The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

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

Canada vs. Sweden coming up....oh boy!! Is anybody else annoyed with AJ Melesco(sp) and her commentary? I think she rambles and often ends her long sentences with stupid facts just to come to an end.....like listening to Phil Sims on CBS....she knowsher stuff but just won't shutup at times,,anyone? Bueller?

She always starts with something really obvious. She then rambles on and on and on often nonsensically before finally ending by restating her really obvious premise. I am usually begging for her to shut up long before she actually does.

Really, really awful.

Principal Rooney should appear to shut off her microphone.

By the way, Mleczko.

 

[ironic_chef]

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

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.

The problem with this statement is... well, speak to the female ski-jumpers who weren't added to Olympic competition. Perhaps this didn't get much press outside Canada, as I think it might have been the representatives from Canada charging VANOC with a human rights thing...


As for the hockey, I think the US team will win gold this year. It's not how I'll be cheering but I honestly believe they have a better team. Of course, as a UW fan, I think they have the better coach, too.

A nice interview with Jennifer Botterill and her sports psychologist father before the CAN-SWE game. She's very wellspoken.


Brookyone, after speaking with some players myself, I completely disagree with you (as you know).

TonyTheTiger20, check your beloved YouTube for the opposite happening in Chicago, New York and Detroit, just off the top of my head... You posted about politics when you linked your first video, which is why I made that statement (which you quoted out of order, making it lose context, thanks). I like my high horse just fine. I love the view - I can actually see the border from here!

 

[brookyone]

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

Brookyone, after speaking with some players myself, I completely disagree with you (as you know).

Nope...you lost me.

Disregard. I figured it out.

 

[IceIsNice]

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

So....... how's the Can/Am Challenge Cup going?

yaawwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnn



Family Guy was pretty hot.... Manswers coming up soon.

You guys are still here? Pretty cool celebrating double digit romps and scoring "goals no NHL goalie can stop" only against some second rate team who can't help themselves let alone help their goalie.

Waste.......

 

[Bergey1]

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

I HATE that I know what Manswers is.

Back on topic, I'm kind of excited for the Switzerland-Slovakia game tonight. It should be a lot more interesting than this afternoon's game (I hope)

 

[hockeyfan111]

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

Interesting that I was thinking the same thing about AJ's color commentating. At times she has some insightful things to say based upon her past experiences and knowledge of some of the players, but it takes way toooooooooo many words and sentences to get to her point. Think some preparation work prior to the Olympics should have been in order as U.S. Women's Ice Hockey is getting alot of attention and she has the opportunity to be the voice and face of this up and coming sport.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

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

Interesting that I was thinking the same thing about AJ's color commentating. At times she has some insightful things to say based upon her past experiences and knowledge of some of the players, but it takes way toooooooooo many words and sentences to get to her point. Think some preparation work prior to the Olympics should have been in order as U.S. Women's Ice Hockey is getting alot of attention and she has the opportunity to be the voice and face of this up and coming sport.

At least a couple of current players that I am aware of are taking (or have taken) majors that point towards a career in broadcasting. Just like everything else it is going to take a bit but I expect that very soon there will be a talented charismatic polished broadcasting personality with absolutely top level playing experience doing very well the job that in my opinion AJ now does so poorly.

 

[brookyone]

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

As for the hockey, I think the US team will win gold this year. It's not how I'll be cheering but I honestly believe they have a better team. Of course, as a UW fan, I think they have the better coach, too.

I've been thinking just the opposite after the games I've seen. I honestly don't recall ever seeing any team dominate games like the present TC has.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

 

[Shipe Family]

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

Came across this article that I thought was worth sharing:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/vancouver2010/hockey/2010/02/17/12922401.html

 

[IceIsNice]

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

Thanks for posting this....

"And they proved there is still no competitive balance in the women’s game"

Any who wish to dis me for dissing these games, I appreciate your passion.....but I'm very obviously not alone. Sorry, the blowouts just aren't fun.

Enjoying the Swiss / Slovakia tilt however, and just for the record I don't really watch Manswers, nor do I watch Jersey Shore. In fact, when I'm not watching hockey I'm typically watching either business news or political talk shows. But, those references served pretty well to help make my point!


Tomcikova off to a good start!

 

[Pucky-Bucky Backer]

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

Sorry, the blowouts just aren't fun.

Not many people do like blowouts, but those happen in the Olympics. The Jamaican bobsled team didn't exactly set speed records nor do Norwegian sprinters in summer. Unfortunately the team rosters are too small to allow for a fifth or sixth line to help a team like Canada or the US to call off the wolves and make the game more respectable.
Then again when the girls signed up to play, they knew that a can of whup-*** was going to get opened along the way. If they win, then the whole world would remember the game and they would become national heroes.
Who would have predicted that Appalachia State would go into Ann Arbor and beat the Wolverines or that Holy Cross would beat Minnesota in the NCAA first round? Upsets happen and everyone cheers for them.

 

[Shipe Family]

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

Enjoying the Swiss / Slovakia tilt...

Me too! The Slovakia Captain, Iveta Karafiatova, is my daughter's roommate and teammate in Linkoping, Sweden. I love being able to watch this game and see her in action.

About today's Sweden vs Canada game, I do not think today's game is at all indicative of how the Swedish team can compete and expect a much better performance when they hit the ice next. Perhaps, the team looked ahead to the semi finals, not sure.

I will say that I was thrilled to see my daughter's other teammate, Sara Grahn, in net during the second half of the game.

 

[notfromaroundhere]

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

Definitely enjoying this game. Lots of great offensive play and even better goaltending.

If Bemedji could get some more talent to go with that goaltending...

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

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

Definitely enjoying this game. Lots of great offensive play and even better goaltending.

If Bemedji could get some more talent to go with that goaltending...

Hey, BemIdji is doing pretty OK. They HAVE talent.

Unfortunately for them they play in THE STRONGEST LEAGUE is women's hockey.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I'm always throwing hack weight.

 

[notfromaroundhere]

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

Hey, BemIdji is doing pretty OK. They HAVE talent.

Unfortunately for them they play in THE STRONGEST LEAGUE is women's hockey.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I'm always throwing hack weight.

Agree about the strongest league. They just can't seem to compete with the big 3 in overall recruiting. They just can't seem to put up enough goals consistently. Yeah, if the total goals scored in a game is under 4, Bemidji is going to be competitive, but you can't put it all on the goalie that way.

And watching tonight, the one that got through had eyes.

 

[OnMAA]

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

Came across this article that I thought was worth sharing:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/vancouver2010/hockey/2010/02/17/12922401.html

Thanks for sharing...Seems like Wick shares my thought process of more international players in the NCAA is one of the steps to improve international competitiveness...

"No one in women’s hockey wants to see the game erased from the Olympics before they get that chance.

“This is what we have once every four years,” Wickenheiser said. “I’ve lived in those (Scandinavian) countries. It starts with an attitude and funding dollars from their federations. They have some players in NCAA hockey. That’s where you start.”

 

[Bergey1]

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

I really don't have anything constructive to say except this is one helluva game.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

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

Definitely enjoying this game. Lots of great offensive play and even better goaltending.

If Bemedji could get some more talent to go with that goaltending...

Ya mean this goaltending?

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Bemidji State University’s Alana McElhinney (So., G, Calgary, Alberta) and Tyler Lehrke (Sr., F, Park Rapids, Minn.) have been named Beaver Pride Athletes of the Week after outstanding athletic performances during the week of Feb. 8-14.

McElhinney backstopped the BSU women’s ice hockey team to a weekend split with University of North Dakota, allowing one goal all weekend. In Friday’s series opener, she made 36 saves before the Fighting Sioux netted their first goal of the game at the 14:28 mark of the third period. McElhinney went to the bench for an extra attacker, but BSU came up short and UND scored an empty netter with three seconds remaining in the game to claim a 2-0 victory. On Saturday night in Grand Forks, N.D., McElhinney posted a 17-save shutout to give the Beavers two valuable points to stay in the hunt for a home-playoff berth.

 

[OnMAA]

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

("complimenting" M.P. Poulin's goal in the 1st....)
"For an 18 year old, her skills and abilities are just silly" .

One of my own daughters who had the priviledge to play with MP in a tourney a few years ago told me today on the way to the rink....

Dad did you see Marie Philips Goal?. It's the same move she made when she played with us. Having seen the move live in the past, my question to her was...."what did the commentators say about it".

Note: I once saw her score 5 goals in a game, 3 of them with this move. Great to watch.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: and get your mind out of the gutter. or at least leave me out of it

Re: and get your mind out of the gutter. or at least leave me out of it

....Hey DC, hows that 4 years of growth measuring up?

I stand with Cammie Granato on that. VERY disappointing showing for a team that can do better. I think most here would agree that this was not Kim Martin's finest hour (approx 30 minutes, really).

4 years ago they robbed USA of the chance of gold or silver, and USA responded by ramping up dedication - U-18 team, revamped strength and conditioning, fresh faces behind the bench...

Maybe Sweden goes home and does the same, but it's not over yet. They have a spot in the semis, and the chance to surprise us. It doesn't seem likely, but I'm watching Slovakia battle even with the Swiss (SMarty has both goals!!!!!-playing for an NCAA team that didn't exist three years ago, by the way )

3-2 Schelling

If this Olympics shows that there are two elite teams and 4 - 6 teams of somewhat equal strength, I still think we will see an upsurge in the nations that could be contenders. A LOT can happen in 4 years if the resources are provided