Olympic: Elimination Round Picks/Previews

Well I had a few comments on the Ice Scoopz forums about my picks/betting for the next round so I figured I'd do a little summary on each of the upcoming elimination games tomorrow.

Switzerland vs Belarus

Switzerland:
While Switzerland looks to be the better team on paper they had a rollarcoaster tournament this time around. The Swiss lost to the States in a fairly even contest but then just about upset the Canadians till they lost in the shootout. Their final game they just about lost to the Norwegians till they won in a shootout. They've had games in all three categories Good, Better and Worse so their a tough call to predict. for the Swiss to win it's going to take another strong effort from Jonas Hiller who had a pretty impressive tournament so far. The veterans and NHLers on the Swiss side have to play a sound game overall and provide the offense while playing the typical Swiss defensive style at the same time. It sounds tough but Belarus doesn't have many guns and shadowing Sergei Kostitsyn should be a focus as he's their leading scoring and major source of offense.

Belarus:
As for Belarus they had a weak start to the tournament getting badly outplayed and lost to the Finns while in the nest they almost staged the impossible and upset the Swedes. Germany who was expected to beat them however came up short and lost to the Belorussians mainly in part to a 4 point night from Sergei Kostitsyn and 2 goals from Aleksey Kalyuzhny. The Belorussians are going to have to get more offense from guys who were expected to contribute more this tournament such as Konstantin Koltsov and Ruslan Salei. Team Belarus needs to stay out of the box and keep working their man advantage and build upon their momentum of upsetting Germany. Sergei Kostitsyn has to be his best and not disappear something that he's known for in the NHL, for his club to take this one.

Winner: Belarus
I think that Belarus might take this one as Belarus has slowly been getting better with each game while the Swiss you never know which team is going to show up. the one who almost beat Canada or the one who almost lost to the lowly Norwegians. Belarus beat the Germans who I believe has more offensive firepower than the Swiss while playing the same style tight defense. The Belorussians also have more offense to unload as well so if it turns into a shot for shot it might be tough for the Swiss to keep up.

Future:
Whoever wins this one has to face the United States in which the Swiss have already lost to. Belarus wouldn't have a chance unless for a major upset. The Swiss are more likely to upset the States but it would be very tough.
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Czech Republic vs Latvia

Czech Republic:
The Czechs so far have been great and in my mind could be the team to upset in the semi's. The Czechs played a really great game against their enemies the Slovaks beating them and then beating their opponents the Latvians fairly soundly. The only loss comes from playing against the Russians took advantage of the many penalties that game. The Czech Republic has played a lot stronger than predicted by most media sources and have the overall talent to compete with the "Big" 3. To win this one they just have to stay focused as this should be an easy game for them. all the Czech have to do is take the game to the Latvians and they cant go wrong. Even a goal for goal battle would end up in the Czechs favor still. Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias have to lead this team into not taking Latvia too lightly and keep their boys out of the box, something that has plagued the Czech Republic and really is the only downfall so far.

Latvia:
Latvia has done exactly what was predicted of them struggle. The Latvians started this tournament off with a big 8-2 loss to the Russians while keeping it sort of close to the Czechs in the next. in the last game they were shut out by Jaroslav Halak and the Slovakians so it hasn't been a great run so far. In this tournament they keep speaking of the Miracle on Ice anniversary and well it'll take a miracle on ice to win this one. Latvia's going to have to give it their all, and play this game perfectly. No penalties and capitalize on every chance they get including the man advantage the Czechs weakness. It'll be almost impossible but every players going to have to play to their full potential and get a big game out of Martins Karsums and the struggling Janis Sprukts.

Winner: Czech Republic
How can you argue against a previous win against the Latvians? It's going to be extremely hard for the Latvians to upset and it will be a major upset if they do somehow do it. I cant see Jagr and Co letting this one slide as they will most likely make it to the medal round in my mind.

Future:
The winner of this gets to play Finland and I think it bods well for the Czechs because Finland isn't much greater than they are. In fact the Czechs have looked way better against tougher opponents than the Finns. After that the Czech will run into the States an overrated team in my mind and if they can solve Ryan Miller it could be silver or gold time not Miller time.
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Slovakia vs Norway

Slovakia:
The Slovaks have been this years dark horse, a team that if playing well can beat some of the bigger fish in this Games. The Slovaks started the Games off with a tough but close loss to the Czechs a team they can beat and have beat in the past. They then had a major upset over the powerhouse Russians which shocked the hockey world. Their final game they roasted the Latvians and got a much deserved shut out. To win this one the Slovaks have to put offensive pressure on Norway and use big Zdeno Chara to shut their only line down completely. The Slovaks just have to play a hard game not think about the past or the future. This one is at their mercy.

Norway:
Norway has had a rough tournament as predicted, they'd be lucky to finish above last in most peoples minds. they got trounced by every team they player (Canada and the US) and almost upset the Swiss but I doubt they can repeat that again against a better squad like the Slovakians but however if they were to do that this would be the game to upset a major team. Pal Grotnes would have to absolutely stand on his head this game. He's not known for being a elite goalie or even a great or good goalie but he does have heart. The Norwegians would have to shut down the offense of the Slovakians and hope to God that they can muster up that go ahead goal and hold it. Its a long shot that's for sure.

Winner: Slovakia
The Slovakians are the better club by far and thumped the Latvians who are a better lower level team than Norway. The Norwegians have almost no offence while the Slovakians have shown quite bit. They have been getting better since the Russian game and it shows with confidence. This should be an easy one, probably the easiest of this round.

Future:
The future is very bleak for Norway but the Slovaks could do it. It would take quite a feat but they do have the heart and the hot goaltender in Jaroslav Halak. Halak's been the best goalie of this tournament in my mind. Yes I said. I know Henrik Lundqvist has 2 shut outs but he's played against 2 weak offenses and then Finland while Halak has played against the mega power Russian and the way underrated Czechs. If the Slovak defense can keep shutting em down beating Sweden may be a possibility. A really small one but if your a betting man it may be worth taking a flyer on this one and one on a safe bet.
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Canada vs Germany

Canada:
Canada has had 2 weak games and has started to worry some with their inconsistent play. they should be the number one tournament but once again struggled. The trounced Norway as they should have but let the Swiss once again take them to the limits and barely got out of their with a win. They then were beaten by the US and Ryan Miller. It looks like Canada's offense depends on which goalie they face. If its a lower tier goalie their alright but when they face better goalies the offense struggles. There was no excuse for the Swiss game at all. Canada needs their veterans to play harder. Play like this is their last chance at a gold and they've never one it before. If their not going to play then make room for the youngins. Canada needs to dump Brodeur sadly enough, the changing of the guard has happened and Roberto Loungo has been the better goalie so far and will be the better option in nets. The Canadians also have to play a physical but penalty free game against the Germans. If they keep it clean and unload on the Germans it should be an easy win. Greiss is good but not steal a game from Canada good like Hiller and Miller. Finally bringing Iglina back from 8 minutes again should help their chances, hes an elite scorer and a character guy. He'd be a force alongside Thornton and Heatley.

Germany:
The Germans have been playing way below expectations and have been shut out 2 times so far. first by the Swedes who Thomas Greiss stopped it from becoming embarrassing then by the Finns who did embarrass them. They then were stunned by the Belorussians. Nothing has gone as planned and it's going to be tough to regain confidence in this one. The Germans would have to get Greiss to play the best hockey of his career against the Canadian offense. The German D would have to play a tight ultra conservative defensive game while the top line of Goc, Sturm and Hecht carry a huge burden of an offensive load. They'd have to show up and try to steal a goal or two to help their club sqweak one out. If the Germans can capitalize on Canadian giveaways and penalties it would help their chances greatly.

Winner: Canada
Canada shouldn't lose this one but it could be possible as they got burnt by the Swiss 4 years ago. The Canadians just have too much firepower to go against and an elite goalie in nets. Plus this anger of the loss to the US should help motivate the Canadians to win. Germany hasn't been good at all and if that one line was continued to be shut down it should be a walk in the park.

Future:
Obviously Canada is one of the top 3 that everyone predicted to win the tournament but they haven't played like contenders at all. A win over Norway is nothing while a struggled win over the Swiss is everything. I still think however the Canucks can pull this one off. They face the Russians in the next round if they win and I believe they can beat them but it'll be close. The winner of that should be the winner of the tourney. German has no hope in beating the Russians at all.
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The Rest:
Finland, United States, Sweden and Russia have all made it to the next round with a bye being the top 3 teams in the tournament. I personally like Russia's and Sweden's chances the best. The Swedes have played really well so far and have a hot goalie. They also have lots of chemistry something a lot of teams still dont at this point. They Russians have been mediocre for a powerhouse and I expected a lot more. They do have incredible offense and an unrated back end. The goalies both have been sluggish so far and they Russians need them to clique. The Swedes are a safe choice as they have most likely Slovakia. The Russians have a road block in Canada so I'd stay away from betting. The US is a contender but they might fall to a bigger fish, I think the US can beat Finland but not the Czechs. The US would struggle against a decent goalie. I don't think they'd touch the Russians or the Swedes. Canada would most likely win a second bout judging by the offense and the fact Ryan Miller cant stay hot forever. as for Finland anythings possible but I don't think they have the youth to win it.

Sleeper: Czech Rep
If the Czechs pay well go for it. They've been consistent all tournament and have looked good in the process.

Longshot: Slovakia
Slovakia has been really good and they have a really unrated roster. If they can upset Russia who else?

Safe Bet: Sweden
Its going to be tough to knock the Swedes out of this. They want a second gold badly, I think they can take the Canadians, and the Russians.