 94.6 SV% in these Olympic Games. He will be able to steal a game, much like Hiller almost did Wednesday. The Finns have good forward depth, much more so than Switzerland, and Miller will be tested. Their defense may be aging, but Kimmo Timonen leads a unit sprinkled with experience and new blood. Teemu Selanne is the current all-time Olympics point leader and will be dangerous on the power play.

It will be a continuation of the basics today for Team USA. Blocked shots, physical contact along the boards, and a willingness to drive to the net are trademarks of this club, assets that have brought them within reach of what was initially thought to be only a dream.

A dream that is now sixty minutes away.

Go USA.

I'm stuck in a hotel room in Northern Washington with little to no internet. I'm confused, tired, and a bit disoriented.

The one thing I do know, though, is that I'm not betting against Canada for the remainder of this tournament.

I was working Wednesday when the game was going on. Someone walked by, and commented to me that the score was 3-1 in the first period. Unaware of who was in the lead, I thought Russia was running away with it. Little did I know that Canada's defense would decide to show up not only defensively, but offensively as well. Getting seven points out of your backend is ridiculous, but when you're weakest (ha!) blueliner is Drew Doughty, you know you have a solid team.

Hey, I know it's the Olympics. All the teams are stacked. But now that Canada's blueline had gelled to the tune of an absolute walloping of Russia, I don't know if they can be stopped.

Not only were Dan Boyle and the rest of the defenseman solid in all zones, but the offense came through on the promises implied when the team was constructed. Joe Thornton didn't have the point production I predicted, but he was a few Marleau tap-ins from a multi-assist night. The half board set up, as Plank mentioned yesterday, is annoying as hell, but some of the passes he made sent tingles to areas I'd rather not talk about in a public forum. Heatley was a non-factor, but he gets a pass because he's been clutch all tournament. What's most impressive is the continued strong play of Toews, and the recent emergence of Rick Nash, Ryan Getzlaf, Jarome Iginla and Corey Perry. 

Although I hate Gezlaf, it's hard to deny his skill, especially displayed in the last game. I'm not going to anoint him to the level that Plank has of late, but he's definitely one of the top five centers in the league. You can figure out the other four.

As I talk and talk about Canada, I feel as if I should at least mention Slovakia. They have been my favorite team in the tournament (besides the US), and the upset of Sweden can't be overlooked. However, unless Jaroslav Halak (swoon) plays out of his skull and the offense scores at least six, this game won't even be close. Marian Gaborik and Co. are definitely capable of putting up points, but I don't think Canada is going to let it get there. Even if Canada's offense is matched by Slovakia, the ability of the defense to chip in offensively will make this game a mismatch in every sense of the word. The home ice advantage doesn't hurt, either.

I doubt Canada will lose another game. I of course will not be pulling for them if they face off again against USA, but until then, I wouldn't bet against them.

At 4:30 I was on my way to class, phone on lockdown. Right before the game was set to begin, I texted every single one of my roomates something along the lines of, "Tell me the result of the game and you will never have children."

Well I just finished watching the game an hour ago. Damn roomates might as well saved me the time.

* I know, I know, the majority of readers at Fear The Fin hate Ryan Getzlaf. But at some point I think the respect for a talented hockey player trumps all team-affiliation and chest-beating that goes along with rooting for your specific squad. He is, in my eyes, the best center in the Western Conference right now, only behind Sidney Crosby in terms of leaguewide talent. Beautiful vision. Beautiful. His hands are just as good as Joe Thornton, and the passes he is able to complete on the rush is what makes him a more dynamic player. Case in point-- during the first two periods tonight, Getzlaf rolled the puck onto the toe of his stick on three separate occasions, threading an area pass through a pinhole to spring a forward into the offensive zone (CAN's seventh goal being a good example if you have the tilt recorded). He is a big game player, and although Canada obviously rolled Russia handily tonight with contributions from a ton of forwards, I thought he was one of the best skaters on the ice.

* One more nod to Getzlaf before you all accuse me of treason. Well, in that case, let's make it two. A very underrated wrist shot that he can pick corners with, one of the better shots on a Canadian team loaded with excellent shooters. What really impressed me though, in terms of intangibles, immediately followed Volchenkov's hit on Eric Staal that injured the Carolina forward. The very next shift, after Volchenkov cleared the puck up the boards after a faceoff, Getzlaf takes a run at him and catches him off guard with a brilliant body check. All within the rulebook. Volchenkov had his head up and was looking directly at Getzlaf after he made the play. That was a message that needed to be sent. Getzlaf sends those messages. Grit and a refusal to lose, two of the sports greatest cliches, but cliches that hold truth in playoff hockey. Getzlaf provides all that and more.

* On the Volchenkov hit on Staal-- NBC was pretty fired up about it, calling it borderline dirty. I just don't see it. That is a play that happens ten times during the course of a NHL game. Elimination games are going to be physical, and to blame Volchenkov for an unfortunate injury (Staal took shifts later in the game, not that it should matter when analyzing the legality of a play) doesn't make sense to me.

More after the jump.

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