Canada Wins Gold!!! Vancouver 2010 Olympics

CANADA WINS THE GOLD MEDAL IN MEN'S ICE HOCKEY!!!

For this moment, the world can suck it!

2010 Vancouver Olympic Games - Consider the Podium Owned

What a fantastic Olympic games. What started out as what could possibly the worst winter Olympics ever, turned out to be pretty damn good after all.

The Canadians athletes made the country so proud that it sparked a lot of interest into the winter sports. People all over the place are now interested in some crazy sport a lot of us didn't know it even existed. Like Ski-Cross. That event was awesome and even inspired me to say to the wife that I want to try that. I don't care if I am 33 years old, I can do that. Couldn't I?

Probably the best part about watching the 2010 Olympic games was that I was able to introduce them to my two year old daughter. Every day I would come home after work and was greeted with a "GO GO CANADA!!!" from her. Not only did she grasp the concept of cheering for Canada (and not just the Oilers), she embraced it and watched a lot of the events with me. It made me proud as her father that she even gave a crap about the games with little understanding of what she was watching. Watch out 2026 Olympic games, little Miss Ava will be there winning a gold medal with her old man yelling from the stands.

Here are my favorite parts of the Olympics; The Medal winners:

1) The opening ceremonies were awesome yet, embarrassing. I touched on it at the beginning of the Olympics and you can read it here. 

2) I don't care if Jenn Heil won silver and not gold, she did great. She was so upset by not winning, but she won the first medal for Canada at these games. It was a start of something great for this country.

3) Alex Bilodeau was the first Canadian to (Men's Moguls) win Gold in Canada. He was great and skied really well. His story was fantastic and it was great to see him succeed. A great and touching moment for me.

4) The Speed Skating - Long and Short Track - were very fun to watch. There was some great moment and Canada won a variety of medals in the speed skating events.

In Short Track Speed Skating, (my favorite) Canada won silver in the Ladies 3000m relay, Marianne St Gelais won silver in the Ladies 500m, the Canadian Men won Gold in the 5000m relay and Charles Hamelin won Gold and François-Louis Tremblay won the bronze in the Men's 500m race.

In Long Track Speed Skating the Canadians also did well. Christine Nesbitt won gold in the Ladies 1000m race, Clara Hughes won bronze in Ladies 5000m, Kristina Groves won silver in the Ladies 1500m race and won bronze in the 3000m race and the only medals the Men won were in the Men's Pursuit race. They won gold in that event.

5) The Skeleton is always fun to watch. I paid a little more attention to the sliding sports after the tragic accident at the start of the games. Even after they altered the track, it was still dangerous and scary and I wouldn't be caught going down that track. Bobsledders, Lugers and Skeleton riders crashed hard and often. It made all the races very intense to watch.

I loved watching the Skeleton race. How did Canada do you ask? Jon Montgomery won gold. He seems like a real good guy and I was happy for him to win the gold.

Bobsledding turned out not how I had envisioned it to play out. Canada won bronze in the Men's Four-Man Bobsled. No it wasn't the Lueders sled either. Surprised? I was. The Ladies also did well and I'll tell you that was crazy to witness. Canada finished gold and silver in the Two-(Wo)Man Bobsled. What a night that was. Both teams did well and made Canada proud.

6) The Curling was really exciting for me. For one, I don't watch Curling outside of the Olympics and the finals of the Hearts and Brier tournaments. The Cheryl Bernard rink played a hell of a tournament and made it to the gold medal game. But she blew her last shot in both of the last ends to earn a silver medal. Not bad, but she blew it. Kevin Martin's rink on the other hand, made it count when he needed it to. They played great and won the gold for Canada.

7) What the hell is Ski Cross? That's what I was asking. I know what it is now and I want to try it. Ashleigh McIvor won gold in the Ladies race. Thank you to the IOC for allowing this sport in the games. I LOVE IT!

8) Snowboard Cross is equally cool. Mike Robertson kicked some ass and took a silver home in the Men's Snowboard Cross race. Maëlle Ricker dominated in the Ladies Snowboard Cross and took home the gold medal. I look forward to the next Olympics to watch some more of this.

9) Jasey-Jay Anderson lived a life long dream by winning gold in the Men's Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom. He was very humble about the win and this may have been his last race.

10) Now while I hate to admit it (no homo), I did watch some Figure Skating. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won gold in the Ice Dancing competition. They did well and the crowd there went nuts.

11) The saddest story for Canadians at these games was the story of Canadian Figure Skater Joannie Rochette. Joannie lost her mother to a sudden heart attack just two days before her competition. She could have pulled out but she didn't. She choose to skate. Joannie went out and skated her skate for her mom and she won the bronze medal. I think the whole country cried a little for her that night. She was a brave and courageous woman.

12) Now on to the great game of Hockey. My favorite sports of all sports. Now I won't lie to you and tell you I watched all of the Women's games. I didn't. In fact, I think I watched more than enough of it. It's kind of boring. The gold medal game was great and they beat the USA team 2-0 to win a gold. The girls won gold for Canada and even caused some controversy along the way. First they were criticized for running up scores. Then they were in the eyes again with their post game beer drinking, cigar smoking celebration. I don't care what happened after that game was over, I'm just glad the girls won gold.

13) Now to the Men's tournament. If you asked me who the top 4 teams were going to be, I would have said Canada, Russia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Boy was I wrong. Finland face the Slovakian team for the bronze medal and the Canadians face the Americans in the gold medal game. I will update this once the games are over. **UPDATE** The Fins had a quick 3 goal outburst and that propelled them past the Slovaks to win 5-3 for the bronze medal. It was a good game to watch. I can't wait for the gold medal game.

14) I was impressed with the CTVOlympics.ca website. Very easy to look around and it was sweet to have all the channels right there on my PC. Thanks for that CTV.

I also was quite impressed with the way that CTV, TSN and Sportsnet all worked together. What a strange but nice surprise.


Things that made me say WHAT?!?:

1) The goalies that were the #1 goalie on their respected team that DIDN'T have a painted mask. Miikka Kiprusoff was one of those people. What, couldn't afford it?

2) Why did the Team Canada games always feature Pierre MacGuire? I hate that guy with a passion and when the team was stinking, listening to him pissed me off even more.

3) I was really disappointed with the handling of Brian McKeever. I don't know all the facts on why he was banned from racing in a Cross Country Skiing event, but if it's only for being legally blind than that's bullshit. No matter the placing out come, Brian McKeever should have been given a chance to compete.

4) It turns out former Canadian and current Australian Dale Begg-Smith is the guy responsible for Malware and spam emails. I'm glad you lot the gold and I'm glad you don't live in Canada anymore. You are a piece of trash Dale Begg-Smith. I hope you choke on the money you have made. *middle finger raised*

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IS IT 2014 YET?

Sochi Olympics in Russia are next. Can't wait!

News & Rumors

The Nashville Predators have re-signed Goaltender Pekka Rinne to a 2 year deal earning him 3.4 million a year. This means they are shopping Dan Ellis.

The Calgary Flames have re-signed Forward Rene Bourque to a multi year deal.

The Minnesota Wild have re-signed Forward Cal Clutterbuck to a 3 year deal.

Alex Auld of the Dallas Stars has cleared waivers.

NHL Jambalaya Apology

I apologize to my faithful readers for the Hockeybuzz post today. I will never advocate or promote that jerk off and I promise it will never happen again. I guess I will have to check what people post on this site before it's posted.

I'm sorry.

-Smokin' Ray-

**edit** To be clear, Andy Strickland is not the jerk off, Eklund is the jerk off fraud. Why he is associated with a crook like him is beyond me. He's way better than that.

Daily News & Rumors

According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, GM Scott Howson said the team is leaning toward selling. Names like Raffi Torres and Freddy Modin have came up, there is believed to be a lot of teams interested in Raffi's services.

There is serious interest in Alexei Ponikarovsky, several teams have contacted the Leafs about Alexei and if he remains a Leaf after the deadline I will be SHOCKED.

Price or Halak? We have been asking this question for a while now and a decision may finally be here, I personally think Price will be dealt, and the team that seems the most interested is the Chicago Blackhawks believe it or not.

NHL Olympic Freeze - Last Minute Trades

TRADES

Canes send:
F Matt Cullen

Sens sends:
D Alex Picard
2nd round pick

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Wild send:
D Kim Johnsson
D Nick Leddy (1st round pick last draft)

Hawks send:
D Cam Barker

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Sharks send:
F Jody Shelley

Rangers send:
6th round pick

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WAIVERS

Flames place Jamie Lundmark on waivers
Senators place Jonathan Cheechoo on waivers
Red Wings place Brad May on waivers

Daily News & Rumors

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN the Dallas Stars have claimed (F) Brandon Segal off waivers from LA.

According to Bob McKenzie the New York Rangers have put tough guy Donald Brashear on waivers.

According to HockeyLeaks.com, The Vancouver Canucks are shopping Goaltender Cory Schneider. They would try and bring in some depth on the blue line. Schneider a top prospect will never get a shot in Vancouver as he is behind Roberto Luongo who is locked up for a long time.

According to thefourthperiod.com the Atlanta Thrashers are taking calls for Forward Slava Kozlov. Kozlov has been a dud so far this season, however he has a ton of Offensive talent that many teams want.

Montreal sends:

2nd round draft pick in 2011

Florida sends:

F Dominic Moore

Follow me on twitter

Trade in the Works

According to Chris Vivlamore (Thrashers beat writer) for AJC Kari Lehtonen may have been dealt to Dallas.

"I'm hearing more than rumbles that Kari Lehtonen has been traded to Dallas. Didn't accompany team to Denver."

**UPDATE** From Chris Vivlamore "Deal for Lehtonen could involve defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy. Maybe a low-round draft pick."

**UPDATE #2** This from Bob McKenzie "Kari Lehtonen trade from Atlanta to Dallas has not yet been completed but it MAY happen later tonight. Stay tuned."

**UPDATE #3**  Bob McKenzie "The deal is Kari Lehtonen to Dallas for defenceman Ivan Vishnevsky and a fourth-round draft choice." 

Daily News & Rumors (Gainey/Sutton/Colaiacovo/Whitney)

According to Chris Botta of Islanderspointblank.com, the New York Islanders are receiving calls on Defenseman Andy Sutton. It is unknown if they are willing to trade him.

Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has stepped down as GM of the Montreal Canadiens, Pierre Gauthier will take over.

According to Andy Strickland the St. Louis Blues have made it known that Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is available.

According to Adrian Dater, Defenseman John Michael Liles will be a healthy scratch yet again. It is believed that the Colorado Avalanche are currently shopping him.

It looks like there are several teams still interested in former Oiler Ray Whitney.  It appears the Kings, Bruins, Sabres and Flyers are leading the way.

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Fantasy team of the week

W - Alex Ovechkin (7G, 3A, 10P, 18 shots)

C - Nicklas Backstrom (2G, 8A, 10P, 7 shots)

W - Daniel Alfredsson (2G, 3A, 5P, 6 shots)

D - Brian Rafalski (0G, 4A, 4P, 3 shots)

D - Shea Weber (0G, 2A, 2P, 11 shots)

G - Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2W, 0GA, 60 SV, 2 SO)

Follow me on twitter @ ToddNHLTALK2

Daily News & Rumors (Flyers and Red Wings Make a Trade)

**FIRST TRADE OF THE DAY**

Flyers send:

D Ole-Kristain Tollefsen

5th round pick this year

Red Wings send:

RW Ville Leino

**UPDATE**

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN the Red Wings have placed D Ole-Kristain Tollefsen on waivers.

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Stay tuned for more NHL coverage...

Our Condolences To The Burke and Reedy Families

We have received some very sad news in the hockey world today. 21 year old Brendan Burke and fellow vehicle occupant, 18 year old Mark Reedy, were tragically killed in a car accident earlier today.

The vehicle that they were driving had slid sideways and struck an oncoming truck. The driver of the truck was not hurt in the accident. They did manage to get Mr. Burke to the hospital, but he later died of his injuries.

Snow and bad roads were the root cause of the accident and as far as we know, drugs and alcohol were not a factor. For more on this story and complete updates, CLICK HERE

On behalf of everyone in the Jambalaya family, we want to send our thoughts and prayers out to the Burke and Reedy families in this troubling time. God bless you folks.

-Smokin' Ray-

Daily News & Rumors

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Sheldon Souray has submitted list of teams he would waive his NTC to go to. The teams on the list are the Ducks, Kings, Stars, Rangers, Capitals, and Flyers.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed Forward Jordan Tootoo to a 2 year deal worth $1.25 million per year.

According to John Kincade of The Fan 680 Kari Lehtonen will most likely be traded. He said the Stars and Blues seem to be leading the way.

Daily News & Rumors

Kovalchuk is officially on the trading block as Thrashers GM Don Waddell offered 101 million dollars for 12 years and Ilya declined.

It looks like the 3 remaining teams in on Kovalchuk are the Kings, Rangers and the Devils.

This from Larry Brooks of the NY Post "Source: price of NYR rental of Ilya is Staal or Del Zotto + Callahan or Dubinsky + Kreider or Stepan or Grachev + first rounder = No deal."

Ryan Whitney and Tim Gleason will fill in for Mike Komisarek and Paul Martin on the USA Olympic team.

This from Chip Alexander "Jim Rutherford said a deal is pending that will send Nic Wallin to another team. Rutherford not saying which team."

I was attending an OHL game last night and had no connection to the internet so I could not post the trade.

Devils send:

F Patrice Cormier
F Niclas Bergfors
D Johnny Oduya
1st round pick (this year)
2nd round pick (this year)

Thrashers send:

F Ilya Kovalchuk
D Anssi Salmela  
2nd round pick (this year) 

Daily News & Rumors

According to Darren Dreger of TSN the Oilers may be closing in on a deal that would send Ethan Moreau and a prospect/pick in exchange for Garnett Exelby or Lee Stempniak.

According to Bob Mckenzie of TSN Ilya Kovalchuk has been told that he will be dealt in the next few days "RDS reports that Don Waddell met Ilya Kovalchuk today and told him to expect a trade in the coming days. Now it's on."

The New York Islanders have placed Defenseman Brendan Witt on waivers. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired Head Coach Ken Hitchcock.

Hurricanes Defenseman Nic Wallin has waived his NTC and will not be in the Hurricanes lineup tonight, he is likely heading to San Jose.

Team USA Takes A Loss Weeks Before 2010 Olympics

According to the New Jersey Devils official website, defenseman Paul Martin has withdrawn for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

He was chosen by the USA team and was expected to be an integral cog to the American machine on their quest for gold.  But with suffering from a slow healing broken arm for a while now - Martin was injured on Oct. 24 when they were playing the Penguins and he was hit by Bill Guerin's shot - he's just not going to be ready in time for the Olympics. He chose to step aside rather than possibly hinder the team in any way. Very commendable.

He had this to say yesterday, “After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my name from participation with Team USA at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. While the decision was an extremely difficult one, I feel it is in my long-term best interest to not rush any return to the ice.

“Team USA was informed of my decision earlier today. I look forward to re-joining my New Jersey Devil teammates in the near future, and would also like to wish my fellow Devils’ Olympians and the rest of Team USA good luck in their pursuit of the gold medal.”

I suppose now Team USA has a decision to make this week. Who replaces Paul Martin? Look for a Rob Scuderi or a Ryan Whitney to replace him. Gleason or Hainsey are also other options.

**EDIT (2/4/10) 1:58pm MST** Ryan Whitney and Tim Gleason have been added to Team USA as the replacements for the two (Mike Komisarek and Paul Martin) injured players.

Daily News & Rumors

TRADE

To the Flames:

F Ales Kotalik
F Chris Higgins

To the Rangers:

F Olli Jokinen
F Brandon Prust

Slava done in Atlanta?

Thrashers Forward Slava Kozlov has been a healthy scratch the last 2 games and will be a healthy scratch again tonight. Slava is obviously not happy about it and is being shopped by the Thrashers.

Nick Boynton

Nick Boynton clears waivers today at 12:00 ET, I would be surprised if he does not get claimed by someone.

**UPDATE** Nick Boynton has cleared waivers.

Caps call-up Alzner

The Washington Capitals have called-up Defenseman Karl Alzner.

Souray update

It looks like Sheldon Souray is done for the season with a broken hand.

LIVE *TweetCast* (no signup) at NHL Jambalaya - Oilers vs Hurricanes (2/1/10)

Welcome everyone to another fine TweetCast by Oilers Jambalaya broadcasted right here at NHL Jamabalaya.

Tonight you will see the tweets/comments of Paq Twinn, Smokin' Ray, Nick Walker, Scarlett, Dan Tencer, The official Edmonton Oilers and the official Carolina Hurricanes tweets.

Feel free to comment by typing in the box below. It's easy and no signup required. Once you comment, we will unmoderate you and you can then speak freely. Be patient if we don't see you right away. You will get on.

We hope you enjoy the TweetCast and we are glad you stopped by. GOILERS!

Nick Boynton - Does Anyone Need Him?

Thanks to my main man Todd for posting the news right here at NHL Jambalaya.

Nick Boynton is an interesting guy to look at for any team. Does your favorite team have anyone out for a long period of time, does claiming Boynton fill the gap? He might. Let's take a look and see if he fits the bill.

He' listed as 6'1" and 218 lbs. OK, he's not a little guy. Check. 

He's 31 years old and is old enough and experienced enough to step in without calling up a rookie. Check.

Is he a UFA at seasons end? Yes. Check.

Is he physical and tough? Yes. Check.

So far he looks good doesn't he? But what could be so special about a guy who is being sent down? He must suck right?

No, he doesn't completely suck. His biggest drawback is his $1.5 million dollar contact. That's pretty steep for a 5th/6th/7th guy.  However, he did have his best season was in 2003-04 with GP81  G6  A24  P30   Not bad, but it's 2010. How much has changed? The biggest thing that I like seeing, he has a career NHL stat of +16. Not too shabby.

So I don't know. What to do?

Do any teams out there actually claim him? I guess it's possible. What would you do?

Monday News & Rumors

Kotalik

According to CBC's Elliotte Friedman there was a trade in place (Prust and Jokinen for Kotalik and Higgins) but it caved in...more to come. 

Update - It may still happen but likely after Calgary's game tonight. Via Bob Mckenzie


Bruins looking for depth

Also Jimmy Murphy of NESN.com suggests the Bruins are taking a good look at Matt Cullen and former Oiler Ray Whitney. 


Kovy to the Kings


Mark Everson of the NY Post is reporting that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell was at the Kings/Devils game yesterday and suggests Don was scouting players that he would want in return for Ilya Kovalchuk.

Habs suffer big blow

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN Canadiens Forward Mike Cammalleri will be out 6 to 8 weeks with a knee injury.

Ducks place Boynton on waivers

The Anaheim Ducks have placed D Nick Boynton on waivers.

Fantasy team of the week 

W - Alex Ovechkin (2G, 4A, 6P, 25 shots)
C  - Anze Kopitar (3G, 3A, 6P, 12 shots)
W - Jarome Iginla (3G, 4A, 7P, 13 shots)
D  - Nicklas Lidstrom (3G, 3A, 6P, 8 shots)
D  - Drew Doughty (2G, 2A, 4P, 4 shots)
G  - Jon Quick (4W, 8GA, 111SV, 0 SO)