[BACKCHECK!!!]

I've played on an all-former-Soviet team, and I can tell you that they all HATE the Canadiam style of hockey. They think we are ruining hockey.

All of the truisms that we were taught about hockey are like biazarro-world advice for destroying hockey to them.

Canada - "Hockey is a game of mistakes. Whoever makes the fewest, wins."

Russia - "If you want something to happen, MAKE something happen."


Canada - "When you're losing, don't try to be a hero, just stick to the fundamentals."

Russia - "Well we're down by two, time for somebody to be a hero."


Canada - "When you're 1-on-1, make the safe play"

Russia - "When you're 1-on-1, this is your opportunity to be a game-breaker."


Canada - "Your best players should be your best players at both ends of the ice"

Russia - "Why on earth do you want your offensively brilliant first-line centre playing below your own goal line? Any scrub can play defence, scoring is precious, and your scorers should be put in a position to do so as much as possible."


Which style of hockey is *better* is a matter of debate. I don't think there's much to choose between them, Canada just has more players that can execute their system at the highest levels.

But there's zero question about which style is more boring.