Article Written By: Adam Wible
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Back to hockey.
The Semifinals are here, and a couple marquee games are set for action tomorrow.
First up tomorrow morning, Sweden vs Finland. (7:00 am EST NBCSN/CBC)
Sweden coming off a 5-0 victory over Slovenia in the quarterfinals is in no way, overlooking the Fin’s.
“This tournament, when it comes down to just one game, it’s tough,” Sweden goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “You need everything to work for you.”
Sweden caught a break, as Slovenia seemingly left everything in the tank against Austria the night before. They’ll have their hands full with Finland, who is coming off the upset, knocking off the host Russia 3-1.
Tuukka Rask, was a brick wall against the Russians, and he’ll need much of the same, against the high powered Swedes.
“Nobody really believes in us,” Finland captain Teemu Selanne said. “They played four games in five nights and we tried to make that our advantage. I think that’s what happened. It’s a big day for us.”
Bovada has set the line at Sweden (-1.5).
This is a tough call, as I can see this a one goal game, if not an overtime game. As of right now, I’d just take the Sweden money line, and look for a possible under (o/u 4.5).
The game North America has been waiting for four years.
The thought of Sidney Crosby beating Miller in overtime, still lingers in many American’s heads from 2010.
The Canadians will have a new goalie to beat, if they want to relive that memory. USA goaltender, Jonathan Quick, has quickly found his a home in net, on the large olympic ice.
“We were destined and on a crash course to face each other,” said American goalie Jonathan Quick, who made 21 saves yesterday against the Czechs. “It happens to be in the semifinals, not the finals like Vancouver.”
“We did have a tall task [against the Czechs] and we couldn’t look past them to another opponent or we might be shipping out,” said David Backes, who had a goal and an assist in the victory. “[The semifinal] is going to be a repeat of the gold-medal game in Vancouver. There’s not going to be any need for motivation. It’s going to be a great battle and we’ll see what happens.”
The U.S. has seemingly gotten stronger each game thus far in the tournament. They’ll be busy all game tomorrow, as two high powered offenses collide.
Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, and company look to start fast against the Canadians.
Both teams know they have to focus on this game, the Americans are ready for revenge.
“I mean it’s a nice chance for some redemption,” said Zach Parise, who scored the last-minute goal to force overtime in 2010. “It’s not going to be an easy game, we know how good they are. The game when these two teams meet, it brings out the best in everyone and it always makes for a good game. We know how hard it’s going to be. We have to make sure we’re ready to play.”
Bovada has Canada as the favorites (-1.5).I’m taking the Americans and the over (5.5), it’s the patriotic thing to do.
