The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

[ARM]

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

2. Any suggestion that Canada might have an advantage due to "experience" for having half as many rookies

It's not that I don't believe experience CAN be beneficial. But there's a tradeoff. There's no doubt the best place to prepare for the 2008-09 season in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games was NCAA women's college hockey. There's no doubt that the average younger player turning 18 now is better than 4-8 years ago. The idea that experience is a cut-and-dry edge over youth in this case is pure nonsense.

I believe that you've been proven correct, unless Szabados and Poulin have some wealth of Olympic experience of which I'm unaware.

Congratulations to Canada on a great tournament and winning gold. I could care less how they chose to celebrate their win after the fact; it obviously has nothing to do with me. I was very, very impressed with the support that the mostly Canadian crowd gave to all three teams at yesterday's medal ceremony. Well done, Canadians.

To Team USA, we are very proud of the effort that you put into yesterday, the Olympics, and the last four years of preparation. You've represented your country to the best of your ability, and we can't ask more of you.

And way to go Noora!

 

[unofan]

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

Ummm. I saw three glove saves by Szabados that would have beat any second string NHL Goalie. Those three go in and well....

I'm not saying she didn't make any spectacular saves, but that still doesn't change the fact that she was rarely screened on anything and that the U.S. was stupid for continuing to shoot high glove side all night long.

Even in my beer league, the goalies tend to stop initial shots they can see, and tend to make more glove saves than blocker saves.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

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

Just to address the 5 on 3 issue...I have a friend who tracked the NHL stats for years. He maintained that teams that managed kill 5 on 3's went on to win those games 90% of the time.

I can only imagine what the percentage would be if you managed to kill two.

 

[ARM]

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

I'm not saying she didn't make any spectacular saves, but that still doesn't change the fact that she was rarely screened on anything and that the U.S. was stupid for continuing to shoot high glove side all night long.

On the first 5-on-3, it seemed that the US was making an effort to screen her, but their shots kept hitting the screen or the D. I thought the biggest PP problem throughout was that they didn't move the puck quick enough. There was a lot of hold-and-look, a little too much reliance on the individual trying to make a play, rather than the team. I thought that was on display throughout the Olympics. Poulin just reacted, the US seemed to over think it.

But I don't want to be too critical of our team. I'm as perfect sitting in my armchair as I am in the bleachers; once I skate onto the ice, the experience is far beyond humbling.

He maintained that teams that managed kill 5 on 3's went on to win those games 90% of the time.

Often that stat will be complicated by 5-on-3 power plays being awarded the other way as well. If their opponent also gets a 5-on-3 and doesn't score (common in the world of "even it up" officiating), then that win % will move closer to 50. But maybe it is rare that neither will score while up two skaters.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

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

To add some clarity, here is what the Canadian Press is saying:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Canada+marks+gold+medal+with+beery+party/2616647/story.html

Move along...nothing to see here...

 

[dave1381]

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

I believe that you've been proven correct, unless Szabados and Poulin have some wealth of Olympic experience of which I'm unaware.

Yes and no.

2 of the 7 Canadian rookies did in the end outshine everyone else.

I could see the argument that with more of a veteran mix, the smaller number of Canadian rookies didn't put as much pressure on themselves as the American Olympic rookies, and they were able to play looser.

That said, I stand by my claim that the experience vs. youth dynamic analysis is more complicated than most of the mainstream press suggested. Maybe the press was effectively right but for the wrong reason.

For example, Canada's first goal was scored by the back end of its forward depth, a two-time Kazmaier winner in the twilight of her career setting up the youngest player on Canada's roster. Maybe it would've helped the US to have a few more players in the elder age group.

 

[Trillium]

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

Oh Trillium the LA Times has latched onto this story now, with Photos.

LOL.

It is most unfortunate that there are Americans who are such poor sports about losing that they would grasp at straws about something so trivial.

Don't you have an economy to worry about? Soldiers dying in Afghanistan? Sarah Palin's latest escapades even? Anything better than this that is actually NEWSWORTHY!?

In Canada, the picture of the girls lying on the ice with the beers was front and centre in the Toronto papers like it was expected, a normal thing, a good thing even. No big deal.

If you can show me a kid who hasn't had a beer underage, I'll show you a freak. Welcome to the real world.

 

[IceIsNice]

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

Sarah Palin's latest escapades even?

Hey now, I was with you until this quote!

 

[CrazyDave]

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

If you can show me a kid who hasn't had a beer underage, I'll show you a freak.

(raises hand slowly)

 

[Trillium]

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

Hey now, I was with you until this quote!

I'm sorry...that was too easy, I just couldn't resist

Speaking of politicians....I don't know if they showed it on the US broadcast, but I thought it was excellent that the President of Finland was there at the Bronze game in a Finland jersey waving the flag and cheering her team on to victory. Apparently she also spoke to them in the dressing room. Hopefully the victory and her support are both good signs that Finland will start to invest more in their program leading up to the next Olympics.

 

[OnMAA]

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

Yes and no.

2 of the 7 Canadian rookies did in the end outshine everyone else.

I could see the argument that with more of a veteran mix, the smaller number of Canadian rookies didn't put as much pressure on themselves as the American Olympic rookies, and they were able to play looser.

That said, I stand by my claim that the experience vs. youth dynamic analysis is more complicated than most of the mainstream press suggested. Maybe the press was effectively right but for the wrong reason.

For example, Canada's first goal was scored by the back end of its forward depth, a two-time Kazmaier winner in the twilight of her career setting up the youngest player on Canada's roster. Maybe it would've helped the US to have a few more players in the elder age group.

Great observations. IMHO there were more than just 2 of 7 Canadian rookies playing key roles in last nights game. The young rookie D from McGill had a great game, and so did the college players from northern Ontario (T-Bay and Sudbury).

Overall this was a great game to watch. IMHO the US can hold their heads up high, specially compared to 4 years ago. If they make it 2-1 sometime in the second when they had their chances it could have been a different outcome.

 

[DC78-82]

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

LOL.
If you can show me a kid who hasn't had a beer underage, I'll show you a freak. Welcome to the real world.

I'm pretty sure our Freak cannot be counted among your freaks, although I do recall from conversation that he was more if a mixed drink guy.

 

[OnMAA]

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

Like in say...Speedskating? 6 medals total to date: 3 Gold, 1 Silver & 2 Bronze. I would say you as an expat must be extremely proud cause so far you really do own that podium.

Yeah and it should a been 7. Dumbest coaching move of the Olympics for sure.

 

[notfromaroundhere]

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

Yeah and it should a been 7. Dumbest coaching move of the Olympics for sure.

His career is over. In fact, while he is in Vancouver, he may as well file for political asylum as he may be in danger if he returns home...

 

[Grim Reaper]

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

LOL.

It is most unfortunate that there are Americans who are such poor sports about losing that they would grasp at straws about something so trivial.

Don't you have an economy to worry about? Soldiers dying in Afghanistan? Sarah Palin's latest escapades even? Anything better than this that is actually NEWSWORTHY!?

In Canada, the picture of the girls lying on the ice with the beers was front and centre in the Toronto papers like it was expected, a normal thing, a good thing even. No big deal.

If you can show me a kid who hasn't had a beer underage, I'll show you a freak. Welcome to the real world.

Your post is lame!! I am AMERICAN through and through and i watched the games as well and the Canadian ladies worked hard and got what they came for, A GOLD OLYMPIC MEDAL!!! Hats off to them for 4 years of hard work and a complete game!! Hats off to them.They deserved the win and the celebration......The media does need to leave them alone and let them enjoy their moment!!!

But your quote above is ridiclous!! There are great,smart talented, athlectic kids in this "real world" who dont need alcohol to celebrate or function in everyday life. Hats off to them as well.....

 

[Blackbeard]

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

Not to throw a damper on the discussions but, any thoughts on the officiating?...on the 2 (that I remember) weak calls and the 2 or 3 non calls?

 

[5 4 Fighting]

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

Not to throw a damper on the discussions but, any thoughts on the officiating?...on the 2 (that I remember) weak calls and the 2 or 3 non calls?

I thought the officiating was fine...certainly better than what we witnessed in the Gold medal game in Salt lake...

 

[D2D]

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

Not to throw a damper on the discussions but, any thoughts on the officiating?...on the 2 (that I remember) weak calls and the 2 or 3 non calls?

I am not one to normally criticize the refs, but what was most noticable to me was the number of missed offsides. Sometimes hard to tell when watching on TV, but the picture was great and I was viewing on a big screen. The penalty calls were pretty even - sure they missed a few as usual but I don't think it made a big difference in the outcome. Overall, I thought the officiating was worse than what I saw in most of the other games I watched, but IMO it was mostly at the blueline where they messed up.

 

[unofan]

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

But your quote above is ridiclous!! There are great,smart talented, athlectic kids in this "real world" who dont need alcohol to celebrate or function in everyday life. Hats off to them as well.....

They may not need beer to celebrate, but they certainly want it.

 

[papulaisle]

The 2010 Winter Olympics Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Whoa! Little Connecticut group here thought it a great game. Especially the play of Szabados. Who? Saw the puck all night-was crisp.
A good-brilliant call by Melody Davidson!

Congratulations to both teams. USA has nothing to be ashamed of IMHO; played to their capacity with heart.

Celebrate! Many of my era learned about beer, ALE with a Molson's ' Blue ' on the dock at the cottage ... Doug and Bob Mckenzie..."Strange Brew", eh?

Perhaps a little over the top?
Hoser.

I remember long trips north even at the earliest age before turnpike's extended into the country side and it took my grandparents three days from Baltimore just to get to the border.

Wonderful event.