The Official Olympic Hockey Thread

[Beveridge]

It is? It works like ncaa tourney bracket.

Also, calling it right now. Jagr will eliminate Bylsma once again if we get the Czechs.

[Gaucho]

I'm not familiar with NCAA tourney brackets.

[MRandall25]

What exactly is wrong with using a simple and straightforward format?

It is fairly simple.

Quarter finals (Qualification games in parentheses):

1 (bye) v 8 (winner of 8 v 9)

2 (bye) v 7 (winner of 7 v 10)

3 (bye) v 6 (winner of 6 v 11)

4 (bye) v 5 (winner of 5 v 12)

And so on and so forth. People are making it more complicated than it needs to be.

So, for the purpose of this tournament the bracket looks like this:

1 Sweden versus (8 Slovenia v 9 Austria)

2 USA versus (7 Czech v 10 Slovakia)

3 Canada versus (6 Switzerland v 11 Latvia)

4 Finland versus (5 Russia v 12 Norway).

Then in the semis, it's:

Winner of 1v8/9 versus Winner of 4v5/12

Winner of 2v7/10 versus Winner of 3v6/11


So USA won't get to face Canada for the gold, but may face Russia.

[Gaucho]

I know it's not rocket science, but I still say the IIHF, not the people, are making it more complicated than it needs to be.

[MRandall25]

It really isn't that complicated. It's just not NHL format. It's the NFL playoff format.

People are treating it like it's rocket science.

[Beveridge]

I didn't even think twice the NCAA reference wouldn't work, my apologies.

I think the simplest way to explain it to people is the brackets are designed so that if the higher seed wins each match-up, the overall highest always play the overall lowest. BUT, there is no reseeding once the games start.

[pens2005]

Nbc indeed confused everyone. Should have just set it up like an actual NCAA tourney bracket so you could see who plays who and what would come next.

[pens2005]

So, who plays who?

And, Russia can not medal?

Huh? How do you figure. If they win each game they would win...uhh...gold.

I just asked a friggin question genius. I'm a little confused by the standings.

Geez relax. I was just confused as to how you thought Russia couldn't medal.

[Shakes]

I picture MRandall reading this thread like

[Beveridge]

[MRandall25]

People are unnecessarily making it hard on themselves.

[dey soff]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hock ... rterfinals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Click "Playoff round" and you will find a nice bracket.

[Gaucho]

I understand the format, I just don't think it's a good one.

Better?

[Gaucho]

Matt Duchene sez big ice means less goals.

Dan Rosen ‏@drosennhl
Matt Duchene on the big ice: "This is why the NHL should never go to a big ice, it'll take the scoring out of the game. You're able to play way more defensive on the big ice. It makes for less offense."

[pens2005]

I understand the format, I just don't think it's a good one.

Better?

So you'd rather they reseed them? I may agree with you.

[pens2005]

Matt Duchene sez big ice means less goals.

Dan Rosen ‏@drosennhl
Matt Duchene on the big ice: "This is why the NHL should never go to a big ice, it'll take the scoring out of the game. You're able to play way more defensive on the big ice. It makes for less offense."

More scoring doesn't mean more exciting though. I think it would make for great hockey.

[Gaucho]

I understand the format, I just don't think it's a good one.

Better?

So you'd rather they reseed them? I may agree with you.

If it were my call I'd only have 8 teams in the tourney to begin with.

[mikey287]

I understand the format, I just don't think it's a good one.

Better?

What don't you understand, you trash-eating, stink bag!?!?

Spoiler:

What'd you say?

- Uh, I don't know, lots of people were yellin stuff...

They used this format in 2010...but in 2006 it was different, teams could be eliminated in pool play, IIRC...only 8 teams played in elimination games in the previous Olympics I do believe...

I think I like the idea of eliminating teams in pool play as well...but would want to weigh the pros and cons some more before committing...

[Gaucho]

Pool play without eliminations is meh.

[pens2005]

Pool play without eliminations is meh.

What makes you happy? Anything? :pop:

[mikey287]

Re: Big ice. It's funny that a fast player like Matt Duchene even admits to this...Duchene can skate and stickhandle with speed and he's one of the better gear changers in the NHL...the big ice could be helpful in an all-star format like the Olympics with gratuitous amounts of skill vs. gratuitous amounts of skill...but there isn't that much talent in the NHL per capita...so you're just adding a gutter to the rink...

[Gaucho]

Pool play without eliminations is meh.

What makes you happy? Anything?

You must be confusing me with... well, somebody else.

[pens2005]

Pool play without eliminations is meh.

What makes you happy? Anything? :pop:

You must be confusing me with... well, somebody else.

Lol

[SolidSnake]

Wheeler's move was phat.

[Great58]

Matt Duchene sez big ice means less goals.

Dan Rosen ‏@drosennhl
Matt Duchene on the big ice: "This is why the NHL should never go to a big ice, it'll take the scoring out of the game. You're able to play way more defensive on the big ice. It makes for less offense."

It's also why the NHL should never go to no-touch icing.