It’s Monday morning and you’re back at work. You’re still feeling the remnants of a hangover, and you’re slightly dehydrated. That’s the bad news. The good news is; you watched the US defeat Canada last night, in what was an absolutely thrilling hockey game, and suddenly there is something else to watch on T.V. to get us to March Madness.If you happened to miss last night’s game and need some motivation to start tuning in look no further…..

1.) Plain and simple the Olympics are like a competitive version of the All-Star Game

The better teams in the Olympics are stacked. Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, and the U.S. all have All-Stars all over the ice. We’re talking Crosby, Ovechkin, Iginla, Malkin, Thornton, Hossa, Gaborik, Brodeur, are all featured on their respective teams. The Candadians are freakin stacked. Line 1 – Heatley, Lecavalier, Iginla. Line 2 – Crosby, Stills, and Nash, I mean Spezza not Stills. Line 3 – Gagne, Thornton, and Getzlaf. The best players in the world are featured in the Olympics, plain and simple, and they are playing for their country. It’s competitive, and there is a lot of pressure and pride on the line.

2.) The coverage and commentators are excellent

Doc Emerick is just awesome doing play-by-play. If you haven’t heard him he’s the best hockey play-by-play guy out there. Ed Olczyk and Pierre Maguire are perfect compliments to him. The most interesting part is I thought I would hate Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury, but even those guys are doing a great job. There are some pretty poor commentary teams out there, but this one really hits a home run. The good news is it’ll be consistent going forward. You don’t have to worry about getting Verne Lundquist and Clark Kellogg.

3.) Canadian Chicks Dig Hockey BIGTIME

I know I’m compromising the article… whatever

Jarrett Stoll’s chick, Rachel Hunter

Mike Modano’s wife, Willa Ford

Petr Nedved’s Wife, Veronica Verekova

I know these guys aren’t staring in the Olympics, but they have in the past.. You get the idea…

4.) Your country has become a feel good story, and has a legit shot at a medal

It’s ok if you’re late to the party. You can still get behind your country’s team. The USA has been a really good story thus far in the Olympics. They elected to select players that pieced together well in a team sense, not necessarily just pick the most talented names out there. Thus far it has worked. The US has a workman like attitude, and not much flash. They are a team that is easy to love. They are also very inspiring to watch, and they are representing the country fantastically. Like I said, it’s not too late to get behind this team.

5.) It’s the Olympics, it’s every 4 years, and the best is yet to come….

It’s easy to overlook the fact that it’s the Winter Olympics, and it’s a once every four year shot. The teams play with a sense of urgency that isn’t comparable to other championships. Combine that and the fact they are representing their country, and you have some powerful motivation that makes for amazing games. Just look at the way Canada took last night’s loss. They were devastated, and now the players have the world on their shoulders to succeed. Trust me when I tell you we’ve only just scratched the surface in terms of quality hockey games. As the medal rounds approach, this is only going to get better and better. Get on board!