Olympic Semi Finals Hockey Odds

The Semi finals take place today in Vancouver and the Sportsbooks have released their odds on today’s semi final games.

Anytime you’re in a short tournament like this, you have a few key factors to consider.

a) Goaltending
b) Line Chemistry
c) Special teams

Olympic Semi Final Hockey Odds

• USA -1.5
• Finland 5.5

• Canada -2.5
• Slovakia 6.5

Ron's Olympic Semi Final Predictions

The United States have been receiving great goaltending from Ryan Miller, but got a scare vs. the Swiss in their quarter final game. However, they were in a classic letdown spot after their win over Canada, but survived that weak spot.

Finland is coming off a 2-0 win over the Czech’s and Kiprusoff was solid and strives under these situations. The Americans have the speed, but the Finns have what I call great team patience and they will just sit back and wait for their spots to capitalize.

Ron's Prediction: Finland 3 USA 2

The Canadians scored a touchdown on the Russians and played your typical Canadian game vs. the Russians. They stepped up their game, they out hit them, and showed more of a second effort then the Russian team. Russia was out classed and didn’t have the depth to compete vs. a well oiled machine.

My question mark is Luongo, how will he perform after an emotional win over the Russians and will Team Canada get caught in a letdown spot after their emotional 7-3 win over Russia. The chemistry has grown since their win over Germany and Babcock is done juggling his lines and he’s happy with the lines he’s rolling now and each player knows their role.

The Slovaks have a hot goalie in Habs goaltender Jaroslav Halak who beat the Russians in a shootout and this game will be a defensive struggle and tougher then most experts believe.

Ron's Prediction: Canada 3 Slovak 2

Good luck and bet with your head, not your heart!

Ron Raymond’s 2010 Olympic Men's Hockey Predictions

Let’s face it, anybody can predict Canada and Russia to win Gold and Silver (vice versa) and who can fault their gut instinct? Like the book by Malcolm Gladwell “blink” says and I maybe a line or two off here; “Every decision we make is subconsciously made within 3 seconds before we analyze it properly…..” Anyway, it goes something like that..

Therefore, let’s look for some hockey betting value and let's find those underdogs who sleep in the weeds and let's make some money in the next two weeks. Here are my 2010 Olympic Men's Hockey underdog picks.

The United States are my longshot to win this Hockey tournament and the world juniors was not a fluke, the American's have caught up to our game! In fact, they skated our juniors right into the ice and we couldn't match their speed, it was that blinding. As I’ve stated, Canada and Russia have all the names, but with all that talent on one team, is there enough ice time to go around and keep everybody happy? I believe goaltending will be a huge factor in this tournament and special teams will be the difference between a 1-goal win and a 1-goal lost.

Does Russia and Canada have the goaltending in the 2010 Olympics to win this tournament? Evgeni Nabokov has never won anything and Martin Brodeur has shown sign of fatigue and slowing down the last 2 years, but he's always been money when called upon. Plus, Luongo doesn’t seem to be a money goalie in my view, espcially after his poor performance last NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. In my view, Marc-André Fleury is the question mark who might be called upon to save the tournament for the Canadian team.
Also, the team that develops the quickest chemistry and gets outstanding goaltending wins! Keep an eye out for the Czechs; they will fly under the radar and guess who is the NHL’s top save percentage leader? Florida Panthers goalie Thomas Vokoun and the second best is Ryan Miller of the Sabres who will be in nets for the USA.

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Here are the Olympic Team Rosters for Canada, Russia, Czech Republic and the United States.

CZE - Czech Republic Hockey Roster

• 3 ZIDLICKY Marek D R 178 / 5'10'' 81 / 179 3 Feb 1977 Minnesota Wild
• 4 MICHALEK Zbynek D R 190 / 6'3'' 97 / 214 23 Dez 1982 Phoenix Coyotes
• 5 POLAK Roman D R 186 / 6'1'' 105 / 231 28 Apr 1986 St. Louis Blues
• 9 MICHALEK Milan F L 188 / 6'2'' 102 / 225 7 Dez 1984 Ottawa Senators
• 10 CERVENKA Roman F L 181 / 5'11'' 85 / 187 10 Dez 1985 HC Slavia Prague
• 14 PLEKANEC Tomas F L 179 / 5'10'' 81 / 179 31 Okt 1982 Montreal Canadiens
• 15 KABERLE Tomas D L 187 / 6'2'' 85 / 187 2 Mrz 1978 Toronto Maple Leafs
• 16 CAJANEK Petr F L 181 / 5'11'' 80 / 176 18 Aug 1975 SKA St. Petersburg
• 17 KUBA Filip D L 192 / 6'4'' 96 / 212 29 Dez 1976 Ottawa Senators
• 24 HAVLAT Martin F L 184 / 6'0'' 82 / 181 19 Apr 1981 Minnesota Wild
• 26 ELIAS Patrik F L 183 / 6'0'' 88 / 194 13 Apr 1976 New Jersey Devils
• 29 VOKOUN Tomas GK R 187 / 6'2'' 85 / 187 2 Jul 1976 Florida Panthers
• 31 PAVELEC Ondrej GK L 182 / 6'0'' 78 / 172 31 Aug 1987 Atlanta Thrashers
• 33 STEPANEK Jakub GK L 187 / 6'2'' 71 / 157 20 Jun 1986 HC Vitkovice Ostrava
• 34 FLEISCHMANN Tomas F L 185 / 6'1'' 87 / 192 16 Mai 1984 Washington Capitals
• 44 BLATAK Miroslav D L 184 / 6'0'' 83 / 183 25 Mai 1982 Salavat Yulayev Ufa
• 46 KREJCI David F R 183 / 6'0'' 80 / 176 28 Apr 1986 Boston Bruins
• 60 ROLINEK Tomas F L 177 / 5'10'' 83 / 183 17 Feb 1980 Metallurg Magnitogorsk
• 63 VASICEK Josef F L 194 / 6'4'' 91 / 201 12 Sep 1980 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
• 68 JAGR Jaromir F L 189 / 6'2'' 104 / 229 15 Feb 1972 Avangard Omsk
• 77 KUBINA Pavel D R 194 / 6'4'' 102 / 225 15 Apr 1977 Atlanta Thrashers
• 91 ERAT Martin F L 182 / 6'0'' 82 / 181 29 Aug 1981 Nashville Predators

USA - United States Hockey Roster

• 3 JOHNSON Jack D L 183 / 6'0'' 99 / 218 13 Jan 1987 Los Angeles Kings
• 4 GLEASON Tim D L 183 / 6'0'' 98 / 216 29 Jan 1983 Carolina Hurricanes
• 6 JOHNSON Erik D R 193 / 6'4'' 107 / 236 21 Mrz 1988 St. Louis Blues
• 9 PARISE Zach F L 180 / 5'11'' 86 / 190 28 Jul 1984 New Jersey Devils
• 12 MALONE Ryan F L 193 / 6'4'' 100 / 220 1 Dez 1979 Tampa Bay Lightning
• 15 LANGENBRUNNER Jamie F R 185 / 6'1'' 93 / 205 24 Jul 1975 New Jersey Devils
• 16 PAVELSKI Joe F R 180 / 5'11'' 86 / 190 11 Jul 1984 San Jose Sharks
• 17 KESLER Ryan F R 188 / 6'2'' 92 / 203 31 Aug 1984 Vancouver Canucks
• 19 WHITNEY Ryan D L 193 / 6'4'' 99 / 218 19 Feb 1983 Anaheim Ducks
• 20 SUTER Ryan D L 185 / 6'1'' 90 / 198 21 Jan 1985 Nashville Predators
• 23 DRURY Chris F R 178 / 5'10'' 86 / 190 20 Aug 1976 New York Rangers
• 24 CALLAHAN Ryan F R 180 / 5'11'' 85 / 187 21 Mrz 1985 New York Rangers
• 26 STASTNY Paul F L 183 / 6'0'' 93 / 205 27 Dez 1985 Colorado Avalanche
• 28 RAFALSKI Brian D R 178 / 5'10'' 88 / 194 28 Sep 1973 Detroit Red Wings
• 29 QUICK Jonathan GK L 185 / 6'1'' 101 / 223 21 Jan 1986 Los Angeles Kings
• 30 THOMAS Tim GK L 180 / 5'11'' 91 / 201 15 Apr 1974 Boston Bruins
• 32 BROWN Dustin F R 183 / 6'0'' 94 / 207 4 Nov 1984 Los Angeles Kings
• 39 MILLER Ryan GK L 188 / 6'2'' 79 / 174 17 Jul 1980 Buffalo Sabres
• 42 BACKES David F R 191 / 6'3'' 102 / 225 1 Mai 1984 St. Louis Blues
• 44 ORPIK Brooks D L 188 / 6'2'' 99 / 218 26 Sep 1980 Pittsburgh Penguins
• 54 RYAN Bobby F R 188 / 6'2'' 94 / 207 17 Mrz 1987 Anaheim Ducks
• 81 KESSEL Phil F R 180 / 5'11'' 82 / 181 2 Okt 1987 Toronto Maple Leafs
• 88 KANE Patrick F L 178 / 5'10'' 81 / 179 19 Nov 1988 Chicago Blackhawks

CAN - Canada Hockey Roster

• 1 LUONGO Roberto GK L 191 / 6'3'' 94 / 207 4 Apr 1979 Vancouver Canucks
• 2 KEITH Duncan D L 185 / 6'1'' 89 / 196 16 Jul 1983 Chicago Blackhawks
• 6 WEBER Shea D R 193 / 6'4'' 105 / 231 14 Aug 1985 Nashville Predators
• 7 SEABROOK Brent D R 191 / 6'3'' 100 / 220 20 Apr 1985 Chicago Blackhawks
• 8 DOUGHTY Drew D R 185 / 6'1'' 93 / 205 8 Dez 1989 Los Angeles Kings
• 10 MORROW Brenden F L 183 / 6'0'' 93 / 205 16 Jan 1979 Dallas Stars
• 11 MARLEAU Patrick F L 188 / 6'2'' 100 / 220 15 Sep 1979 San Jose Sharks
• 12 IGINLA Jarome F R 186 / 6'1'' 94 / 207 1 Jul 1977 Calgary Flames
• 15 HEATLEY Dany F L 191 / 6'3'' 98 / 216 21 Jan 1981 San Jose Sharks
• 16 TOEWS Jonathan F L 188 / 6'2'' 95 / 209 29 Apr 1988 Chicago Blackhawks
• 18 RICHARDS Michael F L 181 / 5'11'' 89 / 196 11 Feb 1985 Philadelphia Flyers
• 19 THORNTON Joe F L 193 / 6'4'' 107 / 236 2 Jul 1979 San Jose Sharks
• 20 PRONGER Chris D L 198 / 6'6'' 97 / 214 10 Okt 1974 Philadelphia Flyers
• 21 STAAL Eric F L 191 / 6'3'' 93 / 205 29 Okt 1984 Carolina Hurricanes
• 22 BOYLE Dan D R 181 / 5'11'' 87 / 192 12 Jul 1976 San Jose Sharks
• 24 PERRY Corey F R 191 / 6'3'' 95 / 209 16 Mai 1985 Anaheim Ducks
• 27 NIEDERMAYER Scott D L 185 / 6'1'' 91 / 201 31 Aug 1973 Anaheim Ducks
• 29 FLEURY Marc-Andre GK L 188 / 6'2'' 80 / 176 28 Nov 1984 Pittsburgh Penguins
• 30 BRODEUR Martin GK L 188 / 6'2'' 98 / 216 6 Mai 1972 New Jersey Devils
• 37 BERGERON Patrice F R 188 / 6'2'' 88 / 194 24 Jul 1985 Boston Bruins
• 51 GETZLAF Ryan F R 193 / 6'4'' 101 / 223 10 Mai 1985 Anaheim Ducks
• 61 NASH Rick F L 193 / 6'4'' 99 / 218 16 Jun 1984 Columbus Blue Jackets
• 87 CROSBY Sidney F L 181 / 5'11'' 91 / 201 7 Aug 1987 Pittsburgh Penguins

RUS - Russian Federation Hockey Roster

• 5 NIKULIN Ilya D L 191 / 6'3'' 100 / 220 12 Mrz 1982 Ak Bars Kazan
• 6 VOLCHENKOV Anton D L 187 / 6'2'' 105 / 231 25 Feb 1982 Ottawa Senators
• 7 KALININ Dmitri D L 189 / 6'2'' 96 / 212 22 Jul 1980 Salavat Yulayev Ufa
• 8 OVECHKIN Alexander F R 188 / 6'2'' 99 / 218 17 Sep 1985 Washington Capitals
• 11 MALKIN Evgeni F L 191 / 6'3'' 87 / 192 31 Jul 1986 Pittsburgh Penguins
• 13 DATSYUK Pavel F L 182 / 6'0'' 88 / 194 20 Jul 1978 Detroit Red Wings
• 20 NABOKOV Evgeni GK L 183 / 6'0'' 91 / 201 25 Jul 1975 San Jose Sharks
• 22 KORNEYEV Konstantin D L 180 / 5'11'' 82 / 181 5 Jun 1984 CSKA Moscow
• 25 ZARIPOV Danis F L 184 / 6'0'' 79 / 174 26 Mrz 1981 Ak Bars Kazan
• 29 FEDOROV Sergei F L 189 / 6'2'' 92 / 203 13 Dez 1969 Metallurg Magnitogorsk
• 30 BRYZGALOV Ilya GK L 190 / 6'3'' 90 / 198 22 Jun 1980 Phoenix Coyotes
• 32 SEMIN Alexander F L 189 / 6'2'' 93 / 205 3 Mrz 1984 Washington Capitals
• 37 GREBESHKOV Denis D L 185 / 6'1'' 93 / 205 11 Okt 1983 Edmonton Oilers
• 40 VARLAMOV Semyon GK L 182 / 6'0'' 88 / 194 27 Apr 1988 Washington Capitals
• 42 ZINOVYEV Sergei F L 180 / 5'11'' 78 / 172 4 Mrz 1980 Salavat Yulayev Ufa
• 47 RADULOV Alexander F L 186 / 6'1'' 84 / 185 5 Jul 1986 Salavat Yulayev Ufa
• 51 TYUTIN Fedor D L 188 / 6'2'' 92 / 203 19 Jul 1983 Columbus Blue Jackets
• 52 KOZLOV Viktor F R 195 / 6'5'' 106 / 234 14 Feb 1975 Salavat Yulayev Ufa
• 55 GONCHAR Sergei D L 185 / 6'1'' 94 / 207 13 Apr 1974 Pittsburgh Penguins
• 61 AFINOGENOV Maxim F L 183 / 6'0'' 88 / 194 4 Sep 1979 Atlanta Thrashers
• 71 KOVALCHUK Ilya F R 188 / 6'2'' 99 / 218 15 Apr 1983 New Jersey Devils
• 79 MARKOV Andrei D L 183 / 6'0'' 90 / 198 20 Dez 1978 Montreal Canadiens
• 95 MOROZOV Alexei F L 188 / 6'2'' 91 / 201 16 Feb 1977 Ak Bars Kazan