Was This the Best Football Offseason Ever?

I say Yes! Why was it? Was this the best draft class ever? Was it because the Bears got some of the top free agents? How about USC being suspended from post season play? All good reasons to think it was a good offseason, but no. There has not been a lull in sports since the final seconds ticked off the Saints Super Bowl win over the Colts. Think about it, the Super Bowl was played on February 7th, 2010. Let’s take a look at what’s happened since then.

Just five days after the Super Bowl the Winter Olympics began. The Olympics started February 12th and went all the way through the month of February (normally the most boring sports month of the year). Even if you don’t normally get caught up in the Olympics, it was hard not to follow the USA hockey team on it’s way to the Silver Medal. It was even harder to avoid Olympic hockey if you were a Blackhawks fan who send 6 players, all of whom played in the Gold or Bronze medal games. The USA set the record for medals in a Winter games while their neighbors to the north took home the most Gold Medals in a good showing for the host nation.

Weekday Watch: Olympic Hockey Quarterfianls

Today is the Quarterfinals round for Olympic Hockey and there are tons of great games all over the place. (All Times Eastern)


USA vs Switzerland (3 PM)

The United States already beat the Swiss 3-1, but Swiss goalie Jonas Hiller has been play better since them. The USA should win, but shouldn't take the Swiss too lightly

Who I want to win: USA
Who I think will win: USA


Canada vs Russia (7:30 PM)

A lot of people predicted this would be the Gold Medal game and feel that these teams are still the best two this year. I think this will be the match of the tournament. The NHL's two biggest young stars are going at it (Sid the Kid and Alexander the Great). If you enjoyed USA vs Canada, please turn this game on, you'll love it. SI's Mike Farber does a great job breaking the game down more in depth here.

Who I want to win: Tough choice, but Canada
Who I think will win: Canada

Czech Republic v Finland (10 PM)

Each of these teams finished in second place in thier respective groupings. Each have a handful of NHL players. Both teams have played in Gold Medal games before (Czech '98, Finland '06). Each team has the potential to get back there.

Who I want to win: Czech Republic
Who I think will win: Finland

Sweden vs Slovakia (Midnight)

Two Blackhawks will be playing for Slovakia which is a team many had a possible suprise team in the tournamnet. Sweden has been playing well and not lost yet, so it will be a tough chore for Hossa and his friends.

Who I want to win: Slovakia
Who I think will win: Sweden

Enjoy some hockey today, and turn on Russia vs Canada, trust me you'll love it.

One intresting statistic I found on si.com to close.

10.6 -- Canadian viewers, in millions, that watched the U.S.-Canada game Sunday on CTV, the most-watched sports program in Canadian history, according to CTV. The previous record of 10.3 million viewers watched Canada beat the U.S. in the gold medal game at Salt Lake.

United States vs. Canada Tonight

So tonight is the highly anticipated matchup between the United States and Canada in men’s hockey. I have heard some people call in the biggest game in sports. Those of you who know me know that I disagree with that statement. I believe that the United States win over the Soviet Union 30 years ago tomorrow is one of the best moments in US sports. It had more meaning 30 years ago and still would if there is an upset tonight.

I don’t see tonight’s matchup anymore than just a game between border rivals where both teams are made up of NHLers and for bragging rights for teammates that are on opposing sides. A factor that downplays the importance of this game is the fact that each team makes the medal round anyways, so the US could lose this game and still have a chance at a medal - just means they won’t get a bye. In fact the network doesn’t see this as an important game as they will be showing the ever so popular Ice Dancing on its primary station.

Seriously………..Ice Dancing?

You will have to tune in on MSNBC to watch this game. While I believe anything can happen I don’t see the United States pulling this out. The offense and defense have looked out of sync both games so far so goalie Ryan Miller must have a great game to have a chance. Canada is coming of a shootout win over the Swiss the other night so they will look to have a better performance. So enjoy tonight’s game if the US wins they get a bye, and if they lose then they don’t get a bye no big deal.

To steal something from Steve-

Who do I want to win: United States
Who do I think will win: Canada-A

EDIT: US Wins! I was delivery driving, but apparently I missed an awesome game. -MF