Olympic Hockey Thread Part III

[haohmaru]

Boston not only made it the SCFs last season, but embarrassed the Rangers on their way. Of course we could beat them, that's the nature of the playoffs: everyone technically has a chance, but you can't blame people for looking at it realistically.

They were clearly the better team last year, but let's not forget that two of our top 6 forwards were essentially playing with one arm.

I give this year's team a better chance than last year's to beat either the B's or the Pens.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

Im sure they would be a mix of both sides. Just like Ranger fans. Doesn't mean its not true.

I think it would be hard to find any Hawks fan to tell you he's got a tendency to not show up in big games.

But at any rate, we can disagree on it. Just wanted some further explanation on that statement is all, since it was news to me.

 

[Trxjw]

The only consolation is that McDonagh once again proved that he's one of the best defenders in the game today.

 

[Dr. Ogrodnick]

The only consolation is that McDonagh once again proved that he's one of the best defenders in the game today.

He should look for a new country to play for that is interested in showing up for the biggest games.

 

[NYR89]

i'm american so it might be biased but that game was definitely not even that exciting, even if it was a 1 goal game

I didn't think it was overly exciting either. We didn't have very many quality changes.

 

[aufheben]

I'm very disappointed in not winning the gold. It doesn't the Bronze meaningless. Yeah it's 3rd best. That kinda sucks right now. It still beats 4th by alot.

It's just funny that people are willing to throw that game away because McDonagh might get hurt playing in a "meaningless game". And for what? For our team that's at best 3rd best in their own conference? Gee I thought things that were 3rd best didn't matter at all...

McDonagh and Callahan are going to play regardless, so I don't even understand what this discussion is about. They're playing Finland, like it or not, whether they medal or not is not important in this context. Obviously a Bronze medal is better than nothing, but they gonna play anyway.

Of course the Bronze is a disappointment, but again, McDonagh and Callahan, and maybe Stepan, are going to play anyway, so we might as well cheer for a medal. Maybe I'm missing something?

They were clearly the better team last year, but let's not forget that two of our top 6 forwards were essentially playing with one arm.

I give this year's team a better chance than last year's to beat either the B's or the Pens.

I agree that we're better than last year, but we also play a totally different style. How will AV's Rangers match up against the Bruins?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

McDonagh and Callahan are going to play regardless, so I don't even understand what this discussion is about. They're playing Finland, like it or not, whether they medal or not is not important in this context. Obviously a Bronze medal is better than nothing, but they gonna play anyway.

Of course the Bronze is a disappointment, but again, McDonagh and Callahan, and maybe Stepan, are going to play anyway, so we might as well cheer for a medal. Maybe I'm missing something?



I agree that we're better than last year, but we also play a totally different style. How will AV's Rangers match up against the Bruins?

Can't be much worse than last year's style? They were a Rask meltdown away from being swept and got outplayed most of that series. Funny that I thought our best game was game 2 (missed 4 and 5) and that was the worst statistically.

 

[chosen]

So many fans, when their team loses, blame it on the refs or chokes on their team, or the coach.

Somehow they consistently don't understand that their team was simply outplayed.

 

[eco's bones]

McDonagh played really well on his wrong side again. Apart from his pairing with Suter the US d-pairings weren't par to the Canadians. Carlson and Orpik were particularly iffy today. The overall quality of the Canadian defense was their biggest edge today IMO. Anyway the Canadians were the better team today. They had a distinct territorial edge and Quick had a much, much harder go of it than Price.

 

[Dr. Ogrodnick]

So many fans, when their team loses, blame it on the refs or chokes on their team, or the coach.

Somehow they consistently don't understand that their team was simply outplayed.

Did the US put its best game forward in its biggest game?

No.

Does the full national team win any of its biggest games?

Not since 1996


That is the definition of choking. Canada played well, the US, other than a small handful of players did not. If you can't or don't give your best performance when it matters most, then you choked.

 

[Thirty One]

I can't help but wonder if there would have been a different result if the USA's powerplay featured Byfuglien and Yandle instead of their gaunlet of light-shooting defensemen.

 

[aufheben]

So many fans, when their team loses, blame it on the refs or chokes on their team, or the coach.

Somehow they consistently don't understand that their team was simply outplayed.

Yep. We lost 1-0 to a powerhouse Canadian team. It hurts, but it wasn't unexpected. They had John Tavares as their 4th line center going into Sochi FFS. USA doesn't have near the talent that Canada does.

Kane appeared lackadaisical to me the whole tourney, which I found more disappointing than anything. I'd love to see Henrik Lundqvist play a huge game and come home with his 2nd gold.

 

[Jabroni]

Rooting for Sweden and Hank to shut the door.

 

[Synergy27]

I can't help but wonder if there would have been a different result if the USA's powerplay featured Byfuglien and Yandle instead of their gaunlet of light-shooting defensemen.

I'm still baffled by these exclusions. Ryan, I can understand to a certain extent, but the dropoff from McD/Suter to the rest of the D-corps was just shocking and in my opinion unnecessary given guys like that being left at home.

I'm also shocked by Parise's ineffectiveness. The guy got nothing done out there.

 

[Ratelleitlikeitis]

Agreed about the complaints. We choked... Oh they trapped us...they were scared of us...what, it's not allowed to have a game plan that respects the potential of the highest scoring team in the tourney from a team that had struggled to score despite its marquee names. Our Canadian defence...checking by our talented "scorers" and shortened shifts made an impact. Be proud of your players...1-0 about as close as it could be. The gap for what it's worth is razor thin. Hoping for an offensive breakout against Henrik...not liking the chances but always hopeful.

 

[LORENZO]

I know its not much now, but lets hope Hank has a blinder against Americas hat.

 

[Saitama]

I know its not much now, but lets hope Hank has a blinder against Americas hat.

Pthth, America is Canada's underwear! I hope this game boosts Mcdonagh's rep even more. He was seriously solid out there, I was torn between cursing him and cheering him on!

 

[Ail]

Agreed about the complaints. We choked... Oh they trapped us...they were scared of us...what, it's not allowed to have a game plan that respects the potential of the highest scoring team in the tourney from a team that had struggled to score despite its marquee names. Our Canadian defence...checking by our talented "scorers" and shortened shifts made an impact. Be proud of your players...1-0 about as close as it could be. The gap for what it's worth is razor thin. Hoping for an offensive breakout against Henrik...not liking the chances but always hopeful.

Canadians need to stop telling the US fans to be proud of their players. The entire thread on the Olympics board is a bunch of Canada fans telling the USA how this shouldn't be a disappointment. lol, please. Look at it from the other angle, as a nation, would Canadian fans be happy and proud of a possible bronze, or 4th place finish?

No, and if a bunch of Americans came in to a thread after a big loss and told you guys, "be proud, great job!" you know damn well you would not be okay with the loss.

The USA is not Slovenia or Latvia. A pat on the back and a "good effort guys" is nothing to be proud of. The US should be able to compete with Canada. What they did today was not competing. It was only 1-0 because of Quick and a few defensemen. They were severely outplayed. A worse built 2010 team beat Canada and forced them to OT in a the gold medal game. Let's not pretend the talent gap is so far apart that the US never had a chance.

Canada had a great game, but the US did not leave it all out there despite a few players. There is nothing to be proud of, or happy about here. Sorry.

 

[NernieBichols]

I think it would be hard to find any Hawks fan to tell you he's got a tendency to not show up in big games.

But at any rate, we can disagree on it. Just wanted some further explanation on that statement is all, since it was news to me.

I guess I would say look back at his stats for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 playoff seasons.

Yeah I definitively remember watching games in the playoffs where he wasn't going. And I can remember the announcers saying over and over again the blackhawks need more from Patrick Kane.

Maybe you should try going to the Blackhawks board and asking them if your saying the bolded.

I didn't say he is overrated or that he sucks. I said I have noticed a tendency where he's not going in important situations. I stick by it. Bring me some statements or comments to the contrary and I guess we could continue this if you want. Until you do, what else can I say, what else can you say?

 

[Dr. Ogrodnick]

Canadians need to stop telling the US fans to be proud of their players. The entire thread on the Olympics board is a bunch of Canada fans telling the USA how this shouldn't be a disappointment. lol, please. Look at it from the other angle, as a nation, would Canadian fans be happy and proud of a possible bronze, or 4th place finish?

No, and if a bunch of Americans came in to a thread after a big loss and told you guys, "be proud, great job!" you know damn well you would not be okay with the loss.

The USA is not Slovenia or Latvia. A pat on the back and a "good effort guys" is nothing to be proud of. The US should be able to compete with Canada. What they did today was not competing. It was only 1-0 because of Quick and a few defensemen. They were severely outplayed. A worse built 2010 team beat Canada and forced them to OT in a the gold medal game. Let's not pretend the talent gap is so far apart that the US never had a chance.

Canada had a great game, but the US did not leave it all out there despite a few players. There is nothing to be proud of, or happy about here. Sorry.

This times 10. IF the US left it all on the ice and lost I'd be fine with that. They did not, not even close. That is called choking.

 

[Ail]

This times 10. IF the US left it all on the ice and lost I'd be fine with that. They did not, not even close. That is called choking.

Yep, as heartbreaking as the 2010 ending was, that team gave it their all. I hated the crushing defeat, but I was proud of what that team did. It felt like they accomplished something in spite of failure to win gold.

This? lol, the game wasn't even entertaining from the perspective of a USA fan. I bet Canada was loving it though. If I were a Canadian fan right now with the bragging rights for the next 4 years being able to say you dominated the US in the semi-finals after the first 10 minutes of period one, I would be feeling pretty good.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

I guess I would say look back at his stats for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 playoff seasons.

Yeah I definitively remember watching games in the playoffs where he wasn't going. And I can remember the announcers saying over and over again the blackhawks need more from Patrick Kane.

Maybe you should try going to the Blackhawks board and asking them if your saying the bolded.

I didn't say he is overrated or that he sucks. I said I have noticed a tendency where he's not going in important situations. I stick by it. Bring me some statements or comments to the contrary and I guess we could continue this if you want. Until you do, what else can I say, what else can you say?

That's why i said we should just disagree.

It's fine if you stand by it, that's your opinion and I can dig that. I would hope you stood by your opinion. I just strongly disagree with it, and just wanted some explanation as to why you said that in the first place when he's been called one of the more clutch players on the team.

No need for anyone to go to the hawks boards or anything, we're just having a friendly conversation.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'm not comparing Orpik to McDonagh, I'm poking a hole in your argument.

"Blah blah blah Orpik sucks because he made that one mistake."

Orpik made more than one mistake in the tournament.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Orpik was fine, you'd think he was getting beat for goals all tournament the way people talk about him.

He was. I don't know which tournament you watched.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Orpik was fine, you'd think he was getting beat for goals all tournament the way people talk about him. Yea, McD had a solid Olympics, so did a ton of other players on the team.

And I love hearing how Yandle was the answer, as if he hasn't been a defensive liability this season.

Yandle and Orpik both suck defensively, but at least Yandle brings something offensively.