Hockey Saturday

Because network executives are stupid, the majority of Olympic hockey games are aired (live) in the morning while I am at work. Since taking two weeks off from work to stay home and watch hockey is not an option, I've spent today on our couch catching up.

There were two standout games today.

Game 1: Switzerland vs Canada

The Swiss shut out Canada, with Paul di Pietro scoring Switzerland's two goals and giving an emphatic “fuck you” to the National Hockey League. Di Pietro has not played in the NHL for the last ten years. The majority of his time in North America was spent playing for the IHL, AHL farm squads, and passing from from team to team.

After he was let go from the Los Angeles Kings in 1996/97 he knocked around the IHL (now defunct) for the remainder of the season. He moved to Europe, where he has had a successful career playing for Zug, Milan, Chur and Lugano. Originally from Canada, di Pietro became a Swiss citizen in 2005.

At 5' 9” and 181 pounds, di Pietro's failure to succeed in the NHL was attributed to his size. Interesting reasoning. Martin Straka, who has spent all but 4 games of his career in the NHL, towers at 5' 10” and 178 pounds and has come back from numerous injuries, including a broken leg. Both men were initially drafted as Centers, although Straka currently plays Left Wing for the New York Rangers.

Canada was not helped as both goals they scored during the contest were waived off, the first because Todd Bertuzzi was “in the net” and the second accredited as a save to goaltender Martin Gerber. Canada was robbed.

Game 2: Finland vs Czech Republic

Finland pulled off an upset of the Czech Republic, beating the battered Czechs 4-2.

The game turned dirty early in the second period when Jaromir Jager took a hit from Jarkko Ruutu. Jager, a big guy, dropped to the ice like a stone and was left bleeding. As the 6' 2”, 205 pound Ruutu skated away from Jager he was tackled by the 5' 10”, 178 pound Straka, thus demonstrating one of the reasons why Straka is still playing in the NHL. Ruutu earned a 5 minute boarding major and a game misconduct. Straka earned a roughing double minor. Jager did not return to the game.

The team never recovered their rhythm after Jager left the ice. Sporadic fighting (broken up by the referees), two unanswered goals in the third and a brillant performance by Finnish goalie Antero Niittymaki put the Czech's away.

More hockey tomorrow.