The Olympics are currently underway in Italy, and while many of you will no doubt get excited about such events as skiing, figure skating, speed skating, snowboarding, luge, and skeleton, in my part of the world, it's hockey that matters. Everything else is details. So with that in mind, here are my fearless predictions for the men's and women's hockey teams:


Women

1. (Gold) Canada
2. (Silver) USA
3. (Bronze) Who cares?

Men

1. (Gold) Canada
2. (Silver) Russia
3. (Bronze) Czech Republic
4. Sweden
5. USA (Do you believe in miracles? NO!)
6. Slovakia
7. Finland

Women

1. (Gold) Canada
2. (Silver) USA
3. (Bronze) Sweden

Men

1. (Gold) Canada
2. (Silver) Russia
3. (Bronze) Sweden

Sweden's victory over the US in women's hockey was pretty stunning.. I guess some other countries are catching up to Canada and the USA... which can only be good for their game.

Men's Predictions:

Gold - USA (I believe in miracles)
Silver - Canada
Bronze - Russia
4. Sweden
5. Slovakia
6. Finland
7. Czech Republic (deflated by the loss of Hasek and Elias)

I say both Canadian teams will successfully defend their Olympic titles.

Sal and Robyrob, I guess both of you are incorrect in your women's predictions now as the best USA could do is win a bronze, and I don't think that will be an easy task because they may be too dejected to play well against Finland. That's what happened to the Canadian men's team in 1998 after losing the semi-final in a shootout to the Czech Republic. Either Canada or Sweden will take the gold, with the loser settling for silver.