2008 World Championships

hobbitrjw · Post by **hobbitrjw** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:08 pm

batdad wrote:It is our thing. But over the last 10 years it has just become interesting to watch the World Championships. Back in the day, the best players on our WC teams were 3rd liners or at bets 2nd liners on weak teams. It was horrid for all of the 70s and 80s and only got better in the mid 90s at best.

Plus..in Canada...one thing matters...the STANLEY CUP! That is all. International hockey until recently was always for the guys who

1. were not good enough for the NHL (most Olympic teams)
2. out of the NHL playoffs and not on strong teams at all...World Champ teams.

We NEVER sent our best to WC and still do not. The difference is neither do the other countries. Before Swedes, Russians, Czechs and Finns played in the NHL the WC was just a joke for Canada. Never showed anything..cause it was never our best, whereas it was the others.

Principle does not matter unfortunately hobbit.All that matters is money to TV networks. Idealism is great...but in the world of American TV...not gonna matter. Poker has more people watching than hockey. So poker gets the timeslot. Period.

Soccer--has more fans in the USA than hockey does. Always will.

It would be nice (I think) if more Americans cared about hockey...but us Canadians have learned that it really does not matter what Americans think about the game in general. It is still our game, and it always will be. We used to wish that the USA would get it, and try to sell it to them, and push it on them. Now...we just say the game is great. You guys are missing out!

I guess then Liking Hockey kind of brings out a little Canadian in me

but you are right TV Networks today only care about money,and it is sad.

Post by **Tasku** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:22 pm

The reason why the WC's seems somewhat trivial is exactly the North American attitude. They're small, because some of the top countries - which in hockey are very few - don't care. Because some leagues (read: NHL) don't have the time for it. In Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, even in some smaller hockey countries like Latvia, the WC's are very important and enjoy lots of media attention. That's what the Euro Hockey Tour (as seen in EHM) and Euro Hockey Challenge, and all those practice tournaments are preparations for.

I will quote Batdad when I say: "You're missing out!" Go Finland!

Taloncarde · Post by **Taloncarde** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:25 pm

As an american Hockey fan (And in texas no less) it really sucks to try and be a fan. The only national games are on Vs, and NBC if they choose to carry it. And maybe it's just me, but the NBC quality seems to suck. It's not bad in HD, but with my current provider I don't have that option. maybe the game is being transmitted in HD and downgraded so it looks so poor to me. And my carrier doesn't even have Vs.

Forget trying to get international play, during the strike the only way to watch the WC was via internet

Olympics, in the prelim rounds were on like the 3rd or 4th channels that were carrying Olympics, and the rest of the rounds were not commonly on the main channels.

But, it was nice to actually see the Heatly goal on Sportscenter last night, along with the announcement about Cherry. here's to hoping they bring the NHL back to ESPN/ABC in the future. It may not have been the best, but at least I got to see some decent games, and the announcers are mostly better than the NBC guys. And i miss NHL Tonight!

Sbufkle · Post by **Sbufkle** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:56 pm

Taloncarde wrote:As an american Hockey fan (And in texas no less)

WOW FLASHBACK!!

I was in the Del Rio airport, which is basically four rooms, awiiitng a flight to Housotn on business. There was nobody in the only lobby and a big screen tv, and I turned it to watch Olympic Hockey (Duriing Turino games) just to make sure I coudl weatch I hid the controller. As the flight got closer and the other 8-12 peopel arrived all of them were starttled to see the game on and couldnt figure out how to change the channel and at one point a woman siad "Somebody must have been watchign soemthing else before this because who on earth woudl want to watch this??"

Taloncarde · Post by **Taloncarde** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:07 pm

Hockey programming during the olympics is responsible for me being a fan of Curling. During the 2002 games, prelim rounds were on MSNBC with Curling, it was non-stop Hockey/Curling, repeat. Since my TV was locked on that channel, no one understands why I enjoy watching curling around here (Although there is actually a league in texas)

Of course, I'm getting off topic

Anyways, to get back on Topic, what are the chances for a decent showing in the next round by the USA? When do they announce the matchups?

My favorite international teams are USA, Sweeden (I love the colors) Finland (Players/playing style, colors/uniform) and Germany.

Post by **Tasku** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:16 pm

I also like Germany, simply because they are a rising hockey country, possibly one of the "big countries" in, say, ten years time?

If Finland is out, then my favourite is Russia. I love their individual talent and passion, although they often lack team play, which is why they haven't had much success lately, atleast not compared to their material. Nonetheless they're fun to watch, always.

Taloncarde · Post by **Taloncarde** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:18 pm

Germany captured my attention in 2002 vs Canada, playing a tight game with them for a while, especially since it was one of the first German teams to feature german products, instead of imported citizens

(Except the captain of course)

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:31 pm

Wohoo! Swiss won against the Swedes (sorry Joe

.. I don't want you think I'm anti-sweden

).

Sweet as chocolate and reliable as a watch, the DiPietro bunch are still undefeated and 1st in their group

Allez la Suisse!!

Post by **joehelmer** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:46 pm

I'm really not surprise that Suisse won, Sweden isn't that good with this team, but now Lundqvist will come and I hope that it will change things around. We also got Doug Murray from San Jose, I hope they will step up to the opposition and show them that Sweden really isn't that bad as they have been so far.

I also it will come a yes from the Colorado medics so that Forsberg can play, but that is just a dream.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:57 pm

joehelmer wrote: I also it will come a yes from the Colorado medics so that Forsberg can play, but that is just a dream.

Backstrom and Forsberg will be a nice one-two punch for team Sweden. Not as great than Canada or Russia depth, but any team with an healthy Forsberg can dream of victory

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:01 am

Swiss won?

I've seen that coming! Sweden won't go very far, even with Lundqvist. They just don't have enough talent in the lineup, and goaltending isn't really their main issue, even if Henrik will be a good bonus in net. They will fall in quarter-final... maybe semis if Lundqvist makes a Brodeur-like match and steals the game, but nothing more.

I hope Canada and Russia won't collapse before the Final. They seem to be clearly the best two teams, so it would be sad to see a confrontation in the semis or something like this...

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:27 am

Wow! Norway beat Germany 3-2!

After their OT loss against Finland, that's another very good result for Norway!

France lost 1-3 to Belarus and will play Italy in a best-of-3 series to avoid relegation...

...as expected...

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:57 am

Interesting. That means Slovakia will go to relegation battle?

I think...

Post by **batdad** » Thu May 08, 2008 3:27 am

Norwy to qualification round. BWAH! CAnada 45 Norway 1 (Cause we always give up one when we hammer someone)

gibson41 · Post by **gibson41** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:44 am

Tasku wrote:Interesting. That means Slovakia will go to relegation battle?

I think...

Yes. Shame on us.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:54 am

Indeed. Not a good torunament for the Slovaks.

I doubt you'll get relegated though.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:26 pm

Shadd666 wrote: France lost 1-3 to Belarus and will play Italy in a best-of-3 series to avoid relegation... ...as expected...

Oh yeah! Finally opponents worthy of each others

This will be a nice match-up

Post by **batdad** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:45 am

Man that was a mighty Norse goalie. Wow!

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Fri May 09, 2008 5:05 pm

My Suisses got slayed

I was expecting a better resistance

Post by **Shadd666** » Sat May 10, 2008 3:19 am

France won game 1 against Italy

Mainly thanks to the 40 saves of Huet. Italy came back within one with just 8 seconds on the clock though. Just one more win, and we'll get the right to be demolished again next year

Post by **Tasku** » Sat May 10, 2008 12:17 pm

Finland 2-1 Latvia

Latvian goalie Edgars Masalskis made 60 saves, out of 62 shots. It was funny, cause by the end of the game he was so tired of all the acrobatics he had pulled, he'd lay down on his knees and rest his weary feet when the game was not on.

Seriously though, we need to start getting some goals or we won't go far. This should've been 6-1, not 2-1...

Post by **joehelmer** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:55 pm

Sweden lost to Russia last night, Russia won with 3-2 after Ovechkin scored with 5 seconds left of the game.

Sweden plays better and better the long the tournaments goes. And last night Sweden played 50 minutes with just 4 defensemen and fowards that had to play the other defense spots.

After 10 minutes of the first period Morozov got a shoulder tackle from Doug Murray which hit him on the chin when he was bent down and was about to turn the way Murray came from and looking at the puck that was coming his way from the other way. Morozov out of the game and Murray got game misconduct for what seems to be a perfect tackle, it was just that he hit Morozov on the chin that was the problem and that Morozov got injured. Hopefully Murray is back for the match against Czech tonight. We need him!

Anton Strålman was also sent of after a "fight", with the gloves on, with Kovalchuk that followed Murray's hit. I don't think he's going to be back for the match tonight. And Niclas Wallin is suspended as well. And Kenny Jönsson has a injured neck so if we are unlucky our top defensemen is going to miss the match tonight.

Post by **batdad** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:04 pm

What is this I hear about a cheapshot Ovechking laid on Alex Edler? Apparently Edler got hurt on a play (knee area) and then as he was going to the bench Ovechkin took out his knee again? What is up with that, and is it true?

Post by **Shadd666** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:14 pm

A cheapshot from Ovy?

I would really be surprised to see that from him... Anyhow, stange things happen sometimes...

Btw, France stays in the group A after 2 wins against Italy!

Who will gently offer us a 9-0 next year?

Post by **joehelmer** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:46 pm

Yeah, the Ovechkin thing is true. He was one of the russian players that got very unbalanced after Murray's tackle.

Ovechkin wasn't playing any good during the match, he was lucky to score 3-2, Lundqvist saved it, but it bounced on his shoulder or something and into the net. The swedish d-men was unable to get the stick on the puck so it bounced in.