[GT] Day 14 (PM of Thursday Feb 22 - AM of Friday Feb 23)

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by Drake

An NHL loaded roster squeaked by most of the same German team 2-1 at the World Hockey Championships. God, your an embarrassment with your constant crying.

You should at least spell correctly if you're gonna try and fire back at me

It was a complete upset and something that shouldn't have come close to happening. I'm glad you don't think much of Canada's talent

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

It's funny, this will be the most successful Olympics as a country, but because our most visible teams - M/W Curling & M/W Hockey - underperformed, many people will feel this is a failure.

It's not.

The success on the medal table is even more impressive over the past three Olympics when you consider a tie for bronze in Sochi is the only medal Canada has won in an alpine or nordic event in that time.





As for the men's hockey, without the best I don't really care. Germany making it to the gold medal game is better for growing the game, so as a hockey fan I can take that for what it is. It isn't disappointing like the other under-performances were. We can't possibly hold this team to the same expectations as the ones with NHLers, or even the women or curling teams.

[josef]

oh my god...this is unbelievable...never in my life i would have thought that the we could win a medal in the olympics...sooo awesome!!!

[calgarygeologist]

If anything, this shows that Canada should invest some money and effort into a national team program so that players get some experience with one another and play better together. No one really knows if the NHL players will be back and having a team of NHL all stars shouldn't be plan A for a successful tournament.

Both the USA and Canada are in the same position right now.

I actually think that Canada could have had more success if they sent the World Junior's team because atleast they have experience playing together in December.

[Fuzz]

Well if we win the bronze medal game we still get silver once Russia gets DQd for doping. So kinda gauranteed a medal.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by josef

oh my god...this is unbelievable...never in my life i would have thought that the we could win a medal in the olympics...sooo awesome!!!

Exactly, I'm happy for Germany. Don't really care about C-grade Canada team.

Can't wait for the gold medal game!

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

That argument makes sense for countries like Finland or Switzerland. Countries that don't have much depth outside of the NHL.

As for Canada, we're by far the greatest hockey nation on earth and sending our 23 best players outside of the NHL shouldn't drop our expectations. In fact, I would argue the NHL not going should've raised our expectations (minus OAR) if anything considering our talent depth outside of the NHL.

Actually, Canadian depth outside of the NHL is pretty piss poor. I don't think I realized how bad it was until this roster was named.

I expected Gold would be possible, but would be very tough on such a level playing field and with the team Russia was able to send.

[MRCboicgy]

For the players individually, I hope they get Bronze. They've worked their assess off to represent us, and it would be great to earn some kind of reward, rather than scorn for being the D-listers hockey wise in this country.

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Actually, Canadian depth outside of the NHL is pretty piss poor. I don't think I realized how bad it was until this roster was named.

I expected Gold would be possible, but would be very tough on such a level playing field and with the team Russia was able to send.

To us, it looks piss poor considering the talent we're used to. But when compared to all the other countries who had to find other players to replace NHL slots, we still looked pretty damn good.

I wasn't expecting us to be able to beat Russia but it should've been pretty smooth sailing to the Gold medal game

[Jetfire]

Hey... our mens hockey team still beat the U.S., Finland and Sweden. Silver lining!

[Kjesse]

You have to like an underdog pulling off an upset with hard work. Although the highlights suggest Canada didn't show up for the first half.

I'm hoping Germany beats the Russians.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Disgusting hit by Brule.

And that will probably be the nail in the coffin for Canada.

Once an Oiler, always an Oiler. No good.

[chemgear]

Man, nothing in curling.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

To us, it looks piss poor considering the talent we're used to. But when compared to all the other countries who had to find other players to replace NHL slots, we still looked pretty damn good.

I wasn't expecting us to be able to beat Russia but it should've been pretty smooth sailing to the Gold medal game

I saw them as slightly better on paper than Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, and USA, but all in all on a pretty level field. I definitely didn't expect smooth sailing to a Canada/Russia gold medal game.

With more and more European countries trying to keep their talent developing at home it made it even more level.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Easy there. I may beat you at, say, a game of poker, but if I couldn’t make it and sent my dog over in my place, I’m pretty sure you would do just fine.

Rene Bourque under the leadership of Willie Desjardins. Just saying.

What a garbage post.

[Magnum PEI]

Germany took diving to a new level in the third. Not the typical hockey go down easy dives. These were full on Jurgen Klinsmann soccer flops. Go Russia.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Ray Ferraro is embarrassing. He sounds like he’s bitter that Canada will lose and is constantly and relentlessly talking about how the game is over. Super annoying.

He's been annoying for years. Also doesn't help he's done too many Oiler telecasts and has thus turned into an Oilers homer. I can't stand him

[Joborule]

Way to go Germany! They out of anyone else may be the most surprised to be playing for gold! Guaranteed medal for them.

With the NHL players out, the playing field is much more balanced between all teams. So Canada getting gold is not a big disappointment. In fact, it's refreshing to see other countries have a chance to win it.

In the long run, hopefully the quality of players from non dominant hockey nations continue to improve. Would be great to see more than four teams have a legit shot at winning the championships/gold.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

If anything, this shows that Canada should invest some money and effort into a national team program so that players get some experience with one another and play better together. No one really knows if the NHL players will be back and having a team of NHL all stars shouldn't be plan A for a successful tournament.

Both the USA and Canada are in the same position right now.

I actually think that Canada could have had more success if they sent the World Junior's team because atleast they have experience playing together in December.

I don't agree with this. Hockey is the most overfunded sport in Canada, plus we have a rich collection of amatuer coaches that make us the best in the world at this game. So much money and effort is invested in hockey that it is a detriment to other sports. its a professional game with corporate funding, and that will never change.

Personally I would not take any lessons from this game at all,if anything the new arrangement will make possible for the KHL/Russian teams to re-assert dominance in a Mickey Mouse tournament. If it does not change, we should just re-instate the hockey boycott that Canada used in the 1960s.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

It's funny, this will be the most successful Olympics as a country, but because our most visible teams - M/W Curling & M/W Hockey - underperformed, many people will feel this is a failure.

It's not.

Hockey with a team with Bourque and Raymond on it and Willie as the coach... . does it really matter? They should have brought the world Jr team over.

But curling.... blow it up!!