Olympics Hockey

Discussion
26

I watched the USA Canada game last night. I also thought it was a great game.

As to the mass popularity of the sport, I think it really depends on what region you live in and the environment that you grew up within. Every year, we would watch the collegiate UMD and Minnesota games as well as the state high school tournament - not in person, but on TV. I remember watching Brett Hull when he played at UMD. I can also tell you that Hockey March Madness is everywhere in MN high schools, on banners nailed on the front of people’s houses, and on their car windows. We start 'em on skates pretty much as soon as they can walk. [cool] Did you know that Mean Gene Okerlund’s son Todd played for Minnesota and the NY Islanders?

When I lived in Houston, we would go see the IHL Aeros.

Tampa Bay won in 2004. On 21 June 2004, I was at work when an e-mail notice arrived that the cup was in the training auditorium. Of course, we had to go see it: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2004/p02-04.html

27

I wouldn’t let it bother me too much. I’ve been around the game all my life and played for 20+ years. I thought it was a bit of cheap shot. I do agree with that, but like I said, I think it’s part of the game. Provided there is no intent to injure of course. That kind of behavior has absolutely no part in the game. I don’t think Nieds meant to injure Johnson and sometimes the youngin’s just have to earn their stripes :slight_smile:

Hockey in Canada is near religious. As someone mentioned, the press and fans can make it really hard on players and teams. However, they are uber passionate fans and take hockey seriously.

Thanks man! [:)]
Late,
grmpysmrf

28

I’m kind of annoyed folks here in the U.S. aren’t really giving this that much attention, it’s the first time we’ve beat the Canadians in the Olympics in 50 yrs fer gods sake!

Americans and International sports never mix - we know this from all other sports unfortunately. I have NO clue why. Many prefer to make fun of these competitions. Do Americans feel left out? Do they not understand there are other countries in the world? I don’t know what it is and it’s funny. I know many that continually make fun of one of the most famous and watched sporting events, World Cup Football/Soccer, but, yet when it’s aired, they will subtly watch games here and there.

Even from the Facebook status updates I read as the Olympics was starting up from American friends, I was a bit annoyed as to how negative they were: “who cares about the Olympics”, “it’s sad to see”, etc, etc. Wow! It’s friendly and entertaining competition.

Anyhow having said that, here’s a snippet from what my friend emailed me:

"8.2M[illion] viewers watch USA-Canada on MSNBC. Record MSNBC night was 8.23M for 11/4/08 election coverage.

The USA-Canada game has outrated Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on NBC last season. It would also be the second most-watched hockey game in America since the Miracle on Ice (The US-Canada Gold Medal game in Salt Lake drew 10 million viewers).

We’ve now got word that the game drew 10.8 million viewers in Canada on CTV, the most watched sporting event in Canadian history. 19 million people watched the game across the continent."

29

Hopefully we’ll beat Germany tonight and take Russia tomorrow. It’s really the only event that anyone cares about up here.

Miller kicked ass on Sunday…

31

poor latvia[:(] they played their asses off! Gotta respect that!
Late,
grmpysmrf

32

poor latvia[:(] they played their asses off! Gotta respect that!
Late,
grmpysmrf

Yeah, no shit man! They pulled off a great comeback and coulda had it… so close! The Slovakia-Norway game I’m watching right now seems kinda boring in comparison, but is only the first period.

33

[reply]poor latvia[:(] they played their asses off! Gotta respect that!
Late,
grmpysmrf

Yeah, no shit man! They pulled off a great comeback and coulda had it… so close! The Slovakia-Norway game I’m watching right now seems kinda boring in comparison, but is only the first period.[/reply]
No it was boring the whole way through!
Late,
grmpysmrf

34

Man, Canada over Russia 7-3!!!
I thought Russia was supposed to be one of the power house teams this Olympics? Canada completely handled them! unfortunately I missed the game so I don’t know the deets of the game but is this a new Canada team from what we saw in the prelims? I know Brodeur has been benched but who is the stand in?
Late,
grmpysmrf

35

Canada had not beat Russia in 50 years or something. That game kicked ass yesterday!

Luongo is the goalie who took over. Plays for Vancouver usually, so it’s his hometown of sorts. One more game tomorrow, then it’s off to the finals.

I hope it’s Canada vs. USA in the final. Will be epic!

36

I think if Canada Plays like they did against Russia the USA doesn’t stand a chance.
Late,
grmpysmrf

37

Well… Canada played great against Russia, but Russia played awfully, kinda gave up after a while it seemed.
That leads me to believe as good as Canada is playing now if they faced the US for the gold the US would still have a good shot, but indeed it would be epic!

38

when russia was part of the soviet union they dominated… since all those countries like ukraine started splitting off their porfances have been going downhill.

But canada is the team to beat. Hockey is to canada what football (american) and basketball is to the US. OR soccer is to some 3rd world south american country.

too bad those robot wars thingies aren’t an olypic sport… like the one episode of the simpsons where bart builds the robot and it sucks so homer gets in it and does all the fights… that’d be pretty silly… can’t get worse than curling… and maybe i read the link from here, but there’s a petition going on to get pole dancing into the olypics. Since it’s now taught at gyms and whatnot. That’d be a good time. I’m all for the somoan poledancing team

39

Olympic poledancing.

I approve.

40

Damn, Slovakia had a damn good look to tie the game with about 5 seconds left in the game and the homie choked the shot (#38)
this game was dull as hell until about midway through the 3rd, then it kicked ass!
Late.
grmpysmrf

42

Fuck, this game is rough.

43

USA was lucky to get overtime; they played like shit the whole way through! I think they should be excused from getting the silver, too! The defense did not help Miller at all! Kinda feel bad for Miller, that guy carried the whole USA team through that game. the only thing worse than USA’s Defense was their Offense this game!
Late,
grmpysmrf

44

They played like shit in the beginning, but got their shit together towards the end of the 2nd. They could’ve done better in OT though.

45

the US was cocky cause of the previous win. Honestly I chalk it up to the other team just wanting it more. By the time the fire was lite under our asses it was too late… even with the overtime, give a US team overtime and they think they’re gonna pull the hollywood ending

47

USA was lucky to get overtime; they played like shit the whole way through! I think they should be excused from getting the silver, too!

I think that’s being a little harsh. It seemed to me they played hard but just couldn’t get their offense tuned in time. The defense Canada put up was impressive, denying the US several opportunities.

The US was a much younger team and lacked the post-season NHL experience that the Canadian players had.

They played like shit in the beginning, but got their shit together towards the end of the 2nd. They could’ve done better in OT though.

I think this is a more accurate statment.

the US was cocky cause of the previous win.

You think? They didn’t seem to play in a very cocky manner, if you ask me they seemed more cautious and reserved. Finland had nowhere near the mojo that Canada had. Canada took that US defeat, learned from it and kicked ass from that point. If anything I think the game against Finland made them sloppy, not cocky.

Canada had the far better team and should have blew everyone off the ice but didn’t.

Yeah, this to me is the bottom line. Yeah they won, but goddamn it, we made the fuckers work for it!

In all I think the US effort was a success, and I think that NHL teams with young Olympic players will benefit from the experience, particularly the blackhawks, who have several Olympic players players on both team US and team Canada will benefit greatly as a team from the experience, gaining confidence from playing in a playoff series.

Just too bad we couldn’t get Cana-duhr in the end" [:P]

48

[reply]They played like shit in the beginning, but got their shit together towards the end of the 2nd. They could’ve done better in OT though.

I think this is a more accurate statment.
[/reply]
Maybe for like the last 5 minutes of the second. The only time there was a fire under the US’s asses was the last 5 of the second and when they were playing for their lives with the 6th attacker.
You’re right excused from the silver medal was a bit harsh although I was mostly joking. I think the US thought it was going to be as easy as it was in the first round. Miller was clearly the US’s MVP though. I stand by that!
Late,
grmpysmrf