Let The Games Begin!

Against everyone except the US, Sidney. I'm sorry.

This is going to be hard. I hadn’t given it much thought until recently. I guess I figured I would fall in line like every other international competition, cheer die-hardedly for the good ole’ U-S-of-A. Then, while watching yesterday’s frustration against Nashville and their six – one more than Pittsburgh – Olympians, it started to creep in…

Let's hope they don't bring home the Big One.

Am I really going to pull against Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury? How about Evgeni and Sergei, are they now my enemies? Russia is decidedly less challenging. Although I have strong feelings for our Dynamic Duo, the thought of Ovi wearing a gold medal is too much for me to stomach.

Canada, however, is a different story. It is hard to think ill of hockey nation. The people are very nice. (excuse Don Cherry of course) Our Northern-border neighbors produce other-worldly talent for the “coolest” game on earth.
Plus, and this is where it gets interesting, their star is my favorite player. Yes, I have tried to pick someone other than cliché Crosby and it just hasn’t worked. He is the best and he has been for some time, since he was like 13.

Bring home the gold Brooksy.

I can’t help it, Crosby is the man and I want the best for him. Imagine if Canada doesn’t win. The blame will surely fall on his shoulders. If they don’t bring home the gold playing in their home country it will be a tragedy in Canadiens eyes.

Alas, I definitely hope the Star Spangled Banner is blaring during the men’s ice hockey medal ceremony. However, I hope Crosby and his countrymen have a good showing. In a perfect tournament, Crosby will lead the event in goals, assists, jaw-droppers, and will bury Ovechkin if they meet one-on-one. (see last year’s NHL playoffs) But, at the final buzzer, it will be his Penguin teammate Brooks Orpik with the gold necklace.

The Penguins’ Olympic schedule for round-robin competition:

Feb. 16
3 p.m., USA vs. Switzerland, USA Network
7:30 p.m., Canada vs. Norway, CNBC

Feb. 17
12 a.m., Russia vs. Latvia, CNBC

Feb. 18
3 p.m., USA vs. Norway, USA Network
7:30 p.m., Canada vs. Switzerland, CNBC

Feb. 19
12 a.m., Russia vs. Slovakia, CNBC

Feb. 21
3 p.m., Russia vs. Czech Republic, NBC
6:40 p.m., USA vs. Canada, MSNBC (not on NBC, what a joke)