The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

[Hux]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Sorry, but this is pointless. Have the US and Canada play a 4 out of 7 a week before the Olympics and call it a day. "Someday", I get it, just as with the men, just as with basketball, "someday" there will be a call for a decent international tournament, but this is a fricken joke. Pointless.

Reading the Brown thread is almost more exciting than watching these routs.

Big deal, yeah, maybe, just maybe Sweden might give someone a game....fine, even if that's true...so maybe, just maybe there are three.

Send everyone back to school, and let's play college hockey. At least there, even Brown keeps games to an average differential of about 3.

Hmmmmmmmmm, not what I would expect from a card carrying member of Whoopie Pie Nation.....though, I suppose given your leanings to the typically illogical RIGHT, it is to be expected.

 

[MICZamboni]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

This sounds like a call to eliminate women's hockey from the winter Olympic Games.

I disagree wholeheartedly.

And once you lose it, you may never get it back. Olympic womens softball is finding that out.

 

[IceIsNice]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Okay, fine, maybe I blurted that out a little quick....(nahh, I don't ever do that, do I?) but let me give it a little perspective....

As a former coach, I know how many times I've asked families (blue collar, hard working families) to agree to spend hard earned money to attend tournaments, only to have 3 out of 4 games be total blowouts, and so all you look forward to is that one game against the one other team that brings any sort of competition. I often felt bad when these tournaments would turn out that way. I had usually done my homework, and had no idea the seedings would end up the way they would, but they would and I would feel badly.

By the way, my experience has been that this is also true right up through and including USA Nationals, though lately it seems to be getting better.

As a goalie dad, spending the same money myself to see two goalies split a tournament and sometimes sharing 3 shots on goal through 4 games was equally frustrating. I've invested a ton of dough in my kids enjoyment of the sport, and saw many of these tournaments as a necessary evil as part of their pathway to some higher calling. Fine, all part of the experience.

And so for those who are most fortunate, here it is, the highest calling....and guess what... it's here too.

MicZamboni's point is well taken with regard to the potential of losing the international spotlight, plus, my spirit was definitely rekindled by China's efforts against Finland last night.

Still I can't resist the temptation to divide the total expenditure of training and preparing and hyping the team by the average shots on goal for each goalie, and the number is staggering. I don't mean this quite this literally...rather, just symbollically of my perspective. It's frustrating to watch as a fan, and it's even more frustrating when you consider the economics.

Fine, keep the games....but in the true spirit of competition and increasing strength of the sport on a world stage, my heart and passion will remain bifurcated between rooting for USA and rooting for the day when there are 4 or 5 countries capable of beating both USA and Canada.

 

[D2D]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

The position sponsored by the New York Islanders NHL Hockey Club, he was responsible for the development of the entire national women’s ice hockey program in China.

I also heard the announcer say in one of the games that the Islander's owner was responsible for getting 15 new rinks built in China, I believe in the last year.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Fine, keep the games....but in the true spirit of competition and increasing strength of the sport on a world stage, my heart and passion will remain bifurcated between rooting for USA and rooting for the day when there are 4 or 5 countries capable of beating both USA and Canada.

When I started my college hockey career, there were 10 or 12 teams on the entire east coast, and Minny was a club team, competing against other clubs, not necessarily college affiliated. For the first two years two or three teams TOPS were even close to being competitive with us, and by that I mean, they could hold us to 6 or 7 goals, and maybe manage 1 against us. I played for 4 years, and during that time, we lost 1 game. Total. In four years.

Fast forward 1982 (my last year) to 2002. The second Winter Olympics with Women's Hockey took place. Two+ college divisions were in existence. Division 1 teams had multiplied 6 or 8 fold, with many more in the works, although by and large, the newer teams struggled to compete..

It's been 8 more years, and the growth trend is continuing, but look at what's happened. There is a three way tie for first in Hockey East, with the next two teams tied for whatever place comes next. The last place team in the league has wins against not just the top teams in HE, but against a team that has been in the top 4 nationally all year long.

The ECAC is similarly log jammed, with teams you'd not heard of 4 years ago vying for home ice in the playoffs.

Prominance in the WCHA is shifting, and the bottom is capable of taking points from anyone.

The CHA is a little slow to evolve, but even in what had been a weaker league, has produced a Frozen Four finalist that has remained in the top two all year.

It took over 30 years for this to occur.

With so many top programs recruiting in countries other than Canada and the US, it's only natural that more interest and talent will develop in nations that now struggle to field a competive national program.

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and if you don't want to see an early preliminary round blow out, watch HGTV until the semi finals. One of these Olympiads, you're going to miss some good games

 

[ARM]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and if you don't want to see an early preliminary round blow out, watch HGTV until the semi finals.

Okay, so I'm laughing now, and feeling a little sorry for IceIsNice. Make one post dissing Olympic hockey, and you find yourself watching HGTV (not that there's anything wrong with that -- I mean who doesn't tune in to "Designed on a Dime"?)

As others have posted, there has been some one-sided competition throughout the history of men's hockey as well. Canada dominated for a long time, then the Soviets while Canada was absent. Had they junked the sport as an Olympic event along the way, we never get Olympic women's hockey at all, and w/o that, I don't know that we see the growth spurt that we've seen in the past couple of decades. Maybe some girls in the Czech Republic or Russia will watch some of this year's games, get a passion for the game, and trigger a growth of the sport in those countries. It seems to have helped basketball internationally to have a US Dream Team go stomp on everybody a couple of times.

A truly healthy Olympic women's hockey tournament some day is worth the cost we have to pay to get there.

 

[IceIsNice]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and if you don't want to see an early preliminary round blow out, watch HGTV until the semi finals.

Or maybe, Jersey Shore??

 

[OnMAA]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

I also heard the announcer say in one of the games that the Islander's owner was responsible for getting 15 new rinks built in China, I believe in the last year.

I know for a fact that Hockey Canada sends over coaches to do coaching clinics over there. Team China was in Ontario twice playing a lot of the local PW and OUA teams, with at times large crowds of Chinese background present. China is the most populous country. Give it time to build and they will succeed. Look at Figure skating and Speed Skating. Not that long ago you would not find any Chinese in those sports, now they are medalling multiple times.

Points are:
- China is a perfect playground to develop the game internationally.
- Hockey Canada is already helping this along as we speak.


- Once China is off the ground and running, time to do the same in Russia.
- Once that is established, we could/would have a six nations battle and expand from there.
- The recently started IIHF U18 events will go a long way to make it happen

 

[OnMAA]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

When I started my college hockey career, there were 10 or 12 teams on the entire east coast, and Minny was a club team, competing against other clubs, not necessarily college affiliated. For the first two years two or three teams TOPS were even close to being competitive with us, and by that I mean, they could hold us to 6 or 7 goals, and maybe manage 1 against us. I played for 4 years, and during that time, we lost 1 game. Total. In four years.

Fast forward 1982 (my last year) to 2002. The second Winter Olympics with Women's Hockey took place. Two+ college divisions were in existence. Division 1 teams had multiplied 6 or 8 fold, with many more in the works, although by and large, the newer teams struggled to compete..

It's been 8 more years, and the growth trend is continuing, but look at what's happened. There is a three way tie for first in Hockey East, with the next two teams tied for whatever place comes next. The last place team in the league has wins against not just the top teams in HE, but against a team that has been in the top 4 nationally all year long.

The ECAC is similarly log jammed, with teams you'd not heard of 4 years ago vying for home ice in the playoffs.

Prominance in the WCHA is shifting, and the bottom is capable of taking points from anyone.

The CHA is a little slow to evolve, but even in what had been a weaker league, has produced a Frozen Four finalist that has remained in the top two all year.

It took over 30 years for this to occur.

With so many top programs recruiting in countries other than Canada and the US, it's only natural that more interest and talent will develop in nations that now struggle to field a competive national program.

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and if you don't want to see an early preliminary round blow out, watch HGTV until the semi finals. One of these Olympiads, you're going to miss some good games

Post of the day. Great Perspective and 100% agree. Keep building the programs and succes will come. Both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey should (and I think they are) helping this process along by providing coaching clinics, coaches, team tours etc etc etc.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Or maybe, Jersey Shore??

You ARE too sexy for your shirt but, please, keep your coat on!

 

[brookyone]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Or maybe, Jersey Shore??

Quality programming.

I am a fan of guidette Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola.

 

[ARM]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

- Once China is off the ground and running, time to do the same in Russia.

Why? Russia has demonstrated that they know how to develop hockey players that are as good as any in the world. Shouldn't they bear the responsibility for developing female hockey players as well, just as they develop female tennis players?

 

[brookyone]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Why? Russia has demonstrated that they know how to develop hockey players that are as good as any in the world. Shouldn't they bear the responsibility for developing female hockey players as well, just as they develop female tennis players?

I was thinking the same thing. Must be some obstacle we're unaware of...perhaps it's a case of Red Berenson Syndrome.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Why? Russia has demonstrated that they know how to develop hockey players that are as good as any in the world. Shouldn't they bear the responsibility for developing female hockey players as well, just as they develop female tennis players?

Russians have had a great tradition in several sports on the Female side. Track and Field, long Track Speed Skating (They used to dominate that sport on the female side in the 50's, 60's and 70's until the East Germans came along), Tennis are a few prime examples.

It is a mystery to me why the Womens game has not yet developed to the elite international level in that country. My sense is that hockey is considered a male bastion sport, that the women shy away from as a result. The NA culture has instilled womens rights much quicker on this continent than anywhere else. My sense is that role models are needed to help grow the female game over there, for it to happen sooner rather than later.

In a way it is sad that the girl banned from UMD could not continue. She would be the perfect kind of role model to help grow the game over there. Be succesfull over here and then be a role model over there, to show what it can do for you.

IMHO we need some of those east european talents (like Ryabkina) in the NCAA game, and then have them go back home to grow/push the womens game while they are paid by USA/CAN hockey to do the promoting. Only reason Ryabkina is here is cause she was seen in some Boston boys tournament and then picked up by a prep school. Polenska from Brown is another lesser known example who made it over here via that route.

 

[RStarr]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

It took over 30 years for this to occur.

With so many top programs recruiting in countries other than Canada and the US, it's only natural that more interest and talent will develop in nations that now struggle to field a competive national program.

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and if you don't want to see an early preliminary round blow out, watch HGTV until the semi finals. One of these Olympiads, you're going to miss some good games

So, yeah....you're post sounds all warm and fuzzy but its really not that cut and dry. We are talking about Olympic hockey....and while the NCAA is closely related, its just not the same thing. And unfortunately, the IOC may not have the patience that we have. I can wait 30 years (though IMO it shouldn't take that long). The IOC has a hard time waiting 5 years.

I am a fan of guidette Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola.

I just ate breakfast....I think I threw up a little in my mouth.


Looks like we gotta situation.

 

[ARM]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

It is a mystery to me why the Womens game has not yet developed to the elite international level in that country. My sense is that hockey is considered a male bastion sport, that the women shy away from as a result. The NA culture has instilled womens rights much quicker on this continent than anywhere else. My sense is that role models are needed to help grow the female game over there, for it to happen sooner rather than later.

If fear of potential embarrassment in Sochi doesn't motivate them, I doubt that anything will. I agree that it is good to invest in growing the game, but do so in places that really need the help. Help Poland, or Latvia, or the Ukraine, and I bet if they whaled on Mother Russia a time or two, sports machinery in Moscow would find another gear.

 

[unofan]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

And once you lose it, you may never get it back. Olympic womens softball is finding that out.

softball lost out for the same reason baseball did: The Europeans who basically control the IOC don't want to build venues for sports they don't play.

Women's hockey isn't going anywhere so long as there's also a men's hockey tournament in the Winter Olympics: gender parity is a powerful force.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

. I can wait 30 years (though IMO it shouldn't take that long). The IOC has a hard time waiting 5 years.

I dunno. Some of these IOC members seem to be around like forever. I think many of them have been around well over 30 years, and they seem to be the patient types. I mean try to get them to change anything is like moving heavy rocks by hand .......Posters on this Forum are the impatient types.

In my personal case, not sure if I can wait another 30 years. Might not be around

 

[RStarr]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

In a way it is sad that the girl banned from UMD could not continue. She would be the perfect kind of role model to help grow the game over there. Be succesfull over here and then be a role model over there, to show what it can do for you.

Its extremely sad. And most people who get the point of letting her play in an effort to continue the growth of international hockey will agree.

Now que the Minny group and a certain Boston College fan or two who would rather gouge their eyes out with a rusty spork than let her play. Even if it means risking the development of the sport in other countries.


And I completely agree about recruiting more European players. It needs to happen....and fast.

Now que the other group thats gonna whine and moan about where the money comes from to support these types of players. You might as well just give me the rusty spork cause Id rather gouge my eyes out than try to listen to them rationalize their bullshizz.

Hope everyone enjoys college hockey really well....cause at this rate, thats all we're soon to have.



GO USA!!!

 

[Travelingman]

Re: The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

When I started my college hockey career, there were 10 or 12 teams on the entire east coast, and Minny was a club team, competing against other clubs, not necessarily college affiliated. For the first two years two or three teams TOPS were even close to being competitive with us, and by that I mean, they could hold us to 6 or 7 goals, and maybe manage 1 against us. I played for 4 years, and during that time, we lost 1 game. Total. In four years.

Fast forward 1982 (my last year) to 2002. The second Winter Olympics with Women's Hockey took place. Two+ college divisions were in existence. Division 1 teams had multiplied 6 or 8 fold, with many more in the works, although by and large, the newer teams struggled to compete..

It's been 8 more years, and the growth trend is continuing, but look at what's happened. There is a three way tie for first in Hockey East, with the next two teams tied for whatever place comes next. The last place team in the league has wins against not just the top teams in HE, but against a team that has been in the top 4 nationally all year long.

The ECAC is similarly log jammed, with teams you'd not heard of 4 years ago vying for home ice in the playoffs.

Prominance in the WCHA is shifting, and the bottom is capable of taking points from anyone.

The CHA is a little slow to evolve, but even in what had been a weaker league, has produced a Frozen Four finalist that has remained in the top two all year.

It took over 30 years for this to occur.

With so many top programs recruiting in countries other than Canada and the US, it's only natural that more interest and talent will develop in nations that now struggle to field a competive national program.

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and if you don't want to see an early preliminary round blow out, watch HGTV until the semi finals. One of these Olympiads, you're going to miss some good games

Excellent post DC. I was wishing for a bit of competetion for Team USA to get ready for the Canadian Team. It is great they are getting their legs and preparing. I did like that they didn't rack up the points on the Russians in the 3rd. At first, I was a bit concerned at their play in the 3rd but I caught on pretty quick when they were playing so reserved and not shooting. It was classy by the team and the staff. I have enjoyed watching the Olympic games and it gives me goosebumps when I see these girls take the ice especially when I have seen some of them play during their college years. I have missed being in Durham for the past 6 months but keeping an eye on the team from the west coast. Not much to watch in the way of hockey out here so glad to see the girls play on TV. Very exciting time. GO USA!!!