USA Hockey

[83-Steelers-43]

Talk about pouring more salt in an open wound for Canada....Finland defeats Russia 4-0 today.

[Suitanim]

It's pretty clear Finland had the best team this year...nobody had an answer for their defensive style (I think the US played them about as tough as anyone did). I think the Swede's had a nice run but Finland is gonna take it to 'em.

[83-Steelers-43]

CR wins bronze over Russia 3-0. So the team that beat Canada also goes home with nothing.

If Finland wins, at least we can say we got beat by the best by only one goal.....

[Suitanim]

The USA did about as expected...I think I'l start another thread about this...

[83-Steelers-43]

Wow, Swedes win gold.

[BlackNGold203]

Sweden was loaded....and that Lundqvist kid in goal??...forget about it.....

Europe is now developing top flight goaltenders...to go with their always potent offenses...North America has some serious catching up to do.

Thoroughly enjoyable hockey to watch...I loved this tournament

[Petesburgh66]

Originally Posted by BlackNGold203

Europe is now developing top flight goaltenders...to go with their always potent offenses...North America has some serious catching up to do.

Hmmm, the USA has some serious catching up to do. Canada could reload an send another team next week if they had to. The USA team is basically stuck with the same players.

[83-Steelers-43]

Originally Posted by BlackNGold203

Sweden was loaded....and that Lundqvist kid in goal??...forget about it.....

Europe is now developing top flight goaltenders...to go with their always potent offenses...North America has some serious catching up to do.

Thoroughly enjoyable hockey to watch...I loved this tournament

Not really, Canada just needs their poster boy Wayne to step down because it's obvious he can't run an NHL hockey team, let alone team Canada. Once that happens, maybe they won't get beat out by a team that didn't even win a medal in these olympics.

Since the USA doesn't put most of it's focus on hockey, it might take us a little longer. Oh well, sooner or later.

Came in second to the Germans? Not bad. I think we will do better during the Summer Olympics.

[Petesburgh66]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

Since the USA doesn't put most of it's focus on hockey, it might take us a little longer. Oh well, sooner or later.

The American junior team this past year at the world championship was very good and loaded with potential. But I doubt most of these players will be ready in 4 years. They will be like 22-24. Just a bit to young. But it depends if the NHLPA will want approve of it's players going to the Olympics after 2010.

Ryan Miller is the goalie of the future for your American team. Not that piece of crap Esche or the 1st round bust DiPietro.

[83-Steelers-43]

What I meant was, the USA doesn't put most of it's focus on hockey compared to Canada, where hockey is life. I understand the talent we have in the junior's, that's why I said "sooner or later". The majority of kids in our country grow up with footballs, basketballs and baseball gloves in their hands, not skates and hockey sticks for a few reasons.

1) Hockey is damn expensive to play (I started when I was four on ice). It's not a cheap sport to play.

2) We don't have nearly as many ponds and rinks as you could find in Canada (although that is changing). With the exceptions of the New England states, Michigan, New York state and the Dakota's it's kind of hard for hockey to catch on. You won't see many players being spit out of California or Florida and many other states.

3) It's a Canadian sport. I'm sure baseball is not huge in Germany or France. Much like other countries, we tend to stick to our own sports. The media tends to prove that. How often does FSN or ESPN focus on soccer or hockey? That is also changing (not with the media though), but it takes time.

4) The marketing of the sport in this country is horrible. The NHL has been guilty of this for years. It's PR is horrible in my opinion. With the exception of Lemieux and Gretzky, your average American doesn't not know these players. The Sidney Crosby reebok commercials are the only hockey commercials I have seen in the states for years. Also, If your average American wants to watch a game on TV, he or she is going to tune into OLN of all channels? Once again, horrible marketing.