CANADA WINS GOLD!!

Sidney Crosby had been held pointless for 8 periods. And he waited until he was 7 minutes and 40 seconds into the nail-biting overtime period in the gold medal game to make his mark in Canadian Olympic history. On a feed from Jarome Iginla deep in the American zone, Crosby banked it past USA's Ryan Miller to score the winning goal. With the crowd going wild, Crosby removed his mouth gaurd and threw his gloves into the air, letting out a scream of victory. The boys jumped over the Canadian bench to join Crosby in this epic moment. It is fitting that they boy who was left off of the 2006 Team Canada roster for being too "inexperienced" was the one to bring home the gold. Fairytale ending.

The stars of the gold medal game, Sidney Crosby and Roberto Luongo

What a great ending to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Canada has set a record for the most gold medals won by any country in the winter Olympics, bringing in a whopping 14 gold medals! Congratulations to all of our athletes. We are so proud.

Canada looks to secure a spot in the gold medal game

With the USA slaughtering Finland 6-1 in this afternoon's game, Team Canada is looking to secure a spot of their own in Sunday's gold medal match up. Starting in net tonight for Canada is Roberto Luongo, who will be going up against Slovakia's Jaroslav Halak.
This game is not an easy buy into the gold medal game as the Slovak team includes snipers such as Marian Hossa and Pavol Demitra, and who have the best PK and PP in the tournament. Of course, Team Canada has some depth of their own. With the success of the Shark Line (Thorton, Marleau, Heatley) and the chemistry between Crosby and Iginla, Team Canada is sure to put on a good show.

First Period

-Marleau has had some early opportunities to score, tipping the puck just over the net
13:30: Marleau redirects the puck into the Slovak net on a feed from Weber. The goal is under review, as Marleau's stick may have been above the crossbar (highsticking).
....and it's a goal!!

1-0 Canada

15:17: Morrow fires it past Halak to give Canada a two-goal lead

2-0 Canada

So far Canada is outshooting Slovakia 10-4...but as we've seen in previous games, shots on goal can mean nothing.

End of 1st: 2-0 Canada

2nd period

-Canada starts the period pretty loose. Within the first few minutes they have lost the puck in the neutral zone and have allowed the SLovaks to enter the Canadian zone, causing Luongo to make some key saves.
1:29: Doughty gets a penalty for hooking, putting Canada on the PK against the No.1 power play team in the tournament.
13:48: Zdeno Chara (Slovakia) is sent to the Sin Bin for roughing. Canada is now on the PP.
11:48: Canada fails to score on the PP (o/1), but also manages to keep Slovakia off the board.
11:20: Crosby is denied on a scoring attempt by Halak
10:00: We're halfway through the 2nd period and half way through the game. So far both teams have been held scoreless in the 2nd period.
8:24: 3 on 1 for Slovakia--Canada manages to poke check it away, sending the puck down the other way. That could have turned out bad.
7:24: Heatley fires it towards the net. Halak just gets down in time to make the save. (I imagine that by this point Heatley is getting pretty frustrated as Halak has shut him down on three good scoring chances tonight).
-Canada is moving the puck really well in 2nd period and getting a lot of scoring opportunities
6:36: Luongo makes a save against Slovakia...the crowd cries, "Louuuu!!"
5:12: Crosby drop passes the puck to Iginla, who fires it towards the net. Halak makes the save. This man is standing on his head trying to keep Slovakia in the game, which is more than can be said for his team.
3:30: Satan shoots it to the net, but Luongo takes it away. "Louuu!!"
3:26: Zednick gets called for holding. Canada is on their 2nd powerplay of the game. Let's hope we can capitalize on it.
3:06: Getzlaf banks it in on rebound from Perry! Goal!!!

3-0 Canada

-The previous goal is only the 2nd powerplay goal allowed by the Slovaks in the Olympics
1:53: Lungo makes a sprawling save as the puck dances around the crease, bouncing off the skates of the Canadian players.
16.0: "LET'S GO CANADA!!" is what the crowd is chanting at Canada Hockey Place

End of 2nd: 3-0 Canada

3rd period

17:05: Slovaks have an odd-man rush into the Canadian zone, but it's called as offside

-Slovaks are putting more pressure on the Canadians in the Canadian zone; something they haven't done in the first two periods

13:59: Crowd chants, "WE WANT USA! WE WANT USA!!"

13:00: Slovakia is doing a good job of cylcing the puck in the Canadian zone

12:45: Halak comes far out of his net to poke the puck away from Seabrook, who was skating hard towards the net

10:57: Puck is chipped over the glass. One lucky fan gets to take home a souvenir from the Olympics. Nice!

10:23: The puck sails into the Maple Leaf crest, as Luongo makes the save against Hanzon

-The crowd is full of Canadian athletes such as Gretzky, Clara Hughes

8:26: Delayed penalty against Canada results in a goal for Slovakia

3-1 Canada

-Canada needs to stay on their A-game. The Slovaks are known to score in clusters, having scored just 37 seconds apart against the Swedes.

7:22: Halak makes a save against Sidney Crosby. This man wants to score. He has been kept pointless for 5 periods.

6:22: Boyles fires the puck to the net. Iginla tries to hammer in the rebound but is robbed.

-Shots 27-13 in favor of Canada

5:06: The battle for the puck around the Canadian net is so intense that the net actually gets pushed over top Luongo

3:31: Zednick wants the puck, and he gets it. He banks it into the net, putting Slovakia within a one goal game against Canada. What did I say?!?!

3-2 Canada

2:58: Luongo covers up the puck and denies Hanzan on the backhand. "Louuu!!!!"

2:58: Slovakia wins the face-off in the Canadian zone

2:44: Luongo gets a quick whistle, as Slovakia puts the pressure on Team Canada

2:20: Neidermayer slides into the Canadian net, knocking it off. Officials say that Demetra pushed him in...the faceoff is outside the Canadian zone.

2:06: Staal steers the puck down the ice--finally clearing it from our zone

1:10: Slovaks fire it down into the Canadian zone, Halak stays in net.

.50: Empty net for Slovakia. They add the extra attacker in the final seconds.
.07: Slovakia shot hits the post!

End of game: 3-2 Canada

Whew, that was an intense game. The wishes of Canadians and Americans has come true...the countries will face each other in the gold medal game on Sunday (3ET). One thing is certain, Canada has to step up their game in Sunday's matchup. (all photos courtesy of Hockey Canada)

Team Canada has Shut-Out in Gold Medal Game

Canadian goalie, Shannon Szabados has just played the game of her life. Many thought that she would pose as Canada's No.3 goalie coming into the tournament, but her display of athletics and passion in tonight's game has proven to both her teammates and her country, that she was the right choice. Team Canada's shut-out tonight has marked their third straight gold medal on an Olympic stage.
The only two goals of the night were scored by 18-yr.old phenom, Marie-Philip Poulin in the first period. The rest of the game remained scoreless for both teams leading to Canada's two goal win over Team USA. (all photos courtesy of Canada Hockey)

Team Canada celebrates their gold medal win by jumping on goalie, Szabados

The money-making shot of Team Canada, their staff and most importantly, their GOLD MEDALS!!!

Tomorrow night will mark another epic battle in Canadian history, as our boys from Team Canada will face off against the Slovaks in the semi-finals. Let's hope Luongo can get a shut-out of his own. The men's Team Canada team is a mere two games away from winning gold. Do it.

▌♥ ▌GO CANADA!!!! ▌♥ ▌

Lastly, here's a picture of our boys supporting the women in their game tonight. The support between our athletes is incredible!

Medal Counts

Here are the top four countries in medal counts as of February 25. We know there's definitely going to be one more medal added to Canada's count this evening. But whether or not it is gold or silver remains to be seen...make sure to watch as Team Canada takes on Team USA in the women's hockey gold medal game on CTV (6:30pm)!

UNITED STATES

Gold: 8

Silver: 10

Bronze: 12

Total: 30

GERMANY

Gold: 8

Silver: 11

Bronze: 7

Total: 26

NORWAY

Gold: 7

Silver: 6

Bronze: 6

Total: 19

CANADA

Gold: 7

Silver: 6

Bronze: 2

Total: 15

GO CANADA!!!!

Photo Highlights

Coaches, players, and fans alike, were unsure whether last night's game against Germany would end up helping or hindering Team Canada in the rest of tournament. But, tonight's display of teamwork, chemistry and plain 'awesomeness' has shown that Team Canada should not be underestimated. We are here to win gold in our home country.

Here are some shots from last night's game against Germany and tonight's victory over Russia.(All photos courtesy of Hockey Canada).

Canadian poster boy, Sidney Crosby and goalie, Roberto Lungo congratulate each other on a good game

Canada's number one goalie, Roberto Luongo. (Why did Babcock think playing Marty in game 2 was a good idea?)


Look at that sea of red! Canadian pride summed up.


CANADA VS. RUSSIA

Canadians celebrate after a goal!

Winnipeg boy, Jonothan Toews battles for the puck along the boards

Nabakov and teammates watch as the puck sails into the net

third period action

THIRD PERIOD ACTION

• Russia starts the third on the power play
• Ovechkin shoots with 6 seconds left in the Russian power play. Off a stick and out of play. Face off in the Canadian zone
• 18:36 - puck goes out of play
• 18:15 Staal is taken into the boards hard by Vulchenkov and is having a difficult time getting to his feet. After discussion by the refs there is no call on the play. Canada robbed on another power play by these refs
• delayed penalty called on russia
• 17:59 - Penalty to Russia’s Gonchar for interference on Toew’s drive to the Russian net. Canada gets awarded a power play...FINALLY!
• Iginla hits the post with 1:35 seconds left in the Canadian power play!
• 14:56 - Staal is back on the ice. Good to see he is alright
• 14:48 - Russia called for too many men! Ovechkin will serve the penalty and Canada goes back on the power play.
• Pronger and Niedermayer the back end. The vets are hungry for another Canadian goal!
• 12:45 - Ovechkin comes out of the box. Russia is back to full strength
• 12:09 - Canada’s Richard sends the puck into the Russian bench stopping play
• 11:55 - Icing called against Russia. Face off in the Russian zone
• 8:35 - Luongo makes the stop and covers the puck stopping play.
• 8:13 - Luongo denies Semin! Crowd cheers “LOUUU!!”
• 7:24 - Luongo squeezes his pads just keeping the puck from crossing the line! He can sure feel the pressure these last 7 minutes! Russia isn’t going away without a fight
• 6:40 - Luongo redirects the puck with his right pad barely keeping it out of the net... “LOUUU!!”
• 5:23 - Penalty called against Pronger for holding - Russia goes on the power play
• 4:20 Malkin has a break-away....STOPPED BY LUONGO!!! HE IS A WALL! His 24th save of the night!
• 3:23 - Canada is back to full strength
• 2:38 - Semin and Boyle both go to the box - 4 on 4 hockey
• 1:00 - The building is going crazy!!

Shots on goal:

Canada - 12

Russia - 8

CANADA WINS!! RUSSIA IS GOING HOME!!

7-3 CANADA!!!

Total shots on goal:

Canada - 42

Russia - 28

Semi final game this Friday February 26th against winner of Sweden and Slovakia

second period action

2nd Period Action:

• 19:25 - Puck goes out of play
• 18:04 - Icing against Canada - Face off the in Canadian zone
• 16:50 - Perry scores!!! From Getzlaf & Keith
• 5-1 CANADA
• 15:50 - Iginla to Toews to Weber... HE SHOOTS AND SCORES!!!
• Nabokov is pulled from the net. Russia sends goalie #30 Ilya Bryzgalov.
• 6-1 CANADA
• 15:14 Russia capitalizes on a Canada miscommunication...Grebeshkov to Kovalchuk to Afinogenov scores
• 6-2 CANADA
• Russia is picking up the pace. Trying to put more pressure on team Canada. We need to keep our offense strong and our defense even stronger!
• 10:09 - TIC TAC GOAL!! Getzlaf to Staal to Perry!! GOAL!! gets his second of the night! Great play! Three on two for Canada and we make them pay!
• 3 goals for Canada on the 5 shots we’ve taken in the second period
• 7-2 CANADA
• too many men on the ice against
• 8:20 - Ovechkin screens Luongo. Malkin to Gonchar... scores. Power play goal for Russia
• 7-3 Canada
• 7:48 - Icing call against Russia. Face off in the Russian zone
• 7:02 - Russian net is knocked off
• 7:02 - Canada goes on their second power play of the night
• 4:15 - Puck hits Russian Ganchar’s skate on his way off to the bench...no call!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING? TOO MANY MEN! WHERE IS THE CALL? Canada is robbed of another power play
• 3:14 - Puck goes out of play
• 1:05 - Icing called against Canada. Face off in the Canadian zone
• 0:45 - Tripping penalty called against Canada’s Keith. Russia goes on the power play
• 0:04 - Left in the first period and the puck is shot out of play - one more critical face off for Canada this period
• 7-3 CANADA

Shots on goal:

Canada - 9

Russia - 8

End of the second period! 20:00 minutes of tough battling for the puck left! If we can hold on for one more period we will be in the semi-final game! LETS GO CANADA!

TEAM CANADA vs. RUSSIA Men's quarter final game

It’s time Canada! The rivalry we’ve all been waiting for. We knew that this game would come, but no one thought that it would be in the quarterfinals. Canada against Russia, Sid the Kid Vs. Alexander the Great. Canada will not allow the result of Turin to be our fate for the Vancouver 2010 games! Canada is ready, It is our turn, and we are going for GOLD!!

Starting in net for Canada - # 1 Roberto Luongo

Starting in net for Russia - # 20 Evgeni Nabakov

1st Period Action:

20:00 - Getting ready for the puck to drop. Canada sends Toews against Russia’s Malkin to take the draw.

• Canada is putting the pressure on Nabakov early!
• 18:34 - Icing against Russia - face off in the Russian zone
• Pronger slows down the play, carries up the puck, passes to Boyle dishes off to Getzlaf... GOAL!!!!
• 1-0 CANADA
• 16:45 - Where is the penalty on Russia!? Too many men! C’mon ref! Russia got a away with one there!
• 14:55 - Luongo makes the save, covers the puck
• 14:20 - BIG HIT BY MORROW!
• 14:02 - Icing against Russia - face off in the Russian zone
• 12:02 - Canada’s Seabrook gets a 2 minute interference penalty - Russia’s on the power play. Let’s kill this one boys!
• 11: 22 Doughtey clears the puck
• 11:03 - Luongo makes the save, covers the puck, play stops - face off won by Russia
• 10:00 - Luongo covers the puck to end the Russian power play - face off in our zone, Luongo makes another save!
• Crosby drives by the net is hauled down by Vulchenkov - 2 minute holding penalty against Russia
• 9:33 Canada gets the power play
• 7:51 - Marleau to Heatley to Boyle..HE SHOOTS HE SCORES!! (Power play goal)
• 2-0 CANADA
• 7:05 - NASH SCORES!!! From Toews & Richards
• 3-0 CANADA
• 6:07 - Traffic in front. Luongo covers the puck. Face off in the Canadian zone
• 5:52 Perry fires it off the blocker of Nabakov. Face off in the Russian zone
• 5:21 - Kalinin, from Vulchenkov & Fedorov...Russia is on the board. Screen on Luongo and the puck gets through
• 3-1 CANADA
• 4:16 - Nabokov covers the puck, play stops. Face off in the Russian zone
• 1:38 - Morrow scores!! From Boyle & Keith
• 4-1 CANADA

End of the First!

Shots on Goal:

Canada - 21

Russia - 12

Lets have a strong second boys!

UPDATE - Team Canada Women's 2010 Olympic Hockey

RESULTS THUS FAR:

Preliminaries:

Saturday February 13th - Team Canada (18) vs. Slovakia (0)

Monday February 15th - Team Canada (10) vs. Switzerland (1)

Wednesday February 17th - Team Canada (13) vs. Sweden (1)

Team Canada clobbers the competition into semi-finals!

Semi Finals:

Monday February 22nd - Team Canada (5) vs. Finland (0)

Finals:

Thursday February 25th - Our ladies go for gold against Team USA!

Game time - 5:30 Central time!

GO CANADA GO!

Image from - Team Canada Hockey Website

Update for Mens Olympic Hockey - Team Canada Vs. Team Russia

Hey everyone!

GREAT GAME TONIGHT CANADA! "WE WANT RUSSIA!!" Lorelei has the night off tomorrow but I will be bringing you updates and period summaries as they occur as Team Canada and Sid the Kid take on The Russians featuring Alexander the Great wearing #8!

Puck drops at 6:30 central time! So check back for updates!

Canada vs. Germany

This is it. In 13 minutes the Team Canada men's hockey team will take on Germany, to see who will qualify to play Russia tomorrow night. Hockey fans are hoping to see the much anticipated game of Russa vs. Canada...which will essentially feature the NHL's two greatest players: Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.
But, in order to see that Canada must defeat Germany tonight. Everything Canada has hoped for is riding on tonight. Let's hope the boys bring their A-game.

1st period

So far Canada is outshooting Germany eight to one.

Joe Thorton takes a feed from Sharks teammate Dany Heatly and gets Canada on the board.

End of first: 1-0 Canada

2nd period

19:24: Canada gets a good shot on goal. Germany’s goalie scoops it up before there is a rebound.
18:00: Germany is doing a good job of cycling the puck in the Canadian zone. Bobby Lou makes some good saves, as the crowd chants, “Louuu!”. Nice!
16:50: a play is under review. The Canadians are hoping that the puck did actually go into the net. The Germans are hoping it didn’t. Longest review ever... And it’s a goal!!!!!!

2-0 Canada!!

16:19: Iginla scores on a feed from Crosby! Canada hockey place is alive and so are the hopes of Canadians.

3-0 Canada

15:45: Canadian Heatley gets a penalty for cross-checking. Germany is on the powerplay. Let’s kill it off, boys!
13:45: The penalty kill is over and the score is the same. That’s good news for Canada.
Oh wait, coming off the penalty kill we have managed to get another penalty. Get it together, Canada.
11:04: Iginla snaps in his second goal of the night.

4-0 Canada

8:37: Rick Nash gets tripped up on his way to the goal. Canada gets a penalty shot. In the Olympics. Crazy.
Denied. German goalie holds his ground and shuts Nash down.
6:11: Germans get a good chance to make it 4-1, but Luongo poke checks it away. Again, the crowds chants, “Louuu!”
4:31:Crosby drop passes the puck in front of the net, but no one is there but the German goaltender who covers it up.
3:26:Germany scores their first (and hopefully only goal) on a wrap around

4-1 Canada

2:57: Luongo makes a big save. It’s good to see that his confidence isn’t rattled.

End of 2nd: 4-1 Canada

3rd period

18:50: Crosby gets his first goal of the Olympics (he’s had assists up until this point)

5-1 Canada

13:19: Richards banks it in from the front of the net. Nice and easy.

6-1 Canada

10:57: Neidermyer gets a penalty for hooking. We are now on the penalty kill, but with our 5 goal lead it shouldn't be an issue.

Neidermyer comes out of the penalty box and heads straight for the German goal with the puck on his stick. He shoots. He scores!

7-1 Canada

4:39: Canada gets two good scoring chances, but are denied. It's not like we need more goals anyways.

3:32: Nash snaps in another goal for Canada! Even though we have 8, we still celebrate like it's our first one. Great!

8-1 Canada

2:30: German goalie makes a big save on Moreau, who is looking for his first point of the Olympics. (He's the only player on the Canadian bench who has yet to register a point)

1:02: Klinge from Germany scores off the rebound, and Luongo sprawls backwards but can't make the save.

8-2 Canada

End of game: 8-2 Canada

That's it, folks! Canada has won the game and will be facing Russia tomorrow night (4:30 PST, 7:30 EST)!!

I will definitely not be blogging during that game. Much too intense to multi-task! But, you can look forward to seeing these two superstars face-off in what is sure to be an epic game.

FINAL PROJECT PROPOSAL

Format & Audience

The format for our final project is to create a blog using blogspot.com (emilyandlorelei@blogspot.com) as an interactive site to post our research discoveries, and allowing others to access our findings. This blog will enable us to post information that is relevant to our culture, which will complement our topic as it is another means of providing sports information via the internet.
Our intended audience for this blog are individuals looking to become more aware of how the internet has impacted the sports industry by providing more accessible information. With the high percentage of the population shifting to online communities, the sports industry is able to tailor their sites to provide accurate material in order to remain relevant and competitive. By using an online community in the form of a blog, we hope to inform our audience of this trend and connect to individuals who are accustomed to gathering their sports information in this manner.

Purpose

The purpose of our project is to demonstrate how the internet has revolutionized the public’s access to sports with our specific focus being on hockey. News print and television are no long the most efficient means of obtaining sports information. Due to our culture’s increased reliance on technology, people are turning to the internet for up to the minute data that print media cannot provide.

Subject & Sources

Through this project we hope to challenge ourselves to use new mediums to reach the public. On our main page, for example, we hope to upload a video introducing ourselves and our mission statement, which will bring a more interactive and personal approach to our topic. We are working on featuring an interview with a professional involved in the industry that will offer a sense of credibility to our research. We are awaiting a reply from a member of the Manitoba Moose organization who is responsible for overseeing the website and, therefore, will be able to provide insight as to how hockey organizations are utilizing the power of the internet. Our goal is to include some of this insight on our website to enlighten others from a professional standpoint.
We also hope to explore other professional websites, such as TSN.ca and sidcrosby.blogspot.com in order demonstrate the different styles of communication that can be used to access and share information. By doing this we will show our audience the diversity in the information presented and how each site is able to tailor to different needs, whether it be individuals looking for entertainment, or individuals who merely want to be informed.
Over and above interviews with media professionals, we plan to use the University of Winnipeg’s online databases to obtain statistics and information on the expansion of sports technology. We also plan on referring to websites that feature the use of up-to-date activities, such as boxscores, video streams and game analysis.
Our blog will also include popular sports links that will serve as a map to link our audience to professional websites. These websites will include TSN.ca, moosehockey.com, nhl.com, hockeycanada.ca, and local community sites such as mjhlhockey.ca.

Timeline

Knowing that the final due date is April 7, this will serve as our tentative schedule:
During the week of February 22-February 28 we will post our project proposal on the webct discussion board, as well as on our blog. Also this week, we have emailed Eric Postma from the Manitoba Moose hoping to schedule an interview at his earliest convenience, which we will post soon after. We will begin our blog by posting updates on the Team Canada Olympic hockey games this week.
By March 3, we will have our video introduction posted on our homepage. This will feature our focus for the site and our goals for the project.
We anticipate that the week of March 8-14 will be a bit slower in regards to our final project, as we will be focusing on our webct discussion. Yet, we are still aiming to link our discussion on digital advertising and how it can tie into sports media, and we will then include this on our blog. During this week we will be posting another video of our progress and any relevant stories that appear in the news.
Since this is a blog, we will be continually updating its information in order to keep our audience informed of our progress. The rest of the information we hope to post on our blog, as we come across it. We feel like this flexibility will leave room for us to cover emerging stories.
By the first week of April we will solidify the information we have by editing the blog’s content, so that it can be viewed as a respective source of information. Out goal is that by the due date our blog will demonstrate everything we have learned through the process of this final project and, more generally, by taking this course.