2010 Official Poster

On Monday, VANOC unveiled the official poster for the games. My thoughts on it are pretty much the same as for the ticket designs....it could be alot worse. I think they've done a really good job with the designs in general, considering I'm still a little biased in regards to the colour palette. I'd still prefer a Red-White-Black mix...but if you're gonna go for Blue-Green, this isn't bad

Official 2010 Poster (VANOC Website)

There is lots of white space, which when you look really closely is actually white-painted wood. I'd probably like it if this vast white space was filled a little more, but then again there is something to be said for the KISS principal.

Overall though, could be worse. I'll be picking one up at some point, that's for sure. Once this trip is all said and done, I'd like to create a big (like couch-sized) wall display of the various mementos I'll have from this trip...display my tickets, pictures, even a jersey or something. The official poster would make a nice centrepiece perhaps!

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USA Hockey

The USA announced their development camp roster today, which is noteworth on two fronts from my point of view. First off, we have tickets to all three of the USA's Preliminary Round Games (v. Switzerland v. Norway, v. Canada) so it's interesting to see the potential players.

Secondly, because I think/fear that the USA is the real darkhorse of thise tourney. I think that at the top its a two horse race between Canada and the USA, but after that it gets pretty wide open. But of those teams, I think the USA is the one with the best chance to really surprise. There is alot of exciting, young talent on this list:

Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas

Defencemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney

Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny.

Of course, Sweden are the reigning champs, so they can never be counted out either.

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2010 Team Canada Coaching Staff

Last week Team Canada announced the coaching staff that will behind the bench in February. In what was a very predictable move, they've put Mike Babcock in charge of what will probably be the biggest event ever to take place in this country.

Sexy Bunch...

I was a little surprised at the announcement of Ruff, Hitchcock and Lemaire as the assistants. Not because I don't think any of them don't belong, they're all very accomplished coaches, but rather because of the reputation that they have. They're typically all known as being very defensive coaches, and are certainly not known for their creativity. When you're coaching the best players in the world, you don't need guys who preach slow down-trapping hockey.

On the flip side, you're also going to be playing against the best players in the world on the other teams...so maybe having a defensive focus isn't that bad..

What do I know anyways...

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From The East To The West....

Out in Nova Scotia this past week doing work on the Toll Facility on the Trans-Canada Highway. One of the neat aspects of the job is that between this trip, and the upcoming trip to Vancouver, I’m going to have a chance to have been to both coasts of the country. Halifax now, Vancouver in February!

So…speaking of the west coast…I’ve been asked by IBI to move to Seattle! How crazy is that?! If it all goes through, I’ll probably end up cancelling the YYZ-YVR flight for myself and end up taking the previously mentioned train up from Seattle. I’m a little disappointed that I won’t have a chance to be on that flight, those 5 hours and all the excitement involved was something I was actually really looking forward to. I’m sure the train ride up will still be really cool, but it will also be predominately Americans I’m sure.

With Beth and I moving out to Seattle, I might look at getting her up to Vancouver for a weekend during the games or something. That 5th ticket to the CAN-SVK game might just have her name on it.

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What I Think I'm Most Excited About

So put aside the obvious awesomeness of getting things like the Gold Medal Women's Hockey game.

I think one of the things I'm most excited about now is the opportunity to see Canada win a medal, and maybe even sweep a podium.

As you probably don't recall, way back in December 2008 I talked about how I'd like to see the Team-Pursuit Long-Track Speed Skating. I think it'll be awesome to get a chance to go to the Richmond Oval, as it looks amazing, but the biggest reason I'm pumped for it is because I think that both the Canadian Men and Women have to be pretty much locks for medals.

Bitchin' Building!

Before Phase II, we had a few pretty cool events like Women's Canada Hockey and Short Track Speed skating. However, with the Phase II stuff added...I think we're almost guaranteed to see a Canadian Gold. We have the chance with the Curling Medal Games, the Women's Medal Game, Long-Track Speed Skating, Short-Track Speed Skating or the Men's Moguls.

One of those has to hit!

Perhaps the most likely to generate a Canadian Gold is the Men's Moguls, where twice last World Cup season Canada swept the medals. I think aside from a Canadian Men's Hockey Gold, a podium sweep would be the most amazing thing that could happen during these games...and to actually have been there for it...well...would be incredible.

Its probably a long shot, but it's totally a possibility.

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The Resale Market - Part II

On top of those tickets I listed below for the events we're going to, we also have a fairly decent collection of 'extra' tickets now. Some of these we picked up on purpose, in order to sell off or because we thought we might know others who want to go. For the others, we've now picked up better events during that time period, so we'll sell off the crappier event.

We may end up using some of these ourselves, like Mrs. Kauks ‘3rd’ IH002 ticket and the USA Men’s Hockey Games. In terms of legit-face value we have just over $3k worth to turn back, split 4 ways.

Thats alot of money!

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Ticketing Recap

With Phase II over, we're probably now about 95% done all of the planning for this shin-dig. We have the tickets, we have the hotels, we have the flights....we're pretty much good to go!

I thought given the addition of the Phase II tickets, I'd recap what we've got so far in terms of tickets. This list is only for Pam and I as Ben and Andrea have a slightly different lineup. How much does Day 10 Rock:

Day 1 - Nothing (Arrive, Opening Ceremonies)

Day 2 - Women's Hockey - Canada v. Slovakia - Lower Bowl

Day 3 - Men's Moguls - B Level

Day 4 - Men's Snowboard Cross - B Level

Day 5 - Men's Hockey - USA v. Switzerland - Upper Bowl
Day 5 - Men's Hockey - Canada v. Norway - Upper Bowl

Day 6 - Women's Hockey - Canada v. Sweden - Upper Bowl

Day 7 - Men's Hockey - USA v. Norway - Upper Bowl
Day 7 - Men's Hockey - Canada v. Switzerland - Lower Bowl

Day 8 - Women's Curling - A Level

Day 9 - Short Track Speed Skating - W 1500m/M 1000m - Lower Bowl

Day 10 - Men's Hockey - Russia v. Czech R. - Lower Bowl
Day 10 - Men's Hockey - Canada v. USA - Lower Bowl
Day 10 - Vancouver Victory Ceremony

Day 11 - Men's Curling - A Level
Day 11 - Women's Curling - A Level

Day 12 - Women's Bobseld - B Level

Day 13 - Nothing

Day 14 - Women's Hockey - GOLD MEDAL GAME - Upper Bowl

Day 15 - Women's Curling - GOLD MEDAL GAME - A Level

Day 16 - Men's Curling - GOLD MEDAL GAME - A Level
Day 16 - Long Track Speed Skating - Team Pursuit

Day 17 - Nothing (Men's Gold Medal Hockey Game)

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Phase II Tickets - Holy Crap

Well the Phase II ticket sale was on Saturday....and holy crap did we make out like bandits!!

Going in, I'd really hoped for just one or two new events, just to fill out the schedule a little bit.

Somehow we were able to get all 3 accounts (Ben, Scott, Pam) signed in within about the first 15 minutes. Ben got in almost right away, not even being put into the Virtual Waiting Room. I was able to get in about 5 minutes into the process, and once Ben was done getting his tickets, he was able to get in with Pam's account too. I've heard of people waiting up to an hour to get in, so the fact we got in 3 times in the first 15 minutes is insane!

As a result, we went waaaayyyy over what I'd been expecting to spend. I'd estimated that we'd drop about $500 each MAX. However, when it was all said and done, we were up to $4162.

Well what did we get for all that money? Check it out:

Boo-YA!

A careful read of that list will show that not only did we get a crapload of tickets, but the ones we got were 'effin amazing:

- Men's Halfpipe for Ben and Andrea?....CHECK!
- Women's GOLD MEDAL HOCKEY for Pam and I?...CHECK
- BOTH Gold Medal Curling Games?.....CHECK!
- All 3 Canada Men's Prelim Hockey Games?....CHECK!

Effing Eh!

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Phase II Tickets - Final Prep

Tickets go on sale tomorrow. Yesterday VANOC announced that they had come up with about 50,000 more tickets, bringing the total to about 200,000. I think things are gonna be really busy tomorrow, so I'm still thinking that getting tickets to even 2 more events would be a HUGE win.

As a result of discussions with the crew, and the fact that Ben and Andrea are now occupied on Day 2, I've revised our plan of attack. I'm still waiting to hear from Pam on what she'd want to do re: the Men's Gold Medal Game if by some miracle its there (Cause I'm Torn) but otherwise, this is the list we'll be using tomorrow:

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More Tickets! Again!

Again, we just keep adding to the total. One of the teachers from my mother's school is no longer going to the games (she only got tickets to one event), so we're going to be taking those tickets off her hands!

Of course, it doesnt hurt that she has 3 B-Level tickets to the Canada-Slovakia Women's Hockey Game (IH002).

Pam and I already had tickets to this one, but now Ben and Andrea will get a chance to tag along. We're paying face-value, so its only going to ring us up for $150 total.

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First Ticket Designs

Yesterday VANOC unveiled the first round of ticket designs. They've only published four so far: Opening Ceremonies, Hockey, Curling and X-Country Skiing, but I must say that they're growing on me.

Could Be Worse!

I'd have to say so far I've been actually pretty OK with the designs of everything VANOC has come up with. That might sound like a backhanded insult, but considering how often corporations screw stuff up when it comes to logos/branding, the fact that I don't totally hate things is pretty impressive. I think the only thing that is keeping me from really like them is the palette. I still don't 100% love the Green-Blue, even if I do understand the link to Sea-to-Sky. I'd still like to see a little red/white palette for 'Canada's Games' I guess.

Kinda like the one I'm using on the blog....

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Phase II Tickets

On June 6, the Phase II ticket sell off is scheduled to take place. Reports say that there are about 150,000 tickets set to go on sale, so hopefully we'll be able to get ahold of at least one or two more events. The monkey wrench from my point of view is that tickets go on sale at 1 PM EST on Saturday....and I have a wedding to goto at 2 PM.

That means I can probably only spend about 30 minutes or so trying to get into the system. I can't remember how long it took during the 'Priority Access Period', but its going to take some luck to get in that quickly I think. Hopefully Ben and Andrea are around and able to help try and log on.

In terms of what we're trying to get, I cross-referenced our exisitng tickets with the competition schedule so that we wouldn’t pick up tickets to anything already at a time we have...or during something like a Team Canada hockey game. Don't wanna be watching ski-jumping during the CAN-USA game!

Still have to finalize the list with Ben, but here is what I think we'll end up going after.

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The Resale Market

When browsing StubHub for the extra CAN-SWE tickets, I had a look around at what some of the other events were going for. Pretty relevant as we obviously have some events we're looking to sell off.

As it turns out...we might be sitting on a gold mine. Assuming we could get the lowest prices listed currently for each section, this is what tickets we are willing to sell are going for right now on the resale market:

IH006 - CAT B - 2 @ $166 = $332
IH007 - CAT A - 4 @ $629 = $2516
IH007 - CAT B - 2 @ $530 = $1060
IH015 - CAT A - 2 @ $201 = $402
IH017 - CAT A - 4 @ $629 = $2516
IH017 - CAT B - 2 @ $452 = $904
IH030 - CAT A - 4 @ $819 = $3276


Grand Total = $11,006 USD or about $13,500 CAD

That all works under the assumption that Ben and Andrea would use tickets to all the Men's hockey games, and Pam and I would only goto IH030 - RUS-CZH.

Now I dont for a second expect to get those kinda prices, but hell....what if we still got 50%???

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More Tickets!

Well I'm now officially a felon. I participated in the illegal adventure that is ticket scalping. Actually, Pam and I bought a pair of tickets off StubHub...so that hardly counts.

Tickets for the Women's hockey games seem to be fairly under-priced...so we picked up a pair of tickets to the Canada vs. Sweden Women's game on Day 6 for $132 US a piece. I mean, thats certainly more than the $25 face value. But I will pay $150 CAD for one more Team Canada Olympic Hockey Game.

Another Canada Hockey Game...

I'm a just the slightest bit iffy on the fact that we went through StubHub, given VANOCs threats to invalidate tickets on the re-sale market. However, I figure that its mostly bluster, as actually tracking down and invalidating tickets is a pretty unrealistic endeavor.

Its also a bit of a bitch that we had to pay extra to get this game, as had VANOC not switched the schedule...we would have already had tickets to this one.

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Hotel = Booked, Flights = Expensive - Part III

Well...had a change of heart. We're going to fly direct both ways to Vancouver from Toronto. Booked the return flight for $448 each last night, flying out at 12:30 on March 1st. Once you figure the 'total cost' of going through Seattle, and the extra day off work it costs, and all the hassle....its just worth the extra $200 or so to fly direct.

So, with that...we're totally booked up! Tickets, flights, hotels...the whole deal. The final price tag for me:

Flight There - $448
Hotel - $1,118.35
Tickets - $1,406
Flight Home - $448

Grand Total: $3420.35

No wonder I have a steep credit card bill! At least though, I know I'll have this paid off long before I actually go on the trip. It'll be really nice to know that everything is all already bought and paid for when we're out there!

The only thing really left on the table is to get our tickets all finalized. Phase II tickets go on sale June 6th, so hopefully we'll be able to pick up a bit of a 'bonus' there....get ahold of one more event or something. And eventually, we still have to sell off or swap the crappy hockey tickets that we ended up with.

Either way, things are certainly rounding into form.

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Hotel = Booked, Flights = Expensive - Part II

Ok, so NOW its official...we're booked into the YWCA for the Olympics. There was a bit of a delay as our reservation had to be 'confirmed', but just this morning I sent in our final application form. Total cost for Pam and I came to $2236.69, half of which we have to put down now ($1118.35) and the other half in September.

In terms of flights, on Friday I booked our way out there. We're going to still take a direct flight out, rather than go through Seattle, primarily because the latter option would require us to take an extra day off work. The Seattle-Vancouver train leaves at 7:00 AM each day, so there is no way to get on that train except to be in Seattle the night before. The cost for just the way out there is $448.

Its just as well really, I prefer Air Canada over the American carriers.....and there is something to be said for the atmosphere that will be on that flight from Toronto to Vancouver the morning of the Opening Ceremonies.

We leave Pearson at 8:00 AM, and get into Vancouver for 10:14 AM. A quick shot up the Canada Line...and we'll be at the hotel!

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Vancouver Olympic Centre

Surfing the web, I came across a couple of really good pictures showing the inside of the Vancouver Olympic Centre. This will be the curling venue for the games.

Green and Blue Rings??

I'm still a little surprised that the venue only holds about 6,000 people. Watching the Brier this week, and the mid-week crowds of 14,000 at the Saddledome...one would think that you could push 20,000 for the curling venue at the Olympics when its in Canada. That being said, the 6,000 is double the venue size from the last two games...so thats saying something I guess.

One thing that is interesting is the large glass wall at the one end of the building. I would think that allowing direct sunlight, although architecturally awesome, would seriously screw with the ability of the ice team to keep a consistent sheet. Last thing you need is a mid-afternoon sun beating down on the ice.

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Hotel = Booked, Flights = Expensive

Kinda came out of nowhere, but we are going to be booking a hotel tomorrow! We're going to be residents of the YWCA Hotel, which has an amazing location and is coming pretty cheap.

Located spitting distance away from GM Place, I'm really surprised that we're getting this place for only $118 a night for Pam and I.

That will come in at $1184 each. Pretty solid for an 18 night stay.

Central Location Much?

So Pam and I will accept our offer tomorrow. Ben and Andrea have also 'applied' to stay there, and I don't see why they wouldn't be able to get a place as well.

The only downside to the place is that you share a bathroom with an adjacent room. However, if Ben and Andrea get in, we should be able to get our rooms assigned so that we're beside each other.

Anyways, in terms of flights...Air Canada wants $880 for a return flight from Toronto-Vancouver. By contrast, Buffalo-Seattle comes in at $240. The train from Seattle-Vancouver costs $60 return. So at almost 75% off, it might just be worth the extra hassle of getting to and from Buffalo.

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We're Boned....

Well we are boned...

VANOC/IIHF released the official hockey schedule today, and its not to our benefit. The six Team Canada games we had are now down to one, as they've pushed most of the Team Canada games to a 4:30 PT start so that they're afternoon starts on the east coast.

FUCK YOU VANOC / FUCK YOU IIHF

I suppose I should have expected this, but its still not cool at all.

So, with the schedule now 'official' we're at:
Day 2 - Women's - Canada vs Slovakia
Day 4 - Women's - Sweden vs. Slovakia
Day 5 - Men's - USA vs. Switzerland
Day 6 - Women's - Slovakia vs. Switzerland
Day 7 - Men's - USA vs. Norway
Day 10 - Men's - Russia vs. Czech Republic

The first and last are still decent, and we should be able to move the two USA Men's games....but what I'm gonna do with 4 tickets to the Women's SVK-SWI game....I have no friggin' idea....

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One Year Countdown...

Well as of today, there is less than one year to go till the Olympics. Kinda weird to think that in 365 days, Pammers and I will already be out there, gearing up for our first event....Women's Hockey - Canada vs. Slovakia.

We're currently starting to feel out what the marketplace is like in terms of places to stay. I'm going to be putting in an application for the YWCA across the street from GM Place, and apparently Ben has a line on a house we might be able to get. I'd really prefer to do the whole house thing I think, but having other plans is never a bad thing.

One year out, there has been a lot of talk about the 'Own The Podium' program, and what Canada's chances are of topping the medal podium out there. Although Canada has been totally kicking ass on the World Cup this winter (30 Medals this past weekend alone) I think that actually beating EVERYONE might be a little ambitious. Though, just today Canada swept the podium in Men's Aerials for the 2nd time this year....so who knows what is possible?

Now this is obviously a long shot, but what'd be just this side of amazing is, that with the Men's Gold Medal game being on the last day of the Games, if Canada went into the games tied with someone for the overall lead....needing the Win and Gold Medal to put us at the top. Canada winning gold in hockey AND getting the overall medal lead all at once?

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