Thursday, February 25, 2010

Canadian Olympic Hottie of the Last 14 Years

Way back in 1996 a young Clara Hughes took two bronze medals in cycling in Atlanta. Cut to 14 years later, when Clara, now 37 years old, wins bronze in her very final race, the women's 5000m. She's now tied with Cindy Klassen for the most Olympic medals by a Canadian with 6. She is the only person in the history of the universe to win multiple medals at both the summer and winter Games. Along the way, she was gracious, smiling, and the ultimate perfect Canadian and Canadian ambassador. We salute you Clara. You rock.

Clara was only part of a HUGE day for Canadian women yesterday. Women's bobsleigh, whoda thunk it? Gold AND Silver. And on the short-track, our women's relay team comes up silver. Four medals in a day ties the best ever Olympic day Canada has ever had. It wasn't quite redemption for all the chokage in the Games so far, but damn it felt good. It felt especially good because...

HOLY FUCK WE CAN PLAY HOCKEY AGAIN!!! I have no idea what happened, still. Canada dominates the Russians 7-3. We outplayed them, we outhit them, we outcoached them, we pretty much out-everythinged them. Sid and Ovie were both non-factors, but everyone else seemed to pick up the slack on the Canadian side. Great physical, energetic play. Come out firing and don't let up. Canada has booked a date Friday night in the semi-finals against... wait for it... wait for it... Jaro and the Slovaks, who beat the defending Olympic Champ Swedes 4-3. WOW. That's gonna be fun. Your other semi-final will be USA-Saku. The Finns beat the Czechs thanks to a helmet that came off. No, really.

OK let's take a look ahead to today. I'm not sure if Canada-USA for women's hockey gold could be overshadowed, but Joannie Rochette and the long program just may be able to do it. The curlers are back on the ice for semi-final action, and we have some medal potential at men's aerials. Consider this your open thread for the hockey game and whatever else your little hearts' desire talking about.

122 comments:

boob gainey said...

If you go by gold medals, Canada is tied for first!

Might even win a couple more.

If Canada gets more than 45 shots on Jaro - watch out!

boob gainey said...

I was thinking I had a soft spot for Slovakia because of Jaro, and because they are the plucky underdogs.

Then I remembered.

Zdeno Chara.

Number31 said...

Oh Stundqvist! Sweden outshot them 29-14.

Wait, that's just like a normal Habs game for Jaro. Except with actual defence.

bea.habs.fan said...

someone at work pointed out to me that the canadian ladies have won 4/5 th of our medals.
what the media forgot to mention in all their Own the Podium program discussion was that the actual name was Women Own the Podium.

YEAH

GoldenGirl11 said...

@bea
Not to be confused with the Islam Olympic theme 'Women (chained to and then blown up) on the Podium'.

Tom said...

Doesn't team Canada remind anyone else of the Canadiens? Inconsistent. Able to dominate a few games, but lose some. Known to play with no heart at times. A goalie controversy. When they lose, they play horrible, but when they win, it's a great all-around game. You hate them when they lose, but love them when they win.

I half expect to see Bob Gainey in the GM booth during the games.

moeman said...

Have I mentioned how much I love Canadian women?

Habsfan10 said...

Best line I read last night (from an American-based blog):

"Oh oh. I think we woke Canada up."

And the response from another poster:

"Be afraid."

Very happy for Jaro, but I was looking forward to a potential asswhipping of the Swedes. I do not like the Swedes for some reason.

moeman said...

Worst line from last night can be found at Puck Daddy (I know). Their take on the game 'a giant dud'. Schadenfreude cometh, bitches.

iRiRi said...

Ideal scenario:

Finns take care of USA and then, Halak keeps them out of a medal!

Go Canada Go!!!

Habsfan10 said...

“They came,” said Russia goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov of the Canadian onslaught, “like gorillas coming out of a cage.”

iRiRi said...

That`s one way to put it!

Not to take anything away from the Canadian`s performance, but Russia looked horrible out there. They didn`t even try in the third. I was sure they`d at least score another goal...

Oh well, bring on Halak and the Slovaks!

Habsfan10 said...

@ RiRi:

That's always been the book on the Russians ... get up early and punish them physically, and there's a good chance they fold their tents. The problem is they are usually talented enough to score a couple even when they aren't trying their best.

El Oso said...

I said it yesterday: more Toews, less Crosby.

bea.habs.fan said...

@LN11
I think they are improving - look at the Iranian skier. she came, she saw, she wore her jihab when not wearing a hat and helmet !!!!
but no medals

(which would have been hard to do with a male family member goign down the hill with her)

GoldenGirl11 said...

@bea
No medal but she gets to live..... I think.

Rob said...

Message to Aliens,

Thank you for taking them and please do not return the original team.

Yours truly,

All Canadian Hockey fans

lehab said...

Clara Hughes and Cindy Klassen have the most olympic medals by a Canadian. Winnipeg Rules! Did I mention I picked Slovakia to win the silver from the beginning. Now I'm not sure who to cheer for tomorrow. Halak or Canada? Oh yeah ... as mentioned earlier Zdeno Chara...fuck I can't stand him. Oh well Go Slovakia any way!

Boob Gainey said...

I'm not sure how far ahead we are in terms of women's rights. A few decades?

I'm not old and when I was in med school it was still very difficult for female med students to go into a surgical specialty. Hard to get in, and hard to get respected.


That's your political commentary for the day.

Oh and by the way the Bruins suck.

J.T. said...

@LN11: At least she won't be medalled to death.

iRiRi said...

Nabokov told Tretyak: "It was as if a tank ran over me. I'd go to one side, and they'd pass to the other..."

L Dude said...

Damn, the game is on at 10:30 pm here on the east coast tomorrow night! There's such a fine line when drinking to stay awake. Maybe a power nap will be in order after work.

Anyway, here's hoping Halak wins a Bronze medal, beating the Americans. I have a feeling the Fins will beat them.

lehab said...

Apparently last week Paval Datysuk told the media "Russia could not score on the Slovaks because they had God in net". So i guess that means the Habs have God and his son Jesus Price between the pipes. We should re-sign both. This reminded me of the time I read the book "The Sweater" to my then 5 year old. When we got the part where the Rocket was looking down from the clouds on all the youngsters playing hockey and wearing # 9, my son asked..." is that God?". Of course I replied " Yeah, pretty much the same thing, son".

GoldenGirl11 said...

@JT
Unless she was seen by her brother having fun in a Whistler bar without her hijab. Then it would be wrong to let her live.

bea.habs.fan said...

@LN11 her brother is probably too busy "resisting"the temptation of the Great Satan's neighbor

GoldenGirl11 said...

@bea
Life is short. There's always time between smelling the roses to commit an honor killing or two.

GoldenGirl11 said...

Do you think Sarah Schleper of the US and Dachhiri Sherpa of Nepal are related? Just wondering.

Chester said...

@LN11

Hey comon ... not winning a medal is a problem yes, but it's 2010 for allahs sake. That not a death sentence ... a little acid spashing in the face should do it.
Comon lighten up FFS.

Habsfan10 said...

In case it hasn't been mentioned, since the ladies get their shot tonight:

GO YOU FUCKING CANADIANS GO! Send Angela Ruggerio back home in a giant pine box and make Cammi Granato (that damn Concordia Stinger grad student ringer) cry herself to sleep in the lovely suburban home she shares with Ray Ferraro in North Delta.

iRiRi said...

Go Cheryl Go!!

Young HF29 said...

agree with 10. the women aren't getting enough love around here. they have quietly and efficiently gone about their business these Olympics and now is the time TO CRUSH THOSE FUCKING AMERICANS AND SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS. I DON'T CARE IF THERE'S NO CHECKING IN WOMEN'S HOCKEY CRUSH THOSE FUCKERS

that is all

kevincrumbs said...

I remember saying here a couple of days ago that Canada losing to the States was actually the worst news possible for the Russians. Sure, I didn't expect that result but hey, I was right for once.

orangeman said...

Canadian lady curlers heading the the gold medal game tomorrow!

Young HF29 said...

Cheryl wins her semi!!! Fuck yeah!

orangeman said...

These are the Olympics I was expecting. Well, besides screaming at the TV for the whole 2 hours of a curling game.

Habsfan10 said...

Put another medal on the board ... man, if it wasn't for the total cock-up of week 1, this country might very well have owned the podium.

Kmaxx said...

So which one was(is better...the 1st pick overall...or his sister Haley? And what ever happened to #25 - and before you say it...I know, I know, not the one behind the bench helping to coach us to glory

Go you fuckin' Canadian Chicks Go!

GoldenGirl11 said...

I think curling is really a cult of 40 somethings trying to gain supporters through hypnosis. The war camp-like yelling... the stones gliding across the ice... the cirque de soleil contortionists throwing the stones... I feel strange... Must. Overthrow. Carpool.

GoldenGirl11 said...

In August 1994, Wickenheiser had a malignant cyst removed from his wrist - which he had first noticed four years earlier in 1990. Three years later, in October 1997, he was diagnosed with an inoperable form of cancer in his lung. Wickenheiser was only 37 when he died from lung and brain cancer on January 12, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. His life story was memorialized in the book The Last Face Off: The Doug Wickenheiser Story written in March 2000 by Ted Pepple, Wickenheiser's father-in-law. The Mid-States Club Hockey Association, the governing body for high school hockey in St. Louis, named their championship trophy for small school/second division teams in his honor. He is interred at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Park, Missouri.

dwgs said...

And here's one that maybe Mrs. Doctor LukieNussbaum hasn't heard,
Q: What do a short-sighted gynaecologist
and a puppy have in common?
A: A wet nose.

GoldenGirl11 said...

@dwg
but he has really long arms so I'm good

Kate said...

Milbury strikes again. Says he was disappointed that the Russians brought their "euro trash" game.

moeman said...

Go Canadian Gals Go!

Boob Gainey said...

Russia not part of the EU.

In other news, Swiss curler Carmen Schaefer is out of the Olympics.

Sigh.

moeman said...

In a Zen-like moment our gorgeous Clara looks up to the Olympian FHF logo for inspiration. A(wo)men.

Young HF29 said...

I just want to announce in advance if at any point during this game I type FUCK YEAH BITCHES!!!! the "bitches" does not refer to our awesome women hockey players, but the generic "bitches" in the slang way

CMON LADIES!!!!

moeman said...

What 29 says!

Bonus, no McSTFU!

Young HF29 said...

nice glove save

we seem to be a little tentative

Young HF29 said...

USA 13 / 22 on the PP. Jebus.

Young HF29 said...

pathetic call. in any league

Young HF29 said...

Hayley Wickenheiser going down to block a shot. True leadership.

Young HF29 said...

Epic penalty kill

moeman said...

1-0 Gals!!

Young HF29 said...

FUCK YEAH BITCHES!!!!

atta way. what a pass and shot

moeman said...

Where are the FHFemmes?!

Young HF29 said...

apparently our femmes are only interested in men's hockey. ironic.

moeman said...

apparently our femmes are only interested in men's hockey. erotic?

GoldenGirl11 said...

Right behind ya, Moe. Just have to chloroform the kids before getting comfy in the couch.

moeman said...

Oh Yeah!

Young HF29 said...

OH YEAH!!!

Young HF29 said...

moe we may have been separated at birth

moeman said...

Better than being circumcised at birth!

moeman said...

Go Gals Go!

Young HF29 said...

men curlers up 6-2 with the hammer in the 9th. looking good. [/knocks wood]

moeman said...

Picture #3 = gorgeous, Canadian bum .

Young HF29 said...

@moe - goddamn i love her. and she's my age, so i dont feel guilty!

moeman said...

29,

Cheryl is 5 years younger than I and she is the ultimate MILCW (Mom I'd Love to Curl With). I also, don't feel guilty admiring Ashleigh and I have a 19 year old daughter. Our gals are all beautiful.

Young HF29 said...

jebus another 5 on 3. shooting over the glass, just like the Habs!

Young HF29 said...

gals giving up their bodies (rowr!) to block shots

moeman said...

Great PK!

moeman said...

Men's curlers going for Gold!

Young HF29 said...

men's curlers to the finals! Kevin Martin is no hottie, but he's on a mission

moeman said...

29, beer me you bitch.

iRiRi said...

I`m here!!

If it wasn`t for that Day-After-Tommorow-like blizzard outside, I might have seen the first period. (Seriously, will it ever stop snowing/raining?)

How are the gals doing?

moeman said...

RiRiiiiiiiii!, our gals are doing fab.

iRiRi said...

@29 - "men's curlers to the finals! Kevin Martin is no hottie, but he's on a mission"

And I`m on a mission to find a hot men`s curler!

Congrats nonetheless!

iRiRi said...

"The women are too big, too strong and too fast!!"

This according to Cassie Campbell.

moeman said...

@RiRi, rowr!

Boob Gainey said...

Too big and too strong is a problem.

Too fast is always good.

Young HF29 said...

RiRi i just tried to find you a hot men's curler but the pickings are slim. i'd have more comments but anonymous dickhead troll may be reading. hottie women curlers, on the other hand, seem to be a dime a dozen

cmon ladies cash a fucking PP already

Young HF29 said...

that four (wo)man high PP strategy is not good

moeman said...

For RiRi.

Young HF29 said...

have we had any 5 on 5 hockey in this game?

Boob Gainey said...

Poulin is a bit like a taller Gionta.

iRiRi said...

Aw thanks 29!

I tried searching myself and THIS is what I got when typing "hot men`s curlers" into Google.

Young HF29 said...

heh @boob

attaway gals. solid. im watching our goalie and she's in the zone

GoldenGirl11 said...

Ok that's it. I'm boycotting Tim fucking Horton's. Billion dollar company and they make one commercial to run over a two week period? I mean really! Everyone is watching tv all day? Why couldn't they continue the story of the reunited family - like a soap opera - to keep our interest? Maybe show them getting home to their apartment that is right across from a Tim. And then show them getting to know each other again over a Tim bagel. Maybe find out that the woman is pregnant and her Canadian husband couldn't be the father but it's his best friend back home. How bout a visit from the police because of complaints by the neighbors of screaming and the cop is enjoying a double double... So many interesting possibilities.

iRiRi said...

@moe- Ha!

GoldenGirl11 said...

Kevin Martin reminds me of
this guy from spaceballs

moeman said...

Horton's should be renamed Tim-meth. (I got off the stuff a decade ago).

Young HF29 said...

FUCK IM NERVOUS

moeman said...

Come on 29, put some Pants! on!

iRiRi said...

It`s definitely addictive, till you realize it tastes like burnt dishwater...

moeman said...

RiRi, that is an insult, to dishwater!

iRiRi said...

Fine... toilet water!

moeman said...

RiRi, I've never had toilet water but I'll take your word on it.

Sonia said...

Hockey - especially women's hockey - works so much better on the smaller North American rink than on the frozen soccer field that is the European rink. Everybody looks bigger & quicker. Awesome!

And here comes Gold!!!

Young HF29 said...

JEBUS DONT JINX THINGS SONIA

moeman said...

Golden Gals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats to our Canadian hockey Gals!!!

Young HF29 said...

FUCK YEAH GOLD BITCHES!!!

moeman said...

Hailey predicted the shutout. Nicely done ladies.

iRiRi said...

Amazing!!! Congrats ladies!!

At least the ladies are owning the podium!!

Bring on men`s hockey tommorow!

GoldenGirl11 said...

So odd looking at those cute faces with men's bodies.

moeman said...

Jest 4 fun, moeman edits LN11;

... looking at those cute faces ...

Boob Gainey said...

They can't body check, but holding and hooking seem OK?



Are we in the running to the most gold medals?

iRiRi said...

8 gold medals - tied with U.S. and Germany.

moeman said...

Congrats to the USA gals!

Sonia said...

I'm gonna get a Wickenheiser jersey.

iRiRi said...

The men`s hockey team watching from up top!

moeman said...

Love that golden flag.

Number31 said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!

So ya, boys, nervous?

Crosby: "Well, now I know why I lost in the ping-pong tourney..."
Luongo: "Right, I guess you expect me to match that little girl...?"
Getzlaf (texting): "I think I'm in love with that #29."
Brodeur: "...I Need another doughnut."

Chenny13 said...

Great job girls. One hockey gold out of three down.

Disappointed that Kyle Nissen went and choked on his second jump in Men's Aerials. 6 point lead and falls all the way to fifth. Sigh. I guess it was about time for a bit of a let down.

GoldenGirl11 said...

Wickenheiser just thanked all those midget AAA teams that helped them train. Wow. This is a really young sport. These girls are pioneers. Very cool.

Number31 said...

GO JO!

fezworth said...

Joannie is definitely the story of the games. For all the wrong reasons, but there it is. I've got my heart in my throat, and I don't think I'm going to be able to relax until it's all over.

Number31 said...

BRONZE! The ladies are racking in the hardware.

LJ said...

Fuck Ya JO!

GoldenGirl11 said...

Yay Joannie. Just heroic.

iRiRi said...

Way to go Joannie!

Chenny13 said...

Joannie is the personification of the Olympic Spirit. Just wonderful!

Number31 said...

The IOC are a bunch of sourpuss nannies and killjoys.

fezworth said...

So are we all agreed? It's to be 1-0 victory for Canada, with Jaro being magnificent, stopping.... oh, I don't know... 50-60 shots. Just enough to keep his confidence high.

So who do we talk to about that... Do we just tell Jaques Rogge? Or do we have to arrange things through the COC?