(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Mikelis Redlihs-Janis Sprukts-Martins Karsums
Lauris Darzins-Armands Berzins-Herberts Vasijevs
Martins Cipulis-Aleksandrs Nizivijs-Girts Ankipans
Roberts Jekimovs-Guntis Dzerins-Aigars Cipruss
Karlis Skrastins-Rodrigo Lavins
Aleksandrs Jerofejevs-Kristaps Sotnieks
Guntis Galvins-Olegs Sorokins
Dmitrijs Zabotinskis
Sergejs Naumovs
Team Latvia is one of the weakest in the 2010 Olympics. With very little NHL experience on their roster and little talent, Latvia can only hope they get lucky enough to win a couple games. Look for them to finish down near the bottom of the standings.
Team Belarus
Salei-A Kostitsyn-S Kostitsyn
Grabovsky-Aleksandr Kulakov-Evgeny Kurilin
Andrei Mikhalev-Aleksei Ugarov-Sergei Zadelenov
Dmittry Dudik-Dmitry Meleshko-Oleg Antonenko
Andrei Bashko-Vladimir Denisov
Viktor Kostyuchenok-Aleksandr Makritsky
Oleg Leontiev-Sergei Kolosov
Vitali Koval
Dzmitry Milchakou
Although a weak team, Belarus has a glimpse of hope. With a potential first line that could do a bit of damage, Belarus could be looking at a top eight finish, something that would be very much appreciated by their country. Don’t expect Belarus to finish much higher than that, though.
Team Germany
Goc-Hecht-Sturm
Sturm-Philip Gogulla-Schubert
Eduard Lewandowski-Thomas Oppenheimer-Felix Shutz
John Tripp-Christoph Ullmann-Bill Trew
Ehrhoff-Seidenberg
Alexander Sulzer-Robin Breitbach
Robert Dietrich-Nikolai Goc
Thomas Greiss
Dimitrii Kotschnew
After losing Olaf Kolzig to retirement, Team Germany has not found a new goalie. It has a bit of NHL experience on the roster, but ultimately, this team does not have what it takes to win games on the international level. Look for Germany to also finish near the bottom.
Team Czech Republic
Elias-Krejci-Jagr
Michalek-Hudler-Hemsky
Olesz-Frolik-Havlat
Voracek-Lang-Hanzal
Spacek-Jamrlik
Kuba-Zidlicky
Kaberle-Kubina
Vokoun
Neuvirth
The Czechs are the reigning bronze medal champions and last won the gold medal in 1998 in that memorable shootout win. Nonetheless, this team is overshadowed by Canada, Sweden, Russia and the rest. The Czech Republic has the potential to return to the medal rounds, but don’t look for it to happen.
Team Slovakia
Demitra-Handzus-Hossa
Satan-Svatos-Gaborik
Peter Olvecky-Ladislav Nagy-Stefan Ruzicka
Marcel Hossa-Branko Radivojevic-Lubos Bartecko
Chara-Visnovsky
Sekera-Meszaros
Boris Valabik-Milan Jurcina
Halak
Budaj
In their short history since splitting from Czechoslovakia, the Slovaks have never made it to the medal round. Do not expect that trend to be turned around this year, as the team does not have the talent to succeed, especially if Marian Gaborik, its star player, is injured again.
Analysis
This will be the most exciting Olympics in recent memory. Especially with the possible lack of NHL players in the 2014 Olympics in Russia, players know this may be their last chance for gold medal glory for a long time.
The Final Four
Russia vs. Sweden
Finland vs. Canada
The bronze medal game
Finland vs. Russia
The gold medal game
Canada vs. Sweden
Final Results
Gold Medal: Sweden
Silver Medal: Canada
Bronze Medal: Russia
The rest
4. Finland
5. USA
6. Czech Republic
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland
9. Belarus
10. Germany
11. Latvia
12. Norway
Alan Bass is a Senior Writer for Bleacher Report, the Community Leader for the NHL and Philadelphia Flyers’ section, and a writer for Prohockeynews.com,Insidehockey.com, and Hockey54.com. You can contact him at ALN424@aol.com.
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