Olympic Observations: Roenick Rules in NBC Booth
- Thursday, February 18, 2010 12:24 AM
- Written By: Josh Marks
Some observations from the first three days of men's ice hockey competition with each team having played their first game:
Jeremy Roenick is a natural in the broadcast booth for NBC. While he at times seemed a little jittery, his analysis from a player's perspective was great and his energy and passion is a perfect antidote to the overly critical and goon-looving Mike Milbury. Hopefully Roenick will become a permanent member of the NBC team when the NHL season starts up again and add some color to the analysis.
Check out this video of Roenick ripping Milbury over his anti-Ovechkin, pro-Crosby bias. After watching this I respect Roenick even more for standing up to Milbury. Way to go JR!
Canada's Jarome Iginla is the best player so far on the ice. The Calgary Flames star scored three goals in only nine minutes and 48 seconds of playing time. Iginla was moved up to Sidney Crosby's line after one period in Canada's 8-0 win over Norway.
The Russians are good, very good. They looked like the Soviet Machine of old with more teamwork and discipline than in Torino. The Russians rolled over Latvia 8-2 in their opener. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored two goals. The first one-timer from the slot came off a pass from his Caps teammate Alex Semin. The second laser was vintage Ovechkin -- firing it on the rush with just enough time and space. The Latvian goalie had no chance.
Jaromir Jagr still has it. The 38-year-old former NHL and now KHL star showed he can still dominate with a goal and an assist in a 3-1 Czech Republic win over archrival Slovakia.
Is Teemu Selanne the most underrated player in the Olympics? The Anaheim Ducks star earned a secondary assist on a goal by Olli Jokinen to tie the Olympic record for most career points. The Finns went on to beat Belarus 5-1.
Goalie Henrik Lundqvist is still the king of team Sweden. The New York Rangers netminder posted a 2-0 shutout against Germany. The 15 saves was the first shutout of his international playing career and the first shutout for the defending Gold Medalists since 1994.
The United States team defeated Switzerland 3-1 but it was far from a dominating performance. The Americans will have to dig deep if they are going to have any chance against powerhouses Canada, Russia and Sweden.
