GDT: Gold medal game CAN-RUS part 3

[Alexander the Gr8]

I give him props for staying a bit longer, but nobody "stuck it out." They all left before the anthem.

The ceremony was way too long. It's good that they stayed out until the Canadians received the trophy and the ice was littered with confetti. I understand that they ended up following their teammates due to the awkwardness of the situation.

 

[Beau Knows]

I would be surprised if Kovalchuk is captain next year. Russia is looking at a fine for being led of the ice by him after getting destroyed by Canada in a game where he was terrible.

 

[Novak Djokovic]

Was giving Russia the benefit of the doubt that the organizers/producers rushed them off the ice, but the Russian GM put that rumour to bed and took full ownership. Good on him and good on Ovy, Malkin and the other players that stayed on and tried to get the rest back on the ice.

IMO, this is being blown a little too out of proportion. They ****ed up, they admit it and are sorry. Good enough for this Canadian.

Agreed.

 

[Acallabeth]

I would be surprised if Kovalchuk is captain next year. Russia is looking at a fine for being led of the ice by him after getting destroyed by Canada in a game where he was terrible.

He's been playing like trash for several tourneys already, and his antics after the gold medal game definitely add up to his already questionnable personality resume, but he's well respected by players so I wouldn't be that surprised.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

He's been playing like trash for several tourneys already, and his antics after the gold medal game definitely add up to his already questionnable personality resume, but he's well respected by players so I wouldn't be that surprised.

I found he was good in Sochi. He was the best player for Russia behind Datsyuk and Radulov.

 

[Acallabeth]

I found he was good in Sochi. He was the best player for Russia behind Datsyuk and Radulov.

Datsyuk and Radulov were the only good forwards though.

 

[LaGu]

To get some perspective, here are excerpts from various newspapers regarding Russia leaving ceremony:

...

Vladislav Tretiak, chairman for the Russian ice hockey federation says it had nothing to do with lack of respect.

- It was only about disharmony and organizational errors, there is no lack of respect. We have great respect for the winners, we congratulated them and shook their hands.

Also the Russian spokesperson, Igor Larin, claims that the players did not intend to show a lack of respect.

- As I understood the situation the officials opened the doors so that the Russian team could/should leave the ice.

Russian defenseman Kulikov describes the situation as a misunderstanding.

- A group of players started to leave the ice, and others remained. When most of the team leaves the ice, of course the others will follow. Personally I was among the players that did not want to leave because I though the Russian anthem was to be played after the Canadian one.

...

The IIHF president said his organization will discuss possible sanctions against Russia on Tuesday and that he’ll “personally see to them being applied.”

...

Russia’s sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, stressed that what happened in Prague wasn’t done on purpose by the country’s hockey team, but didn’t object to possible sanctions from the IIHF.

...

The Russian players also said that them leaving the ice too early shouldn’t be treated as “some kind of a gesture.”

“There was no disrespect towards the rivals. We just looked at each other, didn’t understand what to do and went to the locker room,” Egor Yakovlev, Russia’s defender, said.

Forward Nikolay Kulemin stressed that what happened at the O2 Arena was “just a misunderstanding, nothing more.”

“The guys just didn’t know that they have to remain on the ice and wait till the end. Everybody was upset and thought that it was already over,” he said.
...

There is also mention about that Russia is not used to losing in finals so they don't know what to do... I didn't include that in the excerpts since is not really relevant, it is just the Russian journalists saying it, not the officials and/or players.

 

[Macman]

The ceremony was way too long. It's good that they stayed out until the Canadians received the trophy and the ice was littered with confetti. I understand that they ended up following their teammates due to the awkwardness of the situation.

Only a few stayed out for the trophy, the rest were gone. The ceremony was no longer than any other I've seen at the worlds, Olympics or world juniors. It was what it typically is. These guys have played at enough of these events to know the drill. I don't doubt that some of them were just following others because they're younger, etc., but it's clear Kovalchuk was at the heart of this. And where was the coaching staff?

Having said that, forgive and forget, but I know this would be a much bigger story had the shoe been on the other foot. Can you imagine what Russians would be saying if Canadians skated off the ice before their anthem?

 

[Kap-the-Head]

Congratulations, Canada for a VERY decisive victory!

I join my comrades in apologizing for the team's antics during the ceremony. There is a huge outrage among most fans on Russian sports sites, most saying that it is more embarrassing then the loss itself.

 

[rduck1]

Congratulations, Canada for a VERY decisive victory!

I join my comrades in apologizing for the team's antics during the ceremony. There is a huge outrage among most fans on Russian sports sites, most saying that it is more embarrassing then the loss itself.

It's good that everyone recognizes the issue. However I don't think it's the fans who should be apologizing; they should be among the first to receive one from the team. You are the ones most let down by these kinds of actions... Hard to even imagine how I would react if it was my team doing this. I hope the reaction in Russia and the wider hockey community can get the federation to address the issue properly, since I doubt IIHF sanctions will amount to more than a slap on the wrist.

 

[roboninja]

Only a few stayed out for the trophy, the rest were gone. The ceremony was no longer than any other I've seen at the worlds, Olympics or world juniors. It was what it typically is. These guys have played at enough of these events to know the drill. I don't doubt that some of them were just following others because they're younger, etc., but it's clear Kovalchuk was at the heart of this. And where was the coaching staff?

Having said that, forgive and forget, but I know this would be a much bigger story had the shoe been on the other foot. Can you imagine what Russians would be saying if Canadians skated off the ice before their anthem?

Okay, now I understand your facepalm in the other thread that I questioned. I'll admit I stopped watching at 6-0, so I did not see much of the medal ceremony. I was going on reports that those 4 players stayed out for the ceremony; I assumed they stayed for all of it, but apparently not. I can see why, it has to feel awkward being the only 4 guys left out there.

 

[iCanada]

The ceremony was way too long. It's good that they stayed out until the Canadians received the trophy and the ice was littered with confetti. I understand that they ended up following their teammates due to the awkwardness of the situation.

The Russians had no problem with the identical format and length ceremony last year...

The fins stayed through the whole shebang.

 

[Macman]

The Russians had no problem with the identical format and length ceremony last year...

The fins stayed through the whole shebang.

The format is the same every year. It bothers me that some here are blaming Fasel or the Prague organizers for screwing up the order, or making the ceremony too long, or opening a gate, of all things. I just watched the finish of this year's worlds in Toronto and Fasel did exactly the same thing. He closed the tournament after the trophy presentation and just before the anthem. From final game whistle to end of anthem: 20 minutes, 30 seconds.

Vancouver Olympic final, from Crosby's goal to end of anthem: 20 minutes, 17 seconds.

Those were the only two I could quickly find but the ceremonies are like this every year.

 

[Burke the Legend]

I don't really blame the Russians, the long drawn out ceremonies after IIHF games are so stupid. In pro sports you quickly move to a dignified hand shake then the loser can retire to his room while the victor gets to whoop it up on the play surface without looking like a bad winner doing it with his opponents right there.

In IIHF land there are these ridiculous, pompous ceremonies (FIFA does the same crap too) where loser participation awards are handed out and anthems played while the guys who just lost gotta stand there looking thrilled at it all when they just want to go back to the room and sit quietly for a while, contemplating their defeat. Europeans really have no sense of proper aesthetic for this sort of thing, it's really unnatural. Probably why Rene Weasel is acting so mad about it, might lead to people questioning the dumb after game ceremony format.

 

[Yakushev72]

He's been playing like trash for several tourneys already, and his antics after the gold medal game definitely add up to his already questionnable personality resume, but he's well respected by players so I wouldn't be that surprised.

You are so right! To fans, his postgame antics are still overshadowed by the absence of any contribution on the ice. Mostly, he just got in everyone else's way, taking the puck off of their sticks, not even looking to accept passes made to him, failing to control the puck, and just generally being useless out there. He still has great skill and ability, but his mental game is so undisciplined. If there is an alternative, I'd rather not see him come back next year.

 

[Yakushev72]

I don't really blame the Russians, the long drawn out ceremonies after IIHF games are so stupid. In pro sports you quickly move to a dignified hand shake then the loser can retire to his room while the victor gets to whoop it up on the play surface without looking like a bad winner doing it with his opponents right there.

In IIHF land there are these ridiculous, pompous ceremonies (FIFA does the same crap too) where loser participation awards are handed out and anthems played while the guys who just lost gotta stand there looking thrilled at it all when they just want to go back to the room and sit quietly for a while, contemplating their defeat. Europeans really have no sense of proper aesthetic for this sort of thing, it's really unnatural. Probably why Rene Weasel is acting so mad about it, might lead to people questioning the dumb after game ceremony format.

I couldn't agree more. If they have to hand out awards (I wish they wouldn't), get it over quick, have the hand shake, and don't force the losing team to stand out there, where they are required by protocol to look sad and ashamed. Let them go in and pop open a beer!

 

[MiamiHockey]

I found he was good in Sochi. He was the best player for Russia behind Datsyuk and Radulov.

That's a pretty low bar. The Russians struggled mightily in Sochi.

 

[Cellee]

I don't really blame the Russians, the long drawn out ceremonies after IIHF games are so stupid. In pro sports you quickly move to a dignified hand shake then the loser can retire to his room while the victor gets to whoop it up on the play surface without looking like a bad winner doing it with his opponents right there.

In IIHF land there are these ridiculous, pompous ceremonies (FIFA does the same crap too) where loser participation awards are handed out and anthems played while the guys who just lost gotta stand there looking thrilled at it all when they just want to go back to the room and sit quietly for a while, contemplating their defeat. Europeans really have no sense of proper aesthetic for this sort of thing, it's really unnatural. Probably why Rene Weasel is acting so mad about it, might lead to people questioning the dumb after game ceremony format.

You wait for the anthem, just like Finland did after Russia won, and had the exact same ceremony.

This isn't secret information, until it changes, it's not up for debate.

This "we didn't know" excuse is BS.

Nobody wants to stand there and watch, but you deal with it.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Whatever, let's not dwell over this. They lost, too bad for them.

 

[NuxFan09]

Canada is now the defending Olympic champion, the defending World champion and defending World Junior champion. Love it!

Disappointed in Russia, though. I really did want a tougher test from them. Ah well, they've had enough success at this tournament over the years. In my mind they have nothing to prove (at least at this tournament. The Olympics is a different story entirely).

 

[xxxx]

Kulikov thought the Russian anthem would be played after canadian one? lol, you cannot be serious.


Was this ceremony different than the others? Was it longer? Has any team in the past 20 years done something similar? The excuse that it was "too long" is quite laughable if the answer for these question is no.

 

[Theokritos]

There is also mention about that Russia is not used to losing in finals so they don't know what to do...

Quite a creative effort to spin it that way, but nevertheless the worst excuse ever.

 

[wishywashy19]

I couldn't agree more. If they have to hand out awards (I wish they wouldn't), get it over quick, have the hand shake, and don't force the losing team to stand out there, where they are required by protocol to look sad and ashamed. Let them go in and pop open a beer!

I have to agree
I thought the whole ceremony was disorganized and way too long
The losing team wants out and any real winner does not want to rub it in because everyone has been three some time
Cut out the pomp and cut it short

 

[JackSlater]

If the Russians stormed off the ice right after the game, that would be one thing. They waited plenty of time and then left awkwardly. It should have been handled better, but it's not a big deal.

 

[mariemarie]

Someone has to make a gif of Malkin stealing the puck from his own teammate