Team Salonen
OK, so they're not Canada or Russia. But you know what? Finland won silver the last time we had these here Winter Olympics, and their goaltending could be a difference-maker in the 2010 Vancouver Games; and the Czechs boast a roster of international superstars, one shutdown goalie and slightly more defenseman than the Lightning have cycled through in the last two years.
Here are the rosters for Teams Finland and Czech Republic, featuring a few rather noteworthy snubs.
The Finnish roster, via CTV's Olympic site:
Goaltender:
Miikka Kiprusoff(notes) (Calgary Flames, NHL), Niklas Bäckström (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Antero Niittymäki (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL)
Defense:
Kimmo Timonen(notes) (Philadelphia Flyers, NHL), Sami Salo(notes) (Vancouver Canucks, NHL), Joni Pitkänen (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL), Lasse Kukkonen(notes) (Avangard Omsk, RUS), Toni Lydman(notes) (Buffalo Sabres, NHL), Sami Lepistö (Phoenix Coyotes, NHL), Janne Niskala(notes) (Frölunda, SWE)
Forwards:
Mikko Koivu(notes) (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Tuomo Ruutu(notes) (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL), Valtteri Filppula(notes) (Detroit Red Wings, NHL), Teemu Selänne (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Saku Koivu(notes) (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Jere Lehtinen(notes) (Dallas Stars, NHL), Niklas Hagman(notes) (Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL), Olli Jokinen(notes) (Calgary Flames, NHL), Antti Miettinen(notes) (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Jarkko Ruutu(notes) (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Niko Kapanen(notes) (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS), Ville Peltonen(notes) (Dynamo Minsk, BLR), Jarkko Immonen(notes) (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS)
There are a few surprises here: Niitymaki over Pekka Rinne(notes) of the Nashville Predators, for starters. But Preds blog On The Forecheck makes that case that Rinne's average 2009-10 season likely gave the edge to the Tampa Bay netminder.
Here are the rosters for Teams Finland and Czech Republic, featuring a few rather noteworthy snubs.
The Finnish roster, via CTV's Olympic site:
Goaltender:
Miikka Kiprusoff(notes) (Calgary Flames, NHL), Niklas Bäckström (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Antero Niittymäki (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL)
Defense:
Kimmo Timonen(notes) (Philadelphia Flyers, NHL), Sami Salo(notes) (Vancouver Canucks, NHL), Joni Pitkänen (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL), Lasse Kukkonen(notes) (Avangard Omsk, RUS), Toni Lydman(notes) (Buffalo Sabres, NHL), Sami Lepistö (Phoenix Coyotes, NHL), Janne Niskala(notes) (Frölunda, SWE)
Forwards:
Mikko Koivu(notes) (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Tuomo Ruutu(notes) (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL), Valtteri Filppula(notes) (Detroit Red Wings, NHL), Teemu Selänne (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Saku Koivu(notes) (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Jere Lehtinen(notes) (Dallas Stars, NHL), Niklas Hagman(notes) (Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL), Olli Jokinen(notes) (Calgary Flames, NHL), Antti Miettinen(notes) (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Jarkko Ruutu(notes) (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Niko Kapanen(notes) (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS), Ville Peltonen(notes) (Dynamo Minsk, BLR), Jarkko Immonen(notes) (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS)
There are a few surprises here: Niitymaki over Pekka Rinne(notes) of the Nashville Predators, for starters. But Preds blog On The Forecheck makes that case that Rinne's average 2009-10 season likely gave the edge to the Tampa Bay netminder.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Thrashfan01 on -
Nitty also has a strong history with the Finnish national team.
They are not as talented as Canada, Russia or Sweden but they are like the midsized dog in the fight that has more fight in him than the big dog. The Finnish U-20 team is fun to watch because of the effort level, just as dangerous down 2-0 as they are up 2-0.
Wonder who the captain of this team would be, there are only about 7 candidates.
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Permalink Reply by Dj Nowhere on -
Nitty's played really for Tampa this season. I really feel like he's helped to play his way onto the team.
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Permalink Reply by Thrashfan01 on
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It is a very good roster but they have to play Sweden, Russia and Canada. The one real advantage could be in goal, if the goalies live up to the Finnish reputation they have a shot at a medal.
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Permalink Reply by TwistedWrister82 on -
You forget though that the Finns gave the Swedes a run for their money in Torino.
Thrashfan01 said:It is a very good roster but they have to play Sweden, Russia and Canada. The one real advantage could be in goal, if the goalies live up to the Finnish reputation they have a shot at a medal.
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Permalink Reply by Thrashfan01 on
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Did not forget that. It is a good roster the problem is the others are a bit better, that includes the Swedes. We all know there is a rivalry there but the Swedes are just a hint better. The Finns will beat any team in the world that is not playing at its best but the problem is the Finnish top end is just not quite as high as Russia, Canada or Sweden. The other three may not be as consistant as Finland. It is by no means a shot at the roster or the country. Finland has a small population Russia has about 20 times the population, Canada about 10 times (those are really rough) so to be that good and produce a team capable of medaling is a statement.
TwistedWrister82 said:You forget though that the Finns gave the Swedes a run for their money in Torino.
Thrashfan01 said:It is a very good roster but they have to play Sweden, Russia and Canada. The one real advantage could be in goal, if the goalies live up to the Finnish reputation they have a shot at a medal.
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Permalink Reply by Inferno on -
im not a big fan of the lineup the swedes went with...they are way too old and underperforming imho.
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Permalink Reply by sisu1969 on -
One thing that made people really scratch their heads was the snub on Jussi Jokinen, he was right behind Immonen. The coach said that the roster had too many players like Jokinen already...
here is a funny song as well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka91nMywIR8
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Permalink Reply by Billsen on -
As much as I enjoy the Winter Olympics, I wish it was still only amateurs. I'm just glad I was able to see the 1980 Olympic team with my own eyes. (I saw that 10-3 drubbing at MSG, thanks to my Uncle Roy, and my Dad's disinterest in going... I thought we were doomed!)
Billsen
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Permalink Reply by Thrashfan01 on
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Agreed but it would essentially be the World Junior Championships replayed.
I remember sitting in Grass Valley California watching that game on tape delay. One of the biggest upsets in any sport on tape delay. Still find that hard to believe 30 years later. One of those things you never forget where you were or what you were doing.
Billsen said:As much as I enjoy the Winter Olympics, I wish it was still only amateurs. I'm just glad I was able to see the 1980 Olympic team with my own eyes. (I saw that 10-3 drubbing at MSG, thanks to my Uncle Roy, and my Dad's disinterest in going... I thought we were doomed!)
Billsen
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