It brings the sports fan out in everyone to see their country triumph at the Olympics. Those who don’t pay attention regularly don’t go as far as learning the names of the players or even the rules of the game, but they are overheard saying, “Yeah! Of course we beat so and so!”

Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver have begun, and patriotic chest beating ensues. Hockey, one of the most recognizable and popular of the winter sports, has taken to the ice to seek glory or retribution for games won and lost four years ago.

All major hockey leagues around the world have been put on hold to loan out 12 teams worth of players to their respective countries. Olympic hockey teams are allowed to dress 20 players and two goalies for each game, with a head coach and an assistant coach behind the bench.

There are three groups consisting of four teams each. The groups collect around general areas of the world. For example, Group B contains Russia and three Eastern European countries.

Group A consists of Canada, USA, Switzerland, and Norway, Group B consists of Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia, and Group C consists of Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Belarus. Each team plays every other team in their group once, so a total of three games.

A win counts as three points, an overtime win is two points, an overtime loss is one, and losses award no points. The top four highest point receiving teams out of all twelve get a bye after preliminary games (If there is a tie, goals for and against are used to decide). The bottom eight teams then play one game each to decide which four move on and play in the actual playoff bracket of eight for the gold, silver, and bronze medals.

The action on the ice has been exciting, filled with upsets, huge wins, exciting goals, and an all-star on former all-star check that has been the biggest hit to date in the tournament.

Washing Capitals forward and Russia team member Alex Ovechkin hit former Pittsburgh Penguins star and Czech Republic team member Jaromir Jagr at center ice resulting in a Russian goal that put Russia up 3-1 for an eventual 4-2 defeat of the Czech Republic.

Russia also trounced Latvia with an 8-2 win in the first game of that group’s action.

Group A has had their share of excitement with an 8-0 Canada shutout on Norway, but the biggest news was in the long anticipated and rivalry soaked Canada-USA game.

Team USA scored only 41 seconds into the game on defenseman Brain Rafalski’s slap shot from the point. Canada answered later in the period followed by another American goal.

The goal for goal trade off continued until seven minutes into the third period when USA pulled ahead 4-2 for the first two-goal lead of the game. Team Canada assistant captain Sidney Crosby scored a crucial goal on a power play to make the game 4-3, but Canada could not score again quickly enough which resulted in Canada pulling their goalie. Great hustle from USA forward Ryan Kesler earned USA an empty net goal sealing the 5-3 win.

The Canada-USA game was one of the most exciting rivalries played yet, but the games are not over. Good teams will meet again in the quarterfinals, as is the case with Canada meeting Russia on Feb. 24 at 4:30 PST. There is also a potential quarterfinal game between Finland and the Czech Republic that could be very close.

Time and hard work will produce the elite teams for the final game on Feb. 28 at 12:15 PST. I predict a rematch between Canada and team USA with Canada taking a revengeful 4-2 win for the gold medal. USA will get silver, and Sweden will get bronze.