United on the ice, divided by the Olympics

By Brandon Wood

@Brandonwood27

While united on the ice as the Brockport Golden Eagles, the players are not united as to who they are rooting for in tomorrow's Men's Olympic semifinal game between Team USA and Team Canada. The team has players from both countries.

After polling several players on the team, the biggest advocates for each Olympic team were decidedly senior Brendon Rothfuss (U.S.) and freshman Ryan Johnson (Canada).

I spoke with both of them at the same time after practice Thursday, and this is what they had to say about the game tomorrow:

Question for Rothfuss: What was your reaction to T.J. Oshie's shootout performance and Team USA's win against Russia?

Rothfuss: First off, I texted [Johnson] and told him he was a pathetic loser and to watch out because T.J. Oshie, the golden boy of the United States, is coming for him.

Question for Johnson: Latvia gave Canada some struggles yesterday in a 2-1 win yesterday, what'd you think about the game?

Johnson: I think overall we played a really good game, we just wanted the rest of the world to think we're nice people like we really are. Canada went easy on Latvia for that reason.

Question (both): Are you disappointed that Canada and the U.S. can't meet in the final?

Rothfuss: No, I'd rather just knock Canada out of contention for the gold medal altogether and then they hopefully just fall apart in the bronze medal game and their country shuts down for a week and a half.

Johnson: I'd rather put the U.S. out of its misery early. Last Olympics, Canada took them into overtime in the gold medal game and dragged it out for the whole country. We want to put them away early this time.

Question (both): If your team were to advance to the final, would you prefer to play against Sweden or Finland?

Rothfuss: Finland has that wily vet Teemu Selanne. He's an absolute specimen at 43 years old, still jets around out there like a young Ryan Johnson on the ice, so I think I'd like the U.S. to play Sweden.

Johnson: If I had to pick a team, I guess I'd say Sweden because I don't really like those Swedes.

Question (both): Final score prediction?

Rothfuss: 3-1 U.S.

Johnson: 4-3 overtime winner. Sidney Crosby golden goal.

Head Coach Brian Dickinson was asked his thoughts on the outcome of the game as well.

"Probably another one goal game, I'll say 4-3 U.S. in a shootout," Dickinson, an avid Team USA supporter said.

Regardless of the outcome, you can expect many players on the team chirping each other about the result of tomorrow's semifinal.