The upside of losing to the USA...

[pylon]

On my way home from a late night beer league game, I was listening to the Fan960, and the talk time that Jason Smith was giving to US Hockey was pretty impressive. He gave team USA a 30 minute segment, which I think was the most I have ever heard ESPN radio commit to anything Hockey related. Albeit Jason Smith is an admitted "Puckhead" it was refreshing to hear, instead of 2 hours of dissecting junk time in random meaningless NBA games.

Much of the content was:

- How stunning defeat was.
- Excitement of the game.
- How US team made front page news in many major US markets and websites.
- Depth and chemistry of team without superstars.
- Comparison to Miracle 80 team.
- How exciting Hockey is in contrast to other sports.
- How the American public doesn't know what they are missing.
- Lots of Ryan Miller best clutch Goalie in the tournament comments etc.........

Anyway, if this US team can make a miracle run, it would be awesome for the NHL, desperately looking for fans in US markets. In the big picture, this would be far better for the game long term, than a Canadian Gold, as much as I want to see Canada bring it home. Regardless of a Canadian win or loss, we will still be massive fans of the game. A US Gold could give a much needed shot in the arm to NHL teams south of the border.

[HPLovecraft]

I couldnt care a less if the game is liked by more Americans or not, personally. I enjoy the sport, and lots of Canadians enjoy it, and some Americans do. Who needs more? I don't.

So screw the bloody US. I'll be royally pissed if Canada loses.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by pylon

On my way home from a late night beer league game, I was listening to the Fan960, and the talk time that Jason Smith was giving to US Hockey was pretty impressive. He gave team USA a 30 minute segment, which I think was the most I have ever heard ESPN radio commit to anything Hockey related. Albeit Jason Smith is an admitted "Puckhead" it was refreshing to hear, instead of 2 hours of dissecting junk time in random meaningless NBA games.

Much of the content was:

- How stunning defeat was.
- Excitement of the game.
- How US team made front page news in many major US markets and websites.
- Depth and chemistry of team without superstars.
- Comparison to Miracle 80 team.
- How exciting Hockey is in contrast to other sports.
- How the American public doesn't know what they are missing.
- Lots of Ryan Miller best clutch Goalie in the tournament comments etc.........

Anyway, if this US team can make a miracle run, it would be awesome for the NHL, desperately looking for fans in US markets. In the big picture, this would be far better for the game long term, than a Canadian Gold, as much as I want to see Canada bring it home. Regardless of a Canadian win or loss, we will still be massive fans of the game. A US Gold could give a much needed shot in the arm to NHL teams south of the border.

I think we will see a Canada-US rematch in the semis. You heard it here first.

[HotHotHeat]

How is this like the 1980 team? Seriously. Find a single parallel.

[SOMBRI2]

why do need to find the positives for the americans?

they hated us.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I couldnt care a less if the game is liked by more Americans or not, personally. I enjoy the sport, and lots of Canadians enjoy it, and some Americans do. Who needs more? I don't.

So screw the bloody US. I'll be royally pissed if Canada loses.

Don't get me wrong, I want Canada to win as well. However, the US pulling off a win could potentially do for NHL hockey, than what the the Gretzky trade did. Bring more interest south of the border, and fans. That cannot be a bad thing with the current state of many of the American franchises.

Also as a realist, Canada has a scary road to Gold now. All bets are off, and I would not put a nickel on them winning the gold. That Russian teams scares the hell out of me.

[SOMBRI2]

Originally Posted by pylon

Don't get me wrong, I want Canada to win as well. However, the US pulling off a win could potentially do for NHL hockey, than what the the Gretzky trade did. Bring more interest south of the border, and fans. That cannot be a bad thing with the current state of many of the American franchises.

Also as a realist, Canada has a scary road to Gold now. All bets are off, and I would not put a nickel on them winning the gold. That Russian teams scares the hell out of me.

it's bad already if we are talking about a club 'the flames' lose to an american franchise 'try tampa bay in 2004' would help sell hockey in the states. you are even using 'the country's fate' to catalyst your idea. well done!

olympics is a war of different form! if you lose, you lose.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

How is this like the 1980 team? Seriously. Find a single parallel.

It wasn't a comparison I made, it was the one Jason Smith made. His rationale was how the team was such a blatant underdog, and how a goalie basically stood on his head to steal the game and advance. Which are pretty fair comparisons.

[Shin Pad]

I don't think it's a bad thing for Team Canada to lose now. Ok, so they don't have smooth sailing to the quarter finals - big deal. I think a few more games will help them gel. They get an easier game against the Germans next.

Even though Canada lost, they outplayed the USA by a large margin. The problem was that the USA capitalized on the few mistakes that Canada made. They will make adjustments and will be successful. It'll be great to see Canada play the USA for the gold.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by SOMBRI2

it's bad already if we are talking about a club 'the flames' lose to an american franchise 'try tampa bay in 2004' would help sell hockey in the states. you are even using 'the country's fate' to catalyst your idea. well done!

olympics is a war of different form! if you lose, you lose.

How is this 'my' idea. I want Canada to win. I was just pointing out something I heard on the radio.

Also the drop in interest after the 03-04 season, especially in Tampa Bay, likely has more to do with the lockout than anything. Even Tampa Bay sited that as a reason to the massive buzzkill they experienced after their cup win.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

How is this like the 1980 team? Seriously. Find a single parallel.

Ryan Miller looks like the second coming of Jim Craig

[SOMBRI2]

is this your idea?

"Anyway, if this US team can make a miracle run, it would be awesome for the NHL, desperately looking for fans in US markets. In the big picture, this would be far better for the game long term, than a Canadian Gold, as much as I want to see Canada bring it home. Regardless of a Canadian win or loss, we will still be massive fans of the game. A US Gold could give a much needed shot in the arm to NHL teams south of the border."

every needle can be sharp at both ends, i see your point.

but during the olympics, unless you are extremely rational, i would cheer for this country. if team canada doesn't win gold (and i don't care who they play against in the final), it's a failure. and i won't find the positives out of the outcome. quote me i am a die hard fan here.

[afc wimbledon]

Yanks have the attention span of a gerbil on crack, they'll love hockey for a day or two at most if they win.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

No wonder they lost their team. They were "wowed" by a guy who had a 1-2-1 record and allowed 13 goals in 206 minutes of ice time for the Flames.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by SOMBRI2

is this your idea?

"Anyway, if this US team can make a miracle run, it would be awesome for the NHL, desperately looking for fans in US markets. In the big picture, this would be far better for the game long term, than a Canadian Gold, as much as I want to see Canada bring it home. Regardless of a Canadian win or loss, we will still be massive fans of the game. A US Gold could give a much needed shot in the arm to NHL teams south of the border."

every needle can be sharp at both ends, i see your point.

but during the olympics, unless you are extremely rational, i would cheer for this country. if team canada doesn't win gold (and i don't care who they play against in the final), it's a failure. and i won't find the positives out of the outcome. quote me i am a die hard fan here.

There is a difference between an idea, and an observation or analysis. My heart is with team Canada, however I see the potential upside to an undesirable result.

If I was an NHL owner on either side of the border, the one team my business sense and wallet would be cheering for the US. The league doesn't need more fans here, or any other country besides the US.

However, as a born and raised Canadian, of course my heart would be with team Canada.

[Kobasew7]

Spin it however you want.. the fact are these:

With this win the USA gets the following:

A bye to the next round as #1 seed.
Will play the winner of Swiss vs Belarus
If they win that, will play winner of Czech Rep vs Finland game (should Czech beat Norway I believe)

With the loss, Canada gets the following:

Only 1 day off, will play Tuesday vs Germany.
If they win, play vs Russia on Wednesday.
If they win, play winner of Slovakia vs Sweden game.

Clearly, Canada has now backed themselves into a corner by forcing themselves a much much harder route towards the gold. Their bracket is stacked with top teams.. while the US has a virtual cake walk to the semi's and than should get a MUCH easier matchup in Czech or Finalnd than if they were Canada who will have to go on short to no rest vs Russia and than Sweden most likely to ONLY GET TO the gold medal game.

Just 1 game? Sure. A very important, HUGE 1 game? Oh yeah!

USA!

[Berger_4_]

There is no upside. Drunk Berg out!!!!

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Kobasew7

Spin it however you want.. the fact are these:

With this win the USA gets the following:

A bye to the next round as #1 seed.
Will play the winner of Swiss vs Belarus
If they win that, will play winner of Czech Rep vs Finland game (should Czech beat Norway I believe)

With the loss, Canada gets the following:

Only 1 day off, will play Tuesday vs Germany.
If they win, play vs Russia on Wednesday.
If they win, play winner of Slovakia vs Sweden game.

Clearly, Canada has now backed themselves into a corner by forcing themselves a much much harder route towards the gold. Their bracket is stacked with top teams.. while the US has a virtual cake walk to the semi's and than should get a MUCH easier matchup in Czech or Finalnd than if they were Canada who will have to go on short to no rest vs Russia and than Sweden most likely to ONLY GET TO the gold medal game.

Just 1 game? Sure. A very important, HUGE 1 game? Oh yeah!

USA!

Just goes to show the world how we will EARN our gold medal.

If we can beat Russia (pending Germany) and Sweden/Slovakia, then I doubt the finals will be tough (Americans or Finn's?).

I'd rather win against the best than win against Belarus and Switzerland.

[Berger_4_]

Bah, i'd rather we float till the final. Lame losign to the yankees.

[RogerWilco]

You would have to be an idiot to compare a group of NHL hockey players to the 1980 team.