Hockey Night In The USA

Tonight I watched the excellent Canada vs USA hockey game at the Olympic Games in Vancouver.  It was a great, tight game.  The USA came out on top 5-3 with an empty net goal in the closing minute. 

NBC decided the game should be broadcast on MSNBC because they would not have to cut away as they would if it was shown on NBC.  With so many players on all teams playing in the NHL, the league has stopped for the two weeks of the Winter Games.  The games of the Olympics are like All-Star games with the difference being that the players actually play defense here. 

It is great hockey.  Different than the days before the NHL players started playing and the Soviet machine rulled international competition.  Earlier in the day, the Russian and Czech Republic played another great game. 

Olympic Hockey is a great distraction from the long grind of the NHL season.  There is talk that the layoff will be too much for players not in the Olympics and the flow of the NHL teams will be too greatly disrupted.  I disagree.  These teams have played enough of the season that their play will not be disrupted to the extent that critics are concerned about.

A two week layoff for the players who are not in the Olympics will help keep their legs fresh for the end of the season.  I sure hope so, the Blackhawks will need a strong rest of the season if they are to win Lord Stanley's Cup.