The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

[IceIsNice]

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

Why is Northern Iowa University responsible for feeding, housing and training Kenyan long-distance runners and Lithuanian basketball players?

Answer is here!

Per the attached, Iowa farmers are struggling with corn storage, among other harvests.....

 

[Shipe Family]

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

You broke my sarcasm detector!

I wrote this while I was watching Shaun White's gold medal victory and was struck with the idea that, like Canada and the United States, he put in the work, found the money, and has now taken his sport to a new level. I didn't see one of White's competitors back down and walk away because they didn't have access to the same training. As one of his competitors said in the Chronicle Olympic Bureau article:

“Pretty much it's him, and then there's everyone else and he deserves that,” said Lago in an earlier interview. “He's taken the steps to get that distinction, put the time in, and that's why he's the best. He's earned every accolade he gets. There's a lot of trash-talkers out there, but I respect him.

“If I can put down a great run, I feel I can be right there with him, but there's probably only five boarders here who can say that.”

Would parity in training and funding be the ideal? Absolutley. Until then, I'll watch these games in awe and appreciation.

 

[DC78-82]

USA Olympic Team on Ellen

USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Watch the segment

 

[Shipe Family]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Watch the segment

Thanks so much for sharing this!

 

[OnMAA]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Watch the segment

Hey DC....Fantastic Piece Thanks...Still cheering for the Canucks though.

 

[Hux]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Watch the segment

Great job by Misses Marvin and Lawler. Talk about radiant personalities.

Appearances like this, on a program with a huge female audience, really help boost the profile of the sport, and the likelihood of young girls choosing to give hockey a try.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

And now back to the other discussion...

A great piece about the Competitiveness (or lack thereof) in Womens Hockey. Lots of good quotes, including one from Iya Gravilova.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/2010wintergames/Women+hockey+defence+blowout/2581529/story.html

Some highlights:
- look at the numbers at the bottom, less than 300 female players in Russia
....schocking to find out how low that number is.
- look at the stigma in Europe against Womens Ice Hockey
.....(mentioned that in one of my posts yesterday)
- Great quote from the 18 year old Slovak player.

 

[law]

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

The Canadian & U.S games against the rest reminded me of this Monty Python video -- especially the last minute & a half -- The Gynocologists vs. The Long John Silver Impersonators in a soccer match. WARNING: don't watch if you're easily offended by sophomoric humor that is completely in bad taste and, by today's standards anyway, politically incorrect. I myself didn't watch it as I'm offended by such things, but a friend told me about it and I've sent it along for the one or two of you who might actually watch it....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSxmFFMCCdY

 

[ARM]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

- look at the stigma in Europe against Womens Ice Hockey

There's a stigma in the US as well. Not to the same extent, but it is there, when you go to a small town and hear men complaining about girls' teams taking ice time "away from the boys", or watch the crowds going in and out of the rink to watch a mens game vs one for the women.

From the article:

"I read in a Swedish newspaper that the status of women's hockey within the Olympic program is jeopardized because of what the newspaper claims is a non-competitive situation," said Szymon Szemberg, spokesman for the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Well, then Team Sweden should try to compete better. The mistake people made in 2006 was in assuming the gap had narrowed more than it had. If the US plays like crap, they can lose to Sweden, and everybody is interested. If Sweden plays like crap, it's hard to watch and the Swedish media complains. Obviously, the quick fix is for the US and Canada to spend more time partying every night, not take these silly Olympics so seriously, and demonstrate to the world what it looks like when great players play lousy.

 

[dontyelldad]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Quick Question:

Third Period/Troisième période
Goals/Buts :
07:43 CAN Gillian Apps (Carla MacLeod, Hayley Wickenheiser)
12:16 SWE Katarina Timglas (Isabelle Jordansson, Maria Rooth) PP

Penalties/Pénalités :
00:23 CAN Colleen Sostorics (Hooking /Accrocher)
11:31 CAN Becky Kellar (Tripping/Trébucher)
14:32 CAN Marie Phlip-Poulin (Body-checking/Mise en échec corporelle)
18:02 SWE Danijela Rundqvist (Interference/Obstruction)


Did anybody else think Poulin's penalty was just a dirty hit? Cause I sure did. Looked like she hit the Swedish woman in the chin with her helmet. In the NFL, that would have been a penalty....

The announcers made a big deal about it, wondering how Coach Davidson would deal with such a penalty -- which I think they were suggesting was ill advised/undisciplined, rather than dirty ...

Well, Poulin was back on the ice after getting out of the box, so I guess Coach Davidson answered that question pretty quickly ...

Just food for thought.

 

[EdSasha]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

...A great piece about the Competitiveness (or lack thereof) in Womens Hockey. Lots of good quotes, including one from Iya Gravilova.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/2010wintergames/Women+hockey+defence+blowout/2581529/story.html

Interesting article (and comments), thanks.

Prior to the start of the Vancouver games, I had hoped that the women's game would demonstrate itself as finally achieving maturity in its broad base and strength - or, at the very least, I had hope to catch a glimpse of maturity on the horizon. Results to date suggest that we're going in the opposite direction.

There are enough good players in both the US and Canada who are also blessed either with dual citizenship or with foreign-born parents, that more competitive teams could be iced from a number of the weaker countries through those players alone. The main hurdle to achieving that is, of course, that each national association would probably not take kindly to the idea of north american 'foreigners', however superior they may be in terms of skill, coming in and taking away places from native-born players. One couldn't really blame other associations for feeling that way but, if there's one way to jump start national programs outside of the two north american ones, increasing visibility and interest by importing a few north american players might be the way to do it. Both US and Canadian national associations need to buy into such a policy as well, an objective which *should* be easier to achieve, given that future involvement of both women's teams in the Olympics is now in greater doubt than it was before.

 

[DC78-82]

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

Regarding MPP's hit, I do think it was above and beyond, particulary in light of the score, and how late in the game it was. I don't know her, and have only seen her play in a handful of games, none of the magnitude of the Olympics.

I wasn't impressed, and fortunately noone was injured, but my first thought was that the bahvior was a reaction by a more immature (young) player who hasn't mastered the control of her emotions. I would hope that a teammate or coach makes her aware that that is unsportsmanlike, and won't be tolerated as regular behavior, but I think you can send the message without benching her. (unless of course it becomes a habit)

There have been many more egregious hits in the NCAA that are "forgotten" upon time served. I think last night stands out because you can see the look on her face before contact.

 

[IceIsNice]

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

Obviously, the quick fix is for the US and Canada to spend more time partying every night, not take these silly Olympics so seriously, and demonstrate to the world what it looks like when great players play lousy.

Perhaps if Canada and America would just fall in line with the rest of the world and stop centralizing its players, using state-of-the-art training, and playing 30 plus games schedule they could salvage the future of this Olympic sport.

Hey, look at that....folks are starting to get the idea!

 

[ARM]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

There are enough good players in both the US and Canada who are also blessed either with dual citizenship or with foreign-born parents, that more competitive teams could be iced from a number of the weaker countries through those players alone. The main hurdle to achieving that is, of course, that each national association would probably not take kindly to the idea of north american 'foreigners', however superior they may be in terms of skill, coming in and taking away places from native-born players.

I'd agree with those national associations. Outside of making the scores a little more PC, it isn't going to do much to change the outcome. At least let these international players have the Olympic experience, rather than having more NA players marching under a banner that doesn't even belong to them. I realize this is common in other sports, but it really does nothing to make the game more global.

 

[sheba]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Quick Question:

Third Period/Troisième période
Goals/Buts :
07:43 CAN Gillian Apps (Carla MacLeod, Hayley Wickenheiser)
12:16 SWE Katarina Timglas (Isabelle Jordansson, Maria Rooth) PP

Penalties/Pénalités :
00:23 CAN Colleen Sostorics (Hooking /Accrocher)
11:31 CAN Becky Kellar (Tripping/Trébucher)
14:32 CAN Marie Phlip-Poulin (Body-checking/Mise en échec corporelle)
18:02 SWE Danijela Rundqvist (Interference/Obstruction)


Did anybody else think Poulin's penalty was just a dirty hit? Cause I sure did. Looked like she hit the Swedish woman in the chin with her helmet. In the NFL, that would have been a penalty....

The announcers made a big deal about it, wondering how Coach Davidson would deal with such a penalty -- which I think they were suggesting was ill advised/undisciplined, rather than dirty ...

Well, Poulin was back on the ice after getting out of the box, so I guess Coach Davidson answered that question pretty quickly ...

Just food for thought.

I agree that it was undisciplined and unsportsmanlike, particularly in an embarrassing blow out and more so from the "winning" team - would expect it more from the "losing" team so late in the game. What I find disturbing is the TC Coach not benching her for the remainder of the game - putting her right back on the ice is like "rewarding" her publicly, instead of reprimanding her, or at least try to give the message that it was unnecessary. In a game with more parity, that is the kind of cheap shot that invites retaliation and escalation of poor sportsmanship.. As gifted and skilled player such as Poulin would not have been missed if she had sat out the remainder of the game.

 

[Trillium]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Interesting article (and comments), thanks.

Prior to the start of the Vancouver games, I had hoped that the women's game would demonstrate itself as finally achieving maturity in its broad base and strength - or, at the very least, I had hope to catch a glimpse of maturity on the horizon. Results to date suggest that we're going in the opposite direction.

There are enough good players in both the US and Canada who are also blessed either with dual citizenship or with foreign-born parents, that more competitive teams could be iced from a number of the weaker countries through those players alone. The main hurdle to achieving that is, of course, that each national association would probably not take kindly to the idea of north american 'foreigners', however superior they may be in terms of skill, coming in and taking away places from native-born players. One couldn't really blame other associations for feeling that way but, if there's one way to jump start national programs outside of the two north american ones, increasing visibility and interest by importing a few north american players might be the way to do it. Both US and Canadian national associations need to buy into such a policy as well, an objective which *should* be easier to achieve, given that future involvement of both women's teams in the Olympics is now in greater doubt than it was before.

In a wide variety of events in these games, announcers have commented on the significant number of Canadian (and American and Chinese) athletes in sports with very deep national team programs who are competing at these Olympics for other teams, including Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, etc. All they did was move over to some of these other countries for a couple of years to train, with no apparent previous ties to these countries at all.

If it works in sports where the talent gap is far smaller than in women's hockey, it seems to me like a no-brainer. There must be literally dozens of NCAA players who would jump at the chance to live in Europe or Asia while in their 20's for a few years and continue to play hockey, not to mention get the chance to compete in an Olympic games.

The reverse kind of cross-pollination opportunity also exists. The CWHL in which the Olympic athletes play in non-Olympic years, is currently basically a beer league at the moment with a big shortage of quality players compared to the number of teams. With the growth in quality in younger age groups, it's competitiveness is now generally a step down from the top PWHL teams, despite having a few Olympians sprinkled in.

Yet the CWHL apparently continues to prohibit/limit the amount of foreign players--including even Americans!--on their rosters. This makes zero sense in terms of either attracting more fans (there currently basically aren't any), much less in growing the game in either Canada and abroad.

Why is the IIHF, in conjunction with Hockey Canada and USA Hockey not showing any leadership in developing the sport and fixing these glaring issues??

 

[5 4 Fighting]

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

I honestly believe this all has to start at the grassroot level. I know the Warner Warriors of the JWHL carry a few Finns every year due to their coach being of Finnish descent and the Edge Mountaineers of the JWHL started an exchange program last year where the Edge went to Australia and ran camps and practices with the Aussie's and Kiwi's. It's my understanding that the Australian National Women's team is now coming to Calgary this spring the attend an Edge sponsored camp. Slowly but surley....

 

[Angus]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

In a wide variety of events in these games, announcers have commented on the significant number of Canadian (and American and Chinese) athletes in sports with very deep national team programs who are competing at these Olympics for other teams, including Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, etc. All they did was move over to some of these other countries for a couple of years to train, with no apparent previous ties to these countries at all.

If it works in sports where the talent gap is far smaller than in women's hockey, it seems to me like a no-brainer. There must be literally dozens of NCAA players who would jump at the chance to live in Europe or Asia while in their 20's for a few years and continue to play hockey, not to mention get the chance to compete in an Olympic games.

The reverse kind of cross-pollination opportunity also exists. The CWHL in which the Olympic athletes play in non-Olympic years, is currently basically a beer league at the moment with a big shortage of quality players compared to the number of teams. With the growth in quality in younger age groups, it's competitiveness is now generally a step down from the top PWHL teams, despite having a few Olympians sprinkled in.

Yet the CWHL apparently continues to prohibit/limit the amount of foreign players--including even Americans!--on their rosters. This makes zero sense in terms of either attracting more fans (there currently basically aren't any), much less in growing the game in either Canada and abroad.

Why is the IIHF, in conjunction with Hockey Canada and USA Hockey not showing any leadership in developing the sport and fixing these glaring issues??

This question is at least a half-decade old, going back to when the Vancouver Griffins (who had already signed Cammi Granato) tried to sign Maria Rooth and Erika Holst, but were stopped by an NWHL ban on imported players. The Griffins then elected to disband. Hockey Canada's position (in 2003, anyway) was clear--they were not about to allow the sport develop on an international level at the expense of the Canadian national team.

 

[WHKY blogger]

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

Jessie Vetter ready to face off with Noora Räty live from Vancouver

Starters:

USA
09-Molly Engstrom,D
11-Lisa Chesson,D
07-Monique Lamoureux ,F
12-Jenny Potter,F
21-Hilary Knight,F
31-Jessie Vetter,G

Finland
06-Jenni Hiirikoski,D
26-Heidi Pelttari,D
21-Michelle Karvinen,F
22-Saara Tuominen,F
23-Nina Tikkinen,F
31-Noora Räty,G

Live Blog will go live in less than 5 minutes for those watching at home that want to discuss and for those at work that wont be able to watch.

 

[Trillium]

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

Re: USA Olympic Team on Ellen

This question is at least a half-decade old, going back to when the Vancouver Griffins (who had already signed Cammi Granato) tried to sign Maria Rooth and Erika Holst, but were stopped by an NWHL ban on imported players. The Griffins then elected to disband. Hockey Canada's position (in 2003, anyway) was clear--they were not about to allow the sport develop on an international level at the expense of the Canadian national team.

This is sheer stupidity. Even if you choose to adopt a narrow-minded protectionist focus, it is in no way is it at the expense of the Canadian national team to do what it takes to increase the level of competition available on an ongoing basis for Canadian players in Canada. There's no point in protectionism for beer league hockey, as there is minimal challenge in the game at all for these players in the current status quo.

Furthermore, thinking only about Canada is a sure way to get women's hockey thrown out of the Olympics and having it die outside North America. Then there will hardly be a point of having a national team at all.