Olympic Pool Update (Day 9, Feb 22)

Boy, if I thought the Americans were flat against the Canadians on Friday, then I wouldn't know what to call them against Finland in the Bronze Medal Game on Saturday.  There was next to no jam on the US side of the ice and arguably their best forward was leaned upon, but came up empty, not to mention came up with penalties, which cost his team in the end.

The 1st period was full of action, despite no goals.  There were penalties, power plays and even a penalty shot for Patrick Kane, but nothing on the board after the opening frame.

Kane's opportunity in the 1st period could have been the difference, as the 2nd period was all Finland, starting off with a Teemu Selanne goal, 1:27 in.  11 seconds later, Jussi Jokinen added the 2-0 marker on an unsuspecting and deflated American squad.

Kane had another shot, this time to get his team back in the game, earning a second penalty shot in the game, but his wrist shot clanked the post and the middle frame with Finland up 2-0, where it could have easily have been 2-2.

Early in the 3rd period, Kane was front and centre again, as he took a penalty, which gave the Finns an early power play, which they were able to convert upon, just as Kane was exiting the box, so not technically a power play goal, but still not in the play.

Selanne and Olli Maata were able to also add power play goals in the 3rd period, as the Americans began to roll over, knowing full well that defeat was inevitable.

In his sixth Olympics, Selanne was able to capture his fourth medal, as he captained Finland to a Bronze Medal, winning 5-0.

Tuukka Rask made 27 saves for the shutout, earning him 4 points in the game, while Selanne scored a pair of goals, including the winner, for a 3-point effort.  Jussi Jokinen had a goal and an assist and Mikael Granlund chipped in with a pair of assists, rounding out the Finnish pool representatives with multi-point efforts.

Rob A.'s first team was able to keep his 3-point lead through the Bronze Medal Game and with a plethora of Canadians and the two goalies for the Gold Medal Game, he'll be next to impossible to beat.

Three teams managed to snake 5 points out of this game: Curtis, Larry and Rob A. #1.

Unofficially, Phil Kessel finished with 9 points in the tournament, while Teemu Selanne led the Finns with 8 points, both being very good picks, if you had taken them.  No one took Kessel, but 11 teams did take Selanne.