<p>Agree with alwaysamom. The Russians were only seeded fifth because they had the stupendously bad luck to have what would have been the go-ahead goal against the US called off at the end of the third period. The rule was correctly applied, but it’s a bad rule and should be changed.</p>
<p>It’s my impression that most analysts had the Russia/Finland game as a toss-up. The Finns have tremendous goaltending, but the Russians had what should have been terrific scoring power.</p>
<p>I’m switching back and forth. One D and her significant other are big Leafs fans so they’re at the USA game. The rest of the family is at the Canada game. </p>
<p>Canada 1, Latvia 0. Scored on the 15th shot of the period, according to the announcer.</p>
<p>And then another Russian disappointment. But another rises to the occasion. Womens short was so exciting.</p>
<p>Regarding hockey, simply repeating the analysis after the game with Finland, they too said the players were not fully utilized and they hinted this may have hurt morale on the team. They were not playing as a team. Their statement was that Russia lost its spark and it was apparent when they entered onto the ice. That is a shame for the host country. </p>
<p>Family and friends in Sochi at the hockey games today all happy, but the ones who were at the Canada/Latvia game were on the edge of their seats. An amazingly lopsided game but an absolutely fantastic performance by their young goalie, who saved 55 of the 57 shots that the Canadians had on him. Now, that would have been an upset. </p>
<p>On to the semi-final which is rematch of the 2010 gold medal game, Canada vs USA. Hope it’s a good one!</p>
<p>Tomorrow, the womans gold medal game, also a rematch. Love watching these Canada/ USA games.</p>
<p>From the New York Times article, this is exactly what I’ve been trying to express:</p>
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<p>The men are at a different stage than the women…they feel like they have to skate quads, but can’t land some of them. I remember when the women were going through the “skate skate skate jump skate skate skate jump” phase where there was little artistry. </p>
<p>Men need the most help in the wardrobe department too! Maybe they should all skate in team uniforms and take some of the showgirl look out of it. Or at least outlaw stripes, sequins, feathers and ragged faux-caveman edges. I won’t miss all that. </p>
<p>Some of the ice dancing lifts make me wonder too if someone flubbed it and the lift went awry with the woman ending up around the man’s neck. I know the rules prohibit high lifts like in pairs skating, but they look awkward and unintentional the way they are most of the time. </p>
<p>One of the background stories revealed that White, the male in the ice dancing pair that won the gold, refused to wear anything but all-black when he was a kid but then softened his stance. I think the men are afraid that a lack of sequins and ruffles may be equated to a lack of artistry. </p>
<p>“I compared Davis and White to Astaire and Rogers first.”</p>
<p>Ok, you win then! </p>
<p>D&W have the same ethereal quality to their skating as Fred and Ginger had to their dancing - the rare ability to seemingly float above the surface they are performing on. Federer in his prime had it - which made him beautiful to watch, also. </p>
<p>I was so happy to see Carolina Kostner float through that SP. She’s had a really tough time the previous two Olympics; I’m hoping she manages to leave Sochi with some color Olympic medal.</p>
<p>“D&W have the same ethereal quality to their skating as Fred and Ginger had to their dancing - the rare ability to seemingly float above the surface they are performing on. Federer in his prime had it - which made him beautiful to watch, also.”</p>
<p>Aw, the young Russian lady skater is adorable. She fell. Poor kid. But she’s only 15. she is so going to be around for a at least a couple of more Olympics.</p>
<p>I wish they would not let such young skaters compete at the Olympics. It’s too much like watching teeny boppers, and they deserve to have their childhood protected a bit more too. Let’s have women who have gone through puberty in the Olympics so it stays an adult competition.</p>
<p>Loved the skiing. Gold!! Saw the women earlier, but I sure felt for the skater from Japan who ended up in 16th after the short program. She looked so devastated. </p>
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