Foo - Olympic Ice Hockey - Great stuff!

I'm tired of looking at the title of that other Olympic Ice Hockey thread. I've really been enjoying the games. As an NHL fan I kind of like seeing a lot of the big stars play for their home countries. And this year it seems that the games are not gimmes for anyone. Out of the final four there is no way to know who will win.

Thoughts?

Yep. The fact that both Sweden and Russia are out of the medals says a lot about the level of competition.

I think the Olympics are for amateurs, professionals do not belong. They gave up "playing for their country" when they went pro. I respect the their decision to go pro (who wouldn't if offered) but there are many talented amateurs who could be on that ice.

I think the Olympics are for amateurs, professionals do not belong. They gave up "playing for their country" when they went pro. I respect the their decision to go pro (who wouldn't if offered) but there are many talented amateurs who could be on that ice.

That's not just hockey - it would also include curling & any of the "X-game" sports (ski-cross, snowboard-cross, half-pipe, moguls...)

They gave up "playing for their country" when they went pro.

Why?

Why?

Actually forget I asked, that's as bad as an argument over helmets.

I'm stoked for these last few games, and don't forget to tune in for the women's game in an hour. Should be a good one.

I don't want to look past the semi's tomorrow, but I'm hoping for a rematch with the US in the finals. We need a second try against Miller, he's been amazing.

I'm tired of looking at the title of that other Olympic Ice Hockey thread. I've really been enjoying the games. As an NHL fan I kind of like seeing a lot of the big stars play for their home countries. And this year it seems that the games are not gimmes for anyone. Out of the final four there is no way to know who will win.

Thoughts?

Slovakia is a long shot. Of course in Hockey for jsut 2 games one can never be sure. A hot Goalie and anyone could win it all.

Actually forget I asked, that's as bad as an argument over helmets.

I'm stoked for these last few games, and don't forget to tune in for the women's game in an hour. Should be a good one.

I don't want to look past the semi's tomorrow, but I'm hoping for a rematch with the US in the finals. We need a second try against Miller, he's been amazing.

Any of the 4 teams can win. I hope the US wins out, but I don't know that we can beat Canada twice. A lot will depend on the refs I suspect. While Russia played terrible in the first period yesterday, the amount of clutching and grabbing in the corners was like watching the NHL 5 yrs ago. JR would have fit right in. If the refs call a game like that, no one can beat Canada. They are too big and strong. The other 3 teams are built on speed.

I think the Olympics are for amateurs, professionals do not belong. They gave up "playing for their country" when they went pro. I respect the their decision to go pro (who wouldn't if offered) but there are many talented amateurs who could be on that ice.

That is bull crap. All of the current crop of athletes are pros now. The skiers get endorsements (or have you not noticed those ads all over the place) These athletes are all "playing for their country".

Gary Bettman wants the NHL to pull out of the Olympics after this year. The players association is working the Sochi Olympics (2014) into their CBA, since the players want it so much. They are not getting paid right now.

That is bull crap. All of the current crop of athletes are pros now. The skiers get endorsements (or have you not noticed those ads all over the place) These athletes are all "playing for their country".

Gary Bettman wants the NHL to pull out of the Olympics after this year. The players association is working the Sochi Olympics (2014) into their CBA, since the players want it so much. They are not getting paid right now.

All true... which is why the Olympics have lost their appeal for me. It's now all about medal count at any cost.

I used to marvel way back when (I'm old so long ago) when our athletes were amateurs. There were these amazing stories about how someone sacraficed everything to practice everyday etc to just make it to the Olympics. We didn't medal much, especially in the winter sports, but when we did oh my it was sooooooooo awesome.

Now, oh hum, OK fine, top professional athlete medalled... what's exciting about that? Nothing...

Amateurs or not, the Canadians are ahead of USA 2-0 :D

Regardless of how one feels about the pro-amateur debate, these hockey games have been the best games to watch in years.

Szabados was awesome in goal.

our girls beat your girls, bad girls................................................................................:D

You mean the gold medal favorite won? I'm shocked.

Amateurs or not, the Canadians are ahead of USA 2-0 :D

That is far from hockey.

That is bull crap. All of the current crop of athletes are pros now. The skiers get endorsements (or have you not noticed those ads all over the place) These athletes are all "playing for their country".

Gary Bettman wants the NHL to pull out of the Olympics after this year. The players association is working the Sochi Olympics (2014) into their CBA, since the players want it so much. They are not getting paid right now.

Bettman is a ******...only reason why he wants this is because he looses money for these two weeks. He ruined hockey for me, while trying to make it "better" for non-traditional fans. This has been the first time since '94 I have watched hockey consistently. (not arguing, just seeing his name makes me want to hire an assassin)

They do get paid in reward money, and pretty handsomely if they are good. While not on par with what NA traditionally considers pro, its still good. But yes, most of their money is made from endorsments. :) Just saying. (look at rebagliati he has gotten richer since he stopped competing...he has been brilliant at selling his brand)

Not a fan of the amateur vs pro thing. I want to watch the best of the best of the best. If, lets take basketball, the greece team killed everyone in the olympics and won...they would be considered the best. WRONG...you can't remotely claim that without beating an US team. PERIOD. If I want to watch the amateurs, I will seek them out. To be a world game and be able to label your athletes as the best, you have to face the best. The original design of the olympics no longer applies.

my biggest question why are we using the absolutely vague and stupid IHL system of measuring hockey performance. points scored, vs points scored against should not play a part in the ranking of teams. wins/losses/ties...done

I used to marvel way back when (I'm old so long ago) when our athletes were amateurs. There were these amazing stories about how someone sacraficed everything to practice everyday etc to just make it to the Olympics. We didn't medal much, especially in the winter sports, but when we did oh my it was sooooooooo awesome.
.

Still there, look at your own ... **** which team, I think freestyle skiing (sorry this was in the first few days of the olympics and to be honest, I have been pretty much out every night celebrating since it started...). No one, I mean no one wanted to pay for them, the last 4 years they covered all of their expenses to compete at world cups, xgames etc to make more money to pay for food and training. Brilliant storey about how underfunded they were but found local funding to get to the olympics...

The stories are still there, I just don't think they are being shown by every cable company :)

My prediction...
Canada Gold
Us Silver
Slovakia Bronze
Fin 4th

Either way I will be at the final game watching :)...Canada Pride....

The Canadian men's team are finding their groove so it'll be hard for the US to beat them again. But the US men did win a few medals in Nordic combined which they've never won before so who knows, maybe we'll win at another sport we know nothing about.

hey I don't know what nordic combined is and I live here hahah, its a pure alpine thing ;)

I think the Olympics are for amateurs, professionals do not belong. They gave up "playing for their country" when they went pro. I respect the their decision to go pro (who wouldn't if offered) but there are many talented amateurs who could be on that ice.

The shameful thing about the history of the olympics was that the amateur only rule was in use to keep the lower classes out of the Olympics.

I don't think I would even watch the Olympics if it was amateur only. why have the fourth and fifth best athletes competing when you can have the best.

heh, team canada women's hockey wins gold, and outscores everyone with a 48-2

The Canadian men have been scary with big scoring outburst, but now the Americans have one of their own- up 6-0 in the first 13 minutes of their game with Finland. They're in the third and haven't scored since (probably trying to be good sportsmen...)

I'm tired of looking at the title of that other Olympic Ice Hockey thread. I've really been enjoying the games. As an NHL fan I kind of like seeing a lot of the big stars play for their home countries. And this year it seems that the games are not gimmes for anyone. Out of the final four there is no way to know who will win.

Thoughts?

"no way to know who will win"

What are you ,some kind of pinko communist?
I know who will win and they don't smell like maple syrup or fried salmon.

heh, team canada women's hockey wins gold, and outscores everyone with a 48-2

Ya,that coach Melody is Hawt eh?Hard for a man to keep his mind on the game.

"no way to know who will win"

What are you ,some kind of pinko communist?
I know who will win and they don't smell like maple syrup or fried salmon.

Unlike your team that has the distinct odor of fear :rolleyes:

Let's hold back on the trash talk until we get past the Slovaks tonight maybe...

Nice win, USA. Miller even had some rest at the end (not to mention that he rested most of the game, too).

Do you think the canadians will roll over slovakia? They should, but lesser teams have prevailed when underestimated.

Yeah it would be a mistake to look past the Slovaks. Americans, you guys have to be routing for Canada tonight, right? USA vs. Slovakia in the final just wouldn't be the same. If it sways you at all, I think I speak for most around here in saying we wanted you to win today for our chance at redemption in the final.

Let's hold back on the trash talk until we get past the Slovaks tonight maybe...

Nice win, USA. Miller even had some rest at the end (not to mention that he rested most of the game, too).

It's never too early for trash talk :D

It's never too early for trash talk :D

Ha, yeah screw it, I think I smell the fear too now that the wind has shifted to a southerly :).

Depressing to see a national sport over time head south but at least it's still on the same continent:thumb:It's only business and you'll always have the Leafs.With 90% of Canada living near our border you will never be far from hockey and some low tax/price shopping while visiting.
You still got us beat on that tasty beer,right?
So lets grab a few strange brews and see what happens Sunday,eh hozers(unless Luongo goes "swiss cheese"on ya tonight).

"It's Miller Time Vancouver"

So lets grab a few strange brews and see what happens Sunday,eh hozers

:beer:

I forgot - over 50% of the players in the NHL are still canadian... the teams might be in the US, but you're paying Canadians to play for you :)

Did I mention we have one tenth the population to draw from? Or that the Leafs are still the most valuable team in the league? Or that as many as one third of the american teams are losing money? Bettman's expansion made it look like an American game but it almost ruined the league.

But I digress :beer:

Well Ryan,even though the demographics of hockey are quickly changing,history will remember it's birthplace in the Great White North.

Was that Sidney coming off the ice with a slight limp at the end of the first?:eek:

That is bull crap. All of the current crop of athletes are pros now. The skiers get endorsements (or have you not noticed those ads all over the place) These athletes are all "playing for their country".

Gary Bettman wants the NHL to pull out of the Olympics after this year. The players association is working the Sochi Olympics (2014) into their CBA, since the players want it so much. They are not getting paid right now.

BS. There was a time of 'starving athlete', and after they got their medals did they get endorsements. Even wheaties. But only the commercially viable sports, like ice skating, you know, the Ice Capades?

My sin was to stick to the thread and talk/refer to only ice hockey.

BS. There was a time of 'starving athlete', and after they got their medals did they get endorsements. Even wheaties. But only the commercially viable sports, like ice skating, you know, the Ice Capades?

My sin was to stick to the thread and talk/refer to only ice hockey.

Not to worry,if "Greedy Gary"has his way(according to his interview this week) Olympic hockey will revert back to amature.
This might give the Euros a chance.

What is Black Butter Porter,some type of womens skin lotion?

Ahem.

That's "Black Butte Porter".


It's the true Ambrosia. Nectar of the Gods. The stuff that giveth life meaning. Otherwise known as my regular beer. Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR. Ora-gun. The true Mecca, Oregon being the Holy Land of Beers.

Oh, and, thanks for the condolences. Don't mind me. I also don't like those darned kids on my lawn. And cats. Don't get me started on all those #@$% cats, chasing and eating the songbirds.

It's a US / Canada final!!!!!!

Well Ryan,even though the demographics of hockey are quickly changing,history will remember it's birthplace in the Great White North.

Much like basketball. Pretty lippy though considering just a few years ago you simpletons needed a blue overlay and a rink side commentator to explain the game.

Let's hold back on the trash talk until we get past the Slovaks tonight maybe...

Wow..... the Slovaks almost tied it at the end. Up 3-0 and it ends up a nail-biter. I was kind of scared of the Canadians, but not after that game.

Wow..... the Slovaks almost tied it at the end. Up 3-0 and it ends up a nail-biter. I was kind of scared of the Canadians, but not after that game.

I wouldn't be but then, the Slovaks are no Finns.

US has this, as long as they dont get on a slump or just blow it and bonk on sunday I like USA's chances, I had the US winning the gold from the start, something about their young guns and the best goalie in the world atm made me like them at the start. I wanted Russia to win too I am a huge capitals fan and AO and Semin are badass.

Much like basketball. Pretty lippy though considering just a few years ago you simpletons needed a blue overlay and a rink side commentator to explain the game.

"simpletons"?What happen to that Cannucker politeness?No Florida for you frosty.I thought my comment was complimentary to Canada and your history?
Looks like coach Blowdryhair needs to change goalies again.Roberto slumps down in the 3rd and basketballs can go in the upper corners.He barely had that many shots all game.You guys have a third backup to replace that guy.How about a plastic goalie tutor in the likeness of Patrick Roy?
Nice homer reffing on Chara by the way and the non boarding call.Nothing like a little home-cooking in Vancouver to get you through the week:thumb:

Well Sunday should be interesting. Aside from goaltending, Canada has the best squad but the slovaks (among others) showed they can be stymied with a strong forechecking game.

And the US has the best forecheck.

Sunday... high noon.

Should be a great game and think the Canucks will know better now not to back off the gas when they have the advantage... the Slovaks really came alive in the latter half of the third period and their players actually showed why they are the stars they are.

Depressing to see a national sport over time head south but at least it's still on the same continent:thumb:It's only business and you'll always have the Leafs.With 90% of Canada living near our border you will never be far from hockey and some low tax/price shopping while visiting.
You still got us beat on that tasty beer,right?
So lets grab a few strange brews and see what happens Sunday,eh hozers(unless Luongo goes "swiss cheese"on ya tonight).

"It's Miller Time Vancouver"

Oh, you plan on having a few brewskies on Sunday. Just let me know if you need me to send you few ... or, uhmmm, were you going to be drinking that ... uhmmm .... American stuff you call beer? :p