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.

 

[Czechboy]

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.

I won't lie.. if Canadian teams are out, I barely watch the finals in June. It's 30 degrees out and I don't care if Florida or Vegas win by then.lol However, I do consider round 1 of the NHL playoffs to be pure hockey porn and love the doubles every night for 10 days!

 

[CokenoPepsi]

It was better than any recent Olympic tournament

 

[Czechboy]

It was better than any recent Olympic tournament

Very true.. those non best on best Olympics are the worst of international hockey

best on best Olympic
a real world cup like 2004
a shitty world cup like 2016
a 4 nations
Skodas
non NHL/AHL Olympics

 

[Summer Rose]

Very true.. those non best on best Olympics are the worst of international hockey

best on best Olympic
a real world cup like 2004
a shitty world cup like 2016
a 4 nations
Skodas
non NHL/AHL Olympics

I enjoyed the 2018 and 2022 Olympics for what they were at least. Germany in 2018 was a fun story, and seeing Filppula crack the triple gold club was cool too.

 

[Czechboy]

I enjoyed the 2018 and 2022 Olympics for what they were at least. Germany in 2018 was a fun story, and seeing Filppula crack the triple gold club was cool too.

and I loved the Slovak bronze and watching the stacked KHL Russian team lose to Finland.lol A theme that keeps reocurring.. paper champs didn't win. Seems the same whether best on best or non best on best.

For the life of me I will never understand how my Czechs couldn't medal in these and, yes, I watched every game. We even had Krejci and Cervenka for crying out loud!

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Very true.. those non best on best Olympics are the worst of international hockey

best on best Olympic
a real world cup like 2004
a shitty world cup like 2016
a 4 nations
Skodas
non NHL/AHL Olympics

I'm including 2014/2010/2006 in my statement of recent

 

[Czechboy]

I'm including 2014/2010/2006 in my statement of recent

LOL ... all time awful take. 1998 to 2014 Olympics are the pinnacle of international hockey.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

LOL ... all time awful take. 1998 to 2014 Olympics are the pinnacle of international hockey.

But it wasn't great hockey, I saw many of the games in person.

Obviously four nations was a smaller thing but the games were better

 

[Coffee]

Legendary thread and legendary OP.

This one shall go down in the history books

 

[Banjo Cat]

However, I do consider round 1 of the NHL playoffs to be pure hockey porn and love the doubles every night for 10 days!

Yup, me too. I think the first two rounds of the playoffs are great.