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At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

WeAreNDHockey said:
In all fairness if we were winning more medals, no no one would be saying **** about the program in Ann Arbor. But all the hype about it and we still have only managed a medal in this event what, a half a dozen times? This edition played to their potential in 1 period out of 9 so far. It's someone's fault isn't it?
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They've struggled no doubt.
The defensive depth hasn't been there and they are missing guys who could help and I'm sure Merrill not playing at all before this has hampered him.
My issue is more with his "press clippings" and "massive egos" comments insinuating these guys just don't care.
Without the USNTDP, I don't know if the US medals as much as they have.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

WeAreNDHockey said:
In all fairness if we were winning more medals, no no one would be saying **** about the program in Ann Arbor. But all the hype about it and we still have only managed a medal in this event what, a half a dozen times? This edition played to their potential in 1 period out of 9 so far. It's someone's fault isn't it?
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I believe that we have won 2 golds and 2 bronze since the NTDP inception in 1998....I may be wrong in the total medal count (but not by much), regardless since 2 golds in 13 years do not shine a very favorable light on a program that was designed to make the U.S. a success in tournaments such as these.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

MagnessMan said:
Chances have to be very thin for the US to move on. I know TC locked in the bye with the US loss. What has to happen for the US to make it to the next round?
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Denmark has to defeat Finland. Then, the Czechs have to defeat Finland. If that happens, then the US just needs to win the Goal Differential between Finland/Denmark. Basically, so long as we stay within about six or seven it would work.

If Finland beats Denmark in regulation tonight, our long national nightmare is over.
 
jnacc said:
I believe that we have won 2 golds and 2 bronze since the NTDP inception in 1998....I may be wrong in the total medal count (but not by much), regardless since 2 golds in 13 years do not shine a very favorable light on a program that was designed to make the U.S. a success in tournaments such as these.
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USA Hockey likes to say that the USNTDP is responsible for the comparative increased production at these tournaments, but it's a bunch of B.S.

The primary reason we've faired better since the mid 1990's than we did before is more a result of the growth of the sport in the United States than anything else, and the expansion of the NHL into non-traditional hockey markets is a bigger factor in that happening than anything else.

The US was overwhelmingly dependent upon talent from Minnesota, Michigan, and the East Coast in the past. On fact, the 1960 and 1980 Olympic teams were comprised of over 50% Minnesotans alone.

That isn't as true anymore. The US is drawing high end talent from all over the country.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

MagnessMan said:
Chances have to be very thin for the US to move on. I know TC locked in the bye with the US loss. What has to happen for the US to make it to the next round?
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Tim Tebow needs to strap on some skates, pads and grab a hockey stick and play one hell of a game for Denmark
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Who would have bet this morning that the best game today in Canada where half the kids were American would be Crimson vs Sioux?!?
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Here's the caption for the lead story on TSN's site this morning. Ouch!

Considered a contender for gold at this year's world junior hockey championship, the U.S. will finish far out of the medals. The U.S. ran into a red-hot goaltender and lost 5-2 to the Czech Republic. The Americans can finish no better than seventh and will play in the relegation round.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

First Time said:
My issue is more with his "press clippings" and "massive egos" comments insinuating these guys just don't care.
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Then you tell me how a team coming as a favorite to contend for the gold (per the "press clippings") lays an egg like this? Not insinuating they didn't care - that's what you're reading into it. I am saying they played unispired for the most part and looked like a team who thought all they had to do was show up and they'd win. All the "press clippings" told them that.

My issue with the ntdp is that it puts the spotlight on these few kids all the time, and while most seem to handle it pretty well, there are some who let it go to their heads and they don't seem to play up to their talent post ntdp.

And Merrill's not playing at all before this is exactly the reason he should not have been on this roster, no matter how desparate they were for defensemen.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

The US is too predictible. The Czechs and Finns know how to neutralize the US speed game. When you're trying to go 100 mph you make mistakes and the Finns and Czechs sit back and wait for one. In there own end the Czechs and Finns clog up the middle and yesterday the US was content to work from the perimeter and go after rebounds except Mazurek wasn't giving many up. Make the opponent play below the goal line, get bodies in front of the net and when they can't get the puck in the middle then cycle it don't make a poor percentage shot. Its about puck control, if you have it long enough you'll pull the defenders out of position.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Vulcanized Rubber said:
The US is too predictible. The Czechs and Finns know how to neutralize the US speed game. When you're trying to go 100 mph you make mistakes and the Finns and Czechs sit back and wait for one. In there own end the Czechs and Finns clog up the middle and yesterday the US was content to work from the perimeter and go after rebounds except Mazurek wasn't giving many up. Make the opponent play below the goal line, get bodies in front of the net and when they can't get the puck in the middle then cycle it don't make a poor percentage shot. Its about puck control, if you have it long enough you'll pull the defenders out of position.
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If you want puck control, you have to be willing to play along the boards, get hit, and work hard when cycling.....I don't think many of the US players were willing to put in that kind of effort.

This team had what, 20 draft picks? It's a joke. Forget about the scoreboard in the Finland & the Czech Republic games. It's more about the way in which the USA lost. There was absolutely zero effort. There was absolutely zero passion. There was absolutely zero pride. It was an embarassement and if I were coaching the team next year, none of the current team's players eligible for next year's team would make it.

Clendening, Merrill, and Etem in particular were awful! They should all have to write a letter of apology to USA hockey for the free lunch they have gotten for all of these years. The sense of entitlement is a joke!

Finally to the coaching staff. Where were the energy guys on this team? Where was the offensive, puck-moving defenseman? Where was the leadership & pride?

All in all, this was about as embarassing performance as it gets and candidly, I hope Canada sticks a fork in us tonight, and does so convincingly.
 
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Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Zuker has guarantee'd a win tonight.

I think they are willing to play that way but more its not in the teams game plan or not how many of these guys are taught to play. Perhaps they need to hire...gulp...a CHL coach.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Vulcanized Rubber said:
Zuker has guarantee'd a win tonight.

I think they are willing to play that way but more its not in the teams game plan or not how many of these guys are taught to play. Perhaps they need to hire...gulp...a CHL coach.
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Zucker guarantees a win after his team has been relegated? Is that like a coach pontificating about academic integrity when he can't even graduate his players? Or even better yet, kind of like a pitcher guaranteeing a win in the team's final game for a team that is out of contention.

Earth to Zucker: This game doesn't matter. Shut your mouth and play. You haven't earned the right to guarantee anything.
 
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Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Vulcanized Rubber said:
Zuker has guarantee'd a win tonight.

I think they are willing to play that way but more its not in the teams game plan or not how many of these guys are taught to play. Perhaps they need to hire...gulp...a CHL coach.
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Mike Vellucci of the Plymouth Whalers would be an excellent choice. There is no question that USA Hockey needs to do something different here.
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Come on USA....win one for Old Glory tonight and give those Canadian ******** a punch in the mouth.

If I don't see passion and energy tonight from the US boys when they have nothing to lose tonight since their tournament is over, I don't know what could motivate them.

Remember the Canadian crowd taunting you last night and that Czech goalie whooping it up and hotdogging...Channel it into a 60 minute hockey game tonight for the name on the front of your red, white and blue jersey.

Lets go USA!!
 
Re: At Least We Have the World Jrs. During Break

Unbelieveable how bad our defense is.

Just embarrasing. They couldn't hold Canada's jockstrap.
 
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