Does anyone have discussions that happened in between periods in the locker rooms?

[Big Phil]

Or before the game perhaps?

We all know Herb Brooks and his well documented rant against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics to his players. "Great moments are born out of great opportunity."

Also the much well publicized rift in the Canadian locker room during the 1984 Canada Cup. Apparently Bob Bourne stood up and broke the tension by saying "We (Islanders) hate you (Oilers)". Supposedly that helped them bond together a bit more.

So we know those ones, but what about other stories?

For example I would love to hear some stories in between periods during the Gold medal game in the 2010 Olympics. Who was the one talking in between the third period and overtime in the Canadian locker room? What was said?

Or in between the 2nd and 3rd periods of Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series. All I have ever heard is Esposito saying he remembers walking around the room saying "There is no way they can beat us guys."

Messier apparently got out of his hotel room where he was recovering from the flu and read the riot act to Team Canada during the 1996 World Cup in between the 2nd and 3rd periods of Game 2 of the final.

However, there aren't a lot of stories that are well documented this way during a crucial game. Lots of speculation on what might have been said but not a lot of concrete quotes.

 

[nutbar]

Or before the game perhaps?

We all know Herb Brooks and his well documented rant against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics to his players. "Great moments are born out of great opportunity."

The other Herb Brooks one in the second intermission in the Finland game. "If you lose, you will take this to your graves...to your graves!" That was basically all he said.

 

[Yamaguchi*]

Mark Messier allegedly used to tell the rookies:

"If you don't die on the ice, you will die in the dressing room"

 

[tarheelhockey]

Chris Chelios, Nagano 1998:

"Rawwwwrrrr" -- while smashing a chair

 

[Big Phil]

Chris Chelios, Nagano 1998:

"Rawwwwrrrr" -- while smashing a chair

Are you talking about the hotel trashing? If so, I don't think that was Chelios who was involved. It was blown out of proportion with the media and such but I believe it was Chelios who agreed to pay for the damage to the hotel room, not necessarily that he caused it. He was the captain after all.

 

[LeBlondeDemon10]

Can't recall if discussed in The Game, but does anyone remember/have insights about what was discussed in the Habs room between the 2nd and 3rd periods in game 7, 1979?

 

[Killion]

Can't recall if discussed in The Game, but does anyone remember/have insights about what was discussed in the Habs room between the 2nd and 3rd periods in game 7, 1979?

The only thing I recall is a quote from I think Brian Engblom about how Bob Gainey would standup sometimes & just about completely lose it, talking about how "we have to play desperate, cant ever let up". I cant recall if it was between the 2nd & 3rd but vaguely rings a bell.

 

[Hobnobs]

Are you talking about the hotel trashing? If so, I don't think that was Chelios who was involved. It was blown out of proportion with the media and such but I believe it was Chelios who agreed to pay for the damage to the hotel room, not necessarily that he caused it. He was the captain after all.

How do you mean "blown out of proportion"? Tkachuk and company were a disgrace to hockey and USA that year.

Edit: The theory is that it was Tkachuk, Roenick and Amonte. Chelios might have been involved but people didnt think so because of his age and reputation.

 

[K Fleur]

How do you mean "blown out of proportion"? Tkachuk and company were a disgrace to hockey and USA that year..

A prime example of how it's been "blown out of proportion".

 

[Hobnobs]

A prime example of how it's been "blown out of proportion".

High paid athletes going out drinking and trashing hotel rooms in the middle of the biggest hockey tournament is no big deal you mean? The fact the players underperformed and that USA only won one game adds to their disgrace. Bush league athletes. Is it a coincidence that neither of them were particularly successful at winning on a pro level?

 

[alko]

There was a video about Rangers locker room few years ago. Time when Tortorella had the word.
Nothing crazy. The Rangers had a bad game, so he promises, that if some player will not do the best, he will let him sit. Every one.

 

[sr edler]

We all know Herb Brooks and his well documented rant against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics to his players. "Great moments are born out of great opportunity."

I'm kind of allergic to these kind of sayings or catch-phrases. The worst one on my list is probably "pain is temporary" by Lance Armstrong.

Messier apparently got out of his hotel room where he was recovering from the flu and read the riot act to Team Canada during the 1996 World Cup in between the 2nd and 3rd periods of Game 2 of the final.

That's hilarious.

 

[Theokritos]

It was blown out of proportion with the media and such

I wouldn't put it in terms as strong as others do, but there were after all ten chairs broken and three fire extinguishers emptied, then six of the chairs and one of the fire extinguishers were thrown out of the window from the fifth-floor. Damage amounted to $3,000 with three apartments trashed and a wall damaged.

I believe it was Chelios who agreed to pay for the damage to the hotel room, not necessarily that he caused it. He was the captain after all.

Correct.

Chelios might have been involved but people didnt think so because of his age and reputation.

Chelios and Gary Suter were rumoured to have been involved but were apparently cleared by the NHL who investigated the incident.

 

[Moose Head]

I remember the story about Roy telling his teammates to score, because he wasn't allowing another.

 

[LeBlondeDemon10]

The only thing I recall is a quote from I think Brian Engblom about how Bob Gainey would standup sometimes & just about completely lose it, talking about how "we have to play desperate, cant ever let up". I cant recall if it was between the 2nd & 3rd but vaguely rings a bell.

If you are correct, it makes sense. Bowman would be the one exploding in the room if the Habs were up by 2-3 goals...according to Dryden's recollection.

 

[Killion]

If you are correct, it makes sense. Bowman would be the one exploding in the room if the Habs were up by 2-3 goals...according to Dryden's recollection.

Ya, quite correct. Bowman as quiet as Church Mouse behind the bench & in the dressing room when the Habs were down but when they were ahead, very vocal.... Pretty sure that Engblom (Winnipeg guy LBD) memory I have about Gainey is correct. He was the one (Bob Gainey) that was the most vocal in between periods etc. Rather interesting as on the ice of course, very much professorial, almost esoteric, quietly going about his business, not at all prone to "losing it" if you will with retaliatory actions or whatever. Quite the opposite in fact. Bowman a man of very few words in managing his talent, the room.... remember another quote as well or funny situation... Don Cherry when getting into it with the Ref's over that too many men on the ice fiasco ( followed by Guy Lafleur scoring with that slapshot that actually hydroplaned and bounced off the ice & in - incredible - no goalie couldve stopped that ) looks at Bowmans wardrobe settling on his beige Hushpuppies, gets all distracted not understanding how anyone could wear beige Hushpuppies with a blue jacket.... talk about shallow huh? And Cherry supposedly knows how to dress? Gimme a break... what in Hell are you doing playing Fashion Cop in a situation like that? Who cares? Idiot. You blew it. Had Donny Marcotte out there shadowing Guy & that a very hard assignment indeed, and Lafleur was double shifting, and I mean like 75 second shifts, none a this 35 second short shift crap. Poor Donny, just catches his breath, just sits down, and theres Lafleur out on the ice again. Unreal. To Marcottes credit though, was certainly a gamer. Smart player.

 

[Big Phil]

I wouldn't put it in terms as strong as others do, but there were after all ten chairs broken and three fire extinguishers emptied, then six of the chairs and one of the fire extinguishers were thrown out of the window from the fifth-floor. Damage amounted to $3,000 with three apartments trashed and a wall damaged.

Don't get me wrong, as a Canadian I was licking my chops at this time that not only the Americans lost in the quarterfinal but that they were sore losers while doing so.

I just remember quotes from either one of Richter or Vanbiesbrouck who at the time said that their sister called them wondering how injured they were based on something they read in the newspaper. They were always pretty stand up guys off the ice I thought so it seemed legit.

I know that the players to a man never disclosed personally who was involved. They never would, they said. I do realize that apparently their behaviour disturbed other athletes who had yet to compete in their sport, so yeah it was bad no question on that front.

 

[Sentinel]

US behavior in Nagano was despicable and an absolute disgrace. At least Chelios stepped up and ponied up afterwards.

 

[Killion]

US behavior in Nagano was despicable and an absolute disgrace. At least Chelios stepped up and ponied up afterwards.

Been all kinds of disgraceful behavior by Canadian & American Hockey Executives, Managers, Coaches, Scouts & Players going back to the 20's if not earlier on the International Stage Sentinel.... And guess what?....................... No one really cares on this side of the pond. You can call that arrogance. You can call it xenophobia. You can call it racism. You can call it whatever the Hell you want because no one here actually cares.... Totally different mindset & I share this with you as I lived in Europe for nearly 20yrs along with LA, NY, Toronto & the Pacific NW and thats just the fax jack.... Harold Ballard? Arrested for Drunken Disorderly in Paris in the 30's, Suspicion of Assault.... On & on & on & on... North America, not really big on "polite society". We dont care for pretensions, airs. Old World. Universes, they sometimes collide yes?

 

[DisgruntledGoat*]

Another Messier one:

After Gary Suter crosschecked Gretzky halfway through the second period of that 1991 Canada Cup game, he skated away without getting penalty, then pops a goal to cut Canada's lead to 2-1. The Canadian bench lost all discipline, out for blood, yelling at the ref, etc.

At the intermission, Messier stands up and tells the team to forget about Gretzky, he'd want them to focus on winning. Follows it up with a third-period goal. Canada wins 4-1.

(I have an article PDFed referencing this, but I lost the sourcing info so I don't want to post it)

 

[JackSlater]

Or before the game perhaps?

We all know Herb Brooks and his well documented rant against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics to his players. "Great moments are born out of great opportunity."

Also the much well publicized rift in the Canadian locker room during the 1984 Canada Cup. Apparently Bob Bourne stood up and broke the tension by saying "We (Islanders) hate you (Oilers)". Supposedly that helped them bond together a bit more.

So we know those ones, but what about other stories?

For example I would love to hear some stories in between periods during the Gold medal game in the 2010 Olympics. Who was the one talking in between the third period and overtime in the Canadian locker room? What was said?

Hitchcock has given some insights into the recent Canadian Olympic teams. In 2002 they stopped practicing (it was a large hassle to to excess security apparently) and a group of 4-5 veterans came to the coaches and asked what they wanted the team to play like. Then they told them they would get the other players to buy in. He also said that at the end of the tournament it was Lemieux, Yzerman, MacInnis and Blake who spoke up in the room. I don't know about specifics.

In 2010, everything I've seen indicates that Niedermayer and Pronger were the biggest influences. Hitchcock said that they organized all of the other players in whatever off ice business they had. I can't find anything regarding it at the moment, but my recollection is that Niedermayer was very quiet in the room until the end when he spoke up.

 

[Czech Your Math]

because no one here actually cares...

Wasn't that the USA Olympic Hockey slogan in '98?

That was what made it so (doubly) disgraceful: They showed so little passion on the ice, then finally did so while trashing their room once they were bounced from the tournament.

If they had played hard and then trashed their room... or been apathetic and then slinked on home... it wouldn't have been much of a story. It was the contrast between their on-ice and off-ice performances, both of which were shameful, that was intriguing.

 

[Sonic Disturbance]

Hanto Yo!

 

[connellc]

Hitchcock has given some insights into the recent Canadian Olympic teams. In 2002 they stopped practicing (it was a large hassle to to excess security apparently) and a group of 4-5 veterans came to the coaches and asked what they wanted the team to play like. Then they told them they would get the other players to buy in. He also said that at the end of the tournament it was Lemieux, Yzerman, MacInnis and Blake who spoke up in the room. I don't know about specifics.

In 2010, everything I've seen indicates that Niedermayer and Pronger were the biggest influences. Hitchcock said that they organized all of the other players in whatever off ice business they had. I can't find anything regarding it at the moment, but my recollection is that Niedermayer was very quiet in the room until the end when he spoke up.

Steve Yzerman had a speech after game 4, 1997 playoff against the Blues. “Everybody’s quiet and they listen to hear what Stevie has to say. He just came right out and the best thing that he did was he pointed at himself first. Said that I have to get a lot better and then just kind of said that we have to start playing better as a teamâ€.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiFDhQgkd2w

15:40 to get the whole story

After that speech, the wings went 14-2 the rest of the playoffs and won the cup.