Hockey Betting: Host country favored to capture gold in 2010 Olympics

The Canadian hockey team is hoping that a home ice advantage will pay off with a gold medal performance in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As Men's Hockey is set to begin this week, Canada is a narrow favorite to capture the gold. The host country is an even money choice to win the event. Canada dominated the event in the early days of the Olympics with six gold medals from 1920-52. However, the country has been limited to just one Gold medal effort (2002) since then. Canada finished a disappointing seventh in 2006. Another longtime hockey power is next at odds of 11/5. Russia (Soviet Union in games from 1956-88) is just behind the home country. When the country was known as the Soviet Union, it won seven golds over nine Olympic games. While Russia hasn't won a Gold medal since 1988, the country has finished in the top 4 in the last four winter games. Defending Olympic champion Sweden is in the mix at 6/1. The country has won gold in two of the last four Olympics. The United States is also at 6/1. Since the country's memorable "Miracle on Ice" gold medal performance in 1980, the US hasn't been much of a factor in the games. The United States has recorded only a pair of top 4 finishes. At odds of 16/1, the Czech Republic and Finland are viewed as outside contenders. Finland captured a silver medal in the 2006 games while the Czech Republic's lone gold came in 1998. Slovakia (30/1) is the only other country that has odds of less than 125/1. Norway and Latvia are the biggest long shots at 500/1. USA favored in opener In its Olympic opener, the United States was a -700 favorite over Switzerland (+1000). The odds that the contest would end in a draw was at +685. In the biggest mismatch, host Canada is an overwhelming -10000 to handle Norway (+2500). The tightest opening game is expected to take place between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the game, the Czech Republic (-153) is a slight choice over Slovakia (+265). Other teams that are expected to advance in opening round matchups are Russia (over Latvia), Finland (over Belarus) and Sweden (over Germany). For the first time in the Olympics, the games will be played on a more narrow NHL-sized rink.