Havertown, PA native and University of Texas product Brendan Hansen, back at the Olympics once
again for a final shot at an individual Gold medal, will get that chance for glory.
Hansen qualified for
the final of the 100-meter breaststroke Saturday night in London, sneaking in with the eighth and final spot by a paltry .11 seconds.
The 30-year-old Hansen already claims two Olympic gold medals, but both came in relays. He won a Silver and Bronze medal in individual events in Athens eight years ago, but was shut out and shut down by rival Kosuke Kitajima four years back in Beijing.
The 100-meter finals are scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Broadcast is scheduled for 3:11 PM, according to NBC's Olympic web site.
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, February 26, 2010
USA reaches gold medal game by thrashing Finland
by Jeff Kruczynski
Special to The Phanatic
To the amazement of the masses, it was over quickly. A crippling six-goal barrage in the first 13 minutes of the game punched the Americans' ticket to the gold-medal game.
The final score read: 6-1.
Not many would have predicted such a lopsided affair between the United States and Finland, two of the stingiest clubs at these Olympics.
The Finns had yielded just four goals heading into the semifinals, one fewer than Team USA, which advanced to play the winner of Canada-Slovakia on Sunday for a chance to claim gold in men's ice hockey for the first time since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.
Finland and the loser from Friday's other semifinal will battle for bronze a day earlier.
The nightmare for the Finns began with a misplay by goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who opted to leave the crease to play a puck but misfired on a pass to defenseman Sami Lepisto. Instead, the puck wound up on the stick of American forward Ryan Malone and he had no trouble hitting the open net at the 2:04 mark.
It completely unraveled for the defending silver medalists as Team USA scored five times in a span of 6:24.
Dustin Brown drew consecutive penalties against the Finns, and the U.S. converted on each power play.
Zach Parise took a Paul Stastny feed and lifted a shot over a sliding Kiprusoff at 6:22. Erik Johnson's bid from the right circle found the back of the net at 8:36.
Kiprusoff was chased to the bench after he was beaten by Patrick Kane on the backhand at 10:08. The Finnish goaltender made just three saves in his abbreviated start.
In came Niklas Backstrom, who surrendered goals to Kane and Stastny separated by 15 seconds, the latter coming at 12:46.
Miller stopped 18 shots before exiting midway through the third period with the outcome all but decided. Tim Thomas, making his first appearance in this tournament for the Americans, yielded a power-play goal to Antti Miettinen with 5:14 remaining.
Special to The Phanatic
To the amazement of the masses, it was over quickly. A crippling six-goal barrage in the first 13 minutes of the game punched the Americans' ticket to the gold-medal game.
The final score read: 6-1.
Not many would have predicted such a lopsided affair between the United States and Finland, two of the stingiest clubs at these Olympics.
The Finns had yielded just four goals heading into the semifinals, one fewer than Team USA, which advanced to play the winner of Canada-Slovakia on Sunday for a chance to claim gold in men's ice hockey for the first time since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.
Finland and the loser from Friday's other semifinal will battle for bronze a day earlier.
The nightmare for the Finns began with a misplay by goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who opted to leave the crease to play a puck but misfired on a pass to defenseman Sami Lepisto. Instead, the puck wound up on the stick of American forward Ryan Malone and he had no trouble hitting the open net at the 2:04 mark.
It completely unraveled for the defending silver medalists as Team USA scored five times in a span of 6:24.
Dustin Brown drew consecutive penalties against the Finns, and the U.S. converted on each power play.
Zach Parise took a Paul Stastny feed and lifted a shot over a sliding Kiprusoff at 6:22. Erik Johnson's bid from the right circle found the back of the net at 8:36.
Kiprusoff was chased to the bench after he was beaten by Patrick Kane on the backhand at 10:08. The Finnish goaltender made just three saves in his abbreviated start.
In came Niklas Backstrom, who surrendered goals to Kane and Stastny separated by 15 seconds, the latter coming at 12:46.
Miller stopped 18 shots before exiting midway through the third period with the outcome all but decided. Tim Thomas, making his first appearance in this tournament for the Americans, yielded a power-play goal to Antti Miettinen with 5:14 remaining.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
USA-Switzerland Preview
by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
A pair of teams which have already met in Olympic play kick off the quarterfinal round on Wednesday afternoon, as Team USA and Switzerland tussle with a berth in the semifinals on the line.
The Americans opened the tournament with a solid if unspectacular 3-1 decision over the Swiss last Tuesday, then dispatched Norway 6-1 before taking down gold-medal favorite Canada by a 5-3 count on Sunday to garner the top overall seed and a bye to the quarters.
Meanwhile, the Swiss lost to the Americans, took Canada to the shootout before falling, and topped Norway to earn a berth in the qualifying round. On Tuesday, Romano Lemm notched the winner in the shootout and Jonas Hiller made a key stop to end the game, as Switzerland pulled out a 3-2 victory over Belarus.
A victory for the United States will assure it a chance for a medal for the second time in three Winter Games, following a silver medal finish at Salt Lake City in 2002. Prior to eight years ago, the Americans had not won a medal since the Miracle on Ice team took gold at Lake Placid in 1980.
Should the Swiss shock the favored USA, they will not only improve on their sixth-place finish at Torino, but it also means the land-locked nation is guaranteed their highest finish since fifth place in 1952. Switzerland has not medaled since winning the bronze in 1948 at St. Moritz.
The Americans have to be careful that they don't have an emotional letdown from the high of stealing the game Sunday plus two extra days off before starting the one-and-done portion of the tournament. They also need to do something sorely lacking in their first four contests: taking their game to the opposition for a more consistent period right from the start.
Although the goaltender is the last line of defense, Ryan Miller simply cannot be asked to perform even close to the way he did against Canada. He is capable of turning in the necessary solid effort today, and it might not take much to outduel Jonas Hiller, who battled the puck at times in Tuesday's win and gave up two preventable scores in regulation. Unless the Swiss have been holding out, Hiller's sharpness is the only thing that will give them any kind of edge.
Any team built on character and hard work and pieces fitting together doesn't always have it easy on the path to success, although the result should still be pleasing: USA 4, Switzerland 1
The Phanatic Magazine
A pair of teams which have already met in Olympic play kick off the quarterfinal round on Wednesday afternoon, as Team USA and Switzerland tussle with a berth in the semifinals on the line.
The Americans opened the tournament with a solid if unspectacular 3-1 decision over the Swiss last Tuesday, then dispatched Norway 6-1 before taking down gold-medal favorite Canada by a 5-3 count on Sunday to garner the top overall seed and a bye to the quarters.
Meanwhile, the Swiss lost to the Americans, took Canada to the shootout before falling, and topped Norway to earn a berth in the qualifying round. On Tuesday, Romano Lemm notched the winner in the shootout and Jonas Hiller made a key stop to end the game, as Switzerland pulled out a 3-2 victory over Belarus.
A victory for the United States will assure it a chance for a medal for the second time in three Winter Games, following a silver medal finish at Salt Lake City in 2002. Prior to eight years ago, the Americans had not won a medal since the Miracle on Ice team took gold at Lake Placid in 1980.
Should the Swiss shock the favored USA, they will not only improve on their sixth-place finish at Torino, but it also means the land-locked nation is guaranteed their highest finish since fifth place in 1952. Switzerland has not medaled since winning the bronze in 1948 at St. Moritz.
The Americans have to be careful that they don't have an emotional letdown from the high of stealing the game Sunday plus two extra days off before starting the one-and-done portion of the tournament. They also need to do something sorely lacking in their first four contests: taking their game to the opposition for a more consistent period right from the start.
Although the goaltender is the last line of defense, Ryan Miller simply cannot be asked to perform even close to the way he did against Canada. He is capable of turning in the necessary solid effort today, and it might not take much to outduel Jonas Hiller, who battled the puck at times in Tuesday's win and gave up two preventable scores in regulation. Unless the Swiss have been holding out, Hiller's sharpness is the only thing that will give them any kind of edge.
Any team built on character and hard work and pieces fitting together doesn't always have it easy on the path to success, although the result should still be pleasing: USA 4, Switzerland 1
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Around The Rink USA-Canada Preview
by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
When last we saw these neighboring hockey superpowers, it was eight years ago on American soil, battling for world supremacy.
Despite a valiant effort, Team USA was unable to cap their run in Salt Lake City, seeing Canada tally three times late in the third period en route to its first Gold medal since 1952.
Following the inspired victory, Team Canada officials and players revealed the nation's good luck charm: a one-dollar coin, nicknamed a "loonie" buried beneath center ice.
American hockey fans seethed at the breech of decorum, and have been waiting silently since 2002 for their countrymen to steal back that thunder in the Great White North.
After a dismal showing by both countries in Torino, which saw Canada wind up seventh and the United States finishing eighth, each nation has something important on the line while facing each other on Sunday.
For the hosts flying under the Maple Leaf, they need to prove not only that 2006 was a major fluke, but also that 2002 wasn't. The obsession which surrounds Canada as the progenitor of the sport won't permit any other expectation than a medal at the very least.
The fact that younger, brasher and more spirited Americans won the World Junior Championship in Regina in early January doesn't help the situation.
On the other hand, Team USA faces no international expectations whatsoever. They do, however, have to focus their internal desire to prove themselves worthy on the world stage into executing a smart game plan.
United States hasn't beaten Canada at any Olympic level since February 25, 1960 at Squaw Valley, with a 3-3 tie in 1994 at Lillehammer the only point earned since.
The Red, White and Blue allowed Norway to control the middle portion of a 6-1 win on Thursday, and didn't assume full control until a three-goal burst in the final five minutes.
America needs to come up with an aggressive yet restrictive system in order to harness what is a clear talent and size advantage by Canada. A healthy dose of good old underdog spirit can't hurt either, along with Ryan Miller needing to outperform Martin Brodeur in goal.
The anvil on Canada's collective broad shoulders has an extra 500-pound weight attached after it eked out a victory on Thursday over Switzerland.
Had the Swiss somehow upset the Canadians, you can be dead certain that the Americans would be nothing more than baby deer in the headlights of an oncoming speeding train come Sunday evening.
Instead, the narrow 3-2 shootout victory only intensifies and amplifies the scrutiny for the home team. It may be akin to a national embarrassment if Canada posts nothing less than a rousing regulation victory.
Due to the point ranking system for the medal round, a loss of any kind severely damages Canada's chances to receive a bye, while a close win in regulation or a one-goal decision in overtime or a shootout can accomplish the same.
That means a double psychological advantage shifts to Team USA.
Keep this fact in mind: On just two occasions in Olympic history has the host nation won the Gold.
I'll give you a second...it'll come to ya.
That's right. The United States, in 1960 and 1980. Both "Miracles on Ice"
Final Score: USA 5, Canada 4.
The Phanatic Magazine
When last we saw these neighboring hockey superpowers, it was eight years ago on American soil, battling for world supremacy.
Despite a valiant effort, Team USA was unable to cap their run in Salt Lake City, seeing Canada tally three times late in the third period en route to its first Gold medal since 1952.
Following the inspired victory, Team Canada officials and players revealed the nation's good luck charm: a one-dollar coin, nicknamed a "loonie" buried beneath center ice.
American hockey fans seethed at the breech of decorum, and have been waiting silently since 2002 for their countrymen to steal back that thunder in the Great White North.
After a dismal showing by both countries in Torino, which saw Canada wind up seventh and the United States finishing eighth, each nation has something important on the line while facing each other on Sunday.
For the hosts flying under the Maple Leaf, they need to prove not only that 2006 was a major fluke, but also that 2002 wasn't. The obsession which surrounds Canada as the progenitor of the sport won't permit any other expectation than a medal at the very least.
The fact that younger, brasher and more spirited Americans won the World Junior Championship in Regina in early January doesn't help the situation.
On the other hand, Team USA faces no international expectations whatsoever. They do, however, have to focus their internal desire to prove themselves worthy on the world stage into executing a smart game plan.
United States hasn't beaten Canada at any Olympic level since February 25, 1960 at Squaw Valley, with a 3-3 tie in 1994 at Lillehammer the only point earned since.
The Red, White and Blue allowed Norway to control the middle portion of a 6-1 win on Thursday, and didn't assume full control until a three-goal burst in the final five minutes.
America needs to come up with an aggressive yet restrictive system in order to harness what is a clear talent and size advantage by Canada. A healthy dose of good old underdog spirit can't hurt either, along with Ryan Miller needing to outperform Martin Brodeur in goal.
The anvil on Canada's collective broad shoulders has an extra 500-pound weight attached after it eked out a victory on Thursday over Switzerland.
Had the Swiss somehow upset the Canadians, you can be dead certain that the Americans would be nothing more than baby deer in the headlights of an oncoming speeding train come Sunday evening.
Instead, the narrow 3-2 shootout victory only intensifies and amplifies the scrutiny for the home team. It may be akin to a national embarrassment if Canada posts nothing less than a rousing regulation victory.
Due to the point ranking system for the medal round, a loss of any kind severely damages Canada's chances to receive a bye, while a close win in regulation or a one-goal decision in overtime or a shootout can accomplish the same.
That means a double psychological advantage shifts to Team USA.
Keep this fact in mind: On just two occasions in Olympic history has the host nation won the Gold.
I'll give you a second...it'll come to ya.
That's right. The United States, in 1960 and 1980. Both "Miracles on Ice"
Final Score: USA 5, Canada 4.
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