NHL Draft Day 2011

Well the time has come again for the NHL Entry Draft. This year the Edmonton Oilers have the #1 pick for the 2nd year in a row. As the Oilers are my favorite team it is pretty exciting to be able to select any player you want.

Last year there was the big storyline between Taylor Hall and Tyler Segin. Edmonton ended up picking Taylor as the #1 pick, and he has already shown that he will do great things for our team.

This year the draft is a little bit more open. Not only will Edmonton pick #1, but we also have the #19 pick. My hope is that we trade the #19 pick and  player or other pick to try and move up higher in the first round. We are in a big rebuilding phase and there is a lot of great talent in the draft this year.

The two players that the Oilers will pick from are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Adam Larsson. I am really hoping they take Larsson as we need some strong defense on our team, but I guess we will find out what is going to happen later tonight!

1. RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS

2010-11 Team: Red Deer Rebels	League: WHL
Position: Centre	Height: 6-1
2010-11 Stats: 69 GP, 31 G, 106 PTS	Weight: 170 lbs.
NHL Central Scouting: 1 NAS, International Scouting Services: No. 1, The Hockey News: No. 1

TSN Scout Grant McCagg:

Had a slow start in terms of goal production, including going goalless in 13 games in October, but ended the 2010-11 season with 17 goals in his final 20 games after being cut from Canada's U-20 team. Strengths - high end skills, including amazing vision and agility. Quick elusive skater with superb edges. Soft hands and creative puck handler. Solid work ethic and character. Weaknesses - Needs to add some muscle to compete with NHL defencemen in tight quarters. More of a playmaker than a goal scorer, although he began showing more finish at season's end. NHL Upside - first-line center who draws comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk in terms of style.

2. ADAM LARSSON

2010-11 Team: Skelleftea HC	League: SEL
Position: Defence	Height: 6-3
2010-11 Stats: 37 GP, 1 G, 9 PTS	Weight: 200 lbs.
NHL Central Scouting: 1 ES, International Scouting Services: No. 2, The Hockey News: No. 2

TSN Scout Grant McCagg:

He's already a solid contributor in the Swedish Elite League. Tried to do too much in U-18 competitions last fall and was prone to mistakes, but simplified his game at the WJC and dominated physically and defensively despite playing with a knee injury. Strengths - Thick, physical kid with some jam, poised puck mover, has some power play ability, hard shot, can contribute at both ends of the rink, keen hockey sense, solid positionally. Weaknesses - he's a clunky forward skater. Not most fleet of foot. Loses concentration at times, not fast enough to be a frequent puck carrier. NHL Upside - Has been compared to Victor Hedman, but with more offensive upside. Projects to be a workhorse, a top two defenceman that can do it all.

We Are The Champions

Well the Stanley Cup Finals have come and gone with a new winner. The finals came down to the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins. I was really hoping for a Boston win as I really do hate the Canucks!

It came down to the full 7 games but with a dominating win tonight Boston hoisted the Stanley Cup as the 2010-2011 Champions.

Congrats to Boston, their captain Zdano Chara and the MVP of the playoffs Tim Thomas. I am thrilled to say that you won, and stopped Vancouver from winning their first ever Stanly Cup. Guess you will just have to wait another year boys!

Better Luck Next Time

This picture surfaced yesterday in the midst of the NHL playoffs going on. As a huge hockey fan, and a hater of the Vancouver Cancucks I could not be happier.

For those of you that are not up to date of the NHL Playoffs Vancouver is in a best of 7 games series with Chicago right now. Luongo, Vancouver's goalie, usually is a great player but last night he let in 6 goals on only 28 shots. Not a good night for the netminder.

And Vince, I always liked you, but you just took a big step up in my books!

Two Great Teams

Last night my friend Shaun and I headed out to the hockey game in Edmonton. I am a true hockey fan. I can compete with lots of guys as far as stats, and team info. I can tell you who is leading in the standings, leading in the points division, and who is sitting in 3rd place in the rookie scoring this year (Yes, it is Edmonton Oiler, 1st overall pick Taylor Hall!)

I especially wanted to go to the game last night as it was my 2 favorite teams playing. Obviously the Edmonton Oilers were the home team, and although they are not having a great season, it is still exciting to watch them play as they get their new young team going. The visitors last night were the Chicago Blackhawks, and current Stanley Cup Champions.

Now it was not the cup win last year of the Blackhawks made me a fan. In fact since about grade 2 I have been a Chicago fan. I was home alone with my sister one day, and the phone rang. We were taught from a young age how to take a proper message and to answer the phone even if our parents were out of the house. This particular call was from a man in Chigaco named Brent, and he wanted to talk to my dad about buying some Angus cows. I took the message just as I had been taught and told the man my dad would call him back that evening.

Later that evening when my dad got home, I gave him the message and my dad started to laugh. He asked me if I knew who this Brent man was. I replied no, why would I know of anyone who lived in Chicago? As it turned out that man was actually Brent Sutter, and he was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks! I was so excited that I had talked to a real NHL player that instantly I became a huge fan (behind the Oilers of course!). I went to school the next day and bragged to all the kids in my class. That Christmas I got a Brent Sutter hockey card, and I still have it to this day.

About 15 years later, I had another run in with the Blackhawks. I was staying at the Westin Hotel in Calgary doing a site tour for work. I noticed a lot of guys walking around the hotel that looked very familiar. I asked my hotel contact if they had lots of sports teams that stayed there, and if the Chicago Blackhawks were there at that time? She confirmed that yes the team was in house. Later that evening we were in the lounge having some drinks, as were some of the player. Long story short we ended up having drinks with a couple of the players, names I will keep to myself, but it was a really fun night to get to hear all about their life on the road!

I will forever be an Oilers fan, but the Blackhawks will have a soft spot in my heart as well.

31 Years in The Making

Well after 31 years, the day has finally come. The day the Edmonton Oilers will get the 1st overall draft pick in the NHL entry draft.

This is the first year that this team has ever had the 1st pick, and it has created a lot of buzz within the city.

In this years draft there are 2 top prospects. Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. Both players have extraordinary talent, and will be a huge asset to any team that gets them. It really will be interesting to see what player comes to Edmonton and what player will go as the 2nd pick.

Regardless, the debate between these two players has been beat into the ground. I prefer to take Seguin, let him play another year in the minors then bring him into the team when he is fully developed. Others argue that we should take Hall and let him play this upcoming season.

I guess we will find out sooner then later, what player will be wearing the Edmonton Oilers logo for the 2010-2011 season.

49 Years in the Making

Well I have to say Congrats to the Chiacago Blackhawks. Tonight they won the Stanley Cup with a 4-3 win in overtime agains the Philidelphia Flyers.

It was a great game, and although I am bias, I really do think that Chicago deserved to win. They dominated at home, and were the first team to win on the road. A huge advantage in this series.

Before this series started I predicted that Chicago would win in 6 games, and looks like I was right.

Now people may say that I am a band wagon jumper, however, I have been a Chicago fan since grade 1. My parents were managing McDougall Cattle Station at the time. It was an Angus and Simmental operation.

One day we got a phone call from a guy that was interested in buying some Red Angus cows. Neither mom or dad were home, so I answered the phone, took a message and told the man that my parents would call him back.

Later that night, I told my parents the message and my dad asked me if I knew who the man was that called. I said that his name was Brent Sutter and he said that be lived in Illinois. My dad informed me that Brent Sutter was a hockey player in the NHL and played for the Chicago Blackhawks!

From that moment on Brent became one of my favorite players. Because he played for the Hawks, they naturally became my favorite team, next to the Edmonton Oilers...

Then again last year I had a run in with some Chicago Blackhawks. I was in Calgary at the Westin Hotel on a tour for work. I was looking at the hotel to potentially hold a conference there. While we were walking through the hotel I seen several men who looked familar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I asked the hotel rep if they got many sports teams staying at the hotel, and she replyed with a "Yes, we actually have one in house right now!". I then knew that it was in fact the Hawks that I was recognizing!

Later that night as I we meeting the hotel rep for drinks, a few of the players were in the lounge as well. We got talking with them and had a really fun night having a few drinks and laughs. They found out that I was staying at the hotel alone, and invited me to have breakfast with them before they left for their morning skate the next day.

Because of Ladd, Kane, Toewes and Byfuglien, my love of the team became even stronger. They have been an easy team to cheer for in the playoffs. Especially since Edmonton has not made it the last couple of years!

So Congrats to the Chicago Blackhawks on another sucessful year. It has been 49 years since you last one the Stanley Cup, so enjoy it!

Stanley Cup Playoffs- Final Round

Ok so that time has come, the last round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

We have the Chicago Blackhawsks representing the west and the Philadelphia Flyers from the east.

It should be no surprise that I will be picking and cheering for the Blackhawks to win. They are my #2 team after all (Oilers are and always will be #1).

Although I am picking the Hawks to win, Philly does have a neat story of how they got to the Finals.

• Won in OT to even make it to the playoffs
• Won 4 games in a row in the 2nd round to knock off Boston. This is only the 3rd time in hockey that this has ever happened.
• Defeated the other underdog Montreal in the 3rd round to advance to the Finals.

I think it should be a good series. I am predicting Chicago in 6 games. Good Luck Boys!!

Stanley Cup 2010- Round 2

Round 2 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs started last night. 1/2 of the teams have been knocked out leaving us with 8 teams. Here are my favorites/predictions for this round.

Boston vs. Philadelphia
Ha isn't this funny. The 2 series that I didn't care about are playing each other again... Boston had a good run last year, so lets hope for Philly. Get someone new to the cup final.

Pittsburgh vs. Montreal
Montreal was a true underdog. They played the best team in the NHL in the first round and won! They have a lot of momentum going into this series and their goalies is HOT right now. I am still hoping for Pittsburgh and my future husband Crosby. They had a great run last year to win the cup, so lets try for a repeat performance.

San Jose vs. Detroit
This series got underway last night. These two teams have become playoff rivals. San Jose is the team of recent poor playoff history, and Detroit is the team that seems to do nothing wrong in the playoffs. I like San Jose to win this series, but I definitely see it going to a game 7.

Vancouver vs. Chicago
Ah and my favorite series of all! This is the only series remaining that I will watch the games on TV. I am sure you know my hatred for Vancouver, and my love for Chicago, so it should be no shock that I really want Chicago to win this series. I think that it will be a tough series, but they can do it for sure!

Stanley Cup 2010

For the past 10 days the NHL Playoffs have been going on. For those of you not up to date on your NHL, here is a little recap of where things are sitting.

Western Conference

San Jose vs. Colorado

Personally I hope that Colorado dominates this series. San Jose has some of the best talent in the league, yet they can never get it together in the playoffs. Colorado is a team that has flew under the radar this year, and thanks to superb goaltending all year, there are in the position they are now.

Vancouver vs. L.A.

As a true Edmonton Oiler fan all I can say is GO LA!! I HATE Vancouver with a passion. And hey why not give a team like LA a chance to go to the 2^nd round of the playoffs. There is a ton of Oilers Aluni on the LA team, including my old favorite player Jaret Stoll.

Detroit vs. Phoenix

This to is a story of David and Galith. Detroit is a hockey power house, and they always have been. On the other hand we have Phoenix. They were sold due to bankruptcy, have not excelled as a hockey club, and were the centre of rumors and controversy with the ownership of the team. Phoenix is also a team who had outstanding goaltending all year, and I hope that they knock Detroit off their thrown!

Nashville vs. Chicago

Chicago is my pick here for a couple of reasons. Not only are they my favorite team outside of the Oilers, and not only did I meet and hang out with the team last year, but I also really like this team for its youth. I do wish that they had a better goalie, however, with some super stars on the team, things have really started to click here. They also just got 2 of their main defensemen back.

Eastern Conference

Washington vs. Montreal

This too is an easy pick for me. I am not a Montreal fan. I know I should cheer for them being a Canadian team and all… but I just can’t do it. Plus who can cheer against Ovechkin, Green, and Backstrom? P.S. ladies, take a look at David Steckel, he definitely makes any game worth watching!

Pittsburg vs. Ottawa

Yet another series that I should be cheering for the Canadian team, but I just can’t. Who can cheer against Captain Canada in Sydney Crosby. They are running into the same problem as Washington and Chicago in the lack goaltending with the team. I have a feeling this year the Stanley Cup winner will be a game of offence and mediocre goaltending, unless someone really steps up!

Boston vs. Buffalo & New Jersey vs. Philadelphia

I have lumped these two series together as I really have no interest in them. I do not care who wins or loses, it will just be another speed bump in the road to see who wins the cup.

Edmonton Oilers

I have mentioned before my love of the Edmonton Oilers. Yes, go ahead and laugh, I know we were the worst team in the NHL this year, but trust me we are coming back!

As a kid we always grew up watching the Oilers. My dad was a huge hockey fan, and Edmonton was his team. Mom on the other hand grew up by Calgary, and was a Flames fan... (insert booo's here).

I can remember as kids getting Oiler jerseys for mine and Crystals birthdays. They were the best gifts that we got that year! The sad part is that they still fit us!

For those of you that are not overly familiar with hockey and the Oilers here are a few tips about the team:

• We have one of the best Dynasty teams in all of sports. Through the 80's there was no team like the Oilers.
• Yes we finished in last place this year, but we also have the 1st overall draft pick in the June lottery
• We have a socially famous player in Mike Comrie on the team. Or Mr. Hillary Duff. His family also is the founder and owners of The Brick furniture stores.
  
• The best looking player on the team is Dustin Penner, no question about it.
• Our top 3 rivals are the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and the Dallas Stars
  

Although the Edmonton Oilers season is over for another year, and they have hit the golf course, don't laugh to hard Calgary fans so has your team, there is still lots of great hockey to watch in the playoffs. And maybe next year we will make it to the playoffs again!

Way to Go Boys!

Well we knew it was all going to happen, and as of last night it became official.

For the first time in the Edmonton Oiler's history we will have the #1 pick in the NHL entry draft. After an embarrassing season we hoped this would happen. At least something would be salvaged out of the year.
There will be much debate between now and the draft over who the Oilers should take. And please god do not let them trade it away!!

The team needs to do a lot of rebuilding this year. We have a lot of old veterans that need to be moved to another team, and hopefully during the summer we can pick up some great players of high draft picks.

So here is to finishing the season in last place Edmonton! I guess there is no where to go but up next year... and hey at least we are not like Calgary. They too are going to miss the playoffs, but at least something good comes out of us missing them!

21st Winter Olympics:Day 17 Recap

The time has come and the 21st Winter Olympics have come to a close. Before the flags were lowered and we said good-bye to Vancouver there were 2 more medals to hand out.

Tonight's blog is going to be a bit different. Hope you have enjoyed the daily recaps!

1. Men's Hockey

The big question was gold or silver? Canada was facing a rematch against the USA. It was going to be a nail bitter with no question. Canada came out to a great start. We shot out to a 2-0 lead in the second period. The USA got a goal to get within 1 goal. With only 25 seconds left in the game the USA tied the game to lead to overtime. Canada dominated in overtime, and came out with the win!

This game was the highlight of the Olympics. It was "the" event of games, and really anything but a gold would have been unacceptable. This game was amazing. It came out with a story tale ending as Crosby scored the winning goal.

Words cannot describe the feelings that happened within the game. Before the game started my family was talking about if we would have paid the $2000 to be at the game. Dad and I both said that we would in a minute. Mom was pretty hesitant. However, when we were standing receiving our medals she quickly changed her mind!

2. Top 5 Olympic medal moments

5. Canadian women winning gold and silver in the 2 man bobsled
4. Joannie Rochette winning bronze after her mothers death
3. Canadian women winning 3rd consecutive Hockey gold
2. Alexandre Bilodeau winning Canada's first gold
1. Canadian Men winning Hockey Gold

The Red Mits

Looking to Sochi

21st Winter Olympics:Day 15 Recap

What a day for Canada. We knew that the 2nd week of the Olympics would be Canada's week, but this is just great.

1. Men' Hockey

Everyone wanted a rematch of the Canada vs USA game, and that is exactly what they will get. Sunday these 2 teams will face off for the gold medal.

Slovakia put out a great performance tonight and will play Finland for the bronze medal. This will we Slovakia's best finish ever in the Olympics.

2. Women's Curling

This was a bit of a disappointment with Canada only getting silver. Canada had a chance twice to win the game, and let it slip through her hands. Cheryl Bernard still had a great competition, especially for being a rookie on the International scene. Sweden ended up winning the gold medal, a repeat of 2006.

The bronze medal went to China. These girls live and train in Leduc, so they have a great Canadian connection.

Game recap

3. Men's Short Track 500m

Finally the men got to shine. Tonight was Charles Hamelin's day. This is the best distance for him, and he dominated in this race coming out with a gold medal. Canada also took the bronze by Fransois-Louis Tremblay. We also had a 9th place finish in this race.

Race details

4. Short Track Men's 5000m Relay

The men had a busy night tonight as the same 3 men also competed in the 5000m relay, as well as the other Hamelin brother. The guys had broke Olympic records all afternoon in qualifying, so we knew we would be in good contention.

The race was so close that it came down to a photo finish with Canada winning the gold. These men raced so well today to wrap up the speed skating for the 2010 Olympics!

21st Winter Olympics:Day 14 Recap

The women have been setting the example the last couple of days. Hopefully the men can start to come through with some medals.


1. Curling


Both our men and women qualified through to the gold medal games. The women will play tomorrow and the men on saturday. Both teams should have a great shot at gold after dominating though the round robin.


It is almost sad that it is tougher to qualify out of your country, then it is to win an Olympic medal.


2. Women's Figure Skating

What a night for Joannie Rochette. After what is to be expected as one of the worst weeks of her life, she pulled through her loss to win the bronze medal.

The competition was close tonight. The South Korean skater was amazing, and untouchable. She hands down deserved to win the gold medal.

The race came for the bronze and 4th place. To me Joannie is one of the star athletes of the games when you think what she went through and how she performed.

3. Women's Hockey


The girls have done it again. 3 Olympics in a row Canada has won the gold medal in the Women's Hockey. They put out a dominate performance tonight winning 2-0 against their rivals team USA. I was really happy to see the girls win, as there are 13 veterans on the team, and a good possibility that not many of them will be back for 2014.


The games definetly are slowing down with less qualifying sports and more medaling going on. This weekend will be a big one and a great way to wrap up the games

21st Winter Olympics:Day 13 Recap

What a day Canada had today. Sunday was coined Super Sunday, but today ended up being Wonderful Wednesday!

1. Women's 2 Man Bobsled

What a great day for the Canadians and the sport of bobsled in our country. Not only did we win gold, but we also won silver! Humphries and Moyse dominated right from run 1 to win the gold. Canada 2 consisting of Upperton and Brown should not be over shadowed. These girls worked hard to continually move up in the standings to win the silver medal.

The Russia team who were the reigning gold medalist, had a really unfortunate spill. It really was to bad, as they were in close contention for a medal.

2. Women's Short Track 3000m Relay

Yes another silver medal. And another woman who won it! The 4 women who pushed through their second race of the day did a great job! After finishing in 3rd place the Canadians were bumped up to silver. The Korean team finished in 1st place but was disqualified and striped of their gold medal.

3. Canada vs Russia Men's Hockey

It was about time that the Canadian men started to play as a team. Tonight it finally happened. Canada shot out with a huge lead to win the game and advance to the next round.

Our goal tending was alright tonight, much better then in was against the Swiss, however, we need to really tighten that up to match the skills of Miller.

Friday is our next day, and what a game it will be!

4. Women's Speed Skating 5000m

Clara Hughes has just had an ok Olympics. She has told the media all along that this would be her last Olympics. That is why tonight was so much more special for her. Clara won the bronze medal in her race tonight.

It was a great way for this athlete to end her Olympics and go out with a bang!

Olympics in Pictures 4

21 Winter Olympics: Day 12 Recap

Sorry for the delayed post. Here is the day 12 recap

1. Men's 10000m Speed Skating

This article really says it all. Such a disappointment for this athlete.

Even the best make mistakes

Canada did not have anyone competing in this grueling event.

2. Women's Short Program

Canada waited to see how our skating darling Joannie Rochette fared. Just days before her mother passed away of a heart attack after arriving in Vancouver to see her daughter skate.

Joannie is amazing. She had a personal best score, and currently sits in 3rd place. Once she finished the program she broke down in tears.

The Korean and Japanese women definitely did not disappoint. Yu-Na Kim from Korea set a new world record score. She had a great program, and lives and trains in Canada.

The long program should be a great one to watch, and hopefully Canada can say in medal contention.

3. Men's Hockey- Canada vs Germany

Everyone knew this game would be an easy win, and an easy win it was. We blew out the Germans 8-2. Russia will be our next test, and a test it will be!

4. Ladies Ski Cross

This ranks up there as one of the best stories of the games so far. Ashleigh McIvor won Canada another gold medal. Not only did she win a gold medal, but she was the first ever to do so in the sport of Ski Cross.

Back when Ashleigh was in University she was asked to write a paper. Her paper was about how ski cross should be an Olympic sport, because until this year it had not been. As a ski cross athlete Ashleigh pushed for the sport to be recognized by the Olympic committee, and now she won the first goal medal in the sport. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Our other Canadians ended up 5th, 12th and 19th.

21st Winter Olympics:Day 11 Recap

Canada had another promising day on Day 11. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come in the 2nd week of the Olympics!

1. Men's Cross Country Skiing Team Pursuit

Canada had a great showing in the team pursuit. I haven't featured cross country skiing much, as it is probably one of my least favorite winter sports.

We came into this race ranked 13th in the world, and ended up finishing 4th. Yes I know another 4th place, but it was still a great result for this team.

The big disappointment was the Belarus team as they were doing excellent in their qualification run when less then 500m to go in the race a skier made a wrong turn, that lost him the race.

2. Men's Freestyle Skiing

The men's Aerial Freestyle qualifications were tonight. We had 3 men that were in the hunt to get to the next round, and all 3 made it to the next round! We are in a great position to hopefully threaten for a medal.

3. Women's Hockey

The women dominated yet again in their semi-final game. Our first real test of the games will come when we play the USA in the gold medal game.

I realize that we have not qualified for that game yet, but unless the women decide to fall asleep during a game it will be easy to keep moving on to the finals.

4. Ice Dance Free Skate

Wow is all I can say. Virtue and Moir were amazing tonight. They totally deserved to win the gold medal. The lifts that they did were beautiful, the connection they had was amazing and altogether it was perfect. This definitely sets the tone for week 2 now!

Another great article from Fourth Place Medal

Maybe this is what happens when we don't pressure our athletes

21st Winter Olympics:Day 10 Recap

Before I recap the daily events from Vancouver, look at this heartbreaking story about the Canadian Figure Skater.

Canadian Figure Skater's Mother Dies


Daily Recaps:

1. Women's 1500m

Canada was ranked # 1,2 and 5 going into this race. We had high expectations for 1 if not 2 medals from the women. Christina Groves came through for Canada winning the silver medal. Christina Nesbuitt ended up 6th and Cindy Klassen 21st. Although we did get a medal, it was disappointing not to get 2.

2. 2-Man Bobsled

The 2 Man Bobsled did runs 3 and 4 tonight. Canada 1 who had tipped earlier finished out with 2 great runs tonight. They definitely are ready for the 4 man competition. Canada 2 jumped up a spot to end up in 5th place.

The German team that won gold because the most successful Olympic bobsledder in history. It was great to see him win in Canada could not.

3. Canada vs. USA Men's Hockey

This game is another disappointment so far in the games. Canada was favored to win this game, and it was the highlight performance of tonight.

Ryan Miller put out an amazing performance in goal. Brodeur just couldn't get his game together, and it was the weak part of our game.

We finally got some lines to click. Crosby was on a better line tonight, and as a result scored a goal. We took some bad penalties in the game, so still have lots to work on.

Canada will not play Germany and the winner of that will face Russia in the semi finals.

4. Men's Ski Cross

Ski Cross is almost as exciting as the Snowboard Cross. The Canadians put out a decent performance. In the final race Canada was in a medal position when he fell. Christopher Delbosco finished 4th and Davey Barr finished 6th. Stanley Hayer also finished in 10th.

We have had so many athletes finish in 4th place over these games. It would be great to get a few of these onto the podium!

21st Winter Olympics:Day 8 Recap

Tonight's recap is going to be slightly different. I want to touch on an event that finished late last night, as well as all of the happenings from today!

1. Men's Figure Skating

The men's figure skating is 1 of 2 major upsets of these Olympics ( the other also came last night as Russia lost to Slovakia in men's hockey). The Russia Evgeni Plushenko was favored coming into these games. He won gold at the 2006 games, retired and then came back to defend his gold. He is one of the most decorated male skaters in history.

American Evan Lysacek was wanting to ruin Plushenko's party. He was the reigning World Champion, and was 2nd coming into the free skate.

Before competition began, the Russia's were complaining about the scoring system and how it favors North American skating. He complained about where in the skate order he was at, and so much more. He had every excuse in the books.

After Lysacek won gold last night, and the Russian Plushenko got silver, the debate really started about who was the better skater. Judge for yourself. But to be Lysacek deserved to win! Maybe I just think so because Vera Wang designs his costumes!

2. Ice Dance Figure Skating

The Ice Dance competition started tonight. Unlike most figure staking the Ice Dancers are required to do 3 performances. A compulsory dance, an original dance, and a free dance. The compulsory is where everyone completes the same moves just to different music and with different costumes.

The Canadians came out great tonight. We are currently sitting in 2nd place. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are definitely medal contenders in this event.

3. Skeleton

Canada had high hopes for our skeleton team. Melissa Hollingsworth was having a great competition until her last run tonight. She finished a disappointing 5th. Canada was definitely expecting a medal from here. Especially since she won the world cup this season.

Amy Gough finished 7th and Michelle Kelly finished 13th.

The men I think really got out shadowed by the women coming into these games. Even as the games were going on, I don't think that anyone ever talked about the men skeleton racers. They definitely gave us something to talk about tonight as Canada won our 4th gold medal. Jon Montgomery came from behind to win the gold. A great feat seeing as he is ranked 5th in the world!

Jeff Pain finished 14th and Michael Douglas was disqualified.

4. Curling

Both the men's and ladies teams are currently undefeated. Hopefully this stays up for rest of the games. These teams continue to play until mid next week, and then they will be playing in the semi-finals.

US Athlete heads home

Cool story about Hannah Teter