Winter Olympics 2010 Thread

[killgod]

Having typed that, anyway you slice it, this was an embarrassing result for the Canadian men's hockey team. Guys like Chris Pronger, Corey Perry and Joe Thornton should be embarrased how they played. This was really unacceptable.

Pronger should be shot. All 3 games he was terrible. Piss poor board play and turnovers galore.

I'm glad the younger guys are getting more ice time, Babcock sees it too.

Thornton has only produced one point but he's played well in the transition game and his line has been the best line for most of those 3 games.

The Duck line Getzlaf/Perry needs to step it up and so does Iginla and Nash.

Maybe they should put Heatley with Crosby? Heatley does nothing but score when he plays for Canada and Crosby has garbage play from his linemates.

[Ravin]

They need to break up the lines and try some new things against Germany. What about say Heatley/Crosby/Iginla, then put Nash/Thorton/Marleau on a line, or put Getzlaf were nash is. Get Towes moved up to play with Staal and Nash/Getzlaf, and put Perry down with the rest of the 4th liners.

[dave]

Canada has the most hockey talent in the world right now - easily. While some what average NHLers like Brooks Orpik, Tim Gleason, and Chris Drury - amongst others - make up the US squad, guys likes Mike Green, Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos, Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier, Jeff Carter, Marc Savard etc are sitting at home. There is almost no comparison between the talent level on these two teams.

Regardless, in an one game winner take all format, anything can happen. I'd bet my house Canada would be the US in a best of 5 or 7. Miller can steal one, maybe two games, but when you get out played, hit, and shot as badly as the US did for most of the game you aren't going to win a series.

As far as the Russians, Swedes, Czechs - they have alot of top end talent. However, they all lack the depth that Canada has.

Having typed that, anyway you slice it, this was an embarrassing result for the Canadian men's hockey team. Guys like Chris Pronger, Corey Perry and Joe Thornton should be embarrased how they played. This was really unacceptable.

This ain't a best of five or seven tourney.

And I already wrote that, on paper, Canada is superior the U.S.

But, in my opinion, Sweden and the Russians are on paper as good as Canada.

Hell, Kovalchuk is a 2nd-liner on Russia.

Sure, Canada's third and fourth lines are probably better than Russia's or Sweden's, but the third and fourth lines are supposed to play a different role than the top-six. Unfortunately for Canada, our bottom six are all top-six guys in the NHL and don't understand the role they're supposed to play for this team.

Babcock's goofy line switching is baffling me. How the hell can a Crosby line ever develop if it's constantly being changed?

[dave]

Maybe a no comment moment. Instead, I was blessed with a bunch of drunk canadians singing their national anthem and waving their flag while the USA fans were shouting out joys of bliss.

It was the show of pride moment, or lack of, that I would have least expected from Canadian fans dressed in hockey jerseys everywhere.

I guess only Canada can dominate, without dominating.

Canadian fans used to cheer the Russians in the Cold War era.
We appreciate well-played hockey, even if it's against us.
Hell, my favourite team's (Montreal Canadiens) fans loved the Russians.
Most Canadians like the U.S. hockey team. The U.S. team historically has a lot of heart and plays Canadian hockey.

I suspect a ton of Canadian fans were thrilled when the U.S. won in 1980.

While we hate many things about the U.S., you're still our closest friend and neighbour.

Truthfully, I have nothing against the U.S. hockey team whatsoever. I applaud Brian Burke for having the guts to ice such a young team.

All that said, I want my team to win the gold.

[JBauerisGod]

You do know "Jack Bauer" (Kiefer Sutherland) is a canadian? It's kind of ironic in light of your comment.

Umm... yeah, I did. I know you were trying to "stick it" to me with that one, but you failed pretty miserably bruh.

I'm also a fan of Eve Muirhead who's from Scotland because she's fucking hot. Am I not allowed to like her because she's from another country?

[BigHouseUSA]

You live in Michigan, your argument is invalid.

This makes me sad.

[dave]

Relax - I'm not attacking you personally - I just disagree with your assessment.

If you compare Canada, player for player, against any other country in the tournament, there is no doubt who has the best players. Whether they form the best team, that is debatable.

Now don't get wrong, Russia has EXCELLENT top line talent - Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Kovalchuk - but top to bottom, they don't have as much depth. That is what I'm saying.

Not to be total dick, but anything less than a gold is embarrassing when you have as much talent as Canada has available for the team.

Not feeling like it's a personal attack. LOL. Just an attack of opinions.

IMO, while Canada may have the most talent in this tourney, that's simply not the right formula.

Top six vs. top six, the Russians are better than we are.
Goaltending, we should be better, but haven't been.
Defence, probably, but the guys who were supposed to be leaders (Neidermayer and Pronger) have pretty much sucked so far.

The men's hockey team, so far, is a microcosm of all that's been wrong with Team Canada overall at the Winter Olympics - way, way too high expectations.

[JBauerisGod]

"Trying to 'stick it' to me"? Project much?

How about this, I believe you were trying to stick it to all canadians. That makes you look like a douchebag. If that was your goal - congratulations.

Fuck yeah I was trying to stick it to the Canadians. It's called a rivalry. Should I just congratulate you guys on a hard fought game? Where's the fun in that?

You're obviously pretty pissed. I would be too if my country kept choking at things we were supposed to be good at. I don't know what that feels like though.

[leaffan]

Fuck yeah I was trying to stick it to the Canadians. It's called a rivalry. Should I just congratulate you guys on a hard fought game? Where's the fun in that?

You're obviously pretty pissed. I would be too if my country kept choking at things we were supposed to be good at. I don't know what that feels like though.

How's the dream team working for you guys....

Anyways Brodeur needs to sit next game. Like I said before the tourney, I feel shakey with him in net and think Luongo is overall playing better.

Pretty sure if Lou was in net americans would of had 1 goal maybe 2 but of course thats hard to say.

On the flip side the americans are fast. They're young and I really like their chances going forward in the next 2 or 3 olympics. Ryan Miller needs a medal for the performance tonight alone.

[Sharkweather]

How's the dream team working for you guys....

Pretty well thank you.

Did you miss Beijing?

[dave]

The whole "Dream Team" concept is ridiculous.

Canada is not a dream team in hockey.

The U.S. is not a dream team in basketball.

There was only one dream team, and that was the 1992 U.S. basketball team. Since then, the rest of the world has caught up.

As for hockey dream teams, there has never, ever been one. The closest thing to a hockey dream team was the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens.

[leaffan]

Pretty well thank you.

Did you miss Beijing?

Did you miss Athens?

[Sharkweather]

Did you miss Athens?

Relevance?

Most recent results > past results.

[leaffan]

On the flip side I like how hockey has a good solid 6 or more countries now who can basically compete in any given year.

Womens hockey though needs to be taken out or some incentives added because the constant shelling US/Can does to other lower countries is just bad.

[dave]

Relevance?

Most recent results > past results.

I weep for the future.