The Sharks just lost their third home game in a row, but it’s fine (it’s not) because there’s no better way to forget your troubles and just have fun than watching the Olympics. The 2018 Winter Games started up in Pyeongchang, South Korea yesterday, and events like curling and figure skating have already begun.
Presumably, we’re all here for hockey, which doesn’t start for another day or so. Women’s hockey starts on February 10, 2018 at 11:45pm sharp with a match between Sweden and Japan, and the first United States women’s team game is on February 11 at, you guessed it, 11:45pm, against Finland. The first men’s hockey games will be between Slovakia and Russia—sorry, Olympic Athletes from Russia—on February 14 at 4:10am, and USA and Slovenia at the same time.
We’ve already talked for months about how a lack of NHL presence at the games is going to affect the performance of the men’s teams in the tournament, but the time has come to see what really unfolds. I think the lack of star power on the US men’s team leaves enough room in the spotlight for the US women’s team to shine, and, for better or worse, I’m more excited to watch the women play than I am the men. Either way, the Olympics are important to our community if we are aiming to be inclusive, which we have to be if we want others to #LikeMySport. The Olympics do great work of spreading the game throughout the world, and I think the most important storyline for the Winter Games should be that.
Schedules for Olympic hockey as well as things to look out for at the Games can be found below, but first, a bit of Sharks news:
- THE OLYMPIC REPORT WITH JOHN MCCARTHY – San Jose Barracuda
Barracuda Captain John McCarthy is on his journey in Pyeongchang, South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics, and he’ll be checking in periodically to give fans a run down of what it’s like being an Olympic athlete. Here’s his first post. - MARTIN GUIDING SAN JOSE’S YOUNG DEFENSE WHILE IN THE AHL – San Jose Barracuda
What has ol’ Paul Martin been up to since his ankle injury? He’s been experiencing the one thing he can’t while in the NHL: the AHL. - Sharks broadcaster stepping away to focus on personal well-being – The Mercury News
Sharks broadcaster and former Shark Jamie Baker announced that he needed to break out of the hockey mindset of “playing through the injury” and is stepping away from broadcasting for a time. We wish him well and hope he feels better soon. - Through knee injury, Joe Thornton remains workout fanatic – The Mercury News
It seems that Jumbo Joe Thornton has been consistently working out since his latest knee surgery, which is probably a good sign provided he isn’t straining himself or his knee. Does his workout routine mean he’ll be back before the end of the season? Who knows! - The Original Shark Who’s Helping Expansion Golden Knights’ Stunning Success – NBC Bay Area
Kelly Kisio, former Shark, remarks on his experiences with two different expansion teams: the Sharks that struggled in their first few seasons, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who are at the top of the Pacific division right now. An interesting turn of events. /
And some news from around the NHL and the world:
- New York Rangers send letter to fans confirming a rebuild is coming – SB Nation
In a move I’ve never quite seen before, the New York Rangers sent out a letter to fans yesterday to essentially say, “Pardon our dust while we trade away your fav dudes.” You have to admire that kind of transparency, I guess? - Breaking down the Rangers’ assets for the NHL trade deadline – SB Nation
Who are all those “fav dudes” that Rangers management wants to pass out freely to all the other teams? Or, in other words, what are those guys selling? - Olympics Women’s Hockey: TV schedule, group standings, results, medals – CBS Sports
If you’re interested in the women’s team first and foremost, 1. you’re among friends (well, me at least), and 2. this is the article you need. It has the women’s schedule from day one until the end as well as a breakdown of how the groups work. - 2018 Olympic Preview: Storylines – The Ice Garden
Behind on the news about the OAR or the unified Korean team? Look no further. - Eight reasons the men’s Olympic hockey tournament is still must-see – ESPN
Contrary to popular belief there are actually eight pretty good reasons, and I won’t spoil them all, but the Olympics will be a good place to peep projected number one pick Rasmus Dahlin at work. - Olympians keeping focus on winning gold, not showcasing talents to NHL
In an Olympics where top-tier, elite talent is reserved for the women’s team, you have to admire the elbow grease and nose to the grindstone mentality the guys from the North American teams have. - Ice Hockey Daily Schedule
Not an article, but a useful link for hockey fans nonetheless. Find out when your nation plays and check out some of the other games from around the world. You’ve got nothing to do at four in the morning, right? /