Olympic ice hockey thread

[JC]

Now that they've gotten the medals and had the anthem and photos, it would be nice to see some of the Canadian players hug and talk to the US players on the ice.

They truly despise each other, think that's changed?

 

[da man]

So what was the deal with Canada changing coaches in December?

Official word was that the previous coach stepped down. Don't know if there was more to it than that. Don't even remember her name.

I don't think this team was the next one Kevin Dineen thought he'd coach.

The "slash" that made it 3-on-3 was the worst call I can remember in any hockey game off the top of my head.

Terrible, terrible call.

Yeah, the penalty on Canada in OT was pretty clear. The one on the U.S. was pretty nonexistent.

 

[Beef03]

So what was the deal with Canada changing coaches in December?

Official word was that the previous coach stepped down. Don't know if there was more to it than that. Don't even remember her name.

I don't think this team was the next one Kevin Dineen thought he'd coach.

Just thought it was odd that Dineen gets dumped by Florida and is the new Canadian coach in December.

It was a weird situation, that's for sure. The way Cassie Campbell was talking on the Canadian broadcast, it sounded like Church resigned because he felt he was not the right man to lead the team, out of his league, whatever. There has been no real in depth reason given for why he stepped down. Basically platitudes. Tough spot for Dineen to come into as well, but he didn't hold back on making changes, even took the C off of Wickenheiser's jersey.

But heck of a game. Sucks that penalties had to come into the equation at the end. That slash was a brutal call and the cross check was a strange one as well, likely should have been a penalty shot or a trip. I think the slash was a makeup call with the ref wanting to take herself out of the equation after being forced to make the first penalty call on the Canadian. Was my first thought anyway. Doesn't make sense beyond that. But this is what happens when you start getting into makeup calls, shirt spirals out of control. Just a bad job overall by the ref.

 

[Liut]

The officiating was terrible in their first meeting; same today. Very unfortunate.

Congratulations to Team Canada.

 

[misterbc]

FYI the Canadian Olympic Womens Team played a partial schedule in the AMHL, (Alberta AAA Midget Hockey League) a very competitive hockey loop that's produced many NHLers. Their record of 3-11-4 39GF 57GA projected over the existing season would have them just being nosed out of a playoff spot. I believe most of their games were played in Oct. and Nov. I attend many Midget games in Calgary and it's damn good hockey.

 

[da man]

No, it's just that a two-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey.

Sorry, that was always a running gag at my last newspaper stop.

I worked in junior hockey for 10+ years, I swear there is something to that.

Actually, I think there is, too. When you get up two, there's a tendency to not be as aggressive offensively. Then if the trailing team scores, they get a jolt of momentum because they're suddenly right back in the game, while the leading team starts thinking "uh-oh" and tightens up.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

In the last five years, I have seen two goal leads blown in the final minutes of 1. NCAA tournament final BU vs. Miami, Ohio. 2. Seventh game of a Stanley Cup playoffs (Bruins-Maple Leafs) and 3. Today. That's enough to convince me that statement is more than an old trainer's tale.

 

[Liut]

Tavares is out for the tournament.

Damn. Hope it's not any longer than that.

Various Twitter types twittering that Tavares will undergo an MRI but word out of Sochi is it doesn't look good.

Think I saw a television scroll this morning indicating a torn MCL and meniscus damage. Awful news for the Islanders, obviously. A few more of these injuries and the NHLers are definitely not going to South Korea.

 

[da man]

Tavares is out for the tournament.

Damn. Hope it's not any longer than that.

Various Twitter types twittering that Tavares will undergo an MRI but word out of Sochi is it doesn't look good.

Think I saw a television scroll this morning indicating a torn MCL and meniscus damage. Awful news for the Islanders, obviously. A few more of these injuries and the NHLers are definitely not going to South Korea.

As a Steven Stamkos fantasy owner (I know, I know, no one cares...) I was quite glad he didn't make the trip to Russia.

 

[HanSenSE]

Epic chokejob. Russian men's team, make room.

Aunt Bea coming down in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... but, yeah.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Yeah, screw glory, fun and patriotism. This is some rich shirt's investment in the NHL we're talking about. THAT's what's sacred in sports. Hockey players get hurt all the time. It's a dangerous game. Is it better if Tavares had blown out his knee in Winnipeg instead of Sochi?

 

[Mark2010]

Now that they've gotten the medals and had the anthem and photos, it would be nice to see some of the Canadian players hug and talk to the US players on the ice.

Why?

There something still to be said for sportsmanship.