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The Last Day of Pool play gives us the Gold Medal match-ups of the last 3 Olympics

Sweden over Finland - 2006 (Torino)

Canada over USA - 2002 (Salt Lake City)

Czech Republic over Russia - 1998 (Nagano)

If you're a hockey fan, I don't need to tell you this. If you're not a hockey fan, but a sports fan, an Olympics fan, or just someone who loves a good drama, then get your Sunday stuff done after reading this. Church, grocery shopping, any repairs that need to be done around the house, whatever it may be, get it done before 3PM. The hockey gods have graced us with the gold medal opponents of the last three Olympics, and they all just happen to be bitter rivals. Here's a preview of each game and what's on the line for each team:

Czech Republic vs. Russia
-For the Czechs, these Olympics couldn't be going any better. They disposed of Slovakia and Latvia with relative ease and they're playing with house money at this point. If they lose today, it's to a team many considered to win Pool B and the gold medal. A win, and the Czech's win Pool B and clinch a Top 4 seed and a bye to the medal round. I'll admit, I thought this was a Czech team that wouldn't be as good as prior Olympics, but they're doing everything they're supposed to be doing. For the Russians, all of the pressure in the world is on them. The Russians came in to the tournament as one of the two heavy favorites (along with Canada) and now they're looking at finishing as low as 7th after Pool play with a loss today. Losing to Slovakia (who has played very good hockey since the Czech Republic game) is nothing to be ashamed about, but Russia is behind the 8-Ball. I think Evgeni Nabokov helps to right the ship and the motivation of slight desperation gives Russia the edge today. It will be interesting to see what type of chemistry Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin develop now that they'll be on the same line. Not only is this a gold-medal rematch from 1998, this also a Bronze Medal game rematch from 2006.

THE DIFFERENCE IN TODAY'S GAME - While this is a juicy goaltending match-up (expect Nabokov for Russia and Tomas Vokoun for the Czech Republic), it's the play of the rearguards that will be key today. Both teams love to push the puck up the ice as quick as possible, so whichever blueline can play more responsible will give their team the edge. I like the the Czech Republic's defensemen better, but I still lean towards Russia in this game.

Finland vs. Sweden
-Team Finland has looked fantastic so far in these games. They haven't played any elite teams so far (although Germany and Belarus play tough and make their opponents work hard), but they seem to be clicking on all cylinders and getting steady play between the pipes. Finland is one of those teams that gets overlooked as a favorite but can play with any team in the world. Sweden is arguably the 3rd best team in the Olympics on paper and is looking to defend their gold medal in 2006. While all of the hype is surrounding Canada-USA, this is the best match-up of pool play. Sweden has been dominant in their first two games (read again what I said about Germany and Belarus a few lines up) and have been playing a very smooth game on the ice. It's a shame this game is at midnight, but look for Finland to surprise and get revenge for 2006 tonight.

THE DIFFERENCE IN TODAY'S GAME - This one boils down to goaltending. Sweden has arguably the best goalie in the world in Henrik Lundqvist and Finland has a man that was considered the best goalie in the world a few years ago in Miika Kiprusoff. To beat either of these guys, quick puck movement in the attack zone is the only chance either of these teams have in lighting the lamp.

USA vs. Canada
-The game everyone has been talking about in this hemisphere is finally here. With team Canada, you have the perennial favorite who has the chance to win the gold in their home country. They looked like the team everyone expected against Norway, but got a scare from a tough Switzerland team. I think too much has been made of the Martin Brodeur vs. Roberto Luongo and who should be the starting goalie for Team Canada. Brodeur brought home gold in 2002 and is still playing at a top-notch level, he has to be your guy. I'm glad Luongo got to play in front of his home fans, but Brodeur is the guy. On the other side, all of the experts are all over Team USA for not playing well so far in the Olympics. Now that I've seen the Swiss play 3 games, it's clear that they are a pest to play against, so nothing against the US in that game. As for the USA-Norway game, while the Americans pulled away late, Norway is a bottom 1/4 team in these Olympics and needed to really dominate them. Ryan Miller has been the linchpin for the US and there's no reason he can't keep stealing games, but I think Team Canada wins tonight. I don't think this is the last time these two teams meet in Vancouver...

THE DIFFERENCE IN TODAY'S GAME - Just like guard play wins NCAAB championships, it's a strong special teams that gets you a medal in Olympic hockey. The US is 2 of 8 on the power play, but it looked god-awful against Norway. Canada's power play is 3 of 13 thus far. Both teams have excellent Penalty Kill units as well. The team that wins the special teams battle wins the game, it's as simple as that. This could also be the loudest and harshest environment any Team USA player has ever played in, so factor in home-ice advantage for Canada tonight.


ACTION FROM THE LAST 2 DAYS

SATURDAY ACTION:
Switzerland 5 (0-1-1-1) - Norway 4 (0-2-0-1)
Slovakia 6 (1-1-1-0) - Latvia 0 (0-3-0-0)
Belarus 5 (1-2-0-0) - German 3 (0-3-0-0)

FRIDAY ACTION:
Sweden 4 - Belarus 2
Czech Republic 5 (2-0-0-0) - Latvia 2
Finland 5 - Germany 0

SEEDS GUARANTEED SO FAR:
12) Germany
11) Latvia
10) Norway
9) Belarus
8) Switzerland

*The rest of the field will be determined on today's results. The only Playoff Round match-up set is Belarus vs. Switzerland

TODAY'S ACTION (All times Eastern)
Czech Republic (2-0-0-0) vs. Russia (1-0-0-1) - 3PM
United States (2-0-0-0) vs. Canada (1-0-1-0) - 7:40PM
Finland (2-0-0-0) vs. Sweden (2-0-0-0) - Midnight