MEN
Everyone has heard of home-field advantage, and home-court advantage, but home-ice advantage? That is what the U.S. men's hockey team is banking on in Salt Lake. The last two times the winter Olympics were held in the United States team, USA pulled off stunning undefeated runs to the gold medal. In 1960 at Squaw Valley and in 1980 in Lake Placid's 'Miracle on Ice,' the United States pulled together a talented team with hard work and dedication. These teams, while not as deep or talented as the 2002 squad, were fueled by an amazing chemistry and raucous home crowd.
The United States is the only country in the world in the history of the Olympics to win the gold medal on home ice, and they've done it twice. So will Salt Lake hold true that all good things come in threes? Well, 23 of the National Hockey League's best players will try to make this dream come true.
The experience-laden team has been concentrating on the task at hand since early September, and with the acts of Sept. 11, is even more ready to prove the dominance of the United States to the rest of the world.
WOMEN
The U.S. women's hockey team, defending gold medallists, wrapped up its Visa Skate To Salt Lake pre-Olympic tour with an astounding 31-0 record. The 2002 Team USA has more than half of its roster back from its undefeated gold medal run in Nagano, Japan, in 1998. The team is anchored by experience, led by team captain Cammi Granato, and pushed by youth, 16-year-old Lyndsay Wall is the youngest member of the team.
Team USA's toughest competition should come from perennial hockey powerhouse Canada, who has been anything but powerful against the United States who won all eight of their games during the pre-Olympic tour. When it comes right down to it, the U.S. team is in cruise control with their eyes focused in on gold.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
