Predictions for Olympics
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
I’m not sure about your house but I can assure you the HodgePodge hideaway has been pretty much locked into bear-hibernation mode – absorbing the Olympic Winter Games taking place in Italy.
I’m likewise not sure why we’ve been observing the Olympics with an almost fixation mentality – yet Tez and I have been moths to a light bulb the past few days watching the various competitions.
I never previously recall having an addiction for watching people throw themselves off ski jumps, then hurtling recklessly head over heels in the air on tiny skis at great speed and height – only to land on even thinner metal railings. Or racing down a narrow curving metal chute in a skinny little sleigh at insane speeds hoping not to fly out of the tunnel or flip over the device and break my neck.
Strange the lengths humans will go to compete in events we refer to as ‘sports’.
Of course, there is the balanced side to the Olympics with more passive sports such as skate dance, cross-country ski racing, or curling to gently enjoy winter gamesmanship (if you consider humans screaming at brooms as passive).
I admit two of my favourite Olympic addictions to enjoy, while tucked onto the couch with a warm libation, are downhill ski races, and speed skating. Perhaps it’s my hockey addiction that draws me to the long course speed skating, however as the years go by my affliction for watching the long legs and (seemingly) huge skates thrash around the oval course using speed, strength and strategy to eek out a victory increases.
For Tez and I, though, the best is yet to come in the lengthy world competitions in Italy – Olympic hockey. As I pen today’s Podge, the women’s component has already begun with Canada wining its first match and set to play its second today. As predominant in women’s hockey as they are Team Canada has a constant and fierce challenge with the U.S team on an international level – especially the Olympics.
I am predicting the Canadian women will edge their archrivals this year, should the club remain injury free. As I submit this article, I have heard that Canadian legendary star Marie-Philipe Poulin was injured in the game. How bad no one knows, however her absence would be critical to Canada’s success. I know little about the remaining teams in the women’s competition.
In men’s hockey the top competition is similar with Canada and the United States sharing a recent history of international collision. In previous years Men’s Olympic hockey went through many years of transition and changes dating back to when only amateurs could be on the team. Russia and Canada dominated though some European countries ruled the roost over the years.
The new rules (and politics) over the past few Olympic games have allowed NHL players to play. Now most teams are either loaded or augmented with pro players.
Regardless of how they arrived at Italy this year – in Men’s Olympics it’s still Canada and the United States that are the dominant.
With a convoluted three division format there is no predicting what teams will meet in the second round but based on skill (and a limited knowledge of players outside of North America) I am predicting that Canada will edge out the United States with Finland and Sweden in the mix.
My longshot guess will see the standings as: Canada, U.S., Finland, Sweden, Germany, Czechia, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Latvia, Italy, France.
Just for true fans I have supplied both the Team Canada and Team USA rosters.
TEAM CANADA
Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Bo Horvat, New York Islanders
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers
Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning
Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals
DEFENSEMEN
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets
Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues
Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers
Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights
Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche
GOALIES
Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings
Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals.
TEAM UNITED STATES
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
DEFENSEMEN
Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks*
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
GOALIES
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
