The quick highlights of great showing by the US this weekend:
The men's hockey team took on Canada on Canadian soil and pulled off a pretty stunning 5-3 victory. Despite being outshot 45-23, the Americans pulled off what is being hailed as their biggest upset since the 1980 Miracle. Clearly it did not carry the importance of the medal round, but the victory guarantees the US a bye into the quarterfinals. In addition the US earned the number one seed, which means avoiding the powerhouse teams until the semifinals or later.
The only disappointment I had from this game was that the game was on MSNBC rather than NBC and wasn't even available in HD. NBC instead aired tape delayed skiing and ice dancing. Seriously, Ice dancing? They should have aired the skiing LIVE when it happened earlier in the day, and honestly, ice dancing couldn't have been on one of the other 3 channels or aired around the biggest hockey game of the three big games of Sunday (the others being Russia-Czech Republic, and Sweden-Finland) Hockey fans, the NHL, and sports fans in general should be irate at NBC. They missed a chance to showcase absolutely riveting theater and a sure chance to enthrall the American public with hockey. The medal round promises more riveting action and I am disappointed that NBC is not showcasing it on its main channel especially with the fact that it could help grow ratings for their regular season NHL broadcasts.
Moving on from NBC outrage (bring back Conan!) to the chaos probably taking place across Canada right now. The outcry and angst in Canada must be insane right now, with all the pressure and expectations. The media and fans are going nuts. The Canadians want that gold. They need it. It is comparable to the US expectations in basketball, except that Canada care a lot more. Hockey, the Olympics, and Olympic hockey are way more important to Canada than basketball or international basketball are to most Americans. I'd be surprised if Martin Brodeur, who gave up 4 goals, starts the next game. Hometown boy Roberto Luongo should get the nod over the Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury. Canada now has to play Germany for the right to face Russia in the final. I have been eagerly anticipating the showdown of the 2 powerhouses and their thrilling superstars, but not so early in the tournament.
The other USA highlights included Apollo Anton Ohno winning his seventh career Olympic medal, an American record. Definitely check out short-track speed-skating, it is an intense contact race around the rink.
Two of my favorite USA 'bad boys' also picked up medals this weekend. Shani Davis picked up his second medal of these games, a silver on Saturday. Bode Miller won his first career gold, third medal of 2010, and fifth career medal overall. I look forward to seeing Apollo and Bode picking up some more medals this week as they each have a couple events left.
I just saw an ad for freestyle skiing aerials and it looks absolutely insane: a guy just did some crazy back-flip-corkscrew-1080-god knows what off a ramp while going very fast. Can't wait till that starts.
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Jun 9, 2009
A call to ban Vince from discussing the NHL
OK, I'm a little pissed because everything I wrote got deleted, so I have to write it again. So forgive the bad mood. here goes: This in response, in fact a rebuttal, to Vince's last post.
Regarding bandwagon fans, there are numerous of them out there, and it is extremely annoying when listening to those who can't name a player beyond Crosby, Malkin, or Fleury, and shout completely inaccurate praises and criticisms. However, this comes with the territory and it happens to any team in any city, I have witnessed it in every sport. As it is, the Pens have many real fans and always have, even during those years when they were nearly moving and bereft of talent. There is nothing wrong with the way that the city has embraced the team and enjoyed the runs of the last couple of years. It has quite simply being a great atmosphere around town. The Penguins are a young, hip, and tech-savvy organization that has managed to both increase its fan base and improve its interaction with them.
Vince, clearly you know nothing about hockey; as in any sport there are many times to cheer besides a score. You have succumbed to the cliche bashing of the NHL, which is usually in vogue among many sports commentators. But like most, there is no intelligible argument, and you don't even give it a chance. I realize that it can be difficult to follow the puck, and hockey can be difficult to understand, but no more so than any other sport. There are many criticisms I have of the NHL as an organization and the coverage of it, but there is no rhyme or reason to your attacks of the game. If you don't like hockey that's fine, not everybody can like every single sport. However, there is no logical base to your rails against hockey, so please stop. Let the rest of us enjoy this great game.
STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME 6 tonight 8PM Mellon Arena
Regarding bandwagon fans, there are numerous of them out there, and it is extremely annoying when listening to those who can't name a player beyond Crosby, Malkin, or Fleury, and shout completely inaccurate praises and criticisms. However, this comes with the territory and it happens to any team in any city, I have witnessed it in every sport. As it is, the Pens have many real fans and always have, even during those years when they were nearly moving and bereft of talent. There is nothing wrong with the way that the city has embraced the team and enjoyed the runs of the last couple of years. It has quite simply being a great atmosphere around town. The Penguins are a young, hip, and tech-savvy organization that has managed to both increase its fan base and improve its interaction with them.
Vince, clearly you know nothing about hockey; as in any sport there are many times to cheer besides a score. You have succumbed to the cliche bashing of the NHL, which is usually in vogue among many sports commentators. But like most, there is no intelligible argument, and you don't even give it a chance. I realize that it can be difficult to follow the puck, and hockey can be difficult to understand, but no more so than any other sport. There are many criticisms I have of the NHL as an organization and the coverage of it, but there is no rhyme or reason to your attacks of the game. If you don't like hockey that's fine, not everybody can like every single sport. However, there is no logical base to your rails against hockey, so please stop. Let the rest of us enjoy this great game.
STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME 6 tonight 8PM Mellon Arena
Apr 8, 2009
Pens in Playoffs, The Pirates aren't going undefeated, and Jamie Dixon is Coach of the Year
The Penguins clinched at least the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference of the NHL playoffs with a 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay. Sidney Crosby had two goals, and Evgeni Malkin had two assists. The Pens are currently in sixth and would play the Devils in the first rounds if the standings hold. With two games left to play, the Pens trail Carolina by 2 points and Philadelphia by 2 points but the Flyers have three games left to play. Most likely, the Pens will end up facing either the Devils or the Flyers in the first round. Both are challenging opponents, but with the way the Pens are playing right now, I like their chances in what should be a very intriguing and exciting first round matchup.
After opening the season with a thrilling 6-4 ninth inning rally over St. Louis on Monday, the Pirates performed in a more typical fashion by falling 9-3 on Tuesday night. So much for the 173-0 season (I was going to make t-shirts), but nine teams are still keeping the dream alive. Anyway here are some quick early season observations on my Buccos, who are still on pace for 81-81: Nyjer Morgan is hitting, stealing, and scoring runs so far, and I guess that’s a good sign. Freddy Sanchez had a good couple of games too, and Jack Wilson had a clutch hit in the first game. Wonder if they will be traded anytime soon. Andy LaRoche sucks in the field. It has been 2 games, but come on he’s on pace for 243 errors. I miss Bay and Nady, but we will have to wait to see how last year’s big trades work out (but can we for once at least hit on half of the players we got?) That’s about it. It’s early. I’m glad that baseball’s here. I’m looking forward to nice weather, days at the ballpark, wishing the Outback was still at PNC Park, fireworks, bobbleheads, and trying to catch home runs. Maybe even some by the Pirates. At least once in while.
Jamie Dixon was named the Naismith Coach of the Year. It’s great to see him get the national recognition he deserves and without it being tied to some other coaching job. He has done an amazing job over the past six-years. As heart breaking as the ending was (the image may be forever burned into the psyches of the players, coaches, and fans), this was arguably the greatest season in Pitt basketball history. We all need to appreciate this season, and cherish the incredible memories. Hopefully, more to come on that later in the form of written and video tribute. For now, we wait to hear if DeJuan Blair is entering the draft, and hope for the future successes of all the departing Panthers. It is likely that we will be able to cheer on Blair and Sam Young on NBA draft day, and hopefully in the league in the years ahead. And know that we have a stellar coach to lead our future teams.
After opening the season with a thrilling 6-4 ninth inning rally over St. Louis on Monday, the Pirates performed in a more typical fashion by falling 9-3 on Tuesday night. So much for the 173-0 season (I was going to make t-shirts), but nine teams are still keeping the dream alive. Anyway here are some quick early season observations on my Buccos, who are still on pace for 81-81: Nyjer Morgan is hitting, stealing, and scoring runs so far, and I guess that’s a good sign. Freddy Sanchez had a good couple of games too, and Jack Wilson had a clutch hit in the first game. Wonder if they will be traded anytime soon. Andy LaRoche sucks in the field. It has been 2 games, but come on he’s on pace for 243 errors. I miss Bay and Nady, but we will have to wait to see how last year’s big trades work out (but can we for once at least hit on half of the players we got?) That’s about it. It’s early. I’m glad that baseball’s here. I’m looking forward to nice weather, days at the ballpark, wishing the Outback was still at PNC Park, fireworks, bobbleheads, and trying to catch home runs. Maybe even some by the Pirates. At least once in while.
Jamie Dixon was named the Naismith Coach of the Year. It’s great to see him get the national recognition he deserves and without it being tied to some other coaching job. He has done an amazing job over the past six-years. As heart breaking as the ending was (the image may be forever burned into the psyches of the players, coaches, and fans), this was arguably the greatest season in Pitt basketball history. We all need to appreciate this season, and cherish the incredible memories. Hopefully, more to come on that later in the form of written and video tribute. For now, we wait to hear if DeJuan Blair is entering the draft, and hope for the future successes of all the departing Panthers. It is likely that we will be able to cheer on Blair and Sam Young on NBA draft day, and hopefully in the league in the years ahead. And know that we have a stellar coach to lead our future teams.
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