Heatley, Canada Gold; Rafalski, Suter, Pavelski, Silver

Simply amazing. If you watched the hockey game yesterday between the United States and Canada there is no way that you can not walk away anything but impressed with those two squads.

As an American, I took the loss very, very hard yesterday and I still feel pretty down and probably will for a while. But as an American who was born after 1980, I feel like I can honestly say I have never been prouder of an American sports team than I am right now.

This was no miracle, but what these 23 young men accomplished is amazing. Before the tournament, the experts said that a BEST case scenario for the USA would be a fourth place finish. Canada, and Russia were all everyone wanted to talk about. After those two countries, the only teams that had a chance to medal were Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, and maybe if they had an outstanding tournament, Slovakia. So for a team of Americans who were projected as the seventh best team in the world to come home with a Silver medal is something to be very proud of, and I know I am.

The best part about the success at the 2010 games is that GM Brian Burke made the right move by going to the young Americans to represent our country. The Mike Modano's and Keith Tkachuk's of the world were left off the roster in favor of the Bobby Ryan's and Dustin Brown's. With the average age of the United States being only 25, how can you not be excited about the future of USA hockey?

Realistically looking at future Olympics, I cannot see any way that NHL players will not be allowed to play. I realize that the next Olympics are in Russia and there is simply no way that the NHL can have the success it had with the 2010 games, but hockey fans are going to go crazy if the NHL players are not allowed to go.

With that said, look at who the United States brings back for the 2014 games? Virtually everyone. I would have to assume that Brian Rafalski, Tim Thomas, Chris Drury, Jamie Langenbrunner, and Ryan Malone will not be back. After that? Things look very, very, very good.

EXTREMELY EARLY 2014 ROSTER PROJECTION:

2014 age in parenthesis

Goalie:
Ryan Miller (33)
Jonathon Quick (28)
Jack Campbell (22)

Defense:
Ryan Suter (29)
Erik Johnson (25)
Jack Johnson (27)
Matt Niskanen (27)
Matt Carle (29)
Zach Bogosian (23)
Cam Fowler (22)

Forward:
Zach Parise (29)
Dustin Brown (29)
Paul Stastny (28)
David Backes (29)
Pat Kane (25)
Phil Kessel (26)
Ryan Kessler (29)
Bobby Ryan (26)
Joe Pavelski (29)
Kyle Okposo (25)
TJ Oshie (27)
James VanRiemsdyk (25)
Colin Wilson (24)

AMIE SQUIRE / Getty Images


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USA Men Beat Finland, Play For Gold Sunday

Dominating performance by Team USA today. Badgers are in action tonight against Michigan Tech. Game is at 6:00 PM Central Standard Time so keep that in mind. I'm going to be gone for a few days. So there probably won't be many, (if any) posts from me until Monday.

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MacLeod, Mikkelson Win Gold With Canada

I know a lot of Badger fans that read this blog are very disappointed with the 2-0 Canada victory over the United States in the Women's Gold Medal game last night.

Keep in mind that two Badgers did come out on top last night in the game. Former Badger defensemen Carla MacLeod and Meaghan Mikkelson are proud owners of shiny new Gold Medals.

MacLeod and Mikkelson played huge minutes throughout the tournament. In the medal game MacLeod played the second most minutes of any Canadian player.

Sadly, the biggest news from the game is the celebration that ensued after the Canadian victory. As you can tell from the picture on the left, they had a good time. Personally, I don't see the big issue with it. It's their country, they won the gold, good for them. Probably should have kept it in the locker room but so be it.

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USA Takes On Canada For GOLD Tonight

I'll be the first one to admit that I do not get into women's hockey. I have however really enjoyed watching the United States women at this Olympic Games and it has really piqued my interest in the women's game. I am really excited to watch the USA women take on Canada tonight for the Gold Medal.

If you are not already aware, coverage for the game starts at 5:00 PM and the actual game starts at like 5:30 I think. The game can be found on MSNBC. Nicole from the Cute Sports Blog will once again be helping us out doing a live blog of the game. She should be starting the live blog by 5:15. If I'm feeling ok, I will also be helping out when I can.

There will be 9 current or former Badgers playing in the game and obviously the United States men's coach is Mark Johnson, no introduction needed. 6 of 7 United States players are pictured to the left. First Row L to R: Erika Lawler, Jessie Vetter. Second row L to R: Hilary Knight, Meghan Duggan, Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej, and Molly Engstrom. Missing from the photo is Kerry Weiland. Canada also features some former lady Badgers. Defensemen Meaghan Mikkelson and Carla MacLeod.

Stats for the ladies Badgers so far:

USA
Hilary Knight: 4 GP, 1 G, 7 A, +8
Molly Engstrom: 4 GP, 3 G, 4 A, +13
Meghan Duggan: 4 GP, 4 G, 0 A, +5
Erika Lawler: 3 GP, 0 G, 2 A, +6
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej: 4 GP, 0 G, 0A, +3
Kerry Weiland: 4 GP, 1 G, 1 A, +6
Jessie Vetter: 3 GP, 0.33 GAA, .976 Save %

Canada
Meaghan Mikkelson: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, +10
Carla MacLeod: 4 GP, 2 G, 3 A, +13

Image Credit: David Stluka Photography (Awesome, awesome photo)

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2010 Olympics: What if we could only use amateurs?

Editors Note: This story first ran April 8, 2009 and has been updated to reflect current changes.

In 1998, the NHL allowed it's professional hockey players to play in the Olympics for the first time in Nagano, Japan. They followed suit at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, and the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. In Vancouver, the NHL has once again sent it's best to represent their countries on the biggest stage.

It's been widely debated on if the NHL should continue to send it's players to the Olympics. I'm not here to add to the debate on whether or not we should be sending NHL players. What I have done, is put together a roster of Americas best amateur players who could compete at the 2010 Olympics.

Obviously, this list is flawed for a few reasons. Number one, there are players on this list that have already turned professional. For this article, I'm going to assume that these players would have kept their amateur status so that they could stay eligible for the 2010 games. All players listed below turned pro early over this past summer, or were college seniors last season. Number two, It's hard to judge if players that went pro more than a year ago would have stayed in school in order to make a run at playing for this team.

Any ways, here is the list...let the debate begin:

Forwards (13, alphabetical order) :

Blake Geoffrion-Wisconsin-WCHA
Jacques Lamoureux-Air Force-Atlantic Hockey
Ryan Lasch-St. Cloud-WCHA
James Marcou-UMASS-Hockey East
Aaron Palushaj-Michigan -CCHA
Rhett Rakhshani-Denver-WCHA
Chad Rau-Colorado College-WCHA
Jordan Schroeder-Minnesota-WCHA
Dan Sexton-Bowling Green-CCHA
Ryan Stoa-Minnesota-WCHA
Eric Tangradi-Belleville-OHL
James van Riemsdyk-University Of New Hampshire-Hockey East
Colin Wilson-Boston University-Hockey East

Alternates (alphabetical order):
Carter Camper-Miami-CCHA
Christian Hanson-Notre Dame-CCHA
Phil McRae-Plymouth-WHL
Garrett Roe-St. Cloud-WCHA
Bill Sweatt-Colorado College-WCHA
Tommy Wingels-Maimi-CCHA

Defense (7, alphabetical order) :
Jonathon Blum-Vancouver-WHL
Greg Flynn-Air Force-Atlantic Hockey
Matt Gilroy-Boston University-Hockey East
Jamie McBain-Wisconsin-WCHA
Ryan McDonagh-Wisconsin-WCHA
Kevin Shattenkirk-Boston University-Hockey East
Chris Summers-Michigan-CCHA

Alternates (alphabetical order):
Colby Cohen-Boston University-Hockey East
Ian Cole-Notre Dame-CCHA
Eddie Del Grosso-Nebraska Omaha-CCHA
Patrick Mullen-Denver-WCHA
Jeff Petry-Michigan State-CCHA
Ted Ruth-Notre Dame-CCHA

Goaltender (2, alphabetical order) :
Zane Kalemba-Princeton-ECAC
Alex Stalock-Minnesota Duluth-WCHA

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Updated Olympic Hockey Televison Schedule

I've been having a tough time keeping track of what Olympic hockey teams are playing on what day and what time and on what channel so I figured I'd try and put together a list of dates, times, and channels for myself, and I might as well post it on here in case anyone else is having as much trouble as I am of keeping track.

Wisconsin is represented on both Canada and the United States men's and women's teams so I will list the TV Schedules for ALL four of those squads first.

I also plan to do some live blogging during the tournament on day games with Badger players playing. It's going to be tough for people to watch weekday-day games so I'll try and provide as much coverage online as possible to keep you updated. I'll also list the games I plan on live blogging.

All times Central Standard

Monday (2/22): Women's Semi-Finals
2:00 PM USA vs Sweden (USA Network, HD)
7:00 PM Canada vs Finland (CNBC)

Tuesday (2/23): Men's Elimination Round
2:00 PM Switzerland vs Belarus (USA Network, HD)
7:00 PM Canada vs Germany (CNBC)
9:00 PM Czech Republic vs Latvia (CNBC)
11:30 PM Slovakia vs Norway (CNBC)

Wednsday (2/24): Men's Quarter-Final Round
2:00 PM USA vs Switzerland/Belarus (NBC, HD)
6:00 PM Russia vs Canada/Germany (CNBC)
9:00 PM Finland vs Czech Republic/Lativa (CNBC)
11:30 PM Sweden vs Slovakia/Norway (CNBC)

Thursday (2/25): Women's Medal Round
1:00 PM Women's Bronze Medal Game (MSNB)
5:00 PM Women's Gold Medal Game (MSNBC)

Friday (2/26): Men's Semi-Final Round
2:00 PM Men's Semi-Final Round (NBC, HD)
8:00 PM Men's Semi-Final Round (CNBC)

Saturday (2/27):
9:00 PM Men's Bronze Medal Game (MSNBC)

Sunday (2/28):
2:00 PM Men's Gold Medal Game (NBC, HD)

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Rafalski, Suter Lead USA Past Heatley, Team Canada

Wow.

I think you could sum up the game tonight with that word along. What a contest between two great teams. Thankfully, Team USA stocked up on former Badgers for the tournament and it paid off.

Team USA defenseman, and former Badger Brian Rafalski had two huge first period goals to get the United States rolling early on.

Rafalski, who played at Wisconsin from 1991 to 1995, started things off by taking a shot on net that hit off Sidney Crosby's stick and found the back of the net. Ryan Suter, who played at Wisconsin during the 2003-2004 season assisted on the play.

After an Eric Stall goal tied it, Rafalski stepped up again for the Americans and gave them a 2-1 lead when he stepped up in the slot and shot the puck on the ice that hit off Brodeur's pad and found it's way into the net.

The only Badger on the Canadian team, Dany Heatley who was a Badger from 1999 to 2001 got the game tied up early in the second for the Canadians when he buried a Jonathon Toews feed that beat USA goaltender Ryan Miller.

After Chris Drury scored to give the Americans a 3-2 lead, former Badgers Ryan Suter and and Brian Rafalski hooked up for another USA goal. Ryan Suter hooked Rafalski up with a one timer that he put on net that got tipped in by Jamie Langenbrunner to give the US a 4-2 lead.

Sidney Crosby would get a late goal to make things close but an absolute awesome effort by Ryan Kessler iced the game when he dove to steal the puck and bury an empty net goal.

So a 5-3 victory for the Americans over Canada who was a heavy favorite in this tournament. USA will get a bye to the quarterfinal round. I'll be sure to update you on when they play next and where you can find the game on television.



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Rafalski's Two Goals Seal US Win

Being one of only three previous Olympians on the United States men's hockey roster, Brian Rafalski was looked upon as a leader in this years games in Vancouver. Rafalski proved his on-ice leadership by blasting two third period goals behind Norwegian goaltender Pal Grotnes.

The United States got on the board early when Plover, Wisconsin native, and former Badger, Joe Pavelski found streaking Madison native Phil Kessel up the middle of the ice who would not be denied. Chris Drury would add a goal before the period was over.

In the second, Pat Kane would get his first of the tournament with an assist from North Dakota forward Zach Parise. After the US and Norway traded goals to make it 4-1, The USA put it away when Parise found Rafalski streaking to the net who burried the puck behind Grotnes. For good measure, Team USA made it 6-1 on a play that featured three badgers getting in on the scoring. Joe Pavelski won the offensive zone faceoff back to defensman Ryan Suter. Suter, made a nice crisp pass over to defensive parter Rafalski who blasted home a one timer in the upper corner to ice the game.
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The United States women's team had already clinched a spot in the semi-finals set for Monday before they even stepped on the ice for this afternoons tilt with Finland. What was on the line was the prospects of avoiding Canada in that semi-final game. Win and they get Sweden, lose, and they get the home team Canada.

The USA never gave it a thought winning the game 6-0. Former Badger goaltender Jessie Vetter was credited with her second shutout of the tournament, also her only two starts. Former Badger defenseman Molly Engstrom continued her stellar play on Thursday netting a goal and assist. Forward Hilary Knight, who has two seasons left of eligibility after the game are over recorded her first ever Olympic goal yesterday afternoon. Meghan Duggan, continued her hot pace with another goal for the United States.

One good piece of news for Team USA is that forward Erika Lawler was able to play after sitting out a game and a half with an ankle injury. She was able to skate 12 shifts for over 11 minutes of ice time. I'm assuming coach Johnson is easing her into it and she should be pretty close to full go on Monday vs Sweden.
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Dany Heatley and the Canadian men's team got a major scare on Thursday night from the Swiss team. I was away and couldn't see the game but from the sounds of it, it was epic. Heatley, the only former Badger on the Canadian team got things started for the home team with a goal in the first period, his third of this Olympic games. NHL teammate Patrick Marleau and former North Dakota star Jonathon Toews got assists on the play.

Heatley would return the favor to Marleau in the second period, assisting on Marleau's goal that gave Canada a 2-0 lead. But the Swiss team would battle back, scoring two second period goals to tie the game at 2-0 and eventually force overtime.

There was no scoring in the OT and the game went to a shoot-out. I don't think it take a genius to figure out who has the advantage in a shoot-out between Canada and Switzerland. Especially when international rules let Sidney Crosby go more than once in the contest. So Canada got the win in a SO and will play the United States on Sunday. Should be an epic match up.

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Olympic Live Blogs Tomorrow (Thursday)

We've had some pretty good success live blogging on this site so we're going to try and live blog as much of the Olympic hockey competition as physically possible. (For the, we're 6-2 overall, 2-0 during the Olympics)

As it stands right now, tomorrow I will be live blogging the Men's USA game vs Norway at 2 PM. After the men's game, guest blogger Nicole from Cute Sports will be live blogging the USA women's game vs Finland at 4:30.

Feel free to stop on by if your at work and can't watch the game or if you just want to talk hockey or whatever you want. I'm going to take the blog live at about 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Keep in mind that the men's game is on the USA Network, as well as USA Network HD starting at 2:00 PM, and the women's game coverage starts at 4:30 on MSNBC.

Badger Men on USA Olympic Hockey Team
Joe Pavelski-San Jose Sharks
Ryan Suter-Nashville Predators
Brian Rafalski-Detroit Redwings

Badger Women on USA Olympic Hockey Team
Hilary Knight-Current Badger
Meghan Duggan-Current Badger
Jessie Vetter -Former Badger
Erika Lawler-Former Badger
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej-Former Badger
Molly Engstrom-Former Badger
Kerry Weiland-Former Badger

Big Day For Badgers In Vancouver

The Badger hockey Olympians stayed unbeaten as the US men's and women's teams won 3-1 and 13-0 respectively, and the Canadian men's team blanked Norway 8-0.

Former Badger forward Dany Heatley had a big night in front of the home Canadian crowd scoring two goals in the blowout victory.

Team Canada started slow, going into the first intermission tied 0-0, but came out in the second and built a strong 3-0 lead. Canada blew the game open in the third and never looked back. They will play Thursday at 7:00 PM vs Switzerland on CNBC.

The United States men started off the tournament on the right foot beating Switzerland 3-1. Joe Pavelski was centering the second line with Ryan Malone (St. Cloud State), and Phil Kessel (Minnesota) on his wings.

Pavelski was in front of the net screening Swiss goalie Johan Hiller when Malone scored his power play goal. Former Badger defenseman Ryan Suter assisted on the goal when his slap shot from the point bounced onto Malones stick before he put it away. The USA men's team next plays on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM vs Norway on the USA Network (HD).

The United States women got their second blowout victory of the tournament this afternoon. They demolished Russia 13-0. Former Badger Patty Kaz winner Jessie Vetter was peppered with a whopping 7 shots the whole game and turned all 7 aside in the shut-out.

Badger forward Hilary Knight, who will still have two years of eligibility left when she returns from the Olympics had four assists in the win. The only other Badger to score was defenseman Molly Engstrom.

The biggest news of the day was that coach Johnson held forward Erika Lawler out of the game today. She had injured her ankle in a pileup in a race for a loose puck on Sunday. From the sound of it, she could have played if they needed her but the smart thing to do was to rest it.

The USA women next play on Thursday at 4:30 PM vs Finland which can be found on MSNBC.

USA Women Vs Russia Olympics Game 2 Live Blog

USA Men vs Switzerland Olympics Game 1 Live Blog

Olympic Live Blogs Tomorrow (Tuesday)

We've had some pretty good success live blogging on this site so we're going to try and live blog as much of the Olympic hockey competition as physically possible. (For the record, I'm 4-2)

As it stands right now, tomorrow I will be live blogging the Men's USA game vs Switzerland at 2 PM. After the men's game, guest blogger Nicole from Cute Sports will be live blogging the USA women's game vs Russia at 4:30.

Feel free to stop on by if your at work and can't watch the game or if you just want to talk hockey or whatever you want. I'm going to take the blog live at about 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Keep in mind that the men's game is on the USA Network, as well as USA Network HD starting at 2:00 PM, and the women's game coverage starts at 4:30 on MSNBC.

Badger Men on USA Olympic Hockey Team
Joe Pavelski-San Jose Sharks
Ryan Suter-Nashville Predators
Brian Rafalski-Detroit Redwings

Badger Women on USA Olympic Hockey Team
Hilary Knight-Current Badger
Meghan Duggan-Current Badger
Jessie Vetter -Former Badger
Erika Lawler-Former Badger
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej-Former Badger
Molly Engstrom-Former Badger
Kerry Weiland-Former Badger

Olympic Preview: Team USA Women

The Olympics start soon, 2 weeks from now I'll be glued to the TV watching Team USA both the Men and Women. I'm a huge fan of biathlon for some reason too, but I digress. I'm going to start w/ the Women's team, because I'm A LOT more interested in them due to the numerous Badger ties. Yeah the Men's team has some too (included the beloved Joe Pavelski), but I'm really excited about the Ladies in Red, White & Blue. Hopefully get to the Men later in the week.

I've had the opportunity to see these fine women play 3 times in the past 2 months (twice in person, once on NHL Network). Thursday night on the NHL Network will be the last warm up, as Team USA takes on Finland, check it out at 8 PM.

Canada got the better of them during their pre-Olympic matches. Canada looks good, but I think Team USA has all the pieces to upset the lady canucks on their home soil. Team USA has 7 former/current Badger players and the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal winner Mark Johnson as their coach; 21 gold medals are waiting to be hung around these women's necks.

Team Canada needs to get some love as they feature former Badgers Meaghan Mikkelson and Carla MacLeod. Hope you are ok w/ silver.

NBC is once again our hosts for the Olympic games. Coverage is being supplemented by USA, MSNBC and CNBC. During the Olympics, MSNBC will likely get more viewers than in the rest of the year combined.

Below is the schedule for Team USA's and Team Canada's preliminary round games (all times CST):

Feb 13th: Canada vs Slovkia 7 PM (CNBC)
Feb 14th: USA vs China 2 PM (USA)
Feb 15th: Canada vs Switzerland 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 16th: USA vs Russia 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 17th: Canada vs Sweden 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 18th: USA vs Finland 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 22nd: Semis 2 PM (USA) & 7 PM (CNBC)
Feb 25th: Bronze 1 PM & Gold 5 PM both on MSNBC (DVR the latter, USA vs Canada, book it!)

NBC's Olympic website also has some nice profiles of all the Women's Team, I'd definitely check it out.

For easy reference the links to the Badgers:

Jessie Vetter
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej
Hilary Knight
Erika Lawler
Meghan Duggan
Kerry Weiland
Molly Engstrom

Hilary Knight is the youngest player on the team, and IMHO the best. I'd love to see her lineup w/ Erika Lawler, they dominated last season. Come on Ladies, bring home the GOLD!!!

Olympics: Rafalski, Suter, Pavelski Named To Team USA

Like I had mentioned the other day after Team Canada was announced, former Badgers Joe Pavelski, Brian Rafalski, and Ryan Suter were officially announced as members of Team USA for the upcoming Olympic games in Vancouver. In addition, Madison native Phil Kessel was also named to the team.

Pavelski, who won a national championship with the 2006 Badgers, is having a hell of a season for the Sharks centering the second line. He currently has 21 points through 26 games. This will be the first Olympic games for the forward from Plover. You know they will be watching intently at Arbuckles.

Brian Rafalski is on of only a handful of players on the US squad this season with prior Olympic experience. Rafalski, who played with the Badgers from 91-92 to 94-95 will be playing in his third Olympic games. He was with the US squad 4 years ago in Italy, and also won a Silver medal with the US squad in Salt Lake city in 2002. The defenseman from Dearborn, Michigan has 15 points through 36 games for the Red Wings this season.

The invitation for Ryan Suter goes a bit deeper than the average player. With the accolades of his father and uncle, you know it's a special experience for him to be selected to the team. As you know, his father Bob was a defenseman on the 1980 squad who won the gold medal in Lake Placid. The Madison native currently has 20 points in the first 41 games for Nashville.

Olympics: Heatley Named To Team Canada

Arguably the greatest forward to ever wear a Wisconsin sweater has once again been named to represent his native Canada at the Olympics.

Dany Heatley, who spent two outstanding seasons in Madison, will be playing in his second Olympic games. His first go round, 4 years ago in Turin ended in a disappointing non-medal finish for Team Canada. In Italy, Heatley registered 3 points in 6 games.

The Calgary, Alberta native has had one of the rockiest careers in the history of the National Hockey League. The former second overall draft pick in the 2000 draft has forced trades out of his first two cities. He asked for a trade from Atlanta after his car crash that killed teammate and friend Dan Snyder. This past season Heatley demanded a trade out of Ottawa after he became unhappy with his role and playing time under new coach Cory Clouston. He was eventually moved to San Jose for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo, and second and fifth round draft picks in 2010.

Heatley is having a bounce back season for the Sharks and is currently seventh in the NHL in scoring with 44 points in 39 games. He also ranks fifth in the NHL in goal scoring, netting 23 goals so far at almost the half way point in the season.

A surprise to no one, Team Canada is very major junior heavy this season once again. Heatley is one of only four players to play college hockey to be named to the roster. Heatley (Wisconsin), is joined by Jonathan Toews (North Dakota), Dan Boyle (Miami) and Duncan Keith (Michigan State).

Team USA will announce their roster on Friday during the NHL Winter Classic game. Expect Former Badgers Joe Pavelski, Ryan Suter, and Brian Rafalski to be named to the roster.

Photo Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

7 Badgers make US Women's Hockey Olympic Team

Congratulations to Hilary Knight, Meghan Duggan, Jessie Vetter, Erika Lawler, Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej, Molly Engstrom, and Kerry Weiland!

Yesterday, USA Hockey announced the 21-player Olympic roster, cutting 2 skaters from the Qwest Tour roster. The above 7 Badgers made the final cut. Badger Angie Keseley was one of the 2 players missing the final cut. (I believe Rachel Drazan was the other.)

If you're able to road-trip this holiday season, head on over to the Excel Energy Center on Dec 30 (7 PM) to see Team USA take on Team Canada.

And don't forget to head on over to the Kohl Center on Tuesday, January 5 (7 PM) to see the Badger Women host Team USA.

Hockey Canada Cup G5/G6: SWE 3 - FIN 1, USA 4 - CAN 2

Yesterday wrapped-up the preliminary round of the Hockey Canada Cup, with Sweden defeating Finland 3-1 and the US defeating Canada 4-2. Hilary Knight had 1 goal and 2 assists, Kerry Weiland had 1 goal, Molly Engstrom had 1 assist, and Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej had 1 assist. Jessie Vetter did not play.

SWE 3 - FIN 1
hockeycanada: recap

USA 4- CAN 2
usahockey: game notes, recap, photos
hockeycanada: recap
Canadian Press: Canadian women put loss to US at Hockey Canada Cup in perspective
The Globe and Mail: United States beats Canadian women
ADN: Weiland helper aids US women

"I really liked the way we competed from start to finish. We played with a sense of urgency and scored some great goals in the third period. A lot of good things came out of that game and we look forward to continuing on Saturday." -- Mark Johnson

"I thought it was a very entertaining game. It looked like it would be a goaltending dual for those first 40 minutes." -- Mark Johnson

"Whoever plays, we know we can beat Canada. It's going to be a battle all year long." -- Molly Schaus, regarding the US's situation in net.

Here are the records from the preliminary round:
USA 2-1-0
CAN 2-1-0
SWE 1-2-0
FIN 1-2-0

The US will now get another shot at Finland, to whom they lost 3-2 in G1, in the early semifinal on Saturday. Here's the remaining schedule:

Sat 9/5
G7 - Semifinal 1 - 5 PM CT - USA v. FIN
G8 - Semifinal 2 - 9:30 PM CT - CAN v. SWE

Sun 9/6
G 9 - Bronze - 5 PM CT - L7 v. L8
G10 - Gold - 9:30 PM CT - W7 - W8

Here are a few other links from the Hockey Canada Cup that I haven't posted yet:

usahockey: Molly Engstrom's photo album
hockeycanada: Canada and US women in Olympic state of mind at Hockey Canada Cup
Canwest: Finland upsets US in women's hockey
AP: Finland upsets US women's hockey team in Canada Cup
dailycardinal: Two Badgers selected for Team USA, could be headed to Olympics

Hilary Knight gets a nice mention in this IIHF article: Changing of the guard? Youngsters aplenty for women's national teams

“I've had Hilary since she was a freshman down at Wisconsin, and in the last 15 or 18 months she's really grown as a player. People have seen that who've been around our program and the international game. She scored a nice goal, and she plays well with Jenny [Potter] out there.” -- Mark Johnson

"I thought it was a very entertaining game. It looked like it would be a goaltending dual for those first 40 minutes." -- Mark Johnson

Whoever plays, we know we can beat Canada. It's going to be a battle all year long. -- Molly Schaus, regarding the US's situation in net.

Hockey Canada Cup G4: CAN 10 - FIN 2

Last night, Canada defeated Finland 10-2. Badger blueliners Carla MacLeod and Meaghan Mikkelson were held of the scoresheet.

hockeycanada: recap

The preliminary round wraps up tomorrow, with SWE v. FIN at 5 PM CT and USA v. CAN at 9:30 PM CT.

Hockey Canada Cup G3: USA 7 - SWE 0

The US defeated Sweden today by the same score as Canada did last night, winning 7-0. The US outshot Sweden 43-12.

"I'm certainly happy with the energy we brought," said Team USA Head Coach Mark Johnson. "We played a full 60 minutes, competed the whole time and were rewarded for a very good team effort."

usahockey: game notes, recap, photos
hockeycanada: box

Hilary Knight scored 2 goals, and Molly Engstrom scored 1 goal. Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej and Kerry Weiland each had an assist. Jessie Vetter did not play.

Next up for Team USA: Thursday 9/3 at 9:30 PM CT -- Canada