If today is anything like yesterday’s qualification round, then expect a lot of drama, close games and anxious fans. Of the four games yesterday, only Canada’s laugher against Germany was over early. The other three games all were decided by a single goal, with the underdogs going 2-1-1 ATS. The Swiss had to go all the way to the shootout stage before putting away Belarus. The Czechs dodged a major upset bid by downing surprise Latvia with a golden goal midway through the overtime session. In the nightcap, Slovakia, suddenly everybody’s medal darkhorse, was deadlocked with Norway midway through the third period before scoring the go ahead goal and hanging on for the 4-3 win. The end result? The four biggest longshots to win this tournament were all eliminated yesterday. And, there’s no rest for the winners. All advance into today’s quarterfinals to play much tougher foes.

As the final winter olympic hockey bracket crystallized, the odds shifted. Prior to the Olympics, the Canadians were the chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.. The best price you could get them at was even money, but places like sportsbook.com had them as expensive as -200 to take home gold. The Russians were 2/1 or less across the board at various books. Per BoDog,  the pre-Olympics odds for the other contenders today had the Swedes at 5.5/1, USA at 6/1, the Czechs 15/1, Finland 16/1, Slovakia 40/1 and the Swiss 125/1. 

By gaining the top seed, the Americans have gone from underdogs to one of the favorites. But at 7/2, the Americans still arent one of the top two teams per the betting public. Those designations still belong to Canada and Russia.  One will be ousted before the day ends, adding an element of danger to any bet on either country to win the gold. Both have better payouts today on the future lines than they did a week ago, but they still remain the co-favorites with Canada at 9/5 and Russia 11/4. Thats pretty close to 2/1 and 3/1. Considering you had to pay 200 just to win 100 on the Habs prior to the first face off last week and today you can get them at practicially the oppositie price, that’s what we would call value in the capping world.  Sweden is now 5/1; Finland 11/1; Czechoslovakia 12/1; Slovakia 25/1; and the Swiss remain the 125/1 longshot they were before the tournament began. Place your bets accordingly. And in between action, ponder if the NHL should adopt the Olympic point system.

USA vs Switzerland, 3:00 est. Lines, USA -2.5, O/U 5.5

Team USA opens the quarterfinals againt the Swiss, 30 years to the day they clinched their last gold medal with a win over Finland to cap the 1980 Miracle On Ice. With that kind of historic karma on their side, there is no way they lose today to the Swiss, right?

I wont lie. I’m worried about the Swiss this afternoon. How could you not. I’m worried that after two hard-pressed games with lots of expectations on them, the Swiss are playing today in the underdog role they relish. I’m worried because  like every underdog with sharp teeth in this sport they have a goalie who can rise up and throw a 44-save game on the board. I’m worried that sniper Martin Pluss, who had six goals through 11 international games entering the game, has no goals yet in the Olympics. I’m worried the Swiss are having a career year with a recent fourth place finish in the world junior championships. I’m worried about being a victim in a storybook last hurrah to close out a coach’s career. I’m worried about the fact when I see the world rankings, I notice USA is sixth and the Swiss are seventh. I worry because the Swiss are experienced and defensive minded with a goalie who can dominate any foe and are more than capable of turning this in a 2-2 bogfest into the third period. I worry after watching Latvia plays the Czechs so much better the second time around that they nearly pulled off the upset. The Americans topped the Swiss 3-1 a week ago, but if the Swiss close the gap in this rematch as much as the Latvians did last night, then this game will be more than in doubt into the third period.

This game begins and ends with Jonas Hiller. The current goalie for the Anaheim Ducks needs to be the best player on the ice today for the Swiss to advance. He was great against Canada last week, but has struggled in the last two games against Norway and Belarus. Yesterday, he was downright shaky, giving up a bad goal, sloppy puck handling and positioning himself poorly on a number of shots. Hiller has been one of the best goalies on the planet the last five years. He won Elite Swiss League titles before coming over to the Ducks. He quickly became the starter, supplanting longtime netminding hero Jean-Sebastian Giguerre. He shutout the Sharks to open the NHL postseason last year, spearheading the fourth ever first round upset of a top NHL seed. He goalkeeping extended the second round series against Detroit to seven games nearly knocking off the defending champs. The Swiss hopes rest with him today. If he nabs more than 40 saves, then the Swiss have a shot. If he doesnt, then the Americans ought to walk away with at least a 2-goal win.

Hiller is one of two NHLers playing on the Swiss team. The other being Mark Streit, defensemen for the New York Islanders. He has barely been off the ice during the four games the Swiss have already played. With Hiller and Streit, this team is built around its defense. Severin Blindenbacher plays in the Swedish Elite League and has been a maintsay on Swiss national teams for years. The most intriguing guy to watch on their blue line is 20-year-old Luca Sbisi. He is one of the best young defensive prospects in the world. The Ducks demanded and received his rights when they dealt off Chris Pronger to the Flyers. He was the 19th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He’s playing for the Ponrtland Winterhawks of the WHL, but will probably be with the Ducks should they make the playoffs. He was a stud for the Swiss Juniors last month when they skated to a surprise fourth place finish. Can he elevate his game and be a factor today? He’ll have to play beyond his years, but perhaps not beyond his skill level, to help contain the Americans.

Otherwise, the Swiss arent known for their offensive game. Their top guns are Pluss,  Hnat  Domenichelli and Matias Seger, the latter two are among the top-10 in scoring this year in the Swiss League. Roman Wick has been an amzing playmaker so far this tournament, Thierry Paterlini is another good skater who has impressed me the last week with his sneaky offensive game. Overall, the Swiss will not overwhelm you with offense. They dont have the firepower. And, if Hiller remains as shaky as he’s been in recent outings against Norway and Belarus, then they could have a long uphill climb this afternoon.

Canada vs Russia, 7:30 est. Lines, Canada -140, Russia +120, O/U 5.5

Do you think this game has caught the eye of the hockey world. Crosby vs Ovechkin. And, instead of beging buried on Versus in a barely covered hokcye game by the American press, its takes place in primetime under the Olympic spotlight. We’ve waited since the Opening Ceremonies to see the Olympics stop when these two bitter rivals would play for national pride. Let me be the eleventy-billionth person to mention that this was supposed to be the gold medal game, not a mere quarterfinal. Much is made of the burgeoning USA/Canada rival, but make no mistake, Canada/Russia is the traditional rivalry at the heart of International hockey.

But, Canada has underachieved in this tournament, falling all the way to the sixth seed and the qualification round. What ills Team Canada, lets count the ways. Maybe we should not be shocked that the team with Chris Drury beat the team with Joe Thorton in a big game. Despite the tough draw, its not hard to come up five reasons to still like them for the Gold, but the five reasons they wont make me even think they’ll be lucky to advance much farther than today. Ah, but the message from team executive director and greatest-captain-of-all-time Stevie Yzerman is clear, and consise:  Canada, calm down. Nevertheless, there’s no middle ground for Team Canada on this one. It’s been gold or bust the whole time. While that doest separate themselves too much from the other contenders in the field, a deep run, not a quarterfinal exit is not what anybody expected in their home Olympiad.

Team Canada easily dispatched the Germans in the qualification round. The Canadians should really thank the Americans for pushing them in this extra game. Canada played its best team game last night, with each line chipping in some offensive chances and, perhaps more importanly, bringing its physical game. They sure did check last night like it was an elimination do-or-die game. Which it was and maybe being used to the one-and-done consqeunces of these rounds ahead of time will help give them an added edge of urgency early in this game. The extra game still put the Canadians in a quarterfinal match with the Russias, so dont expect any true thank-you cards headed the Americans way for putting their northern neighbors in this showdown today.

Maybe its out of that desperation that they’ve switched goalies, shelving Martin Broduer for Roberto Loungo. Canada coach Mike Babcok botched the goalie situation. Or maybe he did the right thing. Regardless of which side of the argument you fall on, one thing is pretty darn clear: this will be a career defining moment for Loungo. Playing in his NHL home city. The weight of the nation suddenly resting on his ability to slow down a Russian onslaught. And then win two more games. No pressure, kid.

A change in net was not the only different with the Canadians last night. Babcock also switched up his lines in the infinite quest that first Pittsburgh and now Team Canada are on the find the perfect winger compliment to Sidney Crosby. Of course, Babcock has deeped options that the Penguins do, and I dont know if there is a wrong answer, at least on this roster. In an attempt to maybe add some size to the ideal wing alongside Sid The Kid, we saw Eric Stahl play on his line last night as well as giving Jarome Iginla a more consistent place on the other wing. It paid off as the trio combined for six points as the Habs slow, but surely pulled away from the Germans last night.

If anyone can relate to the Martin Brodeur benching it’s probably Team Russian GM Vladislav Tretiak. He went from greatest goalie in the world to bench warmer during the famous USA 1980 upset over the USSR. But, he probably doesnt have time to really empathize with Brodeur as Team Russia faces their own anxiety heading into today’s death match. If there is a team with more pressure on it from the motherland that the Candaians, it’s Team Russia.

Things are bad in the Russian camp too. They were desperate and resigned themselves with a lineup shuffle that put Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin on the same line. Geez, if only I had their kind of problems. On a serious note, that shuffle did the trick. They looked great together against the Czechs and probably provide the best line of these games. Just the whole dynamic of the Crosby/Ovechkin rivalry takes on a different tone with Malkin on the other side. Malkin and Ovie dont like each other, specifically from the Penguin/Cap rivalry, but its interesting how those feelings tend to subside when playing for Mother Russia. Ovechkin took out Jagr Sunday in a move that really changed the game. Does he have a play like that in him tonight? Will it come at the expense of Crosby?

Russia only has 14 NHL players on their roster, a smaller amount than the Czechs, Fins and Swedes. But, ah, quantity does not make quality. Ever heard of that one? Well, when you’re so stacked that Pavel Datsyuk is the third most explosive player on the team, then it doesnt really matter that you may have 2-3 less NHL players than most of the other contenders. Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeny Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk. Its safe to say if you bring those guys as your three best players, you have a chance to win any tournament. Malkin is the reigning league scoring champ. Ovechkin is the biggest force in hockey today. Datsyuk is a brillian two way player, every bit as talented, if not celebrated, as Sergie Federov was in his prime with the Wings. Oh, speaking of Fedorov, he’s on the team, taking a break from his season in the Russian KHL.

Finland vs Czechoslavakia, 10:00 est. Lines, Czechs even, Finland -120, O/U 5

Just because it lacks the Ovechkin vs Crosby appeal doesnt make the Czech/Finland Quarterfinal game any less desperate for the clubs involved. They play each other in the 4/5 game tonight. It would be a major disappointment to fans of both nations if they dont get a chance to at least play for a medal.

Watching a rejuvenated Jaromir  Jagr in this tournament has us all wondering if he could return to NHL.  Then, he gets nicked up a little in the first period and never returns in the Latvia game and we remember how brittle he was when he finally left the league. His status remains up in the air. This game is a toss-up, but naturally you have to favor the Finns if Jagr is a no go.

The key in playing the Czechs is the old hockey cliche of staying out of the box. You cant really give any of these teams too many power plays, but, to me, the Czech powerplay, bolstered by as good a scoring set of forwards of anyone else in this tournament, is the one thing that could help the Czechs overcome the long odds of beating three elite teams in a row for gold. They also have Tomas Kaberle, arguably the best point man on the power play in the NHL and there’s no shortage of forwards to crash the boards and the goal for all the pucks he directs back inside the zone with the man advantage.  Its been interesting watching Kaberle play in these games. Sometimes for the Leafs, he’s a bit hesistant to look for his offense. He’s taken a way more aggressive approach thus far in the Olympics. Will that continue and, more importanly, will it pay off against the Finns? They’ve had the most power plays so far of anyone else in these Olympics. Until their hiccup against the Russians on Sunday, they had looked as impressive as anybodyelse in the field. I dont find that power play fact unrelated.

Jagr might be the only star power this team has. But the NHL junkie will be quick to point out the goal scoring talent on this team. Patrick Elias, Milan Michalek, Tomas Fleischman, Martin Havlat, Martin Erat and David Krejci are regular goal scorers in the NHL, even if nobody outside their home markets know it. Elias, Fleischman and Krejci spent much of the early NHL season injured or recovering, but they all started to see a peak in their game heading into the Olympics. Krejci and Havlat have been on fire during the Olympics. It’s a deep scoring team with accomplished goal scorers straight form the NHL. And, they’ve add Jarg to the mix. You can see why you discount them at your risk.

Havlat was very active last night, seemed to be able to get a shot on net whenever he wanted. Krejci has regained the offensive touch during these Olympics that he displayed last season before injuries in the fall set him back. Can both carry over their play tonight? The Czechs took way too many power plays last night, and luckily they were playing sombody whose last win in Olympic play was eight years ago in a ninth place game. The Latvians werent able to take advantage, the Fins will be able to tonight.

The Czechs have 17 players from the NHL. Of the remaining seven, four play in the elite KHL league in Russia, largely considered the second best professional league in the world after the NHL. Finland aint shabby either. Eighteen of their players are from the NHL with four of the remaining five imported from the Russian KHL. The names are familiar. The Koivu brother, Saku and Mikko, the Ruutu brothers Toumo and Jarkko, Teemu Selanne and Jere Lehitinen. One Fin to look out for is Valterri Flippula. A Red Wing, he’s battled injuries  this season, but is now back in the lineup has picked up where’s he always left off. Never on the top line, but always able to produce some offense. He’s the type of player who can get you a goal and an assist in a big game without having to do anything his normal A-game wont do. You know it, he’s my sneaky pick to click, yo.

In all seriousness, this team comes to Vancouver with unfinished business. Silver medals in Torino were nice. But, 15 players came back from that team, specifically to run for an historic gold this time around. A quarterfinal exit would be bitter disaappointmnet, four years in the making for those players who came oh so close four years ago. This is very much like the team four years ago. In 2006, the Fins had four of the 10 overall scorers in the tournament. All four return. As does the main defensive core from a team that gave up just a goal per game on average during the 2006 Games. It’s a talented team that knows exactly what to do, and how to play in these types of games. Besides, any team from the same country as Santa and thats bulking itself up every year can not be discarded from a hockey tournament.

Sweden vs Slovakia, midnight, est. Lines, Swededn -1.5, O/U 5.

People seem to be underestimating Sweden as we head into the quarterfinals. They’re only the defending Olympic Gold Medalists. And, after Canada and USA, they have to most NHLers on their roster. They also got a boost with the return of Peter Forsberg to the National team. They have a tricky quarterfinal match today with Slovakia. After the Slovaks beat the Russians, they have become a treny darkhorse pick to at least medal. Meanwhile, their long odds for gold have shrunk from 40/1 to 25/1. More than half their team comes from the NHL and another 8 players arrive from the Russian KHL. Marion Hossa, Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra are all household names to the common NHL fan.

What I enjoy the most watching Team Sweden play is the chance to watch Nicklas Backstrom do his thing.  He’s only the best center on the best team in the NHL. Yet, nobody knows his name. Ovie does have linemates, you know.It’s not at all illegitimate to ask the question who really makes whom good in Washington? But, he’s got a killer game and if the Swedes end up defending the their gold medal with him in a starring MVP role, I’m ok with that. And, it would add even more notoriety in the budding Caps/Pens rivalry the NHL is starting to hitch its ride to. Also of intrigue are the Sedin twins, Daniel and Heinrik, two of the most popular Vancouver Canucks, but, of course, playing for Team Sweden in their NHL hometown. Talk about an odd Olympic experience for them.

Picks? Picks!

After all that, you probably want some picks, right? Who am I to say who will win these games. Besides, the nice, somewhat accurate reputation the JCB has carved out in recent months was not achieved on the backs of hockey games. Right now, I like Finland to beat the Czechs and that’s about it. I mean, do you really need to gamble on Russia vs Canada to enjoy it? Honestly, you dont. Anyway, we have more than 2 hours before the first game starts. If I end up making any picks, I will send them out via twitter.

The same can not be said in the pursuit for the most gold medals as five countries are within two golds of another as the final week of competition gets underway. Team USA and Germany are tied with 7, Norway has 6 and Canada and Switzerland both have 5. Dont sleep on the Swiss or Canadians right now. There is more than enough skiiing for the Swiss to take over and add to their gold count. As far as the Canadians, they remain the favorite to home gold in both men’s and women’s hockey and curling. If they follow through and sweep those events and find a way a to pick up 1 or 2 more golds somewhere, they might be hard to beat. As the Winter Action Sports (such as ski cross) heat up again in the final week, Team Canada expects to make up ground. The Swiss were a 50/1 longshot to win most golds while Canada was 4/1. Those bets remain alive as we go deep into the final week of play.

For the most part, my focus has been on the top three teams. Team USA because, well, their the home team and winning a Winter Olympic medal count would be a huge breakthrough for the program. Germany and Norway because I have fuutre bets on both those countries to take home most golds. The bigger bet is the even money odds on Germany. The smaller bet, but much bigger payout is the 12/1 shot on the Norwegians. With these three countries bunched up at the top, this has become the most exciting Olmypics for me, well, ever.

Today is going to be a killer day in the race between these three countries, not to mention some chances for the Canadian and Swiss darkhorses on the rail to make a move. There will be a lot of head to head matchups between athletes from these countries going for podium spots in events today.

No more so than in the Combined Nordic Team Event, where all three countries are among the favorites to take gold. It was a little over a week ago when American Johnny Spillane made history, becoming the first ever U.S athlete to medal in a Nordic Combined event when he took a silver in the individual competition. Now, he is back, along with teammates Todd Lodwick, Bill Demong and Matt Dayton, trying to archoestrate a similar breakthrough in the team event. Team USA finished in fourth place in 2002, fell to seventh in 2006 and are coming off a dissapointing World Championship appearance a year ago during which they were disqualified. But, if the results of last week’s individual competition is any indication, the Americans are back and a legit threat today as they finished 2-4-6 in the final standings. For Lodwick, the lure of the podium has kept him skiing competitvely all these years. These could be his last career events and that elusive medal is still out there tantalizing him.

Wouldn’t you know it, but the top three expected conteders in this field are Team USA, Germany and Norway. Between Sports Illustrated and USA Today, they have those countries, albeit in different order, standing on the podium. Perhaps as a result of public momentum from Spillane’s breakthrough a week ago, the Americans are favored in this event today. Per BetUs, the Yanks are -140 to take Gold. They are clear cut favorites with the Austrains at 3.5/1, Germans 4/1 and Norwegians 4.5/1, the next favored bets. Given my future bets with Norway and Germany, this is a perfect event to hedge those bets with a play on Team USA.  Anyway, the Nowegians provide an interesting motivational backdrop. Their stud Magnus Moan was the favorite in the individual competition, but came nowehere close to the podium. He is motivated to make up for that failure. The Americans are motivated by making history. It would be an interesting event nonetheless, but throw in the expected swing results in the gold medal count and those future bets, and this becomes must-see TV for me. The ski jumping takes place at 1:30 est, with the cross country ski relay starting at 5.

We could also see some swing results on the Alpine skiiing course today. In the men’s Super-G, Americans Ted Ligety and Bode Miller are among the favorites. Ligety, the only American male to win an Olympic medal four years ago, has been shutout of these games so far. Miller, the skiing goat four years ago, has been the story of the games, picking up three medals, including one gold, in the three events he’s already skiied in Vancouver. The story has been more than just Miller, but of an American ski team bouncing back from an historic low Alpine medal count in 2006 to winning at least one medal so far in every race run in Vancouver. Can those good times continue to roll today?

This is a wdie open field. How wide open? Nobody is better than 5/1 odds to win and there are seven different skiers between 5/1 and 8/1 odds to win. None of them are Bode Miller, who comes in with tasty 10/1 odds to win. Ligety is race chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. at 5/1. The Swiss contigent could ski their way up the gold medal count with Carlo Janka, 6/1 and Didier Cuche, 8/1. Norway’s Askel Lund Svinkal, already a gold medalist at these games, will be by non-American favorite skier in the race. He’s 7/1 to take home gold, and, if he does, will be a major coup for the 12/1 most golds future bet.  Austrians Marcel Hirscher and Banjamin Rausch are 6/1 and 7/1 repsectively and Italian Massamilano Blardone at 6/1 round out the expected race contenders. The Giant Slalom is a two-race event. The first run begins at 12:30 est with the second run at 4.

In the other three medal events of the day, the Americans will be hard pressed to meadl and failry lucky if their medal count lead doesnt take hit when its all said and done. In the women’s biathlon relay, beginning at 2pm, there is a strong chance for German gold. Their squad is the -130 favorite to take gold, but they’ll be pushed by a strong Russian team, who at +110 is really a co-favorite with the Germans.  France at 5/1 is another contender, along with Sweden, 10/1. The Norwegian team is a longshot 30/1 chance and the Americans dont have a team in the race.

In the grueling 10,000 meter men’s speedskate, the Norwegians have one of the best skaters in the field in Havard Bokko. That’s the good news for my future. The bad news is being one of the better skaters in this field doesnt mean anything unless your name is Sven Kramer. The Dutchmen has been dominant at the distance events for three years running. Bokko might be one of the better skaters in this race, but Kramer is by far the best. So much so that he is -800 to win gold. You have to wager 800 bucks just to win 100. By far, he’s the biggest favorite I’ve seen, based on the odds, during the Olympics to date. Holland’s Bob De Jong is 5/1, Korea’s Seug Hoon Lee is 10/1 and Bokko is 12/1. Chad Hendricks is expected to be the best American in the field, but he’s just 25/1 to skate to gold. Clearly, this is Kramer’s event to lose. The racing begins at 4:00 e.s.t.

Meanwhile in the women’s downhill ski cross, the Canadians might make a move up the medal charts. Local favorites Ashleigh McIvor and Kelsey Serwa are expected to comprise of half of the 4-women final ski. McIvor is the reigning world champ, she’s a Whistler native and has had more than 20 shoulder dislocations during her career. France’s Ophelie David, a 33-year-old who skies for the Hungary National Team  way back in the 1994 Olympics is considered the race favorite. She had been the 6-time world champ before McIvor upset her last season.

Of course, there is tons of hockey going on with the opening games of the knockout round beginning later. We’ll have full coverage of the tournament here at the JCB.. For now, the focus today is on the five medal events. As you can see the five teams with the most gold medals all have a chance to finish at the top of the podium in at least one of the events today. It will interesting to see just where the count stands when sun sets on the 12th day of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Some of the most important stakes are on the line in the first game of the day between Russia and Czechoslovakia. And, its a game anxious Team Slovakia fans are keeping an eye on. A Czech win today over the Russians, not only will give the Czechs one of the top three seeds, but it will also drop the Russians into 7th place and put the Slovaks into the top-6 of the draw. There are dozens of dizzying combinations the final bracket may look like after today’s games in the books, but I think the important scenarios to track today are the ones that have Russia losing today and the Canada subsequently doing enough today to claim the #2 seed. One such situation is a Canada win in regulation. Combine that with the Czechs win and the Finland/Sweden result, as long as one of those results end  in regulation with the other winning in OT. The team winning in regulation would be the top seed, but Canada would beat out either team winning in OT for the #2 seed becuase they would have the same amount of points, but the Habs would have a better goal differential. Why are those outcomes compelling? Because it leaves Canada as the #2 seed and Russia as the #7 seed. They would be destined for a gold medal game in the quaterfinals. These are the two favorites in this field. The hockey world cant wait to stop and watch  Crosby and Ovechkin add another chapter to their rivalry on the International, Olympic stage. A gold medal is supposed to be on line, not a spot in the semifinals. If the bracket falls like that, this tournament, already anybody’s game, becomes even more up for grabs. This becoming the future bracket is a storyline I’m following today.

It all becomes irrelevant if Russia wins this first game in regulation or in overtime against the Czechs. Some have suggested some lineup shuffling for Team Russia as a lack of cohesion so far has been the best defense againstthe likes of  Evgeny Malkin. Their coach has said they’ve simply lacked passion during the round robin game. It should not be too hard to raise their ire with Eastern European rivals across the ice from them. The Czechs have been great in their first two games. And, Jaromir Jagr, playing in Russia the last two years, has been fun to watch again. He looks rejuvenated. The winner today will likely be  no worse than a third seed and, thus, receive somewhat of an earlier draw. At least Russia would avoid Canada in the quarterfinals, right? Not so fast my friend, if Canada loses in regulation they might fall as far as the sixth seed. Like we said, there are dozens of bracket possibilites. Today, I’m paying attention to the ones that would create a Russia/Canada, Crosby/Ovechkin fest in the quarterfinals, two rounds before most of the betting public assumed it would happen.

Of course, here in North America, the GAME OF THE DAY, is USA vs Canada and the Americans are the decided enemy and underdog heading into the contest. It’s been over 50 years since the Americans beat the Canadiens in an Olympic hockey game.Despite that hammer and nail-like relationship, this is a legit rivalry. If they break that streak today, Team USA could very well be the top seed heading into the knockout round and wouldnt have to face any of the NHL-laden big boy teams until the medal round. Considering in two of the three Olympics with the NHL, Team USA hasnt even made it as far as the semifinals, earning the top seed and the easiest draw to get to the Final Four would be quite a coup. With a win today in regulation, Team USA, barring a major upset on Wednesday, would pretty much do no worse than playing for a medal, something they’ve only done in 4 different Olympics–at least play for a medal–since World War II.  Of course, they are big underdogs today. Canada is favored by 1.5 goals, the biggest spread oddsmakers have on the three games today. The Americans had a breakthrough a month ago in International Hockey by beating Team Canada in the junior worlds. They did it by being faster than the Canadiens. They’ve constructed an Olympic team based on speed and we’ll find out tonight if they can handle the powerful oak trees on the Canadien blue line.To be succesful, they need their centers to step up and take over the game. More than the other two games, this one will feature teammate vs teammate on several different occassions. Team USA has looked better than Canada during the first two games. But it could provide a wake up call for Canada and bad news for Team USA today.

I dont have much to say about the nightcap, Sweden vs Finland. I bet most people have forgotten that these are the teams that played for the Gold Medal in Torino in 2006. And, as neighboring countries, they have a little bit a rivalry, that borders on obsessive hatred. Seriously, Finland? Writing stories in 2008 about Sweden not winning medals in Beijing? Here’s a thought, try winning your own medals first. Anyway, this game brings Peter Forsberg back into the game and these Olympics might be the last go around for one of the game’s greatest players the last 20 years. If Finland wins, they have a strong chance at the top seed. Sweden, on the other hand, has the weakest goal differential of all the expected top six clubs.

Do you want predictions? Ok, here you go: Czechoslovakia +1, USA +1.5 and Finland pick ‘em. Book It, why not. And, for sure, book this day as a fun because it’s such a great day of hockey.

AMERICANS BREAK OUT THEIR ALL STARS…….AGAIN

Look for Team USA to try and bite back today. They have three of their biggest stars today going for medals in Lindsey Vonn, Shanni Davis and Apolo Ahton Ohno. The speed skating events will be basically held live during NBC’s prime time. Vonn’s ski race will be on tape delay during the broadcast, so we’re on No Spoiler alert this afternoon. Unless we watch the action via live stream on Canada’s TSN website, of course.

Vonn goes in her third event, looking for her second medal. But, she is hardly just the story. American won only 2 medals in Torino. This season Team USA skiers have a total of six medals through four events. Bode Miller and Julie Mancusco have two apiece. The Americans have never medalled in every Alpine event during an Olympiad. While there is a long way to go before they accomplish that, they still have not been shutout from the podium yet in Vancouver.

Today, it’s the Women’s Super G.  If the betting odds tell us anything, its dont expect the American streak to end today. Vonn is the heavy favorite to take the gold medal from this 53-skier field. She is listed as 8/11 at BoDog and as pricey as -200 at sportbook. Two hours before the race, you cant even find odds at BetUs, perhaps in a move to stop one sided betting on the American. She is skiing 17th today, so her run will take place sometime during the mid-2:00 hour est. Her American teammate Julie Mancusco is the first out of the gates this afternoon. It’ll be interersting to see  if she can set a blazing pace. She’s already earned two silvers this Olympiad, so nobody on the women’s side is skiing better than her right now. To take the gold, she’s a 9/1 shot. It’s also not a women’s Alpine race without the ubiquetous European stars Marie Riesch and Anja Paerson.  They both had disappointing downhills, but rallied to take gold and bronze in the combined event. Both go off at 5/1 odds today. Reisch, the German, skis 12th, while the Swede Paerson skis after Von in the 21st slot.

Vonn owned this event last season, winning 5 straight races to close the season. She won the World Cup for this event. She hasnt been quite as dominant this season and perhaps in the results of those events can you find a solid a darkhorse. Elisabeth Goergel of Austria beat Vonn two months ago in this event. You know she’s skiing well this week after her bronze in the downhill. She’s listed at 16/1 Fraenzi Auftenblatter also beat Vonn in a different December world cup event and the Swiss skier is 28/1.

It’s North America versus Asia in the men’s 1,000 short track speed skate. American hero Apolo Anton Ohno is a 13/2 play to win gold, but more money is expected to come in on a pair of South Korean rivals. Ho Suk Lee and Jung Suk Lee are listed at 13/8 and 9/4 and are more chalky than Ohno.South Korean  Si Bak Sung at 5/1, Canadien Chad Hamelin at 8/1 and American John Robert Celski is 22/1 round out the top six favored bets. You’ll recall a week ago, Team USA got its medal hunt off to an awesome start when Ohno and Celski took silver/bronze after a wipeout on the final turn ruined a Korean sweep. It’ll be interesting to see how those emotions play out tonight. Are the Koreans tight? Are the Americans loose? And Canadian Hamelin didnt even qualify for the finals. Can he rebound? This should be a fun race this evening.

For some reason, the book I use is posting the odds for the women’s 1,500 short track skate in some form of Asian script. Oh, no wait, it’s because the only people you can bet on are from China, Japan or Korea. Six of the top nine favorites are from the Asian block.  Skate chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. is China’s Yang Zhou at even odds with South Korea’s Eun Byul Lee on her heels at +150. American Katharine Reutter stands an excellent chance at breaking up any possible Far East sweep off the podium. She’s 5/1 to take gold, putting her in third favored status, along with China’s Lin Lin Sun.

Three rounds of skating this evening for both events. And, it will be a late one as the women’s final wont skate until 10:50 est and the men’s final at 11:05.

On the long track this evening, the event of the day is the men’s 1,000. First skaters go off at 7:15 est, so all the contenders will be skating live for the podium spots during NBC’s first hour of live coverage this evening.  And, its where the rubber meets the road in the Red, White and Blue intra-rivalry between Shanni Davis and Chad Hendricks. The two have clashed in the past, the latest being Hendrick’s public statements against Davis for not skating on the team relay. Davis is going for his second gold of the Games and is heavy chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. at -200. Hendricks did win a bronze medal in the 1,500 earlier, but that was more a surprise. This is his best event. And, he’s the second favorite to win gold at 4.5/1. There are 19 pairs of skaters and Hendricks and Davis skate in the final two pairs respectively. Canadian Denny Morrison at 7/1 and South Korean Mae Te-Bum is 9/1 offer the best chances to break the American duo at the top. A third American Trevor Marsicano is 12/1.

 Me? I am pulling for Norwegian Havaard Bokko at 18/1. He really is the best chance, and a slim one at that, the Norwegians have to grab a gold in any of these events.  With Reisch in the women’s skiing today the Germans only true hope in these three events, my future bets might not be able to survive another American gold rush.

A MUST WIN FOR NORWAY ON THE TRAILS

If Norway wants to keep this charge going, it needs to pick up a gold medal in the cross country skiing today with the men’s 30K. The have the top-seed in the race Peter Northug. He is even money chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. at offshores with nordic skiiing lines this morning. His top challengers are Swissmen Dario Cologne ate 2.5/1, Czechosolvakian Lucas Bauer, 6.1 and Sweden’s 12/1. It started off as a poor Olympics for Norwegian nordic skiers. But that’s changed in recent days with Marjet Bjoerjen picking up golds in two straight women’s events raced in the last three days. Can that magic roll over to the men’s side. Considering the expected golden haul of Team USA with Vonn, Davis and perhaps even Ohno, the Norwegians need to stay hot on the trials. That means its a must win for Northug. I wonder if I should Twitter him to tell him that I’m on his side. Race begins at 4:30 est.

The Germans wont win a gold today, barring a major upset, unless Reisch skis to gold in the women’s Super-G. And, that in and of itself would be an upset. But, the bobsled events begin today, and, of course, expect the Germans to be in thick of it for gold in every event. Tonight, the first two of four runs are raced in the men’s 2-man bobsled. While the Swiss top team of Hefti and Lamparter are the trendy pick to win, per SI’s medal projections, the betting public thinks otherwise. The German tandem of Andre Lange and Kevin Kuskie are -250 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.. That means they are favored by more in this event than Vonn and Davis are in theirs. The Swiss duo are 2.5/1. The Germans have a second sled in the race that could win with Florshuetz and Kuhne catching 5/1 odds. The top American team of Holcomb and Tomasevicz are 40/1 to win, Napier/Langton 50/1 and Kohn/Cunningham 100/1 . Dont Book It.

CURLING, HOCKEY DRAMA

Otherwise, there is drama today as curling and hockey continue their round robin plays. The saga of Jon Schuster and the men’s curling team is playing out this afternoon. After missing on four straight game winning shots in Team USA’s 0-4 start, Schuster was benched. They beat France yesterday, but Schuster is back in the lineup today. Everyone of their matches has come down to the final shot. If a football and basketball team played that many close games, I would announce to the world to always play the underdog in their games. Is the men’s curling team the same thing? They were heavy dogs today at 2/1 to win. I’d take my chances on a final shot with a 2/1 payout. But, with no spread to cushion a loss, is it a wise bet given Team USA’s luck this week. I’m not sure, but I’ll be watching.

Sadly, the men’s 0-4 start likely kocked them out of medal contention. Top 4 of the 10 teams advance in the medal round. The women are in 7th place, but in a bit of a better spot. They’re 1.5 games out of fourth place, but have a chance to make up a full game today by beating Great Britian, the current fourth place team. It would be an upset, however, as the Brits are -275 to win and USA is 2/1. The other big match takes place on the men’s side  between Canada and Great Britian. Canadian bettors must be loading up. They’re -292 to win, close to 1/3 odds, at pinnacle sports to win.

Positioning for the bottom half of the men’s ice hockey draw is also on the line today as the project 3rd and 4th place teams in all three pools go head to head in their final games before the knockout stage. Switzerland is -2.5 over Norway (3:00), Slovakia is -2.5 over Latvia (7:30) and Germany and Belarus is a pick ‘em (midnight). So, what’s at stake in these games? Slovakia probably has the most on the line. If they win and the Russians lose tomorrow to the Czechs, they would finish in second place in their pool and be the sixth seed in the knockout tournament. They should win their first game and then they’re an upset away from the medal round. All six teams playing today were projected to be seeded 7-12 when the tournament began and would need a pair of upsets to reach the medal round.  Slovakia has a chance to increase its chances to at least play for a medal if they win and things break right tomorrow. The Swiss, a very dangerous team, can win and put themselves in a winnable first round situation come Tuesday.  Germany and Belarus play with the winner avoiding the 12th or 11th seed and a game with one of the Big 6 in the opening knockout round. It’s looking like the loser of this one, Norway and Latvia will be the bottom three seeds. The best goal differential will be in 10th and at least avoid a Big 6 team right off the bat. So, counting goals will be important. Among the four winless teams, those standings are Belarus -6, Germany -7, Latvia -9 and Norway -13.

Now, of course, the Germans falling behind in the gold count harms me. I will turn a profit on the two futures bets to win most golds as long as they do. My other play was Norway. Hey, they finally scratched gold in a cross country event yesterday, but they’re still four back of the top spot and virtually need to max out every possible chance they at Gold to get me that killer 12/1 pay day. I wish I could go back in time and place 4/1 bets on the Americans in both gold and overall medal chases. Oh well. On to today’s events.

VONN GOES FOR DOUBLE GOLD

If Lindsey Vonn were a football or basketball team, there is no way I would bet on her in her next event, which in this case is today in the women’s combined. It a double ski with a downhill this afternoon at 1:30 east and a slalom at 4. Fastest combined time wins. But enough of fancy pants rules, why come you hate on golden girl and say she wont win today? Well, I didnt say she wouldn’t win, just that under normal circumstances she wouldnt be somebody I would bet on today. We talk all the time about football and basketball teams suffering letdowns the next time out after emotional, grueling bigtime wins the game before. It happens all the time. Dont you have to consider Vonn to be in the same boat? And I’m knocking the emotion she showed. Frankly, its what I like about sports and especially the Olympics. But you have to wonder if the edge needed to win an Olympic event will be there today without any real time to come down from the downhill high.  To be sure, she’ll refocus, but today would be a day she’d letdown and I wouldnt think any less of her, just like the Saints did after their first loss of the season. They, of course, rebounded and eventually won big. Vonn could still do the same.

Of course, this is the Olympics and maybe she’s riding some destiny. If so, its because of her skill and she aint too shabby in this event. She’s medaled nine times in this event during her world cup career. She had the world championship in her grasp a year ago until she whiffed on one of the final slalom gates. She won this event during the opening meet of the season. The question is can she collect herself and ski her ass off again in the downhill. If she can build a lead like her margin of victory yesterday, she could be double golden. Another thing in her favor is the status of the other top skiers. Marie Reisch skiied terribly yesterday, can she rebound? Ange Parsons had a terrible fall at the bottom of the slope, where is her ming at? For some reason, I cant find any odds on this even anywhere on line, except at pinnacle, which doesnt take American customers and only has head-to-head matchups on the board, not race futures.

ICE HOCKEY IS A PROFIT MACHINE

I really hope one or two of my dozen readers have been playing the chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. in the hockey games the whole way. Several times its been mentioned here at the JCB, but profit will go to chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. eating mo fo’s, at least during round robin play, during the hockey events. The plan: play the favorites, against the goal line, when the US and Canadian women play and the top-6 men’s teams, Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia, Finland and the Czechs. Those clubs covered three out of four games during yesterday’s sessions. They now hold an 8-2 cumulative ATS record during the games. Folks, we’re doing this for your benefit, so start taking advantage of it. Besides, one of the reasons they even play sports is for us to make money on investments, right? But, seriously, what stock out their fancy pants Wall Street guy, would have paid such high dividends in such a short time. Personally, I would take the money and run at this point. It’s hard to improve on an 80-percent success rate. Then again, I still think its likely we get three covers out of four today. Also, today is Last Call for this theory as the Big Boys in the men’s event skate against each other on Sunday and the round robin plays for the women is almost over with USA and Canada having only one game left, one of which is today. Anyway, here the lines: USA -5.5 over Norway; Canada -5.5 over the Swiss and the Russians -2.5 over Slovakia.  On the women’s side Team USA is -6.5 over the Lady Finns.

Betting aside, the game against the Norwegians is a critial one for Team USA today. The format for the tournament has changed. After pool play, the rank all the teams 1-12 based on points. Tiebreakers, if not solved vis head-to-head games, are solved by over goal differential. Teams ranked 1-4 get first round byes. Teams 5-12 have to play in the qualification round before advancing into the Final 8. While I think Team USA would cruise to victory in a 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11 game, they have to avoid that round in my opinion. It’s an extra game, which will take away some legs, but the quarterfinals are the following day. Do you really want a 5- or 6-seed American team going up against Finland, Russia or Sweden or somebody with no rest? I dont. Since I think the Canadiens will beat the USA on Sunday in the final game of pool play, it’s going to be hard to finish in the top-3. But, if they are 2-1 with thebest goal differential, they will be in fourth place. I think that could work for them. With everyone having played one game, the Americans sit in a 3-way tie for fourth place with the Czechs and Swedes with a +2 goal differential. They are playing a punching bag today, the lowest seeded team internationally in this field. They need to woodshed the. Go! Do It!

TEAM USA LOOKS FOR DOUBLE MEDALS. AGAIN

Team USA won a pair of medals in three different events. They could very well stage another double event tonight in the womens halfpipe. Americans are expected to flex their muscles in this event with three boards that nobody would really be shocked to see win the gold. Its probably also the sexiest field in the Olympiad. No creeper, of course. Anyway, Kelly Clark is the event favorite at +125, with American compatriots Gretchen Blier at 2/1 and Hannah Teeter at 10/1. Australian Hannah Teeter is the best bet to break up any thoughts of an American sweep. She’s basically a co-favorite to take home gold at +250. Is it possible that China could grab a snowboarding medal?  Xuetong Cai, Jiayu Luo and Zhifeng Sung are 12/1, 16/1 and 16/1 to take home gold, but are the next three favored bets after the top four. It’ll be interesting to see if they breakthrough.

HEAVY CHALKChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. FOR CANADIEN SKATER

 There could be a lot of north-of-the-border bettors scraping for spare change underneath their couches to pay the Man should their Canadian comrade Christine Nesbitt fail to take home gold tonight in the women’s 1,000 meter speed skate. As has been the case in many events across the Olympic disciplne sepctrum, we have an overwhelming favorite in this event. In this case its the hometown hero Nesbitt.  And why not? She’s been killing this event for a couple of years now. She’s the defending World Champion in this event in both overall points and in the penultimate Single Distance Championships to conclude the season. This World Cup season she’s been even more dominant, winning all four races so far on the schedule. Barring some sore of collapse the rest of the season, she be the world champ again. But when its an Olympic year and the games are in your home country, the worlds dont mean a hill of beans. This is the biggest skate of the year and Nesbitt comes in towering over the field.  The odds naturally reflect that. She’s 8/15 odds to win at BoDog, 1/2.5 at BetUs and as high as -300 at sportsbook to win this event.  Can South Korean Lee Sang-Hwa take down another heavy favorite on the rink? Probably not. Last season she was just 24th in the World Cup standings and this year is 19th. She’s never finished better than 12th place. Her 25/1 odds look good, but are a sucker bet. Instead look for possible upset candidates among Netherlands Annette Gerritson, China’s Beixing Wang or Japan’s Nao Kodaira. Gerritson has been the closest runner up in any event this season to Nesbitt and is 4/1. Wang won bronze Tuesday in the 500 and her personal best this season is the second fastest to Nesbitt’s PB. She’s 9/1.  Kodaira is the one of three to have multiple medals this season at this event, along with Nesbitt and Gerritson, and her PB is the fourth fastest on tour this season with another Nesbitt time in third. She’s 16/1. Interesting. Canada’s Kristen Groves is also 16/1 As for the American entrants, Eli Ochiwicz is 66/1 and Jennifer Rodriguez, 2002 gold medalist and 2004 world champ, is 80/1.

CAN BURKE BREAKTHROUGH IN BIATHLON?

Four days ago, American Johnny Spillane captured Team USA’s first ever Nordic Combined medal. Can Tim Burke do the same in biathlon today when they ski off of the 20K event? This is the event he made waves in back in the world cup season opener in Sweden when he finished in second place. But, he finished in 29th place in the last 20K race before the Olympics less than four weeks ago, so who knows how he’ll really stand up against the field. He finished in 47th place in Saturday’s 10K race, but none of the favorites really performed well as ever changing in race weather conditions really wrecked the field creating a topsy turvy race. A longer distance, plus consistent conditions, should favor the chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win., so there will be a big burden for Burke to keep pace.  If he falls short of the medal stand expect two Austrians, two Swedes, a Ukranian and a German to win the combined six medal given out in the men’s 20K and women’s 20K biathlon today.

GERMANS MAKE UP GROUND ON SLEDS

The skeleton events begin today with the men’s and women’s events both holding their first and second of four total runs. The Germans could make up some medal ground here. SI picks Frank Rommel to take home the silver, and he’s a 7/1 shot to win gold. But, he’s hardly even a sure thing to make the podium. Latvian brothers Martins and Thomas Dukurs are the betting favorites at +150 and +175 respectively. Canadian Jon Montgomery is +250.  On the women’s side, the Germans could rake medals with Anja Huber, Kerstin Szmykowiak and Marion Trott at  +350, +600 and +250 to win gold. Their odds are just behind race favorite Melissa Hollingsworth-Richards of Canada at +150. If those lines are any indication, this race comes down to can the Canadien use home track advantage to prevent a German sweep.

Oh, and the men’s figure skating finals are tonight. American Evan Leyscek is in second place and looks strong to medal. All in all, it will be another fascinating day of winter sports. Cheers.

We’ve been bracing for a German charge the last couple of days and yesterday it finally happened. The Germans picked up four combined medals in Biathlon, Speedskating and Luge, with golds in the Luge and Biathlon. Conversely, the Americans were shutout of the medals for the first time during the Olympiad, in large part to Linsedy Jacobellis’ fall in the snowboarding cross semifnals. As a result, the Germans have moved into the overall medal count lead with nine pieces of hardware to Team USA’s 8. With three overall gold medals, the Germans are now in a three-way tie for the lead in that chase with Switzerland and South Korea.

Today, the Americans need to make a statement if they’re serious about contending for the medal count lead. Luckily, three of their biggest Winter Olympic stars will be competing today with medals on the line. We have Lindsey Vonn going in the downhill, Shanni Davis in the 1,000 speedskate and Shaun White in snowboarding. All three are not only medal contenders, but heavy chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.  to take gold.

Vonn is the betting chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. in the downhill at -125 odds. Her main challengers are expected to be Anja Parsons at 2/1 and Marie Rausch at 4/1. Everybody else in the field is higher than 10/1 odds. There are a lot of potential big paydays out there. You just need to pick the correct one. Considering ski events have been postponed in three of four days during the Olypmics–including yesterday’s Men’s Combined–perhaps the Books should just let us bet on whether or not there will indeed be racing today. If it goes off, the first skier goes down the hill at 2pm eastern standard time, so we will be on no spoiler alert most of the afternoon.

Shaun White is about as an overwhelming favorite to win his event as anyone else has been in the Olympics. He is a shockingly expensive 1/5 favorite to take gold at BoDog. That’s five bucks wagered for every buck to win. Yikes, talk about sticker shock. If you want to bet White, check out sportsbook.com, where at -400 the rate is a little cheaper to win $100. We’ve seen 2 events already this Olympics where one person was such odds-on chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.. Sven Kramer won his speedskating event for the Netherlands. But, last night Jenny Wolf found just silver, and not gold, in her speed skating event as heavy chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.. So, anything can happen. If the Swiss want to follow through and win the most golds for those folks with 50/1 tickets on the country, they could use an upset here tonight. They’re boarder Iouri Padladtchikov is the next favorite, but all the way down at 7/1 odds. Americans Scot Lago, Louis Vito and Gregory Betz are 10/1, 16/1 and 20/1 respectively, but despite those odds are still expected to contend for podium spots. A Team USA sweep in this event is possible anbd might be necessary to put a charge back into their hunt for the overall medal count lead. This entire event pretty much takes place live during NBC’s primetime coverage, so expect heavy doses of coverage.

NBC will also lean heavily this evening on both speed skating disciplnes, long and short track. One of Team USA’s top guns Shanni Davis finally gets to skate in one of nhis specialties, the 1,000 meters on the long track. He’s already warmed up with the 5,000 and 500 just to get his bearings, but this is one of the events he focuses on and expects to earn a medal. And, the betting public loves him tonight. Davis is -200 pretty much across the board at various online books. His top competition, at least according to the betting action, is Korean Lee Kyoo Huk and Canadien Jeremy Wotherspoon, both who check in at 11/2 odds. Canadien Danny Morrison is 9/1 and Korean Mo Tae-Bum is 12/1. Basically, Davis is the odds on favorite and he must hold off upstarts from the host country Canada and the budding skating power South Korean. Team USA teammates Trevor Marsiciano is 18/1 and Chad Hendricks is 20/1. This event begins at 7pm est and NBC will basically kickoff its primetime coverage tonight with a live report from the Oval.

If you think betting on Shaun White to win is an expensive risk in snowboarding, then dont even think about investing in the chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. in tonight’s women’s 500 meters short track speedskate. China’s Meng Wang is as pricey as -700 in some online books. That’s heavier juice than Kramer, Wolf and White required. It’ll be up to the home crowd to possibly spur on upset. Two Canadiens Kalyna Roberge and Jessica Gregg are among the next-in-line betting favorites at 6/1 and 18/1 respectively. Eul Byun Lee os South Korea is in between them at 10/1 and American Katherine Reutter is 20/1.

Two other short track events beging this evening, but are staging just preliminary rounds.  One event will be just the preliminary heats of the men’s 1,000. This is an Apolo Anton Ohno event, so expect a bunch of coverage even though its only the heat stage. Like the other skating events on either track tonight, this will be a battle between Koreans, Canadiens and Americans. The top eight betting favorties are from one of those countries. Koreans Ho Suk Lee and Jung Su Lee are 7/4 and 9/4 respectively. Ohno is 10/3 and Canada’s Chad Hamelin is 15/2. Those are the top four favorites.  The same rivalry demographic takes place in the men’s 5,000 meter relay. Tonight’s action will get us through the semifinal round, setting us up for tomorrow’s final. If the betting odds are any indication, then eventually expect a South Korea, Canada, USA  finish. The Koreans are -350, Canada +150 and USA 6/1. The only other teams on the board are China at 12/1 and Italy at 50/1.

One final word on hockey before closing the post. I hope everyone played all four heavy favorites yesterday. Team USA didnt cover the -2.5 over the Swiss, but Canada, Russia and the American women all came through. Adding in the previous games by the American and Canadien women, that makes the heavy chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.–defined here as the USA and Canada women’s teams and the six men’s clubs with all  or mostly NHLers, 6-1 ATS since the games began. Why not lay the wood today with Finlad -2.5 over Belarus, Sweden -3.5 over Germany, Czechs -1 over Slovakia and Canada’s Women’s -5.5 over Sweden? It’s worth thinking about at least.

Anyway, enjoy the Olympics today!

I missed the boat too, but it was still a killer race as Swiss won gold for the first time in an Alpine event in over 20 years with Defago winning the closest Olympic downhill race ever. His longshot victory boosts the candidacy of another longshot play. With the Gold, Switzerland moved into the lead for most gold medals with 3, one ahead of Team USA and France. The Swiss were a 50/1 shot in pre-Olympic betting to take hom the most gold medals, but sit atop that leaderboard after three full days of competition. I wouldnt go off spending that money just yet Swiss backers. There is a lot of Olympics yet to skate, ski and sled. This could be like a 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament taking a lead after the first media timeout only to be run off the court from that point forward. Despite that, you never know in sports. If Defago’s ski to the gold was any indication, we could be undergoing a Swiss Apline Renaissance this February.  The Swiss are contenders in just about every other downhill skiing disciplne, with a deep team, evidenced by DeFago, the third best Swiss skier in the downhill going into yesterday nabbing gold. If they win enough Alpine events and spring a couple of upsets at other Olympic venues, who knows that 50/1 shot may come in after all.

That next Swiss gold could come as soon as today in the Men’s Combined race. The race combines the times of a Giant Slalom and Slalom with the fastest total being the winner. The GS will be skiied first and, after a break, they’ll wrap the day up with the slalom. Yesterday’s downhill was the closest in history and if the betting odds for today’s combined are any indication, we could have another nailbiting final. The Swiss bring in one of the favorites Carlo Janka at 5/1 odds, but he’s joined  on the 5/1 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. line by Austrian Banjamin Rauch and Croatian Ivica Kostelic. American Bode Miller, after winning Bronze yesterday, checks in at 7/1 and Norway’s Askul Lund Svindal, the silver winner yesterday, is 8/1. Defending Olympic Champ and American Ted Ligety is a decided darkhorse at 25/1. DeFago is also on the board at 16/1 odds.

TEAM USA STRETCHES OUT OVERALL MEDAL LEAD; BRACES  FOR GERMAN CHARGE

Where is ESPN’s research arm when you need it. Team USA continues to lead the overall medal count, and I”m interested in knowing what’s the deepest the Americans have gone into the Winter Olympics still atop the leaderboard. Their lead could last for awhile. Their 8 combined medals is three more than Germany and at least twice as much as everyone else. Americans have picked up a surprise medal every day so far. Today, the medals should keep coming.

In women’s snowboarding cross,  Team USA brings to the table the favorite in Lindsey Jacobellis. She is 7/4 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. to redeem herself and win the gold medal she spilled away four years with a wipeout on a needless trick move down the stretch drive. But, she’s no lock to stand atop the podium. Canada’s Maelle Ricker at 5/2 and Norway’s Helene Olafsen is 11/2.. Everyone else in the field faces long odds of at least 20/1, so it would be a stunner if anyone else makes the podium, let alone boards to the gold medal. Miller and Ligety are medal threats in the Alpine event discussed above. While there wont be medals handed out until tomorrow night for men’s figure skating, the competition begins this evening with the short porgram. American Evan Lysacek, expected to medal per SI and USA Today predictions, is a 7.5/1 shot to take home gold. Russian Evegny Plushenko is the -140 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. to take gold. Four other skaters are in the 6/1 to 8/1 range, so the American Lysacek has to be in top form to find the podium.

Otherwise, today could be the day we see the Germans make a strong move up the charts. They’re 3 back of the Americans in the overall count and 2 back of the Swiss in the chase for golds. Both those deficits ought to shrink. Unless somebody falls off their sled, they are a lock for two medals, with one likely being gold, as the women’s luge competition ends tonight.  Germans Haufner and Geisenberger were overwhelmingly favorites to go 1-2. It’s probably disappointing to see them just 1-3 after the first two runs with Austrian Nina Reithmeyer in second. But, it’s hot seeing two German women on the medal stand when its over tonight American Erin Hamlin, who had thought had a strong chance at bronze sits far back in 16th place.

In the women’s 500 speedskating event later today, it would be one of the biggest betting upsets of the games if somebody bests the top German contender. Jenny Wolf is the overwhelming favorite at 8/13 odds to skate to gold. If she gets pushed at all, it will come from the Asian block. China’s Wang Biexing is 5/1 and South Korea’s Lee Sang Wha is 6/1. Never count out a Dutch skater, however, and their top entrant is Annette Gerritsen at 16/1. Nobody else checks in at better than 25/1, including Americans Ellie Ochowicz and Heather Richardson, both decided longshots at 66/1

Look for the Germans to lock in some hardward during the two biathlon events this afternoon in Vancouver as well. SI, for example, projects a total of three German medals in those events, but none gold. Those are deep fields with plenty of Austrian, Sweedish and Norwegians contenders. We’ve learned so far in the Nordic events that pre-Olypmic predictions dont hold much water. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a total shock that by the end of the day the Germans have caught the Americans in the overall medal standings.

SKIPS, STONES AND NHLers, OH MY

Perhaps the most exciting part of today’s Olympic festivities include sports that wont be handing out any medals until late next week. Every hockey fan is stoked for the Men’s Tournament and that starts today as NHL-star packed teams from Canada, Russia, Finlad, Sweeden, Czechoslovakia and USA begin their round robin play today and into the night. Last call to place a future bet is this afternoon. The Canadiens are even money chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.. The Russians are 2/1, the Swedes and Americans are 5/1 and the Czech and Fins are 12/1. Everyone else faces long odds. Norway is the biggest Cinderella in this dance. The open with Team Canada today and are 800/1 to snatch gold.

As for the individual games, the Americans start all the action off at 3:00 EST when they face off against the Swiss. Team USA is favored by 2.5 goals, per BetUs, where you can find game lines for all men’s and women’s hockey and curling. Blowouts are expected to be on the menu today as Canada is 6-goal chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. over Norway and Russia is 4.5-goal chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. over Latvia. In other games, Sweden is -3.5 over Germany, Finland -2.5 over Belarus and the Czechs are -1.5 over Slovakia.

One not over in the women’s tournament. So far, Team USA and Team Canada are a combined 3-0 SUATS. No small feat as they’ve been laying huge chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. in all their games. It’s TEAM USA’s turn to keep adding on the woodshed. They’re favored by 8 goals today over Team Russia.

The Curling competitions both begin today as well.   Team Canada is the natural betting favorite to win bth the men’s and women’s bracket. On the men’s side, they are heavier chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. at -160 juice to win. Great Britian, 4/1, Norway, 5/1 and USA, 7/1 are next in line. On the women’s side, the betting action is closer. Canada is still chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win., but at least with some payout at +125. Team China is getting a lot of support at +180 odds. It’s really a two-country race as the bettors are concerned.  The Swiss and Swedes are 7/1, Denmark is 9/1 and Team USA is 12/1.

Individual matches are also on the board. Frankly, I’ve never seen curling lines before. I dont know what to make of them. So, I’ll just pass off the lines for Team USA. The men are -135 over Germany, in what ought to be one of the closest matches of the day. The women are heavier -225 favorites over Japan. I presume everyoe’s DVRs are set for this as most of the curling action will be broadcast live somehwere on one of NBC’s many sister stations.

Picks? Picks!

Well, consider these both non-binding and off the cuff…….Janka gets the Alpine gold. I thought he would win yesterday, but he didnt. He has won this particular event a couple of times in the lead-up to the Games. The Swiss takeover of the Alpine events continues. I called for Bode Miller’s bronze yesterday and, now that the pressure of medalling is finally off of him, I wouldnt be shocked to see him grab some more hardware……..Lindsey Jacobellis gets her snowboarding gold……..I know a sure thing when I see it, and today that is Jenny Wolf, the German favorite, in the women’s 500……and, in hockey, I am taking the Habs at even money to win this thing in the end. As for as individual games, I wouldnt take a single one of those underdogs. ChalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. will rule today. Dont pick and choose. Play them all if you have the stones. I’m not sure I do. But, I will lay the 2.5 goals with Team USA over the Swiss. It’s the first game of the day and I see a 6-2 final score.

I say that because by most pre-Olympic projections, the Americans picked up twice as many medals yesterday as they should have. Both Sports Illustrated and USA Today predicted a South Korean sweep in the 1,500 short track. But when two of them wiped each other out around the last turn of the skate, it opened the door for not one, but two Americans to get onto the podium. Apollo Anton Ohno and J.R. Celski won silver and bronze. There was expected to be  some Red, White and Blue on the podium after the Women’s Moguls. Indeed, SI picked two American medals. But USA Today called for just one, and neither gave gold to an American skier. Both projected this be Canadian Gold on the skis of Jennifer Heil. But Hannah Kearney beat her on the last run for the top spot and was joined by countrymate Shannon ,who won bronze, on the medal stand. Instead of the one or two expected medals, the Americans took home four, including a surprise gold, and have a 2-medal lead in the overall standings after one day.

Now that kind of screams like leading your division in baseball after a couple of weeks in April, but I think yesterday may prove more significant as the chase for medals are concerned. Dont forget, the Americans have come close to winning this sucker the last two Olympics. They were two behind the top spot for overall medals in Salt Lake in 2002 and four off in Torino in 2006. In the Gold Department, they were second in 2006 with nine, two less than Germans. In 2002, they scored 10 golds, good for third behind winner Norway, 13 and runner-up Germany, 12.  Knowing how close they’ve been the last two Olympiads, to pick up a few unexpected medals on Day One bodes well for their chances to finish.

Yeah, but didnt Team USA just pick up medals in events they typically rake in anyway? That would be the perception because both moguls and short track are those newer, fancier sports that Olympic haters mock as add-ins only to boost the American count. Whatever. But, lets not hide the fact that Kearney’s Gold last night was the first for the Americans since the sport debuted in the 1992 Albertville Olympics. Team USA only has three mogul medals all time and have been shutout of the podium all together in two of the last three Olympics. After just one women’s mogul medal over the last three Olympiads, Americans scored two last night, including a gold they hadnt won in 18 years. Team USA has had more recent Gold success on the short track skate. Ohno took home gold in the event’s debut to the short track docket in 2002. But, four years ago the Americans couldnt crack the top-3.

Bottomline, both results last night were better than usual in these events and its given Team USA a leg up. Only a handful of countries can reasonably expect to have enough math fall their way to win the gold and overall medal count. Team USA is one of them and last night they snatched a widely-assumed Gold directly away from one of the other contenders. Throw in the fact that most gold favorite Germany failed to snare gold in the women’s biathalon sprint despite having the deepest field and the favorite Kati Wilhelm in the race and all the math on the the first day of the Olympics fell in favor of Team USA.

That’s music to the ears of those who backed the Americans at the window in the medal count races. Their chances have increased dramatically to win those bets. If Books were to release fresh odds, I doubt you would find anything better than 2/1 odds on them. Unfortuneatly, this blogger is not one of the patriotic bettors. Nope, I took the German chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. at even odds and went out on a limb with the Norwegians at 12/1. Why? Well it just seemed implausible that Team USA would win. There are just still too many events that they dont compete in. And it seems in all those events that the Germans and Norwegians excell.  It also, along with Canada, seemed a lot like betting with your heart and eventually you would lose as biathalon and sledding piled up one after another without any North American medals.

As for the teams I picked, Germany has won the most golds in more Olympics than not ever since they reunified. The combined golds of East and West Germany would extend those figures. As for Norway, they won the most golds in 2002 and gave the top gold a run for its money in the previous two. They struggled with just 2 golds in 2006, and I think we’re getting a traditional winter power at great odds with 12/1. I saw them at 6/1 and 8/1 in other places, so they’re closer to being a favorite than you think. I was sold with generous odds still on the board at Sportsbook.com. So, I put two units on the Germans and one on Norway. If Germany wins, I net one unit, a 33-percent return on the overall investment. If the Norwegians can come through, we’re exceeding a 300-percent return. If neither win, then lets pretend you never read this, ok?

But, I have buyer’s remorse this morning because it took one day of the Olympics to catch Team USA fever. Of course, I want them to win the medal counts. It would be a major accomplishment for American winter sports. If Team USA repeats with another surprise performance on Day 2, then look out. There arent any projected medals out there today for the Americans, but they have plenty of darkhorse candidates running. If any medal is picked up today it would buck the pre-Olympic projections even more so than anything we saw yesterday. Personally, I think today is the day my German and Norwegian teams bite back and make their own statement. I think they can get a combined eight medals and between the Luge, Biathalon and Nordic Combined events today they should strike gold three times. My big payoff Norwegian play could see two of those golds.

IF NOT KNOW, THEN WHEN TEAM USA?

Sunday has the potential to be an historic day for Team USA in the Winter Olympics. They have more than a puncher’s chance to medal in two sports they’ve never medaled in during Olympic competition. No American has ever stood on the Olympic podium after any biathalon or nordic combined event. Those droughts are poised to end today.

In the Men’s 10K Biathalon Sprint, hopes rest with Tim Burke. He’s slowly worked his way up the world charts since the last Olympics, but has been a major player on the International scene during the current World Cup season. He finished second in this event in a December World Cup event, a rare American podium experience at this level of the sport. And he became the first American ever to hold the overall World Cup standings lead, a feat he’s accomplished twice this season at the conclusion of a meet. Now, there have been some mitigating factors. A key Norwegian skips a race here. A top shelf Austrian skis his worst career race there. But, still, Burke has entered rare territory for a Yankee Biathalete. He remains a long shot to win gold and it would still be considered an international upset should he even medal. But no American Biathathele has come into Olympiad skiing as well, with achievements to boot, as Burke is now.

Still, good luck finding a way to bet on him. A perusal of Books across the web reveals few full slate of odds for this event. 5dimes is the only place with futures on a wide swath of the field. Burke, despite his World Cup season breakthrough, is a 28/1 shot to win this event. Most other books only give you three choices to win Gold. Two of them are Norwegians. The rest is everyone else. At BetUs, you can bet on one of the Norwegians to win Gold or the field. Ole Einer Bjoerndalen is even money, while country mate Emil Hegle Svenden is 4/1.If you want the rest of the field, you must pay -200 juice.  For those outside of the US, you can get better odds on Bjoerndalen at Pinnacle Sports where he is listed at 2.6 to 1. Meanwhile at 5Dimes, its Bjoerdalen alone at 2.4 to 1 with the rest of the field at -300. Just becuase the Norwegians are the only ones listed, dont expect them to just ski away with the race. This is widely expected to be a German-Norwegian dual for podium spots. In the battle of my even money odds vs 12/1 odds on Germany or Norway to win more golds, this will be a major swing event. Neither country captured gold in Day 1, but one will certainly bag the top spot in this event.

The second possible breakthrough event for the Americans today is the Nordic combined, an event that mixes both normal hill ski jumping with a cross country ski race. Even though Americans have never medaled in any disciplne in this event, they can reasonably expect multiple medals when its all said and done. The bad news for today is that this is the least likely of the events to see a medal. The good news for today is that despite that the three Americans in the field are among the top  seven betting favorites to take home gold in this event. If any of them perform a career best or overachieve, you could be looking at gold and not just a spot somewhere on the podium. BoDog is the only place I could find with odds for domestic customers. The favored Yank is  Bill Demong, 8/1,followed by Todd Ludwick, 9/1 and Johnny Spillane, 9/1. The betting favorite is Fin Hannu Manninen at 4/1 with Norwegian Magnus Moan close behind at 4.5/1. (Blogger’s Note: 5dimes also has full lines for this event. Just discovered them this morning as we explain below at the bottom of the post)

Needless to say, I’ll be watching these events not only for American history, but to see if my longshot Norwegian team can grab some golds. I dont think they cash that most golds bet without some top podium performances in at least one of these events.

WOMEN HIT SPEEDSKATING LONG TRACK

The first women’s traditional speed skating medals will be handed out this afternoon in the 3,00o meters, the second longest distance in the women’s meet. Czechoslovakian Martina Sablilkova is the betting favorite. Per BetUs, she is 5/6 odds to win, while at 5dimes her cost to win is -165. German Stephanie Birkett and Canadien Kristina Groves are 5/1 and 6/1 respectively at both books. Canadien Cindy Klassen  is 8/1 or 9/1 odds depending on the Book. Maybe that elusive host Gold is found in this race with two top contenders being urged on by a home crowd. The only American on the board is Jilleanne Rookard at a whopping 66/1. BetUs also has head to head wagers, including one pitting both Canadian hopefuls with Groves a slight -13o favorite.

MENS FREESTYLE SKIING MOGULS

Four different countries will be glued to the televisions and interent connections for this event. The top four favorites and from four different countries. Austria’s Dale Degg-Smith is going off as the -125 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. followed by France’s Gaulbait Colbas, 2.5 to 1, Canada’s Alexandra Biladeau, 4/1 and Sweden’s Jesper Bjoerland, 6/1. The American entrants are Michael Morse, 10/1, Patrick Deenen, 15/1 and Byron Wilson, 15/1.

FIGURE SKATING, BE CAREFUL ITS THE DONAGHEY OF THE OLYMPICS

The Pair’s figure skating begins tonight with the short program. Per BoDog,  Chinese couples are three of the top favorites on the board including Zhue/Hongbo, the chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. at 11/10 odds. Folks with the Russians or Germans in medal total bets ought to tune in as the they each have the most likely couple to join the Chinese somehwere on the podium. Americans Denney and Barrett are decided longshots at 50/1 odds. Head to head with Habs Dube and Davidson you can get them at +150 while laying -200 on the Canadiens. Dont forget, these bets include the entire event, not just tonight’s program.

LUGE AWARDS MEDALS

Of course the Luge event is hard to talk about without thinking about the tragic death of the Georgian sledder. I didnt even think to look up odds before the race began yesterday with the first two runs, so I have no idea who is favored or not. Germans were expected to do well, for sure, coming into the event. So far form has held with Felix Loch and David Moeller sitting 1-2 for Germany going into the finals runs today. Those with outlay on German medals love this and could even dream of a sweep for a third German lurking in fifth place. Italian Armin Zoeggler, USA Today’s pick for Gold, sits in third. The top American going into today is Tony Benshoof in seventh place.

Picks? Picks!

After watching the Lady Canadiens cover an 11.5 goal spread in an 18-0 win, I’m not sure if you wanted to make a quick that the best bet isnt laying the -9 with the Lady Americans over Team China this afternoon in their Olympic opener. I would endorse that bet. Go for it.

Here’s something else I would do: Put a quarter unit or 25 bucks on the following: Moan, 3.9/1 to win the Nordic Combined, Bjoerndahlen, 2/1 to win the 10K Biathalon, Svenden, 4/1 to win the 10K Biathalon, Groves 6/1 to win the 3,000 speedskate, Klassen, 9/1 to win the 3,000 speedskate and Biladeau, 4/1 to win Moguls. All odds, per 5dimes.com as of noon today.

The first three are Norwegians. They are the class of those fields. I think they are excellent bets. The last three are Canadiens. They aren’t favored, but they are far from longshots. They represent the 3rd, 4rth and 2nd favorites on the board respectively in those sports. They are in events where the adrenaline push from the home crowd could pull them home first. Team Canada narrowly missed out on getting their first ever home gold last night, but I could see some redemption happening today.

Here’s the deal, if the Norwegians win gold today in the two nordic events, you will turn a 20-percent profit. It will be even more if one of the Canadian darkhorses come in. And, if you crap out on all six, then you’ve lost the money we pulled in during basketball betting yesterday. Come one, we’re playing with house money, so have some fun.

The hockey tournaments do start today. Are you interested in laying chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. on a hockey game? Well today is your lucky day. The Canadien Women’s team is -11.5 over the Slovakians today. Canada could win 13-2 and you wouldnt win that bet. What’s amazing is the total for the game is over/under 12. Does that mean a shutout is likely? If you bet Canada, you might as well bet the over since you cant win one and not the other. I feel like the oddsmakers are telling us something here, I just dont know what. We have four hours to unravel this mystery and unlock our inner degenerate before the puck drops.

Otherwise, five gold medals will be awarded today. Here is a snapshot of the field and odds for each:

MENS 5,000 SPEED SKATING

A long skate this afternoon for the Gold Medal. And, it would be a major upset if Netherlands Sven Kramer doesnt stand on the top podium when its all said and done. He was a silver and bronze medalist in Torino in 2006 and since then has become the dominant figure in the distance races in world competition. He is the three-time world champion in this event and in the 10,000 meters. He holds the world record in both events. The betting odds reflect his dominance. Kramer was -300 earlier the week, meaning to win $100, one would have to risk $300. On race day, however, those odds have become more expensive. A quick tour of Books this morning reveals the going rate at -400. On one hand, he sure does look like a sure thing, going with the dominant World Champ appears to be an easy way to win money. On the other hand, I have never laid that kind of juice to win a bet before. Do I really want to start on a sport I watch once every four years? Havard Booke of Norway is 3/1 and  Bob de Jong of the Netherlands is 4/1.  Everybody else is a longshot with Americans Chad Hendrick, 12-1, and Shani Davis at 22/1. Actually, Hendrick’s odds are a bit all over the map. He’s 12/1 at sportsbook.com, 10/1 at BetUs and 16/1 at BoDog. Davis is only listed at BoDog.

What I find pretty cool about Olympic odds is just how creative some of the games are. This race is expected to be a blowout, but at BoDog, they’ve attempted to sweeten the betting pot by putting some head to head matchups on the board. That book offers a Booke vs de Jong head-to-head bet at even odds, so in a roundabout way you’re predicting pretty much who will win the Silver Medal. They’ve also pitted American Hendrick and Davis against one another, making Hendrick the -150 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. and Davis at +110. I couldnt find any odds on the over/under on subtle and hidden insults these rivals, who are for from friends, will throw at one another in the post skate pressers.

SKI JUMPING NORMAL HILL

Today’s ski jump is a two-person horse race between Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer and  Swiss Simon Amman. The only place I can find with odds on this event is pinnacle sports. Amman is the 2.77 to 1 favorites with Schlierenzauer at 3.3 to 1. Basically, its neck and neck between these. Pinnacle doesnt list any other competitors. You can take the field and hope somebody else breaks through at -178 odds.

WOMEN’S BIATHALON, SPRINT

You’d think the best way to pick a winner here is to go with a German babe. They have four in this event who are among the favorites. Magadelana Neuner is +180, Andrea Henkel is 6/1, Kati Wilhelm is 10/1, and Simone Hausbauer 10/1. Not so fast my friends. Despite the Germans strength,however, it’s France’s Sandrine Bailly thats the betting favorite this morning, currently going off at Even odds.  Sweeden’s Helena Johnnson, the current World Cup leader, she checks in with 5/1 odds. Americans are expected to contend for a spot in the top-10, let alone the podium and I cant find odds on any of them anywhere.

SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING, MEN’S 1500

NBC will be featuring American Golden Boy and Dancing With The Stars star Apolo Anton Ohno tonight as one of his event is broadcast live in its entirety tonight in primetime. At BoDog, you get get 13/2 odds on Ohno winning the gold. But, if the odds are any indication, dont expect any Uncle Sam magic this evening. If the medals fall according to the odds, this will be a South Korean sweep. Ho-Suk Lee 3/2, Jung-Su Lee 2/1 and Si-Bak Sung 15/4 are the top three favorites on the board. Other Americans in the field include John Robert Celski, 22/1, Jordan Malone, 33/1 and Oliver Jean, 40/1. At BoDog, you can bet Celski vs Malone with Celski the -175 chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win.. And, if you want to win money on Ohno, but dont think he can skate to gold against the South Korean contingent, then take him to beat Canadien Charles Hamelin (who is 8/1 to take gold) straight up at -150 odds.

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE MOGULS

Like the women’s sprint biathalon earlier in the day this is anyone’s ball game. Any of a half dozen women could bump and slalom their way to a Gold. It was will a battle between the Americans and Canadiens. Canada’s Jennifer Heil is the betting favorite to bring gold to her home country, which would be the first gold ever won by a Canadien during an Olympics they’ve hosted. At -125, she’s hardly an overwhelming favorite, but all the late money coming is backing the home country hero. Her competition is tough and has brought in plenty of their own backers. Hannah Kearney and Heather McPhie, both Americans, check in next in line at 3.5 to.  Canada’s Kristi’s Richards is 5/1 and Team USA’s Sanrda Bahrke is 8/1. The top five favorites are either Canadien or American. Bragging rights are on the line. Please win, ladies. I dont wont to stop wearing my USA Moguls swag around town.

So, the question is do I gamble on any of this. I mean, its all so speculative. I dont watch any of these sports. But, you know what, I’m always up for a challenge, so I went ahead and laid out -125 odds to win 50 bucks on Heil to win Gold tonight. It gives me a non-American rooting interest. And, doesn’t a Canadien woman winning a rare home gold for her home country the opening night of the Olympics just sound like something that will happen? Why not. Go Leafs Go.

Now, in all seriousness, I wont really wont be gambling on the Olympics. But I am old school, and I love the Olympic Games. So, I’ll be glued to the action, with an eye on all things downhill skiing, snowboarding and speed skating. I will become addicted to and move my schedule around to see as much of the ice hockey tournament as possible.I have become a cross country skier as an adult, and I will watch those events if only to check out the expert form and maybe learn a thing or two. I will get sucked into the nuances of curling and luge. And, yes, it will be hard to not watch the figure skating finals. Unless there’s a good basketball game or something.

Over the years, I have become so interested in the handicapping aspect of sports, that I always need to at least know the line of any game I’m watching. It’s just another fun thing to track about a game. And, it gives you a higher percentage of interesting fourth quarters.  The Olympics receive the same treatment. I am not surprised they have odds out there, but its still a shock to see the Books swing into action and put lines up for sports you wouldnt otherwise even think about.  I dont even understand half the lines. They might as well be printed in German, Norwegian or Russian. Actually, they are printed in those languages since many of the favorites in the events on the board are lads and lassies from those lands. Despite the language barrier, it didnt take much for me to get lost for a couple of hours the other night perusing the various books on the web and the different bets you can make on the Olympics the next two weeks. I mean if Sven Kramer  is such a lock for tomorrow’s men’s 5,000 speed skate, then isnt risking 300 for a quick 100 the prudent thing to do? It just might. I still have a day to think about, so I’ll get back to you. Otherwise, some other thoughts on the Olympics odds:

Deutsche Kriede

That’s German ChalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. for the non-linguists out there. An appriopriate title considering that by any measure, the Germans are the favorites to win the Olympics. Most traditionalists consider the team with the most Gold Medals as the unofficial Olympic winner. The Germans are favored by every book to take home the most Golds. Most books have them listed as Even Money, with Canada 3.5/1, Russia 4/1 and USA  4/1 the next teams in line. The intriguing bet may be laying cash out on the Norwegians, who are listed at sportsbook.com as 12/1 to win the most Golds. Norway won most Gols in Salt Lake City in 2002 and has been right on the Germans heels in most other Olympics. They struggled four years ago with a paltry 2 gold medals. Does this trypical Winter Olympi power bounce back. If they do and the Germans underachieve even a little, they could sneak away with the most Golds. At 12/1, that looks enticing.

The Germans are also the favorites to win the overall medal count as well. While they are Even Money to win the medal count like they are for total Golds, the odds at least are a bit closer here. There’s a lot of action on the Canadien team, a pretty balanced squad that won medals in 10 of 15 disciplnes four years ago in Torin. Do that again and they might score more overall hardward. Their odds are 2.2-1. Team USA is 3.5 to 1 and the Russians are 4.5 to 1.

The best bet out there to this untrained eye is taking Over 9.5 for German gold medals. If they’re the betting favorite by such a wide margin to win the most golds, shouldnt they be a pretty good bet to go over 9.5 totals golds? They might need a couple of more than that to win most golds. That’s my point. The Germans are the only country who conceivably could underachieve in these Olympics and still get at least 10 golds. Teams like Canada and the United States, for example, who are listed as O/U 9.5 golds have to overachieve to a certain extent to do that. Give me the team favored to win the most of them, with some wiggle room if things dont go perfectly to go over that 9.5 total anyday. Book It, right? Not so fast my friend.  The bads news? I can only find that line at pinacle sports and those folks dont take money from stinking Americans. The good news? Make no mistake, the eye is for certain untrained. I have mey never wagered on the Olympics in my life. At least not that I can remember. We’re not here to talk about the past. Anyway, just because I think the Germans hitting double digit golds, something they’ve done in 5 of 6 Olympics they’re been reunified, looks to be the best bet, doesnt mean it is. Hell, it doesnt even mean its not the biggest sucker bet since Dewey over Truman. For all I know the world sports story is the international mocking of German engineering and its decimated bobsledding program. I wouldnt know of any parallel trends either in any of the other disciplnes because, well, I’ve been a little to busy tracking to exact bubble location of the USF Bulls. Looking good so far, start shopping for ticket prices should you win at Marquette tomorrow night, Bulls fans.

Getting back to Team Germany, I wont lie, if I find someone more domestic friendly offering that bet, the plastic might sneak out of the wallet. Regardless, I’ll be keeping tabs on the Germans the whole way to see if they hit this. Even if I dont have anything wagered on it, if it tilts over I will feel a little bit like a pro sharp for spotting a winner so quickly in the foreign territory of Olympiad wagering. I’m sure nothing can go wrong in March with that kind of bold confidence.

Lindsay Vonn: All American Hero, Yes; A Good Bet, We’ll See

Downhill skier Lindsay Vonn is poised to become the American hero of this Olympiad. She could win as many as five medals with multiple golds. She and her husband have questioned some of the snow making techniques organizers have used to ensure a race course. And, she bruised her shin in a recent practice causing her a lot of pain and doubt. Despite those issues, its hasnt deterred the betting public.  She remains the favorite in her two top events, the downhill and Super G. She’s -150 in the downhill with nobody else checking in at better than 9-1. You dont have to lay chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. on Vonn in the Super G, but at +150 she still is the distinct favorite in this event with the next best skier still paying at 6/1.

Dont expect Vonn to sweep gold in her events. In the Giant Slalom, she is a bigtime longshot at 25/1. But, she’s a viable winner with a good payout at 6/1 odds to win the Slalom.  She’s one of the world’s best skiers, only two people are listed higher than she in the event and when its raced a week from now that shin injury ought to be less severe, if not gone. This could be the place to take a chance on her on make her your Olympic profit making hero.

For some reason, most of the books didnt have any odds on the Alpine Combined, even though its Vonn’s first event and races Sunday. I did find odds at BoDog, however, where she is listed at 5/1 to win the event, which is a giant slalom in the morning and a slalom in the evening. Those odds project her onto to the podium, but only as a bronze medalist. Marie Riesch, a German, is the 3.2 favorite to win and Swede Anja Pearson is next in line at 7/2. It should be an interesting Sunday debut for her and all the women Alpine skiers.

The Greatest Hockey Tournament In The World

How heavy a favorite are the Habs to take home ice gold? In their opening game Tuesday night, they’re 6-goal chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. against the Norwegians. Considering how powerful some of the other contenders are, it says something that Canada is -200, basically 1/2 odds, to win Gold. Bettors think home ice is enough of an advantage for Canada to get by semifinal and final matches against some uber talented clubs.  To be sure, the Canadiens have the most talented team. And home ice advantage. But, that’s some heavy juice to pay considering the level of competition isnt half bad out there. The Russians are 2/1 odds and the Swedes are 6/1 odds to take home gold. Canada is a whopping -500 to win their pool, while Russian is -350 andf Sweden -250 in their respective round robin tournaments. How about Team USA? Well, they’re 6/1 odds to win Gold, 2/1 odds to win their pool over Canada and are 2.5-goal chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. in their opening skate with the Swiss on Tuesday. If you must join the party on the Canadiens, stroll over to BoDog where the Fighting Maple Leafs are still listed at even money. It’s the best price out there.

Is Curling Exciting? Yes, Especially If You Gamble On It

The host country Canadiens are also favorites to take home the Curling Gold Medals. The women’s battle is a two horse race with the Canadiens slightly favored +125 over China +200. No other country has better than 7.5 to odds, so it would take a pretty mean effort of curling to knock both of these teams off and win the gold. The Candaien men are significant favorites in their field at -160. Great Britian, 4-1, and Norway, 5-1, are the top competitors. Nobody else is closer to 10/1 to win. I wont lie, I am thinking about seeing if any of them will take a Canadien double gold parlay. I mean, it would be an upset if either of them fell short of the top podium. Do you really think the upstart Chinese women can handle the spotlight in the Capital County of Canada?  And besides, isnt a double gold in this event the kind of Olympic destiny host countries always seem to have. I’m as drink or two away from pulling this trigger. Just as my excitement reached a fever pitch on this possible bet, I opened up my USA Today sports section and their Olympic medal predictions. They dont have the Habs winning gold in either event. And while I generally dont worry too much what pundits and columnists have to say about games, this case is different. It’s a mortal lock that the folks who put those predictions together know 100 percent more about Curling than I do. Maybe the Canadiens are the chalkChalk is another name for the favorite team to win. becuase everyone from Nova Scotia to Moose Jaw in ponying up on their home country heroes. Bookies in Alberta have no doubt shed their jingoism and are pulling for the other countries.