We're into the second week of the Olympics, and it has been exciting thus far. With the hockey and curling approaching the medal rounds, and many memorable performances in the history books, it's time for us to take a look at 7 Things We've Missed from the Olympics so far. This week, we'll take a more detailed look at all of the action from Vancouver as we close out the Winter Games.
1) USA Hockey's Sorta Kinda Miracle
-Yesterday's game was heart-pounding, thrilling, intense, and invigorating. But, anyone saying this upset approaches 1980 needs to be arrested by the Mounties. Remember, these are NHLers beating fellow NHLers. However, the starpower and depth on the Canadian team far outmatches their US counterparts. Last night's stunning 5-3 victory is a microcosm of what the Olympics are all about. It was the best hockey game since last year's Stanley Cup Game 7 between Detroit and Pittsburgh and captivated the whole sporting landscape (at least those of us with access to MSNBC).
Seeing the American team outwork, outhustle, and outphysical the more fancied Canadians was inspiring. Ryan Miller from the Sabres is playing like he's the best goalie in the world and this USA team is full of guys that aren't as talented as Canada or Russia, but can get the job done through their physical, hard-working style. No play typified this USA team, or the American spirit in general (ok, maybe a tad jingoistic) than Ryan Kesler's diving empty net goal to clinch the win. The American victory was huge because it gives them an easy path to the Gold Medal Game - v SUI, v FIN most likely, while Canada and Russia must play in the Quarters. Regardless of which medal the USA ends up with, the men's hockey team has been one of the highlights of the 2012 Games. That makes this seem like more than 12 years ago.
2) Shaun White's Sickness
-The biggest individual highlight was Shaun White's Gold performance in the Men's Snowboard Halfpipe. While the X Games' infiltration into the Winter Games might shock some of the purists, it does add much needed diversity and excitement to the Winter Olympics. Shaun White is the poster boy for the Winter Olympian of the 21st Century. His big air and Double McTwist were absolutely stunning during his celebratory run. Even if you know nothing about snowboarding, you had to have been in awe of his performance.
3) Winning the Cold War
-Nothing gets the juices flowing like some old fashion USA-Russia feuding! While figure skating isn't exactly a sport we follow or even enjoy, Evan Lysacek's Gold Medal comeback to beat Evgeni Plushenko was a cool patriotic moment. Lysacek goes way up in our eyes because Plushenko dared to call him out before the second session for not attempting a quad jump. Lysacek didn't do the quad, but had the better program and well deserved his Gold. Even better than having the USA win the Gold was seeing Plushenko eat his words and sulk on the second podium step while Lysackek grinned from ear to ear. Drago, whoops, I mean Plushenko, was less than graceful in the aftermath...
"If Olympic champion doesn't know how to jump quad … I don't know," Plushenko said after the result. "Now it's not men's skating. Now it's dancing. That's my point."
4) Bode & Lindsay
-On the slopes, the anti-drama of Lindsay Vonn's shin failed to capture the imagination like Dwight Freeney's ankle. Nevertheless, Vonn took home a gold to validate her status as the world's top female skiier and can certainly add more medals later this week. For me though, the biggest skiing story is Bode Miller winning Gold in the Men's Super-Combined event. Miller personified everything wrong with the American Olympian once upon a time when he favored partying over winning in 2006. A matured Miller's redemption is one of the top 2010 stories. He won't turn into Drew Brees, but at least he was finally able to achieve a landmark win. These Gold Medals are well deserved for the best American skiiers of all-time.
5) Speed Skating Stories
-Apolo Anton Ohno surpassed the record mark for US Winter Olympians by winning his 7th medal with a Bronze in the 1000m. Make one thing clear, Apolo Ohno is not the Michael Phelps of the Wintertime. Ohno has won only 2 Golds, along with 2 Silvers, and 3 Bronzes. Short track speed skating is cool, and it is a nice accomplishment, but it doesn't change the American Olympic landscape forever. Shani Davis's second Gold medal in the 1000m might change the American Olympic landscape. In 2006, Davis became the first black athlete to win an individual Gold Medal in the Winter Games. That accomplishment means more than most other Olympic medals possibly could. In 2010 though, Davis became one of the great US Winter Olympians regardless of sport or race by repeating his '06 victory.
6) Random Observations
-NBC's Olympic coverage has fallen under question yet again. Important events like Vonn and Miller's Gold Medal runs are on tape delay and the US-Canada hockey classic was live... on MSNBC! The home of Keith Olbermann!! Yuck! Meanwhile, much less important events like Ice Dancing and Biathalon are shown live on NBC throughout the day. Let's not even get into the shoddy work that is their live online coverage (although the links to highlights above are very good).
-With the tragic death of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, these Olympics were put under a pall from the start. Some bobsledders have even pulled out of the upcoming competitions. The top speeds are thrilling to watch, but the Olympics is not the venue to be walking the tight rope between the ultimate triumph and tragedy. For the sake of the Games, let's hope that these athletes stay safe.
-As we said above, the addition of sports like Snow/Skicross and other extreme sports have helped raise the profile of the Winter Olympics and makes the 2 weeks more enjoyable for Olympic fans. Through Week 1, these are the most enjoyable Winter Olympics I can remember.
7) Curling Central
-Enjoyable if your name is not John Shuster or Debbie McCormick. Curling, which we profiled here, has emerged as the sport du jour amongst many Olympic fans. The fact that we get to see it every day on CNBC and MSNBC is a great thrill for curling fans that show up once every 4 years. Unfortunately, the 2 American teams performed terribly and are on their way to elimination. Men's skip John Shuster blew 4 out of 4 game winning chances to begin the event. You have to feel for Shuster because of all of the negativity on the internet and blogosphere. It's easy to forget that these curlers aren't pros by a long shot. Sadly, we'll have to wait until 2014 for the next US curling medal.
Elsewhere in the competition, the Canadian men and women have looked strong. The third highlight for me of the Olympics so far was watching the Great Britain/Canada men's curling match. GBR skip David Murdoch and Canada skip Kevin Martin had their teams playing at their best and Canada emerged victorious. Reigning world champs GBR has their work cut out to get to the medal round, and even then they may meet unbeaten Canada in the semis.
On the women's side, the Diane Lane of curling, Canadian skip Cheryl Bernard has her team in a 3 way race with Sweden and China as the Gold Medal favorite. The Chinese beat Canada last night and might have the edge with their execution. Currently, Bernard is rebounding by pounding Sweden into submission. For both Canadian teams though, the question is whether they can stand up to the pressure of winning on Canadian soil. It should be great sporting theater over the next week. Only March Madness will be able to cure my post-Olympic curling blues.
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