2010 Vancouver Olympics: Finland Defeats Belarus as the One-Sided Games Continue

Rangers forward Olli Jokinen picked up a goal in today’s 5-1 Finland victory over Belarus. More importantly, the one-sided games continue here in the Men’s Hockey Tournament as the closest game so far has been USA’s 3-1 win against Switzerland. Even so, the United States had control over the game for two out of the three periods.

Just to prove to you what I am getting at here, check out all of the scores in the tournament so far below.

USA 3 - SUI 1
CAN 8 - NOR 0
RUS 8 - LAT 2
FIN 5 - BEL 1

The first somewhat equal match-up will come later tonight when Jaromir Jagr and the Czechs take on Team Slovakia.Both of those teams have a fair amount of NHL caliber players and are not teams that are mostly comprised of players from the KHL.

And as a side note about that game, there is a chance Marian Gaborik may play. It is not for certain, but contrasting the news I let readers know about earlier today, the buzz is that he may play.

Anyway, what is the point of even having teams like Norway or Latvia in this tournament if they are going to lose each game and get pounded by some superior clubs along the way?

It is not fair to the players, and most of all, it is not fair to the fans. These Canadian fans have waited four years since being able to see their country boys compete in a tournament and when they finally do, it is against Norway? That is just poor planning and scheduling.

These lopsided scores are also just another indication that the skill level in the Kontinental League is nowhere near that of the NHL. The theory that the KHL is competing with the National Hockey League is foolish plain and simple, and the 8-0 and 5-1 scores are just further proving that argument. Belarus, which is mostly a KHL team, was outshot 45-12 this afternoon.

Going back to Jokinen for a second, the Finnish center played very well this afternoon. His skating was excellent, his chemistry with his linemates was clear, and you can tell that these guys all get along and know each other both on and off the ice.

I think Finland has a solid team that, if they played the best possible hockey that they can, could capture a Bronze Medal in the tournament. It is not likely, but surely possible.

Well, I guess we will just see what comes of the Sweden game which I will be leaving the hotel to attend shortly. Don’t be surprised to see yet another lopsided score. To read more about this game, check out my Pregame Preview in the below post .
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)