Wednesday Round-up
News and Notes from Vancouver
Thursday, 02.18.2010 / 1:26 AM
/ Fan Zone
By Anthony Oliva
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Truth be told, I didn't get a chance to see very much hockey yesterday. The only game I saw live was Sweden vs. Germany. Most people at Canada Hockey Place, myself included, expected another laugher, which is what the early days of the tournament have brought thus far. German goaltender Thomas Greiss and his teammates dispelled that trend, though. They were never able to solve Swedish netminder Henrik Lundqvist, but the Germans were one lucky bounce away from getting back into the game.
• The crowd was the quietest of the tournament thus far. I'd go so far as to include the five women's games I've attended in that statement. It was particularly disappointing considering that the Sedin twins, local favorites in Vancouver, headline the Swedish roster, which also boasted the North American return of Peter Forsberg.
• Speaking of the Sedins, Henrik wore #20. At an in-arena auction, a signed Team Sweden Henrik jersey bore the number 33. Another example of mislabeled sweaters. It's apparently more common than you'd think.
• Former Canuck Mattias Ohlund received a hearty applause from the crowd upon scoring 4:29 into the second period.
• Canada Hockey Place airs celebrity welcome messages on the PA system for fans to hear outside the arena. Some of them include Team Canada personnel like 2002 gold medal-winning coach Pat Quinn and 2010 associate coach Ken Hitchcock. Some more bizarre celebrity greetings include Amy Poehler, Kelly Pickler and Tony Hawk. Random.
• The scalp of the day was an offer I received for the Finland vs. Belarus game. $200 for a pair of seats in the 300 level. (Think 232 at the Rock.)
• Finally, congratulations to Mike B., of Union, NJ. He's our winner of the inaugural Devils Snow Day Contest, with his submission of Martin Brodeur (Team Canada) and Zach Parise (Team USA) snowmen. Great idea and execution, Mike! You'll receive a puck signed by one of our Olym pians shortly.
Send questions and comments to olympics@newjerseydevils.com
• The crowd was the quietest of the tournament thus far. I'd go so far as to include the five women's games I've attended in that statement. It was particularly disappointing considering that the Sedin twins, local favorites in Vancouver, headline the Swedish roster, which also boasted the North American return of Peter Forsberg.
• Speaking of the Sedins, Henrik wore #20. At an in-arena auction, a signed Team Sweden Henrik jersey bore the number 33. Another example of mislabeled sweaters. It's apparently more common than you'd think.
• Former Canuck Mattias Ohlund received a hearty applause from the crowd upon scoring 4:29 into the second period.
• Canada Hockey Place airs celebrity welcome messages on the PA system for fans to hear outside the arena. Some of them include Team Canada personnel like 2002 gold medal-winning coach Pat Quinn and 2010 associate coach Ken Hitchcock. Some more bizarre celebrity greetings include Amy Poehler, Kelly Pickler and Tony Hawk. Random.
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| During my stay in Vancouver, I'm living next door to Slovakia House, an informal place for Slovaks to congregate with their fellow countrymen. I've spoken to them a few times, and when I asked the concierge how to say, "Let's go Slovakia," she replied, "Do toho Slovensko." I hear it all day now. |
• The scalp of the day was an offer I received for the Finland vs. Belarus game. $200 for a pair of seats in the 300 level. (Think 232 at the Rock.)
• Finally, congratulations to Mike B., of Union, NJ. He's our winner of the inaugural Devils Snow Day Contest, with his submission of Martin Brodeur (Team Canada) and Zach Parise (Team USA) snowmen. Great idea and execution, Mike! You'll receive a puck signed by one of our Olym pians shortly.
Send questions and comments to olympics@newjerseydevils.com
