Sort of an optional today. Well, actually, it was less of an optional and more of a mandatory-for-some. Lot of skating work. Mitch Vande Sompel was shooting some, at least.
Full squad gets back at it tomorrow preparing for a big weekend, at Providence on Friday, and then two against Charlotte, the team they’re chasing.
Elsewhere, Newsday has its new Islanders beat writer: Andrew Gross, a familiar name for years on both the Rangers and Devils beats.
Over in Korea, USA-Canada for the women’s gold tonight at 11 Eastern (NBCSN). Can’t wait.
Tough finish for the men. Felt like they were losing 1-1 after one. They almost got run out of the building in the first 10 minutes of the second, then tied it on Jim Slater’s short-handed goal. And then after assorted chances to win it, the Czechs took the shootout 1-0. So we’re No. 7.
Stayed up late to watch curling (the men beat the UK 10-4 to clinch a playoff spot), so will have to hit the DVR later to watch what became a battle of the Bridgeport goalies. Kevin Poulin came on in relief for Canada when Ben Scrivens got hurt, and he finished off a combined shutout, 1-0, over Finland. Mikko Koskinen was the hard-luck loser, going 3-2 in the tournament with a .932 save percentage. (Christian Gardecki got the screencap.)
It’ll be Canada vs. a stunning Germany in one semifinal. Patrick Reimer’s OT goal beat Sweden after the Germans blew a 3-1 lead. And Russia beat Norway to meet the Czechs.
Hat tip to Mark Divver for this oral history of the 1992 Olympic team. I will never forget my history teacher letting us go watch the third period of that game against the Sov… er, Russ… er, the CIS… er, the Unified team. (I’d had a free period before that and went to my car to listen to the second period on the radio. The olden days. Love that writer Sal J. Barry had a similar story.)
And RIP, Billy Graham.