djtino224 said:
Let's talk about that.
Finland just wanted it more. If the US had wanted it, they'd be playing tonight for the gold.
I also think that Walt Kyle should have said something to the team about losing with some damn diginity and class after the game against Canada, when JJ threw the infamous elbow.
I don't blame Walt Kyle for what has happened the last two games. Keep in mind, in the final minutes against Russia, he kept J. Johnson on the bench, knowing that things could get ugly, and that Johnson has the potential to go off. (Anyone who gets compared to Chelios has to be a bit of a hothead).
The Russian game was a blowout, and there was a lot of tension because of what happened between the two teams last year, so it's not a surprise that the Russian/U.S. game got out of hand. There isn't a coach alive who could have prevented that. (It's not like he has control over future U.S. teams and can blacklist players from playing in the Olympics or the Worlds).
As for this game: it's eerily reminiscent of the 1998 Olympic gold medal game. Canada went in with a gold medal game or bust mentality. When they didn't reach it, they were deflated. The bronze meant nothing to them. I think the same thing happened to the U.S. They wanted gold, they didn't get gold, and so what good is a bronze.
For Finland, this was a very big deal. Few expected them to be at this point, especially after the tournament opener against Canada, when Canada dominated them. Winning bronze is a very good accomplishment for them, especially considering they were without probably their best forward, Nokalleinen.
It's a disappointing result for the U.S. In past years, even last year, 4th was good enough. This is not the first time the U.S. has entered the WJC with high hopes and not come home with a medal. (Witness 1994/95, 1995/96 and 1998/99). For some reason, with the exception of 2003-04, they have always had trouble with the WJC.
I think the worst thing that happened was playing the Norwegians right off the bat. A team like that can be an oasis for competition in the middle of the tournament. (Canada, the last three years, has played Finland twice and Slovakia. Good teams that bring challenges, but still very beatable and a boost for confidence). But that's the way the schedule is set up. The rose was off the U.S. bloom with the close win over Finland and the tie against Switzerland. They essentially tied Canada, but you could tell that at 5-on-5, the Canadians were clearly the better team, and the only reason the U.S. was in the game was because of Schneider.
Finally, the fans have every right to boo or heckle. I don't have a problem with the "Hey hey hey, goodbye," you hear it a lot in NHL arenas, or even "overrated." (Maybe it's a statement of fact?) If they want to boo J. Johnson, they can, even though I think highly of the kid and would love to have him on my team. I don't agree with "USA sucks" or booing the U.S. National Anthem (although I never heard that), and frankly, I think it's hockey heresay for Canadians to be cheering for Russians. (I guess that's the old school international hockey fan in me).
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