The Great Russian Revolt

[ken_valyi]

Anyone else hear about the Soviets threatening to take their scandalous team back to Moscow and not play with nice with the other nations anymore?

Apparently the final nail in the coffin was a skier that got caught with a Red blood cell count that was off of the chart.

What a bunch of friggin whiners!

I guess USA would have an easier time to the Gold medal game then Canada if the Ruskies forfeit!

[ken_valyi]

Russia threatens to pull out of Games

[ChrisFrez]

I heard about this on CNBC yesterday as well. They said this is what Russia does every Olympics when something controversial doesn't go there way - they aren't going to pull out of the Olympics.

[FLII ME]

I just heard on the radio that the Russians will play in their hockey match against the USA. You thought you were going to get off that easy????

[wingwop]

I don't understand what they think they're gonna gain by this. Maybe they figure the IOC will just hand them a couple extra golds for effort.

I can't believe that crap I heard about the old russian coach stealing Khabibulin's gold from ten years ago. Coaches don't get medals, so he wouldn't give the 3rd goaltender his so he could keep it? What kinda crap is that?? I wouldn't take anything seriously from a country that let that happen. Leave, stay, I don't care what they do. I don't think anyone seriously thought for a moment they'd walk away from the tournament now.

[FLII ME]

This is what happens and always will,when you have an event that fans cannot see a score or time for a winner, baseball, hockey winner like in baseball, pucks, hoops, bobsled ect.

Anytime you pick a winner with a panel of judges there will be questions and it will never change it can't people are going to be bias when it comes to what they see, because everyone sees something different if not we would be clones.

[Signal]

Yeah, I heard about that Russian coach stealing his player's medal, what the heck????...HOW IN THE WORLD can you possibly display it or show it to anyone and actually feel like an honorable human being knowing you did that??...I really hope he melted it down and sold it for some money instead.

Jason

[ken_valyi]

This coach in question is named Viktor Tikenov (not sure on the spelling), and in the annals of hockey goes down as the most barbaric and evil coach. If Stalin were to have to coached hockey, he would have been this man.

He's the reason so many Russians refuse or are reluctant to play for their country.

[wingwop]

How'd ya like to be that guy's son?

[ken_valyi]

Yet another conspiracy theory from Russia

"(The ref) didn't help us, that's for sure," said Fetisov. "They're professional people, those NHL referees. But they live here (in North America). They are Americans and Canadians. They know the players. In crucial situations, they are going to have human reactions. They're not going to call a penalty. We played the whole third period in their zone and only got one power play.

"There's not much you can do right now. (The Olympics) was designed...it was designed before to have a Canada-US final and you've got that final."

Fetisov pointed to two non-calls: Chris Chelios hauling down Russian forward Sergei Samsonov and a high hit by Chelios on defenceman Igor Kravchuk.

What was he channelling Pat Quinn? Too funny!

What's your opinion Mario?

[FLII ME]

The hell with him, he wants to see what happened to the canadian figure skating couple to happen to his team as well, screw him!!!

[Signal]

ken_valyi--Hey wasn't that they guy who was coaching during the 1988 Canada Cup??...I used to have all three of those games on tape, I think it was some of the best hockey ever up until that time...Anyways, that sounds like the coach who was coaching them back then..I remember when Lemieux scored that final goal with like 1:26 or so to go and the guy was just totally going bezerk at the bench on his defenseman who made the mistake instead of trying to motivate his team!!...



Jason

[ken_valyi]

Jason,

That indeed was him. That tyrant controlled Russian hockey. I've heard some interviews with Russian players and he could literally destroy players lives if they didn't go along with his system.

I can't find a good article online that describes the power this man had but here is an interesting article that deals with the problems Russian players had when they first came over to the NHL.

Soviet Odd Couple: Fetisov, Kasatonov are partners for Devils

[wingwop]

Oh, I have a take on this (as usual)!!

Those non calls he's referring to are ridiculous. The refs put the whistles away early for BOTH teams. I really think they did a great job to let the players decide the game. For that matter, they've done a pretty good job overall in the olympics. I'm sure if you're watching from the Russian side, you'd expect a couple calls since they had the puck in the USA zone the entire third period. Chelios has been around a long time, sure the refs are gonna give him a little extra respect.

[ken_valyi]

That game last night reminded me of Canada's first game against the Sweeds. The only exception being that the "Bulin wall" did better then the mad dog Cujo. The Russians were guilty of playing as individuals and not as a team, just like Canada did in that first game.

It looks to me like the Canucks have gelled now as a team, however, I think they have to step it up a bit more to match the Americans, who have been the most solid team thoroughout the tourney.

[wingwop]

Yes the states have been playing better as a team but that doesn't mean anything in preparation for this game. You know Canada will play better than we've seen or else they'll have to settle for silver. Even with the effort against Belarus, I don't think that would have been good enough. One game left; will we see them play up to potential??

[ken_valyi]

Americans are getting tired of the bellyaching, says U.S. hockey player Jeremy Roenick.

"Thank God, Kleenex isn't a major sponsor of the Olympics," he said. "They'd go bankrupt with all the Kleenex they'd have to supply the people here."

Fasel slams Fetisov for post-game comments (from this article)

He says a lot more and it's a good take on the Olympics in general. Nice to see someone shooting from the hip.

[ChrisFrez]

That game last night reminded me of Canada's first game against the Sweeds. The only exception being that the "Bulin wall" did better then the mad dog Cujo.

I really hope this doesn't hurt Cujo's chances of getting a new contract with the Leafs before he becomes unrestricted.

[ken_valyi]

Me too! I'm sure if he had played well and won the starting job as well as the gold he'd have had alll the bargaining chips.

[wingwop]

Well, if it doesn't work out, the Lightning would love to take him. That's all they do is trade for goalies anyway.