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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Canadian players
won???t be able to stand the heat in Vancouver</b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Even though it???s <a href="http://www.betonline.com/sports-betting/football /nfl" title="NFL betting ">NFL
betting</a> season, it???s never too early to start thinking about the Olympics,
and for the most part, that just means hockey (really, are you watching figure
skating?). Sweden are the defending gold medalists, but all eyes will be on the
Canadian team as they look for a better showing on the ice than in 1988, the
last time the winter Olympics were held in Calgary. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The Canadians won gold for the first time in 50 years in
Salt Lake City in 2002, but for some reason, every year their fans expect to
win, which is kind of like being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but with less
heartbreak as it???s only every four years. However, at Nagano 1998 and Turin
2006, the Canadians didn???t even finish with a medal. How, you ask? The main
problem is pressure, which is a completely different beast on the international
stage. Every time the winter Olympics roll around, players talk about ???letting
the whole country down??? if they don???t win. Imagine having that on your
shoulders as you go out to play. Now, imagine what could happen if Canada
doesn???t get to the medal podium in Vancouver, much like they did in Calgary 1988.
The Canuck fans could riot in the streets, and somehow a conspiracy will get
cooked up, because when Canada loses at hockey, it???s gotta be something, right?</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Another reason why they won???t win? Sweden, the gold
medalists in Turin, and Russia may be better. Sweden will be led by Detroit
captain Niklas Lidstrom, who knows a thing or two about leadership, while
goalie Henrik Lundqvist has been known to carry teams, and the Sedin twins (who
will be right at home in Vancouover) are coming into their own. The Russians
may have the best one-two punch in Vancouver in Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni
Malkin, who were both very young in the 2006 Olympics, but still led their team
to a bronze-medal match they lost against the Czechs. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Even though the Canucks will be picked and led by Steve
Yzerman, who is as level-headed as anyone who has ever played hockey, Canada???s
players will have far too much pressure on them, especially being at home, and
they have to compete with some excellent teams, so Canadian fans better not pop
the bubbly (or Labatt???s, or whatever it is they drink up there) just yet. They
may be the <a href="http://www.betonline.com/" title="online betting ">online
betting</a> favorites, but heartbreak awaits in Vancouver. </p>
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