The Dominator out of the Olympics

[canadiancreed]

TURIN, Italy (AP) -- Dominik Hasek departed the Olympics on Friday in as big a rush as he arrived earlier in the week, leaving the world champion Czech Republic without one of hockey's best big-game goalies.

Hasek, the player most responsible for the Czechs' surprise gold medal in Nagano in 1998, didn't last 10 minutes in the Turin Games before getting injured. But with Nashville Predators goalie Tomas Vokoun replacing him, Hasek isn't conceding his absence will hurt the Czechs' gold-medal chances.

"He is a great goalie and the Czech Republic will be OK in goal with him," Hasek said after team doctors decided he could not play again in Turin.

But Vokoun is no Dominator, at least not yet. With Vokoun in net Thursday, the Czechs were beaten by Switzerland 3-2 in one of the biggest upsets since the NHL first sent its players to the Olympics in 1998.

That loss won't necessarily hurt the Czechs' medal chances, since they will qualify for the quarterfinals merely by finishing among the top four in their six-team group.

But this certainly wasn't the way last year's world champions -- winning with Vokoun in net -- wanted to start the Olympics.

"He's one of the great goaltenders in the worlds, and he's been a big part of the Czech team for a long time," said Pat Quinn, the coach of gold-medal favorite Canada. "I don't know how it changes it necessarily, but when it comes time to play for the Czechs, we'll prepare knowing someone else is going to be in net."

Hasek, a six-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goalie, originally said he hurt his hamstring when he went into a split to block a shot early in the Czechs' 4-1 victory Wednesday over Germany.

A team therapist later said he had muscle tightness, but the Ottawa Senators described the injury as a slight strain in the back of his upper right leg, above the groin.

"Our medical staff decided that I'm not able to play. It's over," Hasek said. "Also, I don't want to get hurt for the rest of the National Hockey League season."

The injury is not believed to be related to the groin injury that required surgery and kept Hasek, 41, out of all but 14 games of the 2003-04 season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Hasek, a two-time NHL MVP, will be replaced by Dusan Salficky, a 2001 New York Islanders draft pick who has played since 2002 in the Russian Hockey League.

The Czechs got more bad news: forward Patrik Elias also is out for the rest of the games with bruised ribs. He will be replaced by Ales Kotalik, who has 21 goals and 23 assists with the Buffalo Sabres.

After getting hurt, Hasek suggested the tight schedule that allowed some players to spend only one day in Turin before their first Olympic game, and the long flight from the U.S., might have contributed to his injury.

This is why I was worried when we signed a 41 year old goalie

[Cuss]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

This is why I was worried when we signed a 41 year old goalie

hey at least team Canada will have one less thing to worry about.

[theasfl]

He's no Arturs Irbe anyway.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Cuss

hey at least team Canada will have one less thing to worry about.

that is true. Vokumn is no star unless he pulls a stellar performance out of his ass.

However the whole city here let out a collective "Aww ****!" when that news made the front page

[Cuss]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

that is true. Vokumn is no star unless he pulls a stellar performance out of his ass.

However the whole city here let out a collective "Aww ****!" when that news made the front page

what better time to switch to being a Canucks fan.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Cuss

what better time to switch to being a Canucks fan.

while I'm at it why not go all out and join the Leafs bandwagon. They're just as good in the playoffs

[Cuss]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

while I'm at it why not go all out and join the Leafs bandwagon. They're just as good in the playoffs

BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Delgadodawg]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

that is true. Vokumn is no star unless he pulls a stellar performance out of his ass.

However the whole city here let out a collective "Aww ****!" when that news made the front page

Actually this is not that big of a loss for the Czechs. Vokoun is a great goalie and many people argued that he should start ahead of the 41 -year old Hasek. Vokoun is not as well known, but he has played great in Nashville and he has faced a lot of rubber lately.

A much bigger loss for the Czech's IMO is Elias.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Delgadodawg

Actually this is not that big of a loss for the Czechs. Vokoun is a great goalie and many people argued that he should start ahead of the 41 -year old Hasek. Vokoun is not as well known, but he has played great in Nashville and he has faced a lot of rubber lately.

A much bigger loss for the Czech's IMO is Elias.

with their defense I'm not surprised. Still, you have a good point that it woudlnt' be as nasty as with some teams in teh tourney.

Now for the Sens.....well.....can we say "CRAP!"

[Terpripken]

Watched the Sens game on Home Ice last night.

Emery looks to be a pretty capable Goalie. He isn't gonna deliver a cup at this point...but he is more than capable of holding down the fort until Hasek is healthy.

Groins though...and Hasek has had this problem before. I hope he recovers. While I am not a Sens fan, they are a fun team to watch, and they are about due for a Cup.

Speaking of groins... (I know Hasek's injury happened overseas)...but what is up with the ice this year...I swear I have never seen so many groin pulls before. Seems like every day somebody strains a groin.

[canadiancreed]

ya got me. I dont know enough about ice to make an informed opinion.

And yes Emery is good, but our offense would need to increase and become solid as a rock with him in net to get deep in the playoffs.

But at least we'll make the playoffs