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Why Worry? We Didn’t. Canada Will Win Gold.

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Did we not tell you? There was nothing to worry about. This Canadian men’s hockey team at the Games of the 21st Winter Olymooad is about as good as it gets.

It only took a little controlled scrimmage against Germany on Tuesday night to get all the ducks in line.

After what happened on Wednesday night, I just hope our Canadian boys are practicing their podium dance.

For the first time in 50 years, Canada has beaten Russia in an Olympic hockey game. The last time Canada beat Russia in an Olympic hockey game, it was Squaw Valley in 1960. However, for what we got to watch Wednesday night, it was well worth the wait.

Corey Perry scored twice as Team Canada drilled Russia 7-3 in a quarterfinal match that had a lot of Canadians worried. But why? This was a dominating performance by the Canadians who outshot their old rivals 42-28. Canada will now meet Slovakia — that’s right Slovakia — in the semifinal on Friday night. Slovakia managed only 14 shots on goal but still beat defending gold medalist Sweden 4-3 in the late game Wednesday, a game that ended on Thursday morning.

In the other semifinal, the United States will face Finland. The Canada-Slovakia semi goes tomorrow at 8:30 live on 92-CITI-FM.

Well, you know what? If Sidney Crosby, Chris Pronger, Joe Thornton and Scott Niedermayer show up for this Olympic hockey series on Friday, there is no telling what Canada will do to its opposition.

On Wednesday, during that 7-3 win over the Russians, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Toews, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaff, Shea Weber and Duncan Keith, the younger players on the team, were absolutely outstanding as Canada moved into the semifinal. If the the big, veteran stars show up and play to their potential this weekend, no other team will be close.

When you consider that on Tuesday night, Head Coach Mike Babcock was able to work out his line matchups, get his team some confidence with Roberto Luongo in goal and just allow his boys to go out put up an eight-spot in that game against Germany, it was almost a lock that in 24 hours the Canadians would follow that up with another big win. They’re on a roll now and that roll started on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, as we expected, Canada blew out the Russians and now our country’s best hockey players have a nice, clean skate to the gold. Stop worrying, friends.

Here’s my only prediction: It will be Canada-Finland on Sunday afternoon.

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Euro 2008: Taylor’s picks. My Sport Select money is on Germany and Spain with a nod to Portugal and maybe even Russia.

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Scott Taylor| Comments Off

I was thinking back through the history of this European Nations Football Championship (known from now on as Euro ’08) and it has never ceased to amaze me how often the unexpected happens.

 

In fact, nobody expected the Netherlands in ’88 and I can’t remember even one person hinting to me that Denmark might win in ’92. The Czechs won in ’96 and although they had a terrific team, I don’t think anyone went into the tournament ready to bet the farm on them beating England, France, Italy or Germany. And how about 2004 when Greece won it all? There always seems to be some craziness in the Euro that makes picking an eventual champion such a crap shoot.

 

Nonetheless…

 

Let’s take a look at the 16 teams, divided into four groups and see if we can’t pick two quarterfinalists from each.

 

Group A: You have to love Portugal for one reason: Cristiano Ronaldo. He can score and with Portugal’s back seven, not many will score against this team. I’m going with the Czechs as my No. 2 team although the experts really like Turkey.

 

Group B: Germany is the clear favourite here and unless they fall asleep should go through unbeaten. Croatia is favoured to come out of the group at No. 2 and I must admit I don’t see enough from Poland and Austria to argue that suggestion. 

 

Group C: The Netherlands is the best team, perhaps even the best team in the event, but they have a whole crew of guys who don’t like each other and a defence that would rather attack than defend. Italy is without Cannavaro and Totti and I’m not sure they can overcome that. France is my No. 2 team. Romania, as good as they are, won’t win a game in the toughest grouping of the four.

 

Group D: Any team with Xavi, Torres and Villa have enough scoring ability to win the entire event. I’m always a big fan of the Russians and this year, they might be the dark horse pick. Greece, as wonderful as the ’04 story was, just don’t have enough talent and the Swedes could upset Russia to reach the quarters. Although I don’t believe it.

 

On the top of the draw, I like Germany to beat Portugal in one semifinal and Spain to take out France in the other semi. I think Germany brings the best all-around team to the event, but I sure like Spain.

 

We’ll take Germany as our winner and if our other predictions don’t come to pass, look out for Russia as the surprise.

 

And, hey, don’t forget to listen to 92-CITI-FM in Winnipeg every afternoon, Monday-through-Friday, at 4:15 p.m. as Joe Aiello and I bring you all the excitement of Euro ’08 on our daily “River City Sports Euro ’08 Report.” 

 

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