Simply fantasy hockey fans, it is time to have a laugh. Here this goes. Hopefully we do not get in much trouble for this one. This is just a subtle warning that the turkeys are coming…..fantasy hockey has been warned! From the files of 2010….
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Yes the turkeys are enjoying the Olympic Break. With less games to watch, they can concentrate on intensifying the spotlight on players who have not fit the bill. This week they let the goalie have their due because there were three who just well STUNK. Do not worry we have some dishonorable mentions for the masses as well. God help us all.
Now the turkeys……
Olympic Turkeys
Evgeni Nabokov (G) — Team Russia
Even his first game was not all that good honestly. He even got bailed out in the 2008 Worlds by Ilya Kovalchuk. But last night set new lows for Olympic goaltending from two guys you may not have quite expected. Okay, maybe one you could not expect. Six goals on just 23 shots against Canada including softies against Boyle and especially Morrow in the first period. Then two goals on two shots in the second. We have a few more turkeys to dispense but safe to say Nabokov will not be starting for Team Russia on the world stage ever again. In the Olympics, you are usually remembered for your last performance and this one for Nabokov was not worthy of Off Off Off Broadway even.
Martin Brodeur (G) — Team Canada
Yes he played great against Switzerland but again the last performance against Team USA was not quite as good. Four goals allowed on just 23 shots. The second goal Brodeur gave up was particularly bad as normally he does not clear the puck up the middle like that and yet he did. Oops! Maybe he thought Brian Rafalski was on the same team perhaps for a moment. Who knows? One thing is for sure Brodeur fairly or unfairly would be replaced by Roberto Luongo and though Luongo has been shaky at times, Canada has won both games to advance to the semis against Slovakia tomorrow. Martin Brodeur will never play in the Olympics again and the fact that Canada’s defense came up snake eyes for him was bad but he was still a turkey. That is the bottom line.
Henrik Lundqvist (G) — Team Sweden
The two shutouts were great, particularly the one against Finland but in a game where Lundqvist did not see a lot of rubber, he cracked and badly. As a result, the Tre Kronor is sad this morning as they are not in the semis and yet Slovakia is. The first period against Slovakia was solid for Lundqvist stopping all seven shots but then he gave up four goals on his last seven shots. Marian Hossa had Lundqvist on his heels all night but for his passing not his shooting (3 assists). The Tomas Kopecky goal was the killer. That is one Lundqvist definitely wanted back. Though Daniel Alfredsson would cut it back to a one goal game, Sweden would get no closer. King Henrik was the King during the prelims but came up all turkeys in the second period when he could have given his team a chance to win. Now he goes back home to the New York Rangers without a medal. Okay he has that gold from Torino but now the gobbler tolls for Lundqvist.
Sometimes there are dishonorable mentions and we do have the turkeys for that. We have those mentions as they are needed here. Here are our nods.
Alexander Ovechkin (Russia) — came up small when mattered most.
Jaromir Jagr (Czechs) — Not quite the same after that Ovechkin hit.
Andrei Markov (Russia) — Still not the same player since injury.
Evgeni Malkin (Russia) — Did you see him? I did not.
Coach Bykov (Russia) — Pulled Nabokov way too late…cost Russia game.
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Thankfully this was only the Olympics from 2010 but in two weeks the turkeys are for real! Are you ready?
