OLYMPICS - HOCKEY THREAD

[StevePerryHair]

One more important post I want to make and I would love Behshads take on this.

Overtime. 20 minutes of 4 on 4 rather than the NHL version of 5 mins. I really think that favoured Canada big time..More ice, less players. I thought Canada dominated the OT, with most of the play being in the American zone. I really feel if it had gone to shootout, which IMO is cheap as all Hell, the USA would no doubt have won. Miller was again outstanding. Luongo IMO wasn't really sharp. In a shootout, Miller would have seen Crosby more than once however, right Behshad?

I just don't get how anyone, especially you and Dan can't like the Kid? Does everything right, both on and off the ice. Has more hardware than most players do and he is only 22 years old. Add a gold medal to his haul now. He is a hero in Canada. I know Wyatt's next jersey will be a red Canadian Crosby number 87. I would be proud to have my kid wear that.

my kid has a black and gold 87 shirt

[Behshad]

Remember Dean,
the kid missed his first shoot out Earlier in preliminary rounds.

and I didn't say I don't like him. He's a great asset for Pens and he was their best player when they won the cup.

But there's at least a dozen players in Team Canada that played MUCH better than him in the olympics. He will hopefully deliver a lot more in 2014.

[Don]

Olympic Hockey Gold Medals
Canada 8
Soviet Union/Unified Team 8
United States 2
Sweden 2

[Deb]

my kid has a black and gold 87 shirt

Lynn, how are the vodka lemonades? LOL meet ya back here later for the closing ceremonies....with a crantini.

[YoungJRNY]

I can care less about Olympic Hockey, it's not what it USE to be when the Olympics were average joes who represented their country rather than having NHL players make up the vast majority of the rosters, so the feeling to me is subdued. Congrats to Canada for sure, but I'm cheerin for Pittsburgh pride right now.

Dude, are you being serious? Back when the the "regular Joe's" played, it was completely unfair. Let me tell you why it was unfair. The USSR considered it's players amateurs and the US and Canada's amateurs were either college players or minor leaguer's. So in essence, Canada and the US were at a complete disadvantage to all of Europe, the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Finland, all of them. I for one think this was the best tournament in sports history. The NHL has to be pleased with the exposure and hockey in general shined. How can an average fan not be excited at what they saw? I try to get people to watch but they say it's boring. That I will never understand. You couldn't script it any better except I think Canada would have liked to win the gold against Russia rather than the US. See, the USA's biggest rival is Canada. I don't think Canada sees the US as it's hated biggest threat. They hate Russia. That is the only thing that could have been more memorable..CAN vs Russia, however, the USA participation in the final game sure was great for the NHL and viewership. This was huge for the NHL. Now ask yourself, can the Summer Games, and in particular basketball, put on a tournament like this? I really don't think so.

I understand all of that, unfair or not, it was kind of a different feel when teams were made up of college and minor players, that's exactly where I was getting at, and the USA beating Russia in the Miracle game meant that much more because of it. Olympic hockey isn't NHL hockey, it's not even close to be exact as far as star power with each team lowering the boom with a star or 3 headlining each team. I don't think it's THAT big for the NHL since the product is different. If new fans to the game tune in to watch the NHL and expect Olympic hockey, then they will be sadly disappointed. That's my opinion on the whole matter.

[StevePerryHair]

my kid has a black and gold 87 shirt

Lynn, how are the vodka lemonades? LOL meet ya back here later for the closing ceremonies....with a crantini.

oh yummy!!! I had 2 so far I'm waiting for the ceremonies too!!!

[Rockindeano]

Bah, Danny boy can kiss my lilly white a$$! LMAO, like to see him on a pair of skates. He knows not of which he speaks. Most hockey players are definite athletes. Ever see Iggy in a tshirt and jeans? Guy is extremely fit.

Most hockey players? Every player in the entire NHL is fit and athletic as all Hell. You never see a fat hockey player, but you do see fat baseball players. You see fat basketball players, and you see fat football players. Dan is just being a pain in the ass. He has to know better. Every time there is a golf tournament for instance, the hockey guys always do better than the other sports players. I can guarantee you a football player cannot go out and play a pick up game of hockey, yet i bet you a hockey player can play a few downs in a football game, as they are definitely tough enough and have the athletic ability. Of the four major sports, hockey is by far the hardest to play. You need power, toughness, agility, and have to be able to think. I know it's only my opinion, I am just basing that opinion on personal experience. I played all four sports and basketball was by far the easiest. Football was next easiest, followed by baseball.

[Don]

They should have brought in Mini Herb to fire up the troops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CdJTfGiRCI

[Maui Tom]

Not a huge Olympic hockey guy....same take as Trav....the NHL guys...NBA guys in hoops...not my thing...that being said...that was one GREAT game to watch.

Canada also has the best National Anthem ever....

Stole this from a guy on Twitter but was this like the Montreal Alouettes going to the wire with the New Orleans Saints?

[Rockindeano]

Remember Dean,
the kid missed his first shoot out Earlier in preliminary rounds.

and I didn't say I don't like him. He's a great asset for Pens and he was their best player when they won the cup.

But there's at least a dozen players in Team Canada that played MUCH better than him in the olympics. He will hopefully deliver a lot more in 2014.

Crosby beat Hiller to get Canada to the next game. I am not so sure Marleau or Nash could have made the shootout goal that Sid did.

Answer my question regarding the 4 on 4 a few posts back.

[Behshad]

The 4 on 4 truly showed that US can't keep up with the speed that Canada started off with. It was definately to the Canadian's advantage and I totally agree with you in regards to shoot out being the cheap way.
I mean I understand in the preliminary games, then it's alright , but to decide a gold medal game. Where two teams have fought to get there and leave it to shoot out to decide ?! Nah , let it go to as many sudden death OTs as it takes.

[Moon Beam]

I'm still on one helluva hockey high!
So very happy and grateful I am for the win.
Lost all sense of sanity at 24 seconds left in the third.
Crosby I would kiss your can if you were here now.

[Rockindeano]

I'm still on one helluva hockey high!
So very happy and grateful I am for the win.
Lost all sense of sanity at 24 seconds left in the third.
Crosby I would kiss your can if you were here now.

I'll put on a Crosby sweater and let you kiss my filthy asshole if you're up for it.

What you say you old Seahag?

[Ehwmatt]

I'm still on one helluva hockey high!
So very happy and grateful I am for the win.
Lost all sense of sanity at 24 seconds left in the third.
Crosby I would kiss your can if you were here now.

I'll put on a Crosby sweater and let you kiss my filthy asshole if you're up for it.

What you say you old Seahag?

hahahaha, classic Deano

[Deb]

Yadda yadda, enough of the formal speeches and opera......bring on the entertainment and party portion of the closing ceremonies!! LOL

[Rockindeano]

I'm still on one helluva hockey high!
So very happy and grateful I am for the win.
Lost all sense of sanity at 24 seconds left in the third.
Crosby I would kiss your can if you were here now.

I'll put on a Crosby sweater and let you kiss my filthy asshole if you're up for it.

What you say you old Seahag?

hahahaha, classic Deano

I can imagine Moonbeam lighting up yet another heater, her teeth so brown it looks like she spray tanned them. Meanwhile she is wearing her 1965 Canada jersey, puckering up her toad like lips and kissing my ass. I would probably blow a wet fart on her face..HAHAHAHA sucks to be Moonie.

[Moon Beam]

I'll put on a Crosby sweater and let you kiss my filthy asshole if you're up for it.
What you say you old Seahag?

Seahag? I like that one Dean'a.
How bout I sock you straight in the nut sack and see if you can stand straight afterwards?

[Moon Beam]

I can imagine Moonbeam lighting up yet another heater, her teeth so brown it looks like she spray tanned them. Meanwhile she is wearing her 1965 Canada jersey, puckering up her toad like lips and kissing my ass. I would probably blow a wet fart on her face..HAHAHAHA sucks to be Moonie.

Don't do it Dean'a......we won tonight, we love our fellow Canadian people.....(rolling up sleeves)

[Jonny B]

BAH! I correctly predicted 3 of the 4 semifinalists but they all finished in the wrong places!!!

Canada's early loss messed up the seeding, and so they met Russia a lot earlier, and wrecked my upset pick. Then Russia got toasted in the quarters. I seriously thought that a line like Ovechkin/Kovalchuk/Malkin was gonna be a difference maker and they were practically invisible.

I tip my hat to my home team of the USA. I knew they'd be a physical team with decent goaltending, but I seriously didn't think they'd be able to score goals. Their physical forecheck created a lot of their scoring chances which dominated the smaller, slower European teams....I thought momentum shifted when they tied the game against Canada. But the Canadian speed on the open OT ice killed the Americans in the end. Canada taking gold ruined my upset pick.

And Slovakia...where do I start? They had bronze all wrapped up...then they stopped attacking! Slovakia should've never laid back; the Finnish D was easily pushed around by the more physical teams, and so laying back played towards their strengths. Terrible 3rd period....So in a way, I did correctly predict Slovakia to be the Cinderella story...literally! When my clock at home struck midnight, they gave up 3 straight goals to Finland! I guess the pumpkin wagon didn't account for the Western time zone difference.

Well, I guess now it's the long, excruschiating wait for the NHL playoffs to start.

[Deb]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

[StevePerryHair]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

I can honestly say that I will miss the olympics:( And I don't think hockey will get me this excited again until the playoffs

[bluejeangirl76]

I can honestly say that I will miss the olympics:(

Closing day always bums me out.

Oh well... 2 months until playoffs!

[Rockindeano]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

I can honestly say that I will miss the olympics:( And I don't think hockey will get me this excited again until the playoffs

Considering the tragic death of the Luger, and the Opening Ceremony glitch and the weather not cooperating, I really think Vancouver pulled it off quite nicely. Just wait til Russia gets it in 4 years. It will be night and day between a first world wealthy country like Canada and a third world communistic state like Russia. I hope I am dead wrong here, but also Lynn, the NHLers may not play in Russia. That will suck.

[Deb]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

I can honestly say that I will miss the olympics:( And I don't think hockey will get me this excited again until the playoffs

Agreed, can't wait for the playoffs. I like how they've pretty much opened the field to the athletes like one huge dancefloor....for the bands. Liked Nickleback, and gawd Alanis looks and sounds awesome.

[Rockindeano]

So Lynn, let me ask you what the NHL is basically asking its' fans- Will the Olympic hockey excitement transfer over to you, a fan of the game and have you watching regular season hockey now? Will you tune into Versus and watch Wednesday and Thursday games in addition to the Sunday game of the week? Heck, The Pens are always on the Sunday game of the week...if not them, it's always the Red Wings, Rangers, Capitols and Flyers..

[StevePerryHair]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

I can honestly say that I will miss the olympics:( And I don't think hockey will get me this excited again until the playoffs

Considering the tragic death of the Luger, and the Opening Ceremony glitch and the weather not cooperating, I really think Vancouver pulled it off quite nicely. Just wait til Russia gets it in 4 years. It will be night and day between a first world wealthy country like Canada and a third world communistic state like Russia. I hope I am dead wrong here, but also Lynn, the NHLers may not play in Russia. That will suck.

Wow, really? Why wouldn't they play there? That would suck! It will be strange but maybe interesting seeing the olympics in Russia. Definitely will be a difference! I thought it was interesting they said that Putin changed their national anthem back to the one they used when they were communist Russia. I do believe we could call that a CLUE!

[StevePerryHair]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

I can honestly say that I will miss the olympics:( And I don't think hockey will get me this excited again until the playoffs

Agreed, can't wait for the playoffs. I like how they've pretty much opened the field to the athletes like one huge dancefloor....for the bands. Liked Nickleback, and gawd Alanis looks and sounds awesome.

Yes, it was very cool!!

[Triple S]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

Hedley! (I adore Jacob) And yes - the whole moose, beaver, et al thing was great! We absolutely have no problem making fun of ourselves.

[Rockindeano]

LMAO hilarious...how many Canadian stereotypes they can cram into one segment, lumberjacks, beavers and all. That was great!

Hedley! (I adore Jacob) And yes - the whole moose, beaver, et al thing was great! We absolutely have no problem making fun of ourselves.

Hey no one makes fun of Canada's beer or it's hockey. It's still the best place to live in the world. Yes, Canada.

[Ehwmatt]

So Lynn, let me ask you what the NHL is basically asking its' fans- Will the Olympic hockey excitement transfer over to you, a fan of the game and have you watching regular season hockey now? Will you tune into Versus and watch Wednesday and Thursday games in addition to the Sunday game of the week? Heck, The Pens are always on the Sunday game of the week...if not them, it's always the Red Wings, Rangers, Capitols and Flyers..

My prediction: Victim of timing. Playoffs are a ways away and the Olympics will be but a distant memory for the average folk by the time playoffs roll around.