USA Hockey

[Petesburgh66]

Originally Posted by BlackNGold203

It may be time to admit that European hockey is at the same level or above North American hockey.

The skill level has been there, dating back to at least 1972. The Russians proved it to Canadians back then. The Swedes, Fins, Czechs have been good for at least 15-20 years. What has caught up recently is the level of goaltending. At least 7 teaqms can win the gold metal. Name me another sport besides soccer where you can have this any teams involved in winning a tournament? I am not an igorant Canadian when it comes to hockey. But I expect Canada to put their best on the ice for one common goal: to win. Everybody wants to beat the Canadians in hockey.

But don't tell me a bigger ice surface means a better game. I use to think it would. But after watching games from Sweden (during the NHL lockout) with some elite NHL players, the games were horrible. Too much stick work (i.e. hooking) and trapping systems. It was like the old NHL but without the hitting. Same in the Swiss and Finish elite leagues. So it doesn't mean all ways more room = faster flow. The only time this style of hockey works is when you have the best players involved. And the IIHF rules need to be updated to reflect that most of the players in tournaments are from the NHL.

[Stlrs4Life]

Another embarassment again. 5-4 to the Ruskies. Until we get rid of the Pros and let the amateurs back in. It'll be more of the same. Goes for Canada also.

[Suitanim]

Frustrating...we find our offense, but then the defense falls apart. Anyone know why they pulled DiPietro out of the nets? It's definitely a strange choice to take a super hot goalie and rest him just when he's playing at his best.

[83-Steelers-43]

Originally Posted by Suitanim

Frustrating...we find our offense, but then the defense falls apart. Anyone know why they pulled DiPietro out of the nets? It's definitely a strange choice to take a super hot goalie and rest him just when he's playing at his best.

Yesterday's game was meaningless and they wanted to rest him for the game today against Finland that actually means something. That's why Russia only kept Nabokov in for the first period.

If I blame anybody or any position on our loss yesterday, it's goaltending. I thought for the most part we played damn good against a tough Russian team. Hell, in my opinion I thought we have played good the whole tournament. It's not as if we are getting totally out played by these teams that are better than us on paper and should be on the ice. Latvia is the only game I thought we should have won, hands down. Now, we have a chance to win some type of medal. Not bad if you ask me.

Hopefully we will be able to see Malkin in a Penguin jersey soon, that kid is damn good.

[Suitanim]

Didn't know they were resting him (I didn't get to see the game). I hope it doesn't knock him out of his zone...

[83-Steelers-43]

4-3 Finland wins. Penalties killed us. Oh well.

[Suitanim]

I did see the last 1/2 of this game...the US played aggressively but, yeah, the penalties were killers. The high sticking on Hatcher was bullshit, though...

[drizze99]

I got to watch 3/4 of the second period today at lunch. It was definitely a good game, but it seemed to me that the refs were calling EVERYTHING.

[83-Steelers-43]

Yeah, the officiating in the USA vs Russia game was very questionable. In the third period it was a joke in my opinion.

Side Note: Canada got beat by Russia 2-0 today. Canada is out and I'm sure our neighbors north of the border are feeling sick.

[Suitanim]

It's one thing for the US to lose in Hockey, where the sport is a distant 5th in popularity, but I bet the suicide rate in the great white north jumps way up today...