The NHL game is having a hard time selling out even in hockey markets like New York and Michigan.The game is not selling so well in the sun belt is a gross under statement so it's only a matter of (a short) time before the Peg and Quebec get NHL teams back. I think you'll also see another team in the Toronto region as well.....heck maybe even two more teams there.
As for U.S. vs Canada....no doubt that the U.S. is the huge under-dog and they will have to have a ton of puck luck to win but hey anything is possible in a single game.
It is an all star tourney. There is no such thing as defense.Thanks. Apparently no defense in this tournament!
I have to agree with your buddy the Holy Cross vs. Minnesota game was the loudest game in the Ralph's history. Nothing even comes close.The WJC that was in Grand Forks, ND in 2005 was crazy and a lot of fun, it was well attended because of the close distance to Winnipeg. I had never heard the Ralph so loud as it was for the Canada and Russia game. I had someone try to tell me that Holy Cross and Minnesota was louder but that isn't true.
I was told that Ralph sold more beer during the tourney than it did for a season of Fighting Sioux hockey.
I bet the game back in 82 wasn't even marketed properly to Minnesotans. In fact that is a long time ago and even in the state of hockey the game has grown a lot.Minnesota hosted this event back in 1982 and no one came. To be fair, the tourney has grown quite a bit since then, and perhaps it's time to look at Minnesota again as a possible host. Besides the big arenas in the twin cities, I think it would also be cool to spread some of the lesser games around the state so the small towns could be a part of this, too.
One of my best memories was at the 1991 World Journey in Saskatchewan, where some games were played in small towns like Humboldt, Prince Albert, and North Battleford. It was amazing how these small towns would totally sell out the local rinks, and the games were such a big deal.
This statement is true of Minnesotans.Most Canadians have played the game - it defines who they are and how they get through the difficult long winters.
I parsed your post for space, but I agreed with everything you said you just did a much better job of articulating my perception that the Canadian kids take the game against the US far more seriously and to heart. It would be nice though to see the US kids pick up on that and respond as much as they can in kind.
I also believe all the college kids playing in this tourney would rather win a NCAA title instead of a gold medal.
I have to agree with your buddy the Holy Cross vs. Minnesota game was the loudest game in the Ralph's history. Nothing even comes close...
I have to agree with your buddy the Holy Cross vs. Minnesota game was the loudest game in the Ralph's history. Nothing even comes close.
Going out (way out?) on a limb time: USA defeats Canada 4-3.
I'm going to go with a "Dirty" type quote:
Canada - 3
USA - 275
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I'm going to go with a "Dirty" type quote:
Canada - 3
USA - 275
![]()
It is an all star tourney. There is no such thing as defense.
Other people have pointed out the fallacy of several of your other statements, but wanted to point out that this one is also very incorrect. Are you actually watching any games or just spouting off after seeing a box score?
is todays game on any other network then the nhl network?
Hardly! Maybe if there from the Minny prep ranks but there is no way that a player who went through the NTDP would place a college title over this tournament.
I was at both games and the Ralph was louder for the Russia and Canada game.
Were you at either game?![]()
How about the DU/UND 1st round playoff games where DU won the 1st game and then UND won the next two games, both in OT? It was darn loud for those two as well.
Other people have pointed out the fallacy of several of your other statements, but wanted to point out that this one is also very incorrect. Are you actually watching any games or just spouting off after seeing a box score?
I'll give ya a clue, he has a liquor license. He can buy lots of it very cheap and consume it in large quantities with very little effort.
The Stanley Cup and NCAA title are club championships that are really earned over the course of a long season and grinding playoffs. You win those for your teammates, your home fans and yourself. They have value because of the long sustained effort required to attain them over 6-8 months.
The Olympics and WJC are world championships, and while the effort required to attain them takes far less time, the idea of having a sanctioned medal that sees you crowned as the best in the world while wearing your country's name on your chest is tremendously appealing for any athlete and for their whole country.
I think the answer is not very clear-cut. Each athlete may value different things...
and, of course, Olympics and WJC are now basically all-star type teams, that allow players, like from the Wild, have a chance at some sort of championhsip, something that they have no chance of back at their paying job.
Neal Broten has won just about everything you can win but he regrets not winning the HS championship. Someone with a better memory than I can probably recall which title he found most special (I swear he stated it) but Swami is right I don't think there's a definitive favorite across the board.
Is that why Jordan Schroeder is playing on the WJC? He wants a chance to win something?