Read Thread: USA v. CANADA Hockey
Re: USA v. CANADA Hockey
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #493058 by Trailtracker
Feb 22, 2010 5:02am
Canucklehead here - yes, it was a real nailbiter, and the US goalie was out of this world. You should have seen all the propaganda before the game - headlines screaming about how the two teams hate each other.
But I find it hard to get behind any hockey team at the Olympics, because they're not really teams. They're a bunch of NHL players cobbled together a few weeks before the games. Where's the Olympic spirit in that?
It used to be that real teams went to the Olympics. In the 1920's - 40's, Canada would choose its best team to send. One year it was the University of Toronto varsity team. Another year it was the Air Force's team. The exemplified team play. But now? Give me a curling team to root for any day.
But I find it hard to get behind any hockey team at the Olympics, because they're not really teams. They're a bunch of NHL players cobbled together a few weeks before the games. Where's the Olympic spirit in that?
It used to be that real teams went to the Olympics. In the 1920's - 40's, Canada would choose its best team to send. One year it was the University of Toronto varsity team. Another year it was the Air Force's team. The exemplified team play. But now? Give me a curling team to root for any day.
Re: USA v. CANADA Hockey
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #493108 by Fiddleheads
Feb 22, 2010 6:14am
I read recently that this may well be the last NHL-imbued Winter Olympics. Apparently the league doesn't like it because it puts too big a hole in the NHL season, it puts their best players at risk, and apparently Russia's new Kontinental Hockey League is paying enough to keep some great talent away from the NHL (Jaromir Jagr for one), so they feel threatened by it and don't want to go to Russia for the Games in Sochi in 2014.
It'll be interesting to see what happens...
-AG
Re: USA v. CANADA Hockey
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #493108 by Fiddleheads
Mar 1, 2010 6:22am
Just now coming back to this thread.
I know what you are saying as I couldn't help cheering for several Canadian players too, but for me especially, it's VERY similar to the Ohio State v. University of MI rivalry. When you dig just barely beneath the surface, there are so many cross over players between these two states as well. I guess our American teams are very lucky to get some of the Canadian greats to play in our neck of the woods!
I know what you are saying as I couldn't help cheering for several Canadian players too, but for me especially, it's VERY similar to the Ohio State v. University of MI rivalry. When you dig just barely beneath the surface, there are so many cross over players between these two states as well. I guess our American teams are very lucky to get some of the Canadian greats to play in our neck of the woods!
Re: USA v. CANADA Hockey
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #493086 by Green Tortuga
Mar 1, 2010 6:29am
*snicker--chuckle and a slight eye roll with a smirk on my face*