Nail bitter for Canada

**wingwop** · 02-20-2002, 11:21 PM

Man, that had to be scary for Ken!! That should have gotten tied, that would have made it more iteresting. Now, on to the by-week. There are a few problems with team canada that I saw. I think they have a couple of puck hogs that need to pass once in a while: Pronger, Blake and Sakic. They'd have scored a couple more if the defensemen got the puck to the forwards in deep rather than shoot with no one in front.

Anyway, maybe I'm a little biast, but I think the US team is playing better than the canadians as a unit. Maybe we'll see. If the US can get past russia and canada gets through the by-week.

**ken_valyi** · 02-20-2002, 11:32 PM

Not a nail-biter really... the Canadians owned the Finns by the get-go, they were extremely lucky with the bounces. Canada is a team that is overdue, and the eventually the bounces will go their way the longer they last in the tourney.

Stevie Y had a excellent two-way game, and Pronger took some abuse from the Finn forwards and was smart enough not to retaliate.

Do not under estimate the Canucks my Maple Leaf-bashing friend

The Americans are the team to beat, but the Great White North is just starting to get it's act together!

**wingwop** · 02-20-2002, 11:55 PM

Don Cherry would have you barred from crossing the tunnel for saying that the Americans are favored. Remember, we've got Russia first, you've got belarus. Hell, thanks to Sweden, you've already been handed a silver with a chance for a gold.

And as for the Maple leaf bashing remark, it wouldn't have come to that if Gretzky had kept his mouth shut. I really would like to see Shanny, Mario and Stevie get gold. The problem is that makes Gretzky look good along with my other favorites: Pronger, Sakic, Blake, Kariya, Foote and others. (QUINN QUINN QUINN)

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few americans I would rather not see get a medal including Deadmarsh.

**wingwop** · 02-21-2002, 12:03 AM

I'll tell you this much; that game would have been a hell of a lot more interesting if the Fins had shot the puck more. Everytime someone got open in the slot they'd opt for the no look drop pass to no one. It was still a good game though, and you know that was a nail-bitter. They owned you in the third, and I don't think for a second the canadians were sitting on the lead. There are too many guys on that team that want to score.

Anyway, do you read into Lindros sitting out the whole third and the second (I think the latter part of the second anyway?)? I'm wondering if there's anything more to it. Cause from what I saw early, he wasn't playing very well. He got one shot off that I remember, from a bad angle with a man open in the slot. I wonder if he's on Quinn's ****t list or injured. When they showed him in the third, he didn't look injured, he did look pretty disappointed however.

**ken_valyi** · 02-21-2002, 12:07 AM

I won't defend Gretz's stupid comments, the man should apologize for them clearly.

However, let the game itself give you the prespective, and not your feelings for the participants.

The Americans indeed have the tougher road ahead, but they are playing the best hockey of anyone in the tourney. Russia is obviously a tougher opponent than Belarus, but I think the Yanks will pull through and by a couple of goals I'd bet.

**wingwop** · 02-21-2002, 12:19 AM

I hope you're right. It's a different story when it's win or go home.
I'll tell you this my friend, if it's USA Canada in the gold game, there's gonna be some serious smack talking!! I hope it happens.

**ken_valyi** · 02-21-2002, 12:30 AM

Well you are better at the talking than I... and I have deep respect for Team USA.

While I love how Mogilny has fit in, in TO. I would have loved to see J.R. wearing the blue and white Maple Leaf.

Time for North America hockey to get some respect!

**wingwop** · 02-21-2002, 12:36 AM

I'm telling you, you's need a better coach. Like you said if Cujo goes, you're a couple years away again. I think Keenan's looking for work. He'll turn that franchise around alright.

**ChrisFrez** · 02-21-2002, 11:02 AM

I think coaching has very little to do with how any of these teams are playing. It's hows these players/all stars learn to fit and gel together as a Team.

Team USA is the perfect example of this right now. They are playing together as a TEAM and taking care of business. I saw an interview with Herb Brooks last night where he claims this is Chelios' team, he's just overseeing it and everyone checked their Ego's at the door...they are just a bunch of guys who have a mission.

**FLII ME** · 02-21-2002, 12:28 PM

2 points I want to stress here

1. Gretzky was correct about the notion that everyone HATES Canada and wants to beat them, as this was proven by Temmu Selanne's comment where he indicated that Europeans view Canada as the NHL champions

2. Gretzky's comment about a CONSPIRENCY was just out of line, I think it was statedto get a BOOST out of his team

Thanks

**wingwop** · 02-21-2002, 08:56 PM

His comments don't sound at all like hatred to me. They repect them and view them as the team to beat. And they should be. That's the only reason they've been taking all the heat anyway. Besides, one game to go until the gold and they've righted the ship. Now all of a sudden it could be a canadian sweep of the hockey golds. And curling to boot!!