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Written by Scott Burgess
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Friday, 26 February 2010
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American Anton Apollo Ohno goes for a third medal today, Friday Feb 27@9:00ET, in the 2010 Winter Olympics and his eighth overall medal throughout his Olympic career. He’s already the most decorated American medalist in Winter Olympic history. Olympic oddsmakers at BODOG.com have Apollo Anton Ohno at 9/2 odds favorite to win gold in Men’s 500m Short Track Speed Skating . Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Anton Apollo Ohno Men’s 500m Short Track Prediction in now at BODOG.com
 Anton Apollo Ohno won this race in the 2006 Olympics, benefiting from a false start that went unnoticed. Still, he already has two medals in what are expected to be his last Olympics - his seven medals are tops among U.S. winter Olympians - and will be hungry for more.
South Korean is a definite contender when it comes to short track racing. Sung Si-Bak is ranked third in the world at the distance. The fastest 500-metre time in the world, 40.651, was recorded by South Korea's Sung Si-Bak last year . Countryman Kwak Yoon-Gy, the smallest competitor in the race, is blindingly fast, and Lee Ho-Suk is a swashbuckler whose aggressiveness always makes him a threat.
The Canadian short-trackers boast the two top-ranked men in the world at this discipline, in addition to the current world bronze medalist. Charles Hamelin is dominant in the distance after roaring out of the blocks and winning easily. He set a new Olympic record in the process. Teammate Francois-Louis Tremblay won silver behind Ohno in Turin in 2006. Tremblay also sent a loud message, winning his heat and lowering Hamelin's new Olympic record it.
Men’s 500m Short Track Speed Skating Odds:
Charles Hamelin (CAN) 5/2
Francois-Louis Trembley (CAN) 11/4
Si-Bak Sung (SKOR) 9/2
Ho-Suk Lee (SKOR) 5/1
Yoon-Gy Kwak (SKOR) 7/1
Apolo Anton Ohno (USA) 9/2
Jialiang Han (CHN) 16/1
Olivier Jean (CAN) 33/1
Simon Cho (USA) 33/1
Thibaut Fauconnet (FRA) 22/1
Jon Eley (GBR) 50/1
Haralds Silovs (LAT) 100/1
Point-Spreads.com 2010 Winter Olympics: Anton Apollo Ohno Men’s 500m Short Track Prediction
The Bottom Line: Any of the Canadians with Apollo close behind. Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Anton Apollo Ohno Men’s 500m Short Track Prediction in now at BODOG.com and receive a 1O% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit and start winning today! |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 February 2010 )
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Written by Scott Burgess
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Friday, 26 February 2010
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Team Canada will face Slovakia today, Friday Feb 27@9:30ET, in semi-final action as nothing but a win for Canada will do. The crowd at Hockey Place will be a hostile environment for the Slovaks. Olympic oddsmakers at BETUS.com have Team Canada as -1000 moneyline favorites to beat Slovakia (+500) with the over/under set at 6.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs Slovakia Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction in now at BETUS.com
 Team Canada squares off in the round of four after blowing out top-seeded Russia 7-3 in the quarter-finals to record their first Olympic hockey win over The Big Red Machine in 50 years. Canada's offence sputtered through the preliminary round but they kicked it into high gear with four first-period goals against Russia. They never let up, handing the Russians their worst defeat in 16 years. But they can’t expect an easier game against the Slovaks. "We have to use our speed and our size and get a good start," Canada's superstar forward Sidney Crosby said after practice on Thursday. "Everyone's playing as hard as they can and leaving it all out there." Forward Eric Staal said Canada needs to put pressure on the Slovak defence and create turnovers if they are to reach Sunday's final. "We need to focus on our game and be initiating. We want to be on the attack and be worried about our game rather than worried about theirs," Staal said. "If we are on the forecheck and attack we are going to get our opportunities to score and limit them." Canada has played Slovakia only once in Olympic men's hockey competition, a 3-1 loss at the 1994 Games, the last one played without NHL players.
Slovakia played in a drama-filled quarter-final round where they upset reigning gold medalist Sweden 4-3. Pavol Demitra, who plays professionally in Vancouver with the Canucks had a goal and two assists and Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves in the victory. The Slovaks have a shot at a medal for the first time in the Olympics. Their best previous finish was fifth four years ago in Turin. They are the lowest seeded team in the semis and have become the sentimental favourites after their forward Lubos Bartecko was knocked out of the tournament due to an illegal hit that caused him a concussion. "There is no question who the underdog is," said Slovak general manager Peter Bondra. "With all our hearts, that is how we will play and we will be ready for the game." The Canadians are sizing up their opposition for Friday's game: highly skilled forwards such as Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik, some tough defencemen led by last season's Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara are more than capable of sending Canada home. And then there is goaltender Jaroslav Halak, the kind of player who in these types of one-game elimination tournaments can be the great equalizer. The Canadians have great scoring depth but are well aware of what Halak did when facing Russia during the preliminary round after stopping 36 or 37 shots.
Point-Spreads.com 2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs Slovakia Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction
The Bottom Line: Canada should prevail and meet USA for gold. Be sure to get your2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs Slovakia Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction I n now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today! |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 February 2010 )
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Written by Scott Burgess
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Friday, 26 February 2010
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The unbeaten American Men’s Hockey team plays Finland today, Friday Feb 27@3:00ET, in a semi-final battle where a win guarantees a medal. It just depends on what color of medal if they make the final. Olympic oddsmakers at BETUS.com have Team USA as -200 moneyline favorites to beat Finland (+150) with the over/under set at 4.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction in now at BETUS.com
 Team USA wasn’t expected to make such a deep run in this tournament filled with teams loaded with NHL talent, but since stunning Canada on Sunday in the final game of the preliminary round they’ve been on a high. It’s been 30 years, to the day, since USA won gold in Men’s Hockey, which just happens to be “The Miracle on Ice.” They even went as far as copying the uniforms they won with 30 years ago. By beating Canada 5-3 they received a bye where they would face Switzerland, again. Like in the opener, the Americans were patient enough to outlast the gritty Swiss 2-0. Despite a wide edge in shots, the Americans didn't break the scoreless deadlock until the third period when their top-line forward Zach Parise scored. Parise added an empty-net goal to salt away goalie Ryan Miller's fourth straight win. Ryan Miller has been solid in net, he’s given up five goals in four games and got a shutout in the quarter finals against the Swiss. Goalie Ryan Miller has stopped 85 of 90 shots in his Olympic debut and has carried his club with a 1.25 goals-against average while playing every minute of the tournament. Ryan Kesler is performing at great levels in these games, despite scoring only one goal. He was the focal point of much of the 60-minute session of trench warfare against the Swiss. "Ryan Kesler was a warrior," Burke said. "He competed in all areas. He was physical and used his foot speed. He was a pain in the ass to play against. I thought he was great." Look for Kesler to be a pain in the ass again.
Finland beat the Czech Republic 2-0 to get to the semi-finals. They play a similar style as Switzerland and they can’t expect an easy game. Finland prefers to sit back and try to capitalize on mistakes. With physical players on a smaller, NHL-sized rink, the Finns might look to play a closer-checking game similar to the Americans' approach. A potent power play that has produced seven goals in four games has helped Finland make a repeat trip to the Olympic medal round . "They're a patient team. Probably a little more experienced and talented than the Swiss," Orpik said. "The key is not to take as many penalties as some of the other teams. That has been one of our strong suits, being disciplined." Finland likes its situation heading into a semifinal. "They have all the pressure," Finnish forward Teemu Selanne said Thursday after a light practice. "Nobody was counting on us to be in final four before the tournament. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff has been great for his country. He has been stellar for the most part at the Vancouver Games, reaffirming his reputation as one of world's best netminders. "Everything is about the goalie," Selanne said. "And he gives us a chance to win." Their other talent from NHL players like Niklas Backstrom and Antero Niittymaki, who helped Finland win silver in 2006.
Point-Spreads.com 2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction
The Bottom Line: I want USA vs Canada in the final. Go USA! Be sure to get your2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction I n now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today! |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 February 2010 )
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Written by Scott Burgess
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Thursday, 25 February 2010
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Canadian sweetheart Joannie Rochette is in contention for a medal tonight, Thursday Feb 25@8:00ET, after placing third in the Ladies Short program. Her ace up her sleeve is her long program as she fights off two of the world’s best skaters. Olympic oddsmakers at BODOG.com have Joannie Rochette at 9/1 odds to medal in Women’s Figure Skating . Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Joannie Rochette Gold Medal Odds in now at BODOG.com
 Joannie Rochette finished third in the short program, earning the highest marks of her career and putting herself in contention for a medal only 48 hours after her mother Therese had died. Her emotional ordeal has captured hearts everywhere and everyone, whether they like figure skating or not, will be glued to the TV set tonight. The short program was a major hurdle that Rochette had to clear, and she nailed it, something she’s had trouble with all season. She always battles back in the long program, something she is more comfortable and experienced with . After her short program there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. "We didn't know if it was going to be a perfect skate," Slipchuk said. "We didn't know if she would struggle through it, we didn't know if she would hear the response and not be able to continue. We just didn't know, but I think that was a big hurdle to get over."
Rochette's long program has been her strongest asset the past two years. She now knows what to expect from the crowd, and Slipchuk believes tonight will be another emotional event.
Her competition will come from Yu-Na Kim (SKOR) who is listed at 1/7 odds favorite to win gold after taking a commanding lead in the short program.
Mao Asada (JAP) is in second place after short program and can skate with the best of them. Mao Asada is listed at 5/1 odds to win gold.
Point-Spreads.com 2010 Winter Olympics: Joannie Rochette Gold Medal Odds
The Bottom Line: I think she will medal, but the top two competitors are far more superior. Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Joannie Rochette Gold Medal Prediction in now at BODOG.com and recieve a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit! |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 February 2010 )
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Written by Scott Burgess
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Thursday, 25 February 2010
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Team USA will face Team Canada for gold supremacy in Women’s Olympic Hockey today, Thursday Feb 25@6:30ET, as Canada will be playing on home ice for a third consecutive gold medal. It’s a winner-take-all game, just one contest to decide the sport's best. Olympic oddsmakers at SPORTSBOOK.com have Canada as -175 moneyline favorite to beat USA (+125) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs USA Women’s Hockey Prediction in now at SPORTSBOOK.com
 Canada clinched the superpower final with a 5-0 victory over Finland. They outshot Finland 50-11 and the Finns didn't register their first attempt on goal until 16 minutes had passed, and they barely registered a chance. Haley Irwin scored twice, while Cherie Piper, Caroline Ouellette and Meghan Agosta added singles. Agosta leads the tournament with nine goals. Hefford had two assists, and goalie Shannon Szabados cruised to a shutout. Szabados is known for her mastery of the Americans, including three consecutive victories against the arch-rival heading into the Olympics. Canada is 12-7 all-time against the U.S. at the Olympics and world championships . Canada outscored its four opponents in Vancouver 46-2. A winner-take-all final is too unpredictable, too dependent on a hot goalie or a cold shooter. "Anybody could have anything up their sleeve, but I'm pretty sure we know and they know everything about each other," Canada coach Melody Davidson said. "There's respect, but also a tremendous rivalry and pride. I think it's one of the best rivalries in sports, male or female." Coach Davidson must choose between goalies Shannon Szabados and Kim St. Pierre, who both excelled in recent weeks.
USA will be playing to avenge their step-short loss in Turin four years ago and their loss to Canada on home turf in 2002. The U.S. cruised to a 9-1 victory over Sweden as their focus now shifts to Team Canada. The Americans ran up a 40-2 goal advantage through their first four games. Neither team has really pushed past the other. After 20 years, they're still neck-and-neck, still fighting for every loose puck and each victory. "We live to push those guys, and I'm sure they feel the same way," Canadian forward Jayna Hefford said. "You always want to test yourself against the best, and we're both at the top of this game." Canadians have won six straight games over the U.S. team but they are all close games usually won by one goal . Neither Coach will say who's playing goalie, but Jessie Vetter is a virtual lock to be in the U.S. net.
Point-Spreads.com 2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs USA Women’s Hockey Prediction
The Bottom Line: Canada will take it on home ice with a raucous crowd behind them. Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs USA Women’s Hockey Prediction in now at SPORTSBOOK.com and Get a 50% Deposit Bonus and $25 Free Bet at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
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