The bronze medal game doesn't seem to be a problem for players outside of Canada and the States, be it at the Olympics, World Championship or Juniors. The world doesn't have to alter long held norms simply to appease a few teams who don't have a will to compete, or at the very least entertain the fans who allow them to play a game for a living.
Should we eliminate the bronze medal game?
- Thread starter Dontdive
- Start date
Beau Knows
Registered User
I obviously wouldn't care as much as a fan about winning that game as I would winning the Gold Medal game (ie I wouldn't be crushed by a loss in a bronze game), but I would certainly not want Canada to not go home empty handed.
TheFeistyFinn
Registered User
- Dec 31, 2011
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Beau Knows
Registered User
The person I was responding to claimed that attitude was present in all sports for the United States. Which is why I used the World Cup as an example.
jepjepjoo
Registered User
- Dec 31, 2002
- 4,726
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Finns always seem happy to win the bronze.
Since Nagano:
USA 6th, silver, 8th, silver, 4th
Finland bronze, 6th, silver, bronze, bronze
You are acting like it's everyday business for USA to be fighting for the medals.
Might as well take bronze medals out of Parallel slalom races or other events too right? Of course, hockey is the superior sport and we should go with what appeases to hockey fans.
Borlag
Registered User
My thoughts exactly. The Finns aren't rushing to Senaatintori to celebrate the bronze, we were devastated at the loss to Sweden. That still doesn't mean that we don't (or rather didn't) want Finland to win against USA. Nor does it mean that we can't be happy about doing just that and winning the bronze.
After that match there's been dozens of different silly questions and notions about Finland, whether it's "bronze is gold for Finland" or "would you trade 3 bronzes to get gold?" or whatever. It's not just about winning that gold, the journey there matters as well. I wouldn't trade those memories I have from the different Olympics tournaments, the WC tournaments, WJC tournaments etc etc for anything. Why? Because when we trully do win, it's something special, as it should be.
darglor
Registered User
- Feb 17, 2012
- 1,253
- 2
Personally, I'd like to see another game added instead of removing one.
Both the Finns and the Swedes only lost 1 game once the bracket started. For this year it doesn't really matter since the Swedes beat the Finns, but it feels like the bronze/silver result can often just be the result of bad luck during the bracketing.
Theoretically, if the US beats the Finns, they're at 2-1 from the Quarters. The Swedes are also at 2-1; why would their performance merit a better medal, particularly since they both only lost to Canada?
Both the Finns and the Swedes only lost 1 game once the bracket started. For this year it doesn't really matter since the Swedes beat the Finns, but it feels like the bronze/silver result can often just be the result of bad luck during the bracketing.
Theoretically, if the US beats the Finns, they're at 2-1 from the Quarters. The Swedes are also at 2-1; why would their performance merit a better medal, particularly since they both only lost to Canada?
No it for sure isn't. It was for hockey because they did so well last time. It's there for basketball because they are very good. But not for the men's soccer team. If they even made it past the round of 16 I'd be happy lol. They just aren't very good. A bronze for the women's team would be tragic though. Those women expect nothing but gold and to be FIFA World Cup champions.
Nope, but perhaps the Olympics could add a tin medal for the loser in the bronze medal game (and a lead metal for the team that finishes last overall as a consolation prize for appearing).
IceAce
Strait Trippin'
The Bronze medal game typically sucks because professionals don't like to play for consolation prizes. In the pro's you don't get a trophy for 2nd or 3rd place, so why would they be excited about one in the Olympics?
If you want to breathe some life back into that bronze game, stop sending the pro's and go back to the pre-1998 rules with amateur teams. Those guys are hungry and will play for any prize.
If you want to breathe some life back into that bronze game, stop sending the pro's and go back to the pre-1998 rules with amateur teams. Those guys are hungry and will play for any prize.
Beau Knows
Registered User
Yeah I agree, my point exactly. USA would be thrilled by a 3rd place finish in the World Cup. But, despite the expectations placed on the US hockey team, bronze is still worth the effort. Mailing it in isn't really excusable.
Sorry, but I think the idea is rather ridiculous. Ask the Finns how mad they are they had to play.
BusQuets
Registered User
- Jul 16, 2010
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USA fans should be happy they got to semifinals. it's not often they got to be in top4 in men's competition. Finland is top3 with Sweden and Canada so it's nothing new to them and maybe that was the difference in the bronze game. USA don't have that winning culture what top3 countires have..yet. They are up and coming. Imo USA fans should be happy for the 4th.
Sabane
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2014
- 161
- 0
Why are there flags hanging from the roof of hockey stadiums of NHL saying "conference champion" if you are only playing for the SC? Why shouldn't we just be happy to win bronze after a devastating lost at the semis like so many NHL teams are happy for the W at their conference?
In the Olympics, these pros play for their country. If they don't want to win their country a medal then it's their shame.
Has any player ever said they dont care about bronze? Because all I see is fans saying they dont care. BTW those US players sure look happy after WHC bronze...
USA has so few medals that they should be happy even from WC medals.
USA has so few medals that they should be happy even from WC medals.
Not caring enough to put in the effort to win the bronze is indicative of a few things. A lack of character, a lack of respect for the other teams in the tournament (not to mention yourself) and a lack of respect & appreciation of your fans. What the US did on the weekend was disgraceful & excusing their terrible effort because bronze "doesn't matter" is beyond condescending.
I am a huge fan of American hockey & was appalled by that game, just as I was appalled years ago when Canada mailed it in in Nagano, & how we seem to mail it in at the WJC when we lose in the semi finals.
You lost the semi final. At the very least, suck it up for those paying your freight & show up to play for 3rd place. If you don't, you aren't worthy of even 3rd, so showing contempt for it is what I would call ironic. Get over yourselves, because you obviously aren't as good as you seem to think you are.
I am a huge fan of American hockey & was appalled by that game, just as I was appalled years ago when Canada mailed it in in Nagano, & how we seem to mail it in at the WJC when we lose in the semi finals.
You lost the semi final. At the very least, suck it up for those paying your freight & show up to play for 3rd place. If you don't, you aren't worthy of even 3rd, so showing contempt for it is what I would call ironic. Get over yourselves, because you obviously aren't as good as you seem to think you are.
IceAce
Strait Trippin'
What do banners matter? Do you think players that lose in the SCF console themselves with the fact they won their conference/division title? No.
A bronze medal might as well be a third place ribbon to these guys.
The mindset of a professional is completely different from an amateur athlete. That's why I've never been a fan of the NHL or NBA in the Olympics because the amateurs just get more out of a tournament like this and give more of an effort across the board.
hisgirlfriday
Moderator
- Jun 9, 2013
- 16,743
- 186
Well in some summer Olympic sports they actually just give out two bronze medals, one for each semifinalist that did not advance to the gold medal match and don't have a bronze medal contest. Pretty sure that is the format for wrestling/boxing and maybe the martial arts sports.
Not saying I want hockey to drop a bronze medal game... but just saying there are alternatives.
Sabane
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2014
- 161
- 0
But if you only play to win then why do u even wanna remember those bitter loses at the form of those banners there. You shouldn't put these hanging there if you really are "win or bust" mentality kind of a team.
OT, sry
No one likes to be 2nd or 3rd. It sucks at any level losing in the semis and then having to play again not even 24 hours later for a consolation prize. No one wants to do that. It isn't as easy as it seems to have full motivation for a game like that. Any one whose ever played sports knows that. When you wake up that next day it's tough to find that added energy and drive to play for a medal that pretty much says "hey you weren't good enough to be the best"
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