WJC Gold Medal GDT: Canada vs. Russia

[Aaron Vickers]

He made a target of himself and was taken out of the game playing with kids. If he's going to pull that **** playing with the big boys...

He was a target long before he decided to talk smack. He was a target for Canada long before the first game of the tournament was played.

 

[deandebean]

One thing to remember for everyone talking about "playing with injuries". All the players and situations mentioned involve either the Stanley Cup or a major mens world championship. If you were Ovechkin, and you knew you had an injury, would you risk damaging your future pro career for the sake of a junior tournament you've already won before? I sure as hell wouldn't.

OK, then. Bob Gainey had won 4 Stanley Cups when he played with TWO separate shoulders. What's the point? Did Mark Messier take it easy after one cup?

That's what separate legends from good players.

 

[gb701]

Haha, people who are judging Ovechkin on this have very little hockey knowledge. Like it or not, Ovechkin is *probably* the best drafted prospect in the NHL and he has a very very good career infront of him. He's a keeper.

You are right and he is clearly one of the top prospects out there - but man, someone had better take charge of this guy and soon! His actions through the previous games set this up - and that is and has always been part of the game. Like someone posted earlier - in hockey, what goes around ALWAYS comes around. This guy is going to have to deal with far more adversity over the next few years than anything he faced during this tournament, and he shows all the signs of needing some significant maturing and advice or he will flame out like a whole lot of previous drafted prospects have.

On the game, first of all, congrats to a great team that showed that every single one of them was the right choice, that played like a disciplined team throughout the tournament, and showed a lot of class throughout this game. Men among boys.

Some other thoughts:

- there are a lot of posters on all sides that need to take a deep breath and calm down. Talking smack anonymously from behind your computer screens seems somehow worse than a very public taunt from a player.

- Phaneuf - what can you say. We are going to be talking about this guy in the NHL for a long, long time.

- Bergeron, however, was the best player in the tournament, imho. He did it all - some great passes, some pretty goals, and some determined checking.

- Crosby's time will come. I don't believe that he was much of a factor, really - any talented winger playing with Bergeron and Perry would have done as much (or close), but the kid shows flashes of the brilliance to come. If he gets another chance in Vancouver next year, look out (although the only way that happens is if the lockout is still on).

- Glass turned out to be a good choice after all, despite my doubts.

- Weber is also a horse that we will be talking about for a long time.

Overall, a great and dominant win. Congrats, boys.

 

[Aaron Vickers]

Ovechkin is 6'1" , 212 lbs himself, and he is in a lot better physical shape than any of us here. If he can't handle that kind of physical play, he is going to get killed in the NHL.

I dont see him being as much of a target in the NHL as he was in this sole game. In fact, I don't recall one player being targetted so much in recent memory in terms of physicality.

A regular NHL season game isn't nearly as physical as this World Junior Championship game.

 

[CharlieGirl]

Congratulations to Team Canada, and in particular the returning players who stood on the other blue line last year. This has to be especially rewarding for them. I expected a much closer game, but this one made it a little more relaxing to watch!

On a side note, did anyone else notice Richards lead the salute to the fans? A very classy move!

 

[MojoJojo]

Phew!

Read all 727 Posts!

Thanks to the Russian and Canadian Fans who could actually watch the game and provided commentary. The thread was very entertaining to read. Congrats Canada.

 

[Cawz]

He was a target long before he decided to talk smack. He was a target for Canada long before the first game of the tournament was played.

Ya, but he added incentive. How often do we hear of opposing players quotes being put up in the locker room?

I'm not taking away from the kid, I'm just saying thats something he'll have to learn. This could be something that follows him for a while (you know how how the media loves to milk stories). He's got a lot more to prove now (1st overall pick, rep of quitting on his team, being a soft player, being cocky and not putting up...).

Then again, if he has a great rookie season, we'll see how short fan's memories are.

 

[pensfan04]

Congradulations to Canada on a dominating tournament!!

 

[2112]

IM SURE THERE WERE MANY AMERICANS IN THE STANDS TOO... R U POSITIVE IT WASNT THEM BOOING?

Good point.

The tournament was held in the USA. I'm sure the building wasn't 100% Candian.

 

[taunting canadian]

Well, it went down pretty much like I expected. Russia did manage to get one lucky one, but otherwise, it was pure domination. I personally just wish fans of some countries could be a little more objective and realize when the best they can throw on the ice is simply overmatched. I mean, some Russian fans were predicting 2 goal Canadian victories. I think I saw one misguided soul claiming that the Russians actually had a chance of winning!

Anyways, I hope Russian players and fans now realize that they simply don't compare to real hockey players.

 

[Epsilon]

Well, it went down pretty much like I expected. Russia did manage to get one lucky one, but otherwise, it was pure domination. I personally just wish fans of some countries could be a little more objective and realize when the best they can throw on the ice is simply overmatched. I mean, some Russian fans were predicting 2 goal Canadian victories. I think I saw one misguided soul claiming that the Russians actually had a chance of winning!

Anyways, I hope Russian players and fans now realize that they simply don't compare to real hockey players.

Well, you certainly do your username proud, at any rate. Remind me again what happened in the 2002 and 2003 WJCs?

 

[Evman*]

One thing to remember for everyone talking about "playing with injuries". All the players and situations mentioned involve either the Stanley Cup or a major mens world championship. If you were Ovechkin, and you knew you had an injury, would you risk damaging your future pro career for the sake of a junior tournament you've already won before? I sure as hell wouldn't.

You seem to be making an awful lot of excuses for a guy who, in my opinion, just gave up.

 

[Cawz]

Well, you certainly do your username proud, at any rate. Remind me again what happened in the 2002 and 2003 WJCs?

Why? Thats history. Remind us again of what happened 1992-1997. Same history.

2005 - Canada wins. Congrats.

Tomorrow, theres still no nhl.

ps, dont even respond to posts like that.

 

[oilers_guy_eddie]

Thanks, Grand Forks and UND for hosting the tournament and tolerating the hordes of drunken Canuckistani invaders during the tournament.

1. The "punishment" Ovechkin took tonight is not even a regular season game's worth in the NHL.

I disagree. Most regular season NHL games don't have nearly this level of intensity, unfortunately. And not many NHL teams have as many players committed to physical intimidation as Team Canada did tonight.

I think this was probably a learning experience for Ovechkin. He's always going to be a marked man because of his high skill level, but there's no reason to bring extra attention to yourself with antics. Was he really hurt? I don't have any reason to doubt it. I'm not going to question the character of a guy who I know very little about. However, I think that next time he plays hockey in North America, he will not be pointing to his name-tag or wearing a funkadelic cool-guy visor. I think he probably saw the negative side of the extra attention he brings to himself.

 

[Mothra]

I'm not taking away from the kid, I'm just saying thats something he'll have to learn. This could be something that follows him for a while (you know how how the media loves to milk stories). He's got a lot more to prove now (1st overall pick, rep of quitting on his team, being a soft player, being cocky and not putting up...).

I dont get this....first, you are try to take away from him...thats ok of course, but at least admit it. Other than this board I havent seen the media writing about what happened the other night....links? and where is this rep for quitting on his team? or being soft? or not putting up? Other than a bunch of HF posters that just seem to hate him......where else is this writen? Who is saying this so that he now has this reputation?

 

[taunting canadian]

I dont get this....first, you are try to take away from him...thats ok of course, but at least admit it. Other than this board I havent seen the media writing about what happened the other night....links? and where is this rep for quitting on his team? or being soft? or not putting up? Other than a bunch of HF posters that just seem to hate him......where else is this writen? Who is saying this so that he now has this reputation?

Just curious: why do you think what the mass media think of him is important. It's his reputation within the hockey community that will matter, and I can guarantee you that folks involved in USA hockey will remember his actions from his tournament, as will players, scouts, GMs etc who were watching this game. Media, and yes, HFBoards, are irrelevant.

 

[Mothra]

Just curious: why do you think what the mass media think of him is important. It's his reputation within the hockey community that will matter, and I can guarantee you that folks involved in USA hockey will remember his actions from his tournament, as will players, scouts, GMs etc who were watching this game. Media, and yes, HFBoards, are irrelevant.

I wasnt the one who mentioned how the media will run with this for a long time.....

I can guarantee you something....every GM in the NHL would love to have him on their team

also....what he did the other night was nothing compared to things I have seen Barnaby do.....I havent seen him carried off in a body bag before.....

this whole thing is the most blown out of proportion thing I have ever seen here

 

[Cawz]

I dont get this....first, you are try to take away from him...thats ok of course, but at least admit it. Other than this board I havent seen the media writing about what happened the other night....links? and where is this rep for quitting on his team? or being soft? or not putting up? Other than a bunch of HF posters that just seem to hate him......where else is this writen? Who is saying this so that he now has this reputation?

Well, first off, thanks for not quoting my enitre message (I ended saying that a great rookie season will erase the negative rep he's gained tonight).

And when I went to TSN's wrap up of the US - Ruskie game immediatly following the game, there were 2 short paragraphs at first, one on the game, one on the showboating (Ovechkin pointing at his jersey was mentioned, none of the scorers were mentioned yet). So ya, thats a story. Sorry if I didnt quote numerous sources, but if tomorrow there is no mention of Ovechkin's absence and quotes and showboating, I'll issue you an apology.

This was the game he was watched most in north america, and he didnt finish the game after talking the talk. Sorry if I think that'll stick with him until he has a great rookie season

 

[Cawz]

this whole thing is the most blown out of proportion thing I have ever seen here

Perhaps, but you seem to underestimate how under-the-microscope a 1st overall pick can be. You seriously dont think the media will pick up on this?

 

[Mothra]

Perhaps, but you seem to underestimate how under-the-microscope a 1st overall pick can be. You seriously dont think the media will pick up on this?

well....on TSN site this is all I can find.....and on the typical sites in the states I cant find anything, and if anything the states should be where I find things...considering thats who was offended so badly

"the game came to a rather ugly ending as Ovechkin and Malkin each took turns taunting the American team and the fans after their second goals - both empty netters - of the night."

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_Story.asp?ID=109881

The guy is cocky...no doubt....but again, Ive seen worse in the NHL. Barnabys antics for example...and what Ribeiro did will stay with him much longer than this Ovechkin thing

 

[Cawz]

The guy is cocky...no doubt....but again, Ive seen worse in the NHL. Barnabys antics for example...and what Ribeiro did will stay with him much longer than this Ovechkin thing

But of all the players you mentioned, only 1 was a 1st overall pick. Hell, we still hear about Daigle.

I cant think of 1 specific Barnaby antic (I just know he's a doofus) and forgot about Ribeiro (he's not a big enough name). But most will remember Bertuzzi's incident and Sundin throwing the stick and Alfie pretending to. Superstar's incidents stick in peoples brains. Hell, we even heard of Federov's soap opera with Anna K.

Time will tell I guess.

 

[bleedgreen]

Pierre Mcguire on the Russians diving "They gotta start calling the diving, these Russians go down like free beer at a frat party"!!

I LOVE IT!!

pierre used that same line when pronger got in his first fight as a whaler. pierre was coach. it made the hockeys news" quotes of the year. leave it to pierre to rip off his own lines.

 

[ArtVandelei]

this either a lie or selective memory. a russian dman nailed phaneuf and pierre gave him great props and compared him to kasperitus.

so what, who cares what PM says anyhow. the game is on the ice.

and besides, at least Maguire isnt Harry Neale.

dr

Right, I do believe you just proved my point.

 

[EroCaps]

well....on TSN site this is all I can find.....and on the typical sites in the states I cant find anything, and if anything the states should be where I find things...considering thats who was offended so badly

"the game came to a rather ugly ending as Ovechkin and Malkin each took turns taunting the American team and the fans after their second goals - both empty netters - of the night."

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_Story.asp?ID=109881

The guy is cocky...no doubt....but again, Ive seen worse in the NHL. Barnabys antics for example...and what Ribeiro did will stay with him much longer than this Ovechkin thing

What, so because a less than reputable CANADIAN sports network vaguely accuses Ovechkin of "taunting", everyone blindly piles on the most ludicrous criticisms regarding a kid whose entire life has been described as a focused, mature, selfless leader. All the while completely ignoring the fact that AO didn't taunt the American bench, that it was Malkin, who simultaneously has become the better player in the minds of these same fans despite trailing Ovechkin in every statistical category.

:lol

 

[Jacob]

I missed this while reading this thread when the game was going on, but is it true that one of the Canadian players taunted the Russians by tugging on his jersey in the direction of the Russian bench after a goal?