You win and you’re in, you lose and its scoreboard watching. That being said Norway this morning was playing its biggest hockey game in its countries history. The only thing in their way was France, like themselves a team surprising team playing above expectations set upon them. They win they’re into the quarter finals, they lose and they would hope the Americans would beat the Switzeland.
The only problem Norway had going into the game, over 60% of the team’s offense was coming from one line. That problem was solved at least for one night after former Dallas Star prospect Marius Hollet scored 4 times in the team’s 5-2 win over France. Ironically now after the win, Norway would be cheering for Switzerland. After today’s win Norway has moved into third place in pool F, and after Switzerland beat the USA 5-3, they now will remain there.
The most amazing thing about the Norwegians success this year at the World’s, is they’ve had this success without two of their best forwards. Veteran Tore Vikingstad (unknown) and Mats Zuccarello (shoulder injury) were not on the team this year, but they used those deletions as a rallying point to move forward. “This is the best team we’ve had that I’ve been on, “said former NHLer Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. “We don’t have all of our best players here, but we’re a good group of guys.”
Can they make the semi finals? They have get past Finland to do so, its not an impossible task but they will be considered underdogs. If Lars Haugen can shut the door like he has thus far, and if the #1 ranked powerplay continues to strike, they improve their odds even more. If I were to say Norway Advancing to the semi’s and getting into the top four? You would have taken the odds instead for the Pittsburgh Pirates to get to the World Series, that is how improbable this run has become.
No comments:
Post a Comment