But I can't recall a more perfectly executed team game from a Canadian squad than what we saw against the Americans this year, but they have to win the final game to be in the same conversation.
What is a "really seasoned veteran"? Getzlaf, Perry, Toews, Crosby, Weber, Keith, Bouwmeester, Bergeron are all in their later-twenties and have played hundreds of NHL games in the regular season and the playoffs, over the course of the last decade. I guess you mean that there are no really prominent senior players—that is, players well into their thirties—like Iginla from 2010, or Sakic from 2006, or Lemieux and Yzerman from 2002, but I would consider all of Canada's starring players as seasoned veterans. Marleau has been good, but not anything like how the above players listed performed in the past.
I was thinking of guys like Niedermayer. Wasnt he retired for like 6 months before the 2010 Olympics?
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But I can't recall a more perfectly executed team game from a Canadian squad than what we saw against the Americans this year, but they have to win the final game to be in the same conversation.
Did it? It definetly had more legendary talent, this team may have had more talent in its prime though?
For sure debatable though, 2002 team was easily my favourite squad.
This now has to considered one of the best all around squads Canada has sent to Olympics, if not the most well rounded.
Like others, I assembled a Team Snubbed, or "Canada 2" if you will (as events like bobsled have Canada 1 & Canada 2) after initial team was named (minus Marty St. Louis).
I think if you put the 2014 up against any other Team Canada in history they likely win due to defense and coaching alone. This was the most well oiled machine I've ever seen put on the Canada jersey, no passengers and everyone executing their roles perfectly. Other teams may have had more talent, but none have played as complete a game as this group
I know it's already been said but it bears repeating. Team Canada played as complete a game as any team I have ever seen. The commitment to defence and the hustle back to the zone by the forwards was a revelation. The goaltending proved dependable and frankly exemplary, enough so that it probably demoralized the opposition.
I think it was a risky strategy if looked at the start of the tournament, who knows how solid the defensive pairings would end up, but now it looks like genius.
This was a well coached, flexible hockey team of superstars, it was fantastic to watch. I feel a bit sad that this might the last time in a long time we see hockey of this calibre, SC playoffs notwithstanding.
A lot has been said about the players on this team, but where does this put Babcock in the coaching list. Shirley must be one of the best to come out of Canada.
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A lot has been said about the players on this team, but where does this put Babcock in the coaching list. Shirley must be one of the best to come out of Canada.
A lot has been said about the players on this team, but where does this put Babcock in the coaching list. Shirley must be one of the best to come out of Canada.
Nothing will match watching Henderson score back in 72, followed closely by Mario in 87, for pure excitement and emotion. But this was the best Team Canada ever assembled, in terms of coaching, cohesiveness and commitment, as well as overall defensive talent. The current Norris trophy winner was healthy, yet he was a spare! They were so good in those last two games it took away that edge of your seat suspense and fear. But that's ok, I'm old now and the ticker doesn't need the stress.
Best defense and best team game, this year's squad by far. Best coaching too.
My absolute favorite team (if going beyond the Olympics) is the 72 Summit Series team. And my favorite Olympic squad is 2010, both for unabashedly sentimental reasons. But judged more objectively, the best is this year's team or 2002's.
Yeah that kind of dominance hasn't been seen in a long, long time, and certainly not in a best on best tournament. The last time an Olympic gold medal winner won every game in the tournament was 30 years ago when the Soviets won gold in Sarajevo and obviously that wasn't an even playing field given that no NHL players took part. None of the Canada Cups or World Cups had a team that matched what Canada did this year either.
And it's not like they got some ridiculously easy road to the gold. They played the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place teams in the tournament (none of whom were Cinderella type teams) and beat them all. Their press box guys were still better than what most of their competition was dressing on their 1st line/top pairing.
It's pretty rare to see a team in a tournament of that quality completely dismantle their opposition with such machine like precision. No one could even build up sustained pressure against Canada. It wasn't the most exciting Olympic hockey tournament, but I think in terms of performance by the team (especially in terms of defensive play and breakouts) it's one for the ages. Really speaks well to the coaching, the team leadership, and every player's willingness to buy into and execute a cohesive system at the drop of a hat.
My favourite team Canada moment (I'm old enough to remember 87, but not before), is still the Iginla put us up by 2 in 2002 final as the puck bounced of Ritcher's glove and back into the net.
It had been too long in that tourney since we'd won a best on best and felt we need to re-prove our spot, and that goal for me is when we sealed that game.
I love looking back at puckluck's comments now. How this was just a collection of superstars and not a team. He couldn't have picked a worse year to turn against the Canadians.
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I love looking back at puckluck's comments now. How this was just a collection of superstars and not a team. He couldn't have picked a worse year to turn against the Canadians.
I can't think of a nicer guy to become a CP punchline.
