Tickets to ice hockey games at these Olympics were a hot commodity, and Canada Hockey Place, in Vancouver, has seen capacity crowds. Clearly, for many Canadians, ice hockey is a favourite event in the Olympic Games schedule. If however, you have not been following these Games, there is still time to get caught up, and to enjoy the rush of cheering Canada's hockey teams to Olympics glory.
Canadian Women's Hockey Team
Women's ice hockey was first played at the Olympics at the 1998 Winter Games. Canada lost in the gold medal game to the United States. Canada won the gold medal in 2002 and 2006. The Canadian women are defending their gold medals in Vancouver when they meet the United States on February 25th.
Canada has outscored the opposition 46-2 in their four Vancouver games. They have an Olympic winning streak of 14 games, having not lost since the 1998 gold medal game.
- Head Coach: Melody Davidson
- Assistant Coaches: Doug Lidsterj, Peter Smith
- 2010 Team Captain: Hayley Wickenheiser
- Goaltenders: Shannon Szabados, Charline Labonte, Kim St-Pierre
- Defensemen: Carla MacLeod, Becky Kellar, Colleen Sostorics, Meaghan Mikkelson, Catherine Ward, Tessa Bonhomme
- Forwards: Meghan Agosta, Rebecca Johnston,Cherie Piper, Gillian Apps, Caroline Ouellette, Jayna Hefford, Jennifer Botterill, Haley Irwin, Hayley Wickenheiser, Sarah Vaillancourt, Gina Kingsbury, Marie-Philip Poulin
The men's tournament was first played at the 1920 Summer Olympic Games. It was then moved to the Winter Olympics lineup in 1924. In 1998, professional hockey players were first allowed to participate at the Games.
The men's ice hockey gold medal game is scheduled for the final day of the 2010 Winter Olympics, February 28th. Canada last won the men's gold at the 2002 Olympics. This year, after a disappointing loss to the United States, the Canadian team must win against Germany and Russia if they are to qualify for the gold medal game. Head coach Babcock has changed up the lineup and will be putting Roberto Luongo in nets against Germany.
- Head Coach: Mike Babcock
- Assistant Coaches: Jacques Lemaire, Lindy Ruff, Ken Hitchcock
- 2010 Team Captain: Scott Niedermayer
- Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury
- Defensemen: Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Dan Boyle, Brent Seabrook
- Forwards: Sidney Crosby, Rick Nash, Jarome Iginla, Mike Richards, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Ryan Getzlaf, Brenden Morrow, Corey Perry, Dany Heatley, Eric Staal, Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews
While these Games have been nail-biters for devoted hockey fans, the more casual viewer may just be tuning in as the medal games draw closer. Here are the next games to watch for:
- Women's Gold Medal Game: Canada vs. United States, February 25th, 6:30 PM ET
- Men's Qualifiers: Canada vs. Germany Tuesday February 23rd, 7:30 PM ET
Marie MacDonald - Marie MacDonald is based in London, UK. She joined Suite101 in January, 2010.
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