Last Chance for Hockey

August 25, 2004

Bodog.com Sportsbook, Casino and Poker™ has released odds on the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, taking place from August 30, 2004 to September 14, 2004.

With NHL and NHLPA still disputing the grounds for a new collective bargaining agreement, this may be your last chance for a while to on hockey.

“The last World Cup of Hockey was held in 1996, and everyone remembers that the team from U.S.A. knocked off the heavily favored Canadian squad in the finals,” said Rob Gillespie, former book manager and respected industry author. “Not that it should be any indication of things to come, but the U.S.A. squad took it to the Canadians in a 3-1 exhibition game the other night.”

With seven of the eight participating nations icing teams that consist mostly of NHL players, this tournament will have the look and feel of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Much like the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the Canadians are listed as the odds on favorite to capture Gold at the 2004 WCH. The Canadian team is listed at 3/2 odds. With a pack of prolific scorers, Sweden is close behind at 7/2 odds. Defending WCH Champion Team U.S.A., currently swirled in goaltending controversy cannot be discounted to repeat in 2004. Team U.S.A. is listed at 4/1 odds.

With many key players turning down the invitation from the Russian Federation of Hockey, the Russians odds have been dropped to 10/1. The team from Germany is the one team missing heavy numbers of NHL players on their roster, and Olaf Kolzig, Marco Sturm, and Jochen Hecht cannot be expected to pick up the slack of the country. Germany is ranked as the long shot to capture Gold at the 2004 WCH, currently sitting at 20/1 odds.

“I am very excited to see the return of competitive hockey. It’s just too bad that it will not be for a prolonged time,” said Gillespie. “I have to say that I would love to see another Canada vs. U.S.A. final. Those games are always exciting to watch.”

View the 2004 World Cup of Hockey Odds here.