The Olympics are almost here. No not that summer swill that the man forces down our throats during leap years. I’m talking about the wonderful Winter Olympics.
A member of Russia’s women’s curling team. Yay Curling!
In the winter Olympics, we get exposed (or bundled up?) to a variety of unique and delightfully quirky sports such as curling and the luge.
Say it with me. “Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge.”
But my favorite Winter Olympic sport of all is hockey. From the Miracle on Ice to last year’s unexpected silver to the Canadian hosts, the US has produced many stirring moments.
In 2010, the Americans snuck up on the rest of the world. That won’t happen in Sochi since the Americans will return a fairly similar roster. One area that might be different, though, is in goal.
Last time out, Ryan Miller stood on his head for two weeks and kept the Americans rolling. This time around, however, Miller might not even make the team. He has struggled since the 2010 Olympics (too be fair, the Sabres are really, really bad. Yay Buffalo! The Cleveland of the NHL.) and will need a good season for the Sabres to secure a roster spot.
Jonathan Quick
Who are the competition for Miller?
Jonathan Quick, LA Kings
If you are unfamiliar with Quick’s exploits the past two playoffs, then you must not be a hockey fan. Quick’s play was like Stonewall Jackson without his own side killing him. (Or owning slaves. That too.) His Goals Against Average has been under 2 the last two years. Simply, he has been otherworldly and will probably only lose the job if he got hurt.
Craig Anderson
Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Unlike Quick, any lack of familiarity with Craig Anderson’s work is understandable. He has been around the league much longer, and until recently, with much less distinction than Quick. Last year, Anderson, 32, finally had a true breakout year, but he did it in the relative obscurity (to Americans) of Ottawa. Anderson is good, but much more of an unknown. Think of that awesome group you listen to that no one has heard of. They are good, but can they make it big time? That’s Craig Anderson.
Corey Schneider
Corey Schneider
Speaking of Americans working in the wild and woolly Canadian hinterlands, Schneider backed up 2010 gold medal winner Roberto Luongo for the Vancouver Canucks. Schneider was supposed to make Luongo expendable last season, but was unable to grasp a hold on the starting job. That didn’t stop the Devils from trading for him to be the post-Brodeur answer. Whether he can actually do that is anyone’s guess, however. He has been good as a back up and as a part-time starter, but we have yet to see if he can even hack it as an NHL starter, let alone at the Olympics. I’m skeptical, but people that get paid to scout the NHL are quite high on his talent, so I’m gonna guess that it’s me and not them. Just a guess though…
That’s it. That’s the competition for Miller. Four goalies for three spots. For a talented vet like Miller, you gotta like those odds. If I was a betting man, I’d wager that Quick starts for the Americans in Sochi with Anderson and Miller backing him up.
Who Cares? 