What is the story about?
He’s not ours anymore, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate Brocktober in February.
The first couple of days in Olympics men’s hockey produced predictable results, with the top-rated teams rolling against less-heralded opponents. Canada brushed Czechia aside while Jordan Binnington pitched a shutout to temper concerns that his NHL season results would continue when he backs the most talented squad ever assembled:
- New York Islanders center Bo Horvat also scored in the 5-0 win.
- On the U.S. side, Brock Nelson was all over the Americans’ 5-1 win over Latvia, with two goals that counted, one that was called off due to Olympics crease rules, plus an offside that erased a teammate’s, a post, and more.
- Nelson’s Olympic debut earned teammates’ praise. [NHL]
- I’m pulling for Nelson rather than any individual team. I kind of agree with this column that the “gold or bust” pressure for Canada, USA and Sweden sucks some of the joy out of this — there’s really no reason for hockey’s best-on-best to be at the Olympics if not for joy. [Athletic]
- Bourne: 12 thoughts fawning over Canada. [Sportsnet]
- Not that it’s a geopolitical statement, just a following of international norms, but Gary Bettman says there’s no plan to reintroduce Russia into international tournaments. [Athletic | Sportsnet]
- The Germans beat the House of Frans. [NHL]
- Switzerland not being a very neutral neighbor, smacks France around. (I honestly never knew Timo Meier was Swiss.) [NHL]
- Something something Snoop Dogg. [NHL]
Friday’s matches include Sweden-Finland plus three mismatches in Italy-Slovakia,
Canada-Switzerland, and France-Czechia.
