So the Olympic hockey teams have been announced and we're taking a look at the Bruins who made it to the big 4 year dance this year. This season five Bruins players and their head coach will represent the spoked B in Russia.
United States: The Bruins have about 3 American born players who regularly play on their roster. For some reason people believed that Torey Krug would make the team, but failed to realize that he's not great defensively and his usage charts have him playing against third liners. There's no such thing as a "third line" in the Olympics because they are virtual All-Star teams.
Canada: Patrice Bergeron once again has a shot at a gold medal after winning it in 2010 with Canada. Apparently in 2010 Bergeron played on a line with Sidney Crosby and Rick Nash yet only came away with 1 point in 7 games. I feel like that's a mistake. How does that happen? Crosby finished the tournament with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) and Nash finished with 5 (2 goals, 3 assists).
Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand were invited to Canada's camp tryouts, but apparently didn't make the cut.
Claude Julien did however as he will be an assistant coach for Team Canada. I just hope he brings his Winter Classic hat.
Finland: Not a real surprise here. Tuukka Rask was named as one of the goaltenders to Team Finland and some believe he could start. Personally, I think Niemi will get the start for the Fins.
Rask led Team Finland to a WJC bronze medal back in 2006. He posted a 2.11 GAA and .940 SV% that tournament. Solid stats. Goalie who won gold that year? Justin Pogge. Silver? Old friend Anton Khudobin. Rask was named Best Goaltender of the tournament and All-Star Goalie of the tourney.
Czech Republic: David Krejci was named to the Czech Olympic squad, which shouldn't be a surprise because Krejci was also part of the squad in 2010. In 2010, Krejci had 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 games for a Czech that will have to lean on Ondrej Pavelic. In 2010 they at least had Vokoun, who hasn't played at all this season with blood clot issues.
Slovakia: Zdeno Chara has been named to Team Slovakia. He's also been named the country's captain which probably has Jimmy Murphy in a fit somewhere. Slovakia hosts ex-Bruin Miro Satan as well, who now hates Chara for a high hit during last year's lockout. Seriously, you can't make this shit up. In 2010, Chara had 3 assists in 7 games for the Slovaks.
Sweden: Okay, I was a little surprised at this given his concussion history this season, but Loui Eriksson has been named to Team Sweden. Eriksson was part of Sweden's 2010 Olympic team. He scored 3 goals and had 1 assist in 4 games in Vancouver. Can he produce the same way? It's unknown because he's been out with his second concussion. You know who Sweden didn't want?
Carl Snubbederberg.
There you have it. Unless a surprise is announced with Russia (which I don't think there will be because the Bruins don't have many Russian players), it looks like Boston will send five guys burgers and fries. And a coach on the side.
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