Hot off the Grill - Olympics on Ice

Today is a huuuge day in Vancouver, and our Hot off the Grill preview article is back! The quarterfinals of the men's hockey tournament are upon us, featuring the titanic showdown between Canada and Russia tonight. Also, men's curling has a dramatic tiebreak to get into the medal round featuring Gold Medal contender Great Britain. So break out the slabs of Canadian bacon and follow me! Hopefully we don't Shuster this preview...

Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #6 Canada v #3 Russia 7pm CNBC

-Get out the way Ron Insana, Larry Kudlow, and Jim Cramer. The biggest game of the Olympics, and one of the great rivalries in international competition is coming to... CNBC? Uhhh... ok. The hopes, dreams, and sanity of an entire nation are on the line tonight as Canada plays Russia in what many thought was going to be the Gold Medal game. Canada is showing signs of panic pulling Marty Brodeur and demoting Rick Nash off the top line. Eric Staal will partner Sidney Crosby and Jarome Iginla, while Roberto Luongo will step in between the pipes. Canada demolished Germany 8-2, but that still isn't enough to ease the nerves of a nation. Canada needs their amazing roster to actually start playing like the best players in the world, especially Crosby and Iginla.

Russia though hasn't been playing world class hockey, either. They were 2-1 in the prelims, losing to Slovakia in OT. Alex Ovechkin's biggest contribution to the Olympics has been knocking out Jaromir Jagr in a bonecrushing hit. All of the attention will be on Ovechkin and Crosby, but it could be Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin that is the difference in this game. Malkin is overshadowed so often by Crosby and Ovechkin, but is just as talented. However, Russia doesn't have the class from top to bottom that Canada does. Which stars perform best? Will the pressure get to the Canucks, or is home-ice too much to overcome? A hard game to pick, and I usually have a terrible record picking, so I'm going with... PICK - Canada

Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - #1 USA v #8 Switzerland 3pm NBC

-USA Hockey is back in the spotlight with a nationally televised afternoon game against heavy underdog Switzerland. The US beat the Swiss easily early on in the tournament, but SUI did take Canada into a shootout. The US's physical style should give the Swiss problems, and they should not have trouble getting a victory and moving on to the semis. I like that Brian Burke and the rest of the team are keeping their nose to the grindstone and keeping the same hard-working mentality that saw them past Canada. Ryan Miller has been the MVP of the tourney so far, and I would expect Blackhawks F Patrick Kane to bag a goal or two today. The US can make a statement to the rest of the tournament today with an impressive victory. PICK - USA

Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - #4 Finland v #5 Czech Republic 10pm CNBC

-I'm sure not that many people were watching the Czech Republic-Latvia play-in game late last night. The Czechs had a 2-0 lead, but Latvia scored 2 3rd period goals to force OT. Even though the Czechs had many more NHLers, they struggled mightily to close out Latvia. Eventually they got the OT win, but now has to turn around and face Finland with Jaromir Jagr a question mark. Let's be honest, this isn't the likeliest upset in the world, but I don't see any of the other 3 hockey games being an upset possibility. The Finns are the weakest of the Top 4 seeds, and if Tomas Vokoun steps up, the Czechs have enough firepower to win. PICK-Czech Republic

Andouille's Under the Radar Game - Curling Playoff - GBR v Sweden 5pm MSNBC

-Men's Curling also takes center stage today with a play-in game to the medal round featuring World Champ David Murdoch facing off against Sweden. The Scots lost to 2 seed Norway last night to set up the playoff with Sweden. Norway was given a boost by having King Harald V in attendance - yea, curling is that big of a deal. Sweden and Niklas Edin won Gold at the 2009 Euros and won't be a pushover. Sweden beat GBR 6-4 in the prelims, but Murdoch is a guy that actually wants the pressure on him to throw the winning rock (unlike the American curlers we'll get to below). GBR to win, setting up another classic with #1 seed Canada with Kevin Martin, but it'll be tight and close throughout. PICK - GBR

Extra Toppings -

-The other QF hockey game pits defending champ Sweden against Slovakia in the 2/7 matchup. Sweden's big win was a 3-0 victory over Finland, and they should be able to beat the Slovaks in the nightcap.

-This might be the best Olympic look alike I've ever seen...

Germany Men's Curling Skip Andy Kapp

David Wallace of The Office

-At least USA curling went out with a bang. I do feel sorry for John Shuster, he's giving it his best and representing his country as an Olympian, not a million dollar pro. Hopefully he comes back in 4 years and is able to find redemption. But comments like, "I'm sick of this stupid game" during his last game won't endear himself to fans across America. Some of the best Shuster-related tweets...

ZamboniRodeo All those Mitch Williams jokes we used to tell in Philadelphia in 1993 could probably work for John Shuster now.

TheRealPSJ John Shuster strikes me as the type of person who always tries to pay for things with exact change even though he never has it.

jeffreybigmoney Yeah, John Shuster, I'm sick of your stupid game too!!

Psilocyn I'm glad the Olympics is almost over, if i see johnshuster throw 1 more missed shot i'll lose faith in america

SPBowley John Shuster needs a hug. #curling #Shustered

malitzd john shuster should be deported. ideally to a countrythat could teach him how to curl.

sportsguy33 Just signed a lucrative deal to ghost-write John Shuster's autobiography, "Sorry, Guys."

Man alive.

FYI, that last tweet was from the one and only Bill Simmons. The happiest person on the planet is USA Women's Skip Debbie McCormick. The former world champ took the US Women to a last place finish at 2-7, equaling the epic Shuster fail. McCormick took herself out of throwing last rocks and showed about as much ability in the clutch as Greg Norman. Hopefully these Olympics inspire more interest in USA curling... because millions of Americans now feel that they can make the Olympics as curlers.

-On the Women's Curling side, #1 seed Canada and Cheryl Bernard appear to be the favorites, but it is a tough Top 4. They face the Swiss in the semis while Sweden and China face off. My bet is Canada over China to win the Gold.

Randall's Got His Eye On... Roberto Luongo

-Roberto Luongo is the captain and hometown goalie of the Vancouver Canucks. He'll never face as much pressure in his entire NHL career than what he'll feel tonight replacing all-time goalie Marty Brodeur in the net for Canada. Luongo allowed 2 goals against Germany in an 8-2 win, but both goals were somewhat lucky. People north of the border are trying to talk themselves into thinking that Luongo is the man to lead Canada. Is it a bad time to remind Canadians that last year in the Stanley Cup Playoffs he allowed 7 goals to the Blackhawks in the deciding Game 6? Luongo must play the game of his life for Canada today to keep their Gold Medal dream alive.

That's it for our Hot off the Grill Preview. We're looking forward to an awesome day of Olympic action, it only comes along once every 4 years so enjoy it while you can! Bye for now!

7 Things We've Missed From The Olympics

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."

The point is that you were outskated and lost to the better man. Yo Adrian!

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.