Okay, I was wrong, the 4 Nations WAS excellent hockey. Here is my review on it.

[koyvoo]

The one knock against the 1979 Challenge Cup in terms of being best on best is that the NHL team had no time to prepare. The NHL was extremely stacked, but as I said elsewhere, 1979 and 1981 was likely the peak of Soviet/Rusdian hockey and they were an unbelievable machine at that point.

 

[wetcoast]

I still prefer the NHL. But it was the most NHLish an international tournament has ever been. Way better than the all-star game. It's got nothing on the playoffs though. Not even close.

Maybe to the 2 teams involved in the SC finals but that final game had SC finals feeling to it and it delivered.

 

[Banjo Cat]

Maybe to the 2 teams involved in the SC finals but that final game had SC finals feeling to it and it delivered.

I guess it's subjective, but I would take any round of the playoffs over international hockey. That's just me. I mean there was some drama in this tournament, but I still don't think there is any comparison here to some Habs - Bruins series over the years for instance. Probably pretty obvious why I use that example. I also prefer 7 games series'.

Also there is the fact that NHL teams play together much more. Team Canada, Team USA, etc... these guys just get together for a tournament here and there and the Olympics. Aside from the fact that there is the natural rivalry between US and Canada, being neighbors and all, I really don't spend much time hating on the USA players. I've spent way more time disliking Brad Marchand than the Tkachuk brothers. It feels icky cheering for Brad Marchand.