Is this the last Olympics for Womens Hockey?

Forget whether or not NHL players will continue to compete in the mens side of ice hockey. The real question stands: is this the last Olympic Games for womens hockey?

Why would I ask that? Simply this, there is no international competition. By all regards, this is a two team tournament - Canada and USA - and don't give me your "Sweden upset the USA in 2006" arguement. It's irrelevant.

In the Vancouver Olympics, Canada and the USA have slaughtered opponents with scores in the range of 18-0, 11-1, and 12-1. This is not entertaining, nor is it fair.

Likely the one goal was scored because the Canadian or US goalie had dosed off from boredum.

How does this seem like a competition to anyone? The arguement will stand that to get better, these weak countries must compete at the highest level, but they've been doing so since the 1998 Olympics in Nagano and for years before that.

So here we are, close to 20 years later and we're still watching a two team tournament. How much longer will the IOC allow the USA and Canada to dominate without legitimate competition? Not just dominate, but obliterate opponents to the point where it is embarrassing to watch.

There is no entertainment value in these games because the skill level of every other nation, with the outside exception of Sweden, is pitiful. Many of the 'Olympic' teams we watch play in the womens game would not be able to compete against teenage girls teams from Canada.

It`s not that I don`t support the womens game, because I definitely think it would be a shame to lose womens hockey from the Olympic Games; it just doesn`t exemplify the top level of competition in the world.

China and Switzerland have made recent gains, but they now only border on competiting with Sweden and Finland. These countries need more funding and better coaches.

Sadly, this might be the last year for womens hockey at the Winter Olympics until other countries are able to compete. Until then, we'll have to watch gold medal game after gold medal game featuring the only two teams that matter: the USA and Canada.

Let the games begin.

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Olympic Mens Hockey Preview

We're less than a week from the opening of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. One of the biggest question marks entering the games is who will walk away with Olympic gold in mens ice hockey. Here is a brief look at each team in the order I predict them to finish:

Gold Medal - Canada - Anything less than gold for the Canadian team and Steve Yzerman is unacceptable. Sidney Crosby has been dynamite lately and will be expected to lead this star studded lineup. Roberto Luongo should start in net, however, Canada has always been sentimental when it comes to legendary athletes and may choose to start Martin Brodeur. Luongo is the better goaltender and will receive huge backing from his home crowd in Vancouver.

Silver Medal - Sweden - I wouldn't expect Tre Kroner, reigning Olympic champions to go quietly into the night. This team is solid from top to bottom lead by Detroit Red Wings Niclas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterburg. One compelling story to follow is how Peter Forsberg performs. After making his return this season in the Swedish Elite League with Modo, Forsberg was chosen for his leadership and ability to change games. Watch for a last minute decision on Johan Franzen who was initially left of the Swedish roster but is apparently healthy. Don't count the Swedes out of the gold yet.

Bronze Medal - Russia - There is too much firepower on the Russian lineup to ignore. Fueled by Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, and Evgeni Malkin, the Russians could easily catapult into the Gold or Silver position, but could also flop and fall far from medal contention. I say this because the Russians were pressured to include a percentage of KHL players. The players, although solid, are not at the elite level of other nations' NHL players.

4th - USA - The United States will be a young and fun team to watch. I almost feel like they could be a surprise "Miracle" team. In the short tournament format, their young and dynamic lineup could flourish. Their fate rests upon young scorers such as Patrick Kane, and how well goaltender Ryan Miller plays. Recent injuries on the blueline likely won't impact the teams overall outcome.

5th - Finland - Goaltending, goaltending, and goaltending. Whether they start Niclas Backstrom or Mikka Kiprusof, this team will live or die between the pipes. Last Olympics, hot goaltending carried the team. With an aging forward corps led by Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, the Finns will struggle to score and likely won't medal.

6th - Slovakia - I wish I could be more optimistic about the Slovaks, but they likely aren't deep enough. That said, this team could again surprise the international hockey world. Led by stars Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa, and Marian Gaborik, and poised to enter with one of the NHLs hottest goalies Jaroslav Halak, the Slovaks could beat any team in a 60-minute game. Likely not in the medal hunt, watch for the Slovaks to win an upset or two.

7th - Switzerland - I like the Swiss team, I like their systems, and I firmly believe this is one hockey nation that is moments away from joining the "Big 7." Starring Mark Streit and Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, this team could wreak havoc in Vancouver.

8th - Czech Republic - You might be surprised to see the Czech's this far down my list. I don't think they have the gusto anymore. Without a dominate Dominik Hasek in net, they are not the same team. There are too many unknowns on this lineup. That being said, if Jaromir Jagr is the same man we knew 4 years ago, and Thomas Vokoun can fend off the high powered attacks of opposing forwards, the sky is the limit.

The rest - After the top eight, the pickings get slim. I would expect the order of the remainder of the field to go something like this: 9. Belarus 10. Germany 11. Latvia, and 12. Norway.

What do you think?

Let the games begin.

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