Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowperson
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In a one-shot deal, a hot goaltender or your own guy pulling the chute can often be the difference. The end result isn't necessarily the truth about who is actually better, maybe not even who was better on that one day.
But, if you can't handle MiG's, don't fly in MiG Alley. Lots of pressure.
Cowperson
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While that's true, it's no different than any other Olympic event in that regard. Every other athlete has to be ready for that one big performance as well, and hockey players don't have any special status. When a highly-ranked athlete underperfoms in other events, few people talk about how it all would be different if it was a best of seven series instead.
All talk of who is "actually" better as opposed to who actually won is theoretical. It's taken for granted that being the best implies being able to perform one's best when it matters.