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Canada 7 – Russia 3

Frederick • February 24th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

A pumped up Canada coming off an 8-2 victory over Germany was looking forward to taking on Alexander Ovechkin and the Russians. Canada played a strong game with plenty of hits, but the Russians weren’t intimidated. The much anticipated Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry was pretty quiet as Canada skated away with a 7-3 win.

Ryan Getzlaf got Canada up on the board first with a goal, followed by Dan Boyle on the power play. 46 seconds later, Rick Nash came in and beat Evgeni Nabokov.
However, Dmitri Kalinin broke Canada’s 3-0 lead to get Russia into the game. Brendan Morrow scored with two minutes left in the period to make it 4-1 for the home team.

Corey Perry started off the second period with a goal followed by Shea Weber almost a minute later. However, Maxim Afinogenov got one by Roberto Luongo just 39 seconds after Weber’s shot.
Perry got his second of the night and Sergei Gonchar would score to bring Russia within four of Canada’s lead. After Canada’s peppering of Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov came out to take his place in net.

There was plenty of action in the third, including a great save by Luongo off Evgeni Malkin’s breakaway during Russia’s power play. While no goals were scored, the Russians applied pressure, but couldn’t break down Luongo.

Canada now heads to the semifinals and waits for the outcome of the game between Sweden and Slovakia.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Canada 8 – Germany 2

Frederick • February 23rd, 2010 • Winter Olympics

After Sunday’s upset by the United States, Team Canada was looking to fight back against Germany. This time, Roberto Luongo got the call to play in net for Canada, while Thomas Greiss guarded the pipes for Germany. Canada skated out of the qualifying round with an 8 – 2 win over Germany.

Joe Thornton got Canada started with his first goal of Olympics, off a shot from Dany Heatley and Duncan Keith, ten minutes into the first period.

In the second period, a shot by Shea Weber whistled through the net unnoticed by Greiss. After a brief discussion between the officials, Weber was awarded the goal. Jarome Iginla scored twice, with one on the power play to pad Canada’s 3-0 lead.

Rick Nash was hauled down on his way to the net and given a penalty shot. Sidney Crosby took the shot but couldn’t beat Greiss.

Marcel Goc finally was able to sneak the puck behind Luongo on a wrap-around to get Germany up on the board.

Crosby got the third period off to a good start for Canada with his third goal of the Olympics. Mike Richards then scored off a pass from Brendan Morrow and Jonathan Toews.

Captain Scott Niedermayer got the puck on a breakaway and made it 7-1 for the Canadians.

Rick Nash then took a pass from Chris Pronger and snapping it past Greiss for a goal.

Germany was not done yet, as Marcel Muller denied on the breakaway allowed Manuel Klinge to take the rebound from Luongo and a get a goal.

Canada meets up with Alexander Ovechkin and Team Russia in the quarterfinals at 4:30 PM PST, on Wednesday, February 24^th.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Canada 3 – United States 5

Frederick • February 21st, 2010 • Winter Olympics

There was no lack of support cheering on the Canadians as Canada Hockey Place was a sea of red and white, however the Americans had their support in goal in the form of Ryan Miller.

Just over 40 seconds into the first period, Brian Rafalski got Team USA on the score board after beating goaltender Martin Brodeur.

Eric Staal tied it up with a shot from Brent Seabrook, but the Americans fought back with Rafalski earning his second goal.

In the second period, Dany Heatley beat Miller to tie the game up at 2 each. However, Chris Drury made it 3 – 2 just as period came to a close.

Jamie Langenbrunner, with a shot from the white hot Rafalski, made it 4 – 2 and his team put the pressure on the Canadians to get back up. Sidney Crosby wouldn’t leave without a goal, and managed to bring the game within one during the dying minutes of the third. Ryan Kesler was able to tip the puck into the empty net to seal Team Canada’s fate with a 5 – 3 win.

The United States moves on to the quarter finals, while Canada plays Germany in the qualifications round at 4:30 PM PST on Tuesday, February 23^rd.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Canada 3 – Switzerland 2 SO

Frederick • February 18th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

The last time Canada and Switzerland met, it ended in a loss for the Canadians after being shutout 2 – 0 at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. This evening, Canada and Switzerland faced each other again for payback and it was an incredibly close game, with the goaltenders making all the difference — Martin Brodeur for Canada and Jonas Hiller for the Swiss. Canada was able to come out on top and score 3 – 2 over Switzerland in the shootout.

Team Canada started off on a great first period with a goal from Dany Heatley and put pressure on Hiller. Patrick Marleau then cushioned Canada’s lead making it 2 – 0 early in the second. However, that goal came as a wake up for the Swiss and Ivo Ruthemann got the puck behind Brodeur to bring his team on the board. With seconds remaining on the clock, Patrick von Gunten tied the game 2 – 2 just as the period was about to end.

With no goals in the third, Canada and Switzerland put up a fight, but Brodeur and Hiller persevered and the game went into overtime. After overtime, it was on to the shootout where both goaltenders held their ground. With the first round of players used up, Sidney Crosby skated in for his second chance and was able to get one behind Hiller.

Hiller made a number of amazing saves, stopping 43 of 45 shots and was the key reason his team was able to stay in the game.

Canada plays the United States on Sunday, February 21^st at 4:40 PM PST

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Getting closer to the cauldron

Frederick • February 17th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

Olympic Cauldron and enclosure

Locals and visitors alike have been upset that the Olympic flame is burning behind a chain link fence down by the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Last night, VANOC adjusted the fence by moving it in closer to the flame and removing a half foot section between the fencing to make it easier to get a better shot. It’s an improvement, but most everyone would like it if the fence was toned down or removed altogether.

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Canada 8 – Norway 0

Frederick • February 16th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

With Roberto Luongo in net, Norway could do no harm as Canada skated away with an 8 – 0 win over the Scandinavian nation. The first period saw Norwegian goalie Pål Grotnes peppered with 14 shots, while Luongo received 4.

In the second period, Jarome Iginla got Team Canada going followed by Dany Heatley, and with Mike Richards towards the end of the period. A few penalties meant that Luongo had to be on top of his game, and he steadied his ground.

Ryan Getzlaf’s goal in the third period brought André Lysenstøen in to replace Grotnes between the pipes. Heatley gave the netminder a Canadian welcome for his second goal of the game.

Iginla, Eric Staal and Corey Perry added to Canada’s total. A late goal by Iginla sealed the fate of Norway and the fans tossed their hats towards the ice to celebrate his third goal of the game.

Martin Brodeur will be on the ice to face Switzerland on Thursday, February 18^th at 4:30 PM PST.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Luongo gets start for Team Canada

Frederick • February 16th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

Roberto Luongo during practice for the Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo, will be starting in net for Team Canada for their first game in the 2010 Olympics. Canada will face Norway today at 4:30 PM PST.

New Jersey Devils’ Martin Brodeur will be between the poles against Switzerland for the second game on Thursday, February 17^th.

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Alexandre Bilodeau breaks the curse

Frederick • February 14th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

After hosting two previous Olympics, Canada has never won gold at home, until today. Alexandre Bilodeau, took the gold medal in Men’s Moguls on Cypress Mountain after executing a difficult jump and coming in with a time of 26.75.

Dale Begg-Smith of Australia came in second with the silver and American Bryon Wilson will receive the bronze medal.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Sad start to the Olympics

Frederick • February 12th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

Some sad news has hit the games even before the opening ceremonies begin. Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, passed away after being ejected from the track while practising in Whistler. Reports state he was travelling at 145 km/h at the time of the accident. It’s a tragic event and we offer our support to Nodar’s family and his teammates at this difficult time.

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2010 Torch Relay in Delta, BC

Frederick • February 9th, 2010 • Videos

The torch relay for the 2010 Winter Games ran through North Delta, British Columbia this morning. 112^th Street was packed with cheering fans all dressed in red supporting the torchbearers as they passed by with the flame.