alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />It’s almost time for the USA vs. Finland Olympic hockey semifinal? Who will win? Feel free to discuss here, and also head over to www.hockeywoodla.com/kingschat for a live chat with Jim Fox.
Practice is ongoing in El Segundo, with a scrimmage at the moment. Justin Williams was on the ice with teammates for the start of regular practice, and I was amazed at how strong he looked for someone who broke his ankle two months ago today. More from practice later…
The USA team for sure!
USA! USA! USA! USA! Oh, and it will be live on NBC (at least it will be here)!
Finland sure does have a lot of NHL’ers on the team…
Niklas Backstrom
Miikka Kiprusoff
Antero Niittymaki
Lasse Kukkonen
Sami Lepisto
Toni Lydman
Janne Niskala
Joni Pitkanen
Sami Salo
Kimmo Timonen
Valtteri Filppula
Niklas Hagman
Jarkko Immonen
Olli Jokinen
Niko Kapanen
Mikko Koivu
Saku Koivu
Jere Lehtinen
Antti Miettinen
Ville Peltonen
Jarkko Ruutu
Tuomo Ruutu
Teemu Selanne
When he can do a triple lutz with a double loop and land it clean with less than a quarter rotation short, THEN he’ll be ready for action.
(Sorry…too much figure skating late last night)
At the end of the prelims I was trying to be objective and I picked the Fins to beat the US in this round. But now I’m starting to believe we can win! I’m starting to feel that Finland is like Sweden, a bit aging and lacking in heart. I don’t think they can keep up with the speedy young US team.
4-2 US
Just thinking about that makes my ankle hurt. I’d imagine some NHLer has done those moves before. I’d pay to see that.
@wavesinair, Oh, NO DOUBT this is a scary game for the U.S. I’m nervous about this one. We haven’t played them in the tourney yet and the Fins have lots of speed and a mean streak to match. They’ll be pumped. We need to play them like we did Canada. Heavy, heavy forecheck with lots of aggression and positional defense. Maybe even employing the trap in the neutral zone, but watch for those quick, up-ice passes the Fins like to use to avoid the trap. I think if we win today, we win the gold. Canada should move on, but we’ve beaten them recently and we can do it again. BIG GAME!
@Matt R,
Aging, sure…but I don’t think they lack any heart. Outside of Canada and the US, they are the most physical team in this tournament.
@wavesinair, LOL! Yeah. Imagine Ivanans in hockey gear with a tutu trying to do one of those. On second thought, don’t.
@mrbrett7,
Either way, from watching them through this tournament, they seems to be lacking something that the US team has. Maybe heart isn’t the right word. Maybe it’s just because they’re playing so close to home so they have the extra motivation.
Oh man, brain image erase, erase, erase! Too late. Its there forever now. I’d like to see the whole team break into an ice dance at practice, a la the Caddyshack pool scene.
Is it a 12:40 puck drop w/ coverage beginning @ noon, or is game time scheduled closer to noon, like 12:05ish? NBC has started their coverage w/ a pregame show on a couple of occasions the Olympics, just curious.
We’re about to find out!
@wavesinair,
Alright, live MST! Go USA!
thank you Kipper! Whooo hooo!
Awesome! Go USA!!! 7 mins in and we’re up!
PP GOAL SETUP BY BROWN’S HUSTLE ONCE AGAIN….
Brown is a master at drawing penaltys!!
And just got another PP oppertunity as I type!
3-0!!!!!!!!!!
I hope USA doesn’t let up and let the Finns back in the game! USA! USA!
Oh wow! 3-0! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
brownie just drew a penalty and took a nice shot…
he’s…
3-0…USA…11:15 in 1st on kipper…:))))
:):):)
can u say…”determined”…?
un-be-lievable
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
yep…!!!
@TeamUSAfan,
And resulting GOAL !!
Wish KINGS could take advantage of like that.
4-0!!!!!!!!!!
4-0
4-0 Whoo Hooo!!
nice
wowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowo
@variable,
‘determined’ = Mr. Dustin Brown
I told myself not to check in and watch on dvr after work but I couldn’t help myself– GO USA!
who has scored for the USA
Kipper is leaving the bench. Maybe the arena? Maybe the country ?!?
5-0
crazy 6-0
6-0 wow!!!
I can not believe what I’m seeing
what a joke! holy cow!
i think we might all be able to take the next two periods off…!!!
i can’t believe this…never expected the fins to play this terrible…
it’s like a nhl team vs. a prep school….
ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzz
now
6-0…
wow
C’mon Brownie! Get an assist or a goal!!
Uncle…
Wow! I guess we don’t have to worry about any chemistry with the lines!
6-0
Holy doo-doo pile
how about that brian rafalski…?!?!?
So much for my low-scoring prediction…
Wowzers……I think we can safely say we’ll all be watching intently at noon on Sunday. Haha
@kingsfaninthedesert,
Everybody!
Don’t know if he is on the bench, but if it gets up to like 8-0 or 10-0 I say put Quick in. Let miller rest up for the gold!
G- Malone A-Kiprusoff
PPG- Parise
PPG Eric Johnson
G- Kane
(Kiprusoff pulled)
G- Kane
G-Stastny
Brown drew both power plays and is getting a ton of face time on national TV :)
Go USA!
@variable,
I think this is related to the Women losing 2-0 to Canada. The Men were watching; I think that scene playing out, the Canadians going crazy, cigars and champagne on the ice taking pictures, that scene burned into the brain helped focus the Boys.
They don’t want to repeat that scene.
And now, announcer love for Mr. Brown…
All we need is a little Stanley Cup Playoff action for the Kings, now!
I say let Quick play in the 3rd. I know that Duck coach hates Kings players, but let Miller rest. Brown, what can I say, that guy is playing awesome!
I figured we beat Finland, but not like this. I’ve never seeing a goalie pull himself out of a game. That takes courage.
@Kris,
Amen to that!
Isn’t thomas the other goalie dressed? Even so i doubt they make a goalie change stay with whose hot i mean he’s faced what 3 shots so far leave him in.
did Kirpusoff really pull himself? Im watching the live feen online with no sound. I just figured they called him from the bench.
Interesting stat:
Of the 4 teams left, only the Ducks (7) and Chicago (6) have more players than the Kings (5) represented. If the final ends up with USA vs. Canada, only the Ducks (5) and Sharks (5) will have more players than the Kings (4) represented.
Bring on the Canadians……if they can make it! Lol I love how the Canadian fans said our good ol’ US boys didn’t have a chance!
6-0 USA. Damn, I was nervous going into this game but the nervousness sure didnt last long, almost feel bad for the Finns, but its great to see us lighting the lamp. Lets just have it roll over to Sunday vs Canada and we’re sporting the gold….
@IIShort, yeah, so where are those Canadian fans??
This rocks! Going for Gold on Sunday for sure!!! Even if team USA played with their eyes closed the rest of the game, we’d still win. I wonder what the Canadian team thinks of this game?
@NOW IMPRESSED,
I’m curious to see if Finland comes in 4th, would there be other teams that have every player sent medal? Maybe a team with fewer players, but it would take the Ducks out of the mix since the Finnish Flash wouldn’t be getting any hardware.
@Kings Fan In Idaho,
Shaking in their boots I bet! (and not because it’s cold on the ice…)
@Wahine, Like I replied in an earlier post of yours the was EXACTLY THE SAME, why are you guys trying to turn Rich’s site into a USA vs Canada back and forth name calling act? If you want to do that crap go to HB and read Matthew barry’s sorry excuse of a blog. We are all Kings fans here. Try having some restraint with your gloating. I don’t see one Canadian on here saying the US had no chance against Finland today.
I know everyone is tired of them nyquil spots, but them P&G (to their mom’s they’ll always be kids) spots bring a tear to my eye every time…
Not like the tears brought to Kippers eye’s though!
@TeamUSAfan,
I think Kipper was sipping the Nyquil before the game…
Dirty play by Jokinen on Kane. He’s gonne get pounded next game against Chicago.
@Matt R, Not to mention Ruutu
Let’s go Kings!………..oh wait…….U-S-A U-S-A
If there is one good thing about watching the game without audio, its NOT having to listen to Pierre McGuire.
@Kris, Yup, it’s time for Quick. It’s not like playing him would be a huge step back in quality. As bad as most of USA’s opponents have played against them I’d think Quick could have put up the same results as Miller has.
I don’t get what happened to Finland. They’re a much better team then this. Same for Russia the other night. No way Canada and the USA should have been able to waltz through those games.
Can’t wait for Sunday. If Canada does there part should be EPIC….
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
I know that Brownie is playing well, but I’d really like him to get a goal too!
@Sebastian, Yes, he pulled himself. After it was 3-0 or 4-0 Finland took a timeout but the coach left Kipprusoff in. He promptly went out and gave up another goal in like 30 seconds, then just skated to the bench and walked off.
@Sebastian, Pierre McGuire is awesome…
@Sebastian,
You also don’t have to listen to Emerick say Teemu Salami.
@Seattle757,
Search for Patrick Roy leaving Montreal. He not only pulled himself out of the game..he told them he’d no longer be playing for the team.
20 more minutes to go and then USA can focus on going for the Gold!!
@Wahine, Definitely nice to see that the US didn’t look past Finland to that game!
Any more and I can see the headlines tomorrow, “USA knocks men’s hockey out of the Olympics”.
@tantrum4, blah blah blah……..no offense but this is all in jest & if you don’t like it then don’t read it! LoL
I guess it is all but guaranteed at least one King will be flying to Dallas with a gold medal. I am hoping it will be three!!! GO USA!!!
Brownie is +2 so far and JJ has played the most minutes out of all of the defensemen!
Anyone watching the stream and tired of the 3 commecials we have to watch?
@Dan H.,
You got that RIGHT, brutha!
@Dan H.,
So so so so tired of them! I’m considering boycotting those products just on principle!
@tantrum4,
Nicely put. I do recall stating that I hoped that it was a US-Canada final, due to the fact that they played an amzing game in the round robin…that and the need for redemption lol.
That’s a freight train I wouldn’t care to step in front of!
@Dan H.,
I’m also tired of ads interupting between play comments and replays, and even gameplay sometimes.
To bad Quick wasn’t on the bench…Thomas in…
@Matt R, Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing… Bummer for Quick!
Thomas lets in a goal… Geez!
Is it bad that I was hoping Thomas would let in a goal. Sucks that it went in off of JJ, but I really hoped that Wilson would have given Quick a shot in this game.
Was that gal behind Ron Willson point at me?…..
Or is it just really really cold in that rink?
Well Canada, we did our part! Now it’s up to you. No pressure. Just remember, if for some reason Canada doesn’t win later today, I will never stop laughing. USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Glad Thomas got a chance to get a little action, but Quick should have had a chance too. All well, hopefully we give Canada a ponding and Quick gets a chance to at least sit in for that game.
USA!
I thought he Wilson was rotating Quick and Thomas as the backups, but Thomas gets to back up twice? Come on Wilson!
Beware, Slovakia and O-Canada:
USA boys have come to play…
@Seattle757, while it would be nice to see JQ, my guess is Thomas is on the bench again.
So many Canadian fans sitting on their hands…
Lots of people seem to be assuming US-Canada (not necessarily here)…I wouldn’t count out Slovakia yet. They’ve got a great team. I picked them to beat Sweden. I think they’ve got a chance to beat Canada. Either way, I’m starting to smell GOLD!
So who were the chumps saying US wouldnt be there for gold? Like i said USA ALL THE WAY!!
I guess NBC HAS to show the hockey game now that the US team made it to the finals! Anyone going to ESPN Zone on Sunday to hang out with Foxy?
That’s great! At least 4 of the Kings will have medals! I’m hoping for all 5!
@Matt R,
No doubt. Slovakia has been a team that slays giants. First Russia, then Sweden. We’d be wise to not take them lightly if they add Canada to that list as well.
@Wahine,
Has anyone confirmed the gold medal game will not be tape delayed?
My prediction for the gold medal game. The team that comes out like a gorilla out of its cage will win.
so does Quick get one even though he didnt suit up?
Daryl Evans will be on NHL home ice right now….
@goldielocks,
HAHA… good one
Also bill clement on NHL home ice said that LA and Nashville will be the best team coming out of the olympics due to their great young olympians. He also said Jack Johnson has had the biggest stride in his game and looks very very good.
No pressure Canada. You either win or be shamed for life.
:D
Man, this is the best year of hockey of my entire life so far. Can this year get any better? Lets hope so!
BTW, lets start lobbying for the King’s medals to be on display at Staples for the rest of the season!
@Matt R,
I got so excited because at first I thought it was Quick in goal. Could of sworn I heard his name brought up, but they were just talking about him. I didn’t know Thomas was on the bench. I was soooooo disappointed when I realized my mistake.
@pr0cess,
To be sure!!!
@Mike L, JJ played over 21 minutes. The most out of all the US players which has got to be a confidence booster!
@KingMe20,
The Ruskies were a good team but they lacked the unity of the Slovaks. That’s were they could be effective against the Canadians. They might lose but I see them going down fighting. If Halak plays strong then the Slovaks have a chance.
It’s good to see JJ play well in the toughest of environments.
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Allan Muir on SI.com named JJ #2 star of the game!
@Wahine,
It has to be definitely. I think Erik Johnson has also had a great olympics almost all the kings have had great olympics except for quick because he’s the 3rd string goalie…
Rich:
Don’t forget to ask Mr. Brown for that autographed picture of him with his medal…
Remember, the one you were going to hold for me?
:)
@Kings Fan In Idaho,
Same here
haha .. you guys are all pumped about the blowout win .. but a bunch of you were saying it was a bad thing for Canada to win a wide open blowout game.
Focus is on the Slovaks now.. punish em
@Mike L,
Jack has always played beyond his limits internationally. It’ll be really interesting to see him in the playoffs this year. He may be the type to rise to the occasion!
@KC23,
Agreed, agreed and agreed! What a year for hockey! Somehow feels better that ‘93, but not as good as the year the Ducks were disbanded and the Kings won the Stanley Cup *hides crystal ball*
UAS 6 FINLAND 1 FINAL
@Dan H.,
I’m so glad it’s not just me! I honestly feel like I’m going to get violent if I see/hear the Dayquil or P&G commercial one more time!
whos pumped about some blow up? Van you need to get out more man. My point is were are all the chumps saying the US wouldnt be were it is RIGHT now??? I think Vandekamps you were one of them?.
@VanKingsFan,
That was not a wide open game.
Ryan Miller was barely tested.
Forechecking plus defense produced turnovers and most of those first period goals…
Beware: The USA Boys want to avenge their Girls from the prior Gold Medal Game results!
So much for my worries about the Fins. Layed a bigg egg. Kipursoff looked HORRIBLE! Fins looked tired and slow. USA is just crusin’. Can’t wait for Sunday and tonight’s game isn’t a gimme by any means. Canada better not let their entitlement get to them.
For the record I thought USA would be here but sorry guys. If Canada keeps playing the way they have the last 2 games, there isn’t a team on this planet that can stop them. Even the games before that we outplayed every team including USA. Miller was the only reason we lost.
Myopic. I see two teams that can’t wait to play each other.
…and of course yet another partisan who seems to think the scoreboard only malfunctions when his team loses…
@Cancon,
Outplayed vs. Outscored
Which do you prefer?
It amazes me that some Canadian fans use one of the lamest arguments ever. The goalie IS PART of the team! Therefore your guys did NOT outplay the US. Get it?
@goldielocks,
It worked for the Canada-Russia game and now the USA-Finland game. If Canada gets to the Gold Medal game, it’ll be fantastic to see two forces like that, and I’m pretty sure it’ll be like that for the whole 60 minutes (or more).
What a shot in the arm for the boys. The Olympic experience now going for the gold…this may have added a years worth of playoff experience to all the young players on both team USA and Canada.
Hopefully we see a Canada vs USA final but the Canadians have their hands full with Slovakia…very scary team!
Great win for USA! 1 more to go!
The Gold Medal game will be live in the West Coast!!!!!! I guess all those phone calls and emails I (and everyone else) sent to KNBC, KING5, and NBC worked!!!!
@Cancon,
You got the only two words that mean anything…we lost. I take no solace in the fact that we may have controlled a lot of the play and peppered Miller with shots.
@Barry’s Mullet,
I’m hoping the Slovaks are as scary as the Finns were supposed to be.
@Linda M,
confirmed below by seattle757…
The Gold Medal game will be live in the West Coast!!!!!! I guess all those phone calls and emails I (and everyone else) sent to KNBC, KING5, and NBC worked!!!!
@Seattle757,
I also sent a couple emails to NBC, but it probably has more to do with it being on a Sunday and a gold medal game than anything else. Remember, this is NBC were talking about. They appear to have the IQ of an ice cube when it comes to decision making.
@Cancon, If the USA keeps doing what they have been doing the last 5 games,they will win. They’re playing with zero pressure and playing their best hockey at the right time.The weight of a country truly rest on Canada, and that pressure will be their undoing.
@Steve McQueen,
It’s arguable that the Canadians are playing their best hockey at the right time as well. We’ll see if it carries forward to tonight’s game. If it does the final is going to be a war.
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I’m here. Just not in the mood to be abused. Very fragile right now. Pretty nervous about the next game. LOL.
I came here to take it like a man from Player X and to my utter disbelief he’s nowhere to be found.
PS….
The US didn’t win the game. The Finns lost it. LOL.
@The Jumping Shrimp,
I got nothin for ya bro. We both know the next game is the one that matters. Slovaks have heart, I love Zus, but Palffy is 37, Stumpel is 35, most of them are over 32 and they did not like contact. A USA-Canada final is going to be exciting, but the Slovaks were way outmatched tonight,s o nothing can be seen of value in appraising Canada’s state of play. I don’t think any of the teams Canada has faced yet have the same game as USA, except of course for Swisherland and ourselves. Even so, as of now the score that matters tonight is USA-0, Canada-0, with 3 periods left to play.