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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 10, 2014 18:48:16 GMT -5
Son of a gun ... Brad Jacobs rink loses to Switzerland in men's curling. Didn't see the match, but the Swiss stole three in the fifth to start it off. Swiss Upset Canada 5-4Cheers. This is a team that seems to get on a roll and cannot be stopped. They did it at least year's Brier, at the pre-trials and at the final trials. Just need to get that roll going. A loss now is not the end of the world, but they need to be sharp as there are others that can knock them off if they are not playing on their game. Well, if they thought the Swiss were tough, there are a lot of good teams waiting for them. I'm really hoping Jacobs and his rink can pull it off. He represents the changing of the guard in Canadian curling. I think so, anyway. Jennifer Jones will have her work cut out for her as well. That changing of the guard is also international, as well. Eve Muirhead of Scotland represents the new face of womens curling and she's the real deal. No walkovers I dare say. Same as mens/womens hockey. Cheers. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 10, 2014 19:42:36 GMT -5
Well CH, you can see what the coaching staff is trying to do. Pair a centre with his NHL winger (that limits selections going forward, if this is the new in-thing to do), and put an offensive defenseman with a defensive defenseman. This is what is on trial now, Skilly. Anything less than gold and Yzerman will have difficulty backing up his method for selecting his team. I honestly don't know about this group, though. I don't know what to expect of them, because I don't believe it's the absolute best team Yzerman could have iced. There's a stigma following Subban. He should be a top-4 guy, but he's not. Even before the Olympics some of the TSN crew didn't know where he'd fit in on the roster. Maybe as the tournament goes on I'll understand that. I guess if they can bench Gretzky then they can do the same for PK. Hope the pundits are wrong. Cheers. |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 10, 2014 20:30:13 GMT -5
Well CH, you can see what the coaching staff is trying to do. Pair a centre with his NHL winger (that limits selections going forward, if this is the new in-thing to do), and put an offensive defenseman with a defensive defenseman. The odd pairing in my mind though is the St. Louis connection. Why did Pietrangelo or Bouwmeester need that chemistry? No other pairing was based around it (see Seabrook not picked). But here's the thing .... Weber has the worst defensive numbers, playing on a trap team. And Vlasic? He started the year with 11 points in 15 games, and has now only got 18 points. And as most people have figured out by now, I just don't like Doughty. Others like the whole left-right thing, I'm not sure it really matters with these elite athletes. I'd have moved Weber down the line-up (he is -10 on a defensive team) and the Norris trophy winner would be in my line-up. Thanks. I'm not challenging you....just wondering what your Top 6 dmen (and 2 subs) choices would have been.... What's your big beef with Doughty? My beef is with Kelly Hrudey touting him for the Norris a few times....including during an After Hours interview with him. "The most complete defence man in the league...no area of weakness," Hrudey said several times during a broadcast this year. That's the highest praise one can give...but Hrudey's association with the Kings makes it suspect, IMO. I haven't seen a lot of Doughty until the playoffs....so I don't have an informed opinion. All I know is that he's very "candid" and "colorful" during interviews....something for which Subban would be vilified. I just have never liked him. He came into the league highly touted, and IMO, he has been living off name recognition ever since his second year. What has he done since then? Yes, he has won a Stanley Cup, but he isn't by any means as good as he was hyped. And like you said, he came into the league full of piss-n-vinegar (and still is) and yet not one bad word gets spoken about him. It's taboo to question his play. I'll admit Doughty got better leading up to the Olympics statistically, but for a long while he was the worst of all the defensemen being considered for the Olympic team. Yet his spot was written in stone. And that's the whole problem with the selection process. They select their favourites, and that squeezes out the deserving players. PK deserves to be there AND he deserves to be playing not spectating and cheering |
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 10, 2014 21:09:36 GMT -5
Thanks, Skilly.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 11, 2014 1:29:18 GMT -5
I think quite highly of Doughty, and Keith. I also think quite highly of PK, but he still has not figured out when to dish the puck off more quickly than he does and ends up with a turnover. He did that two or three times against Carolina, when a simpler play would have been fine. He can't make a great play every time he touches the puck and I think he just has to learn that. Having said that I'd be playing him ahead of Vlasic and Bouwmeester without a doubt. Keith is our only really top notch left handed defenseman. If Boyle or Seabrook were left handed I'd have them on the team ahead of Vlasic and Bouwmeester and probably Hamhuis. It's just the righty/lefty thing. Weber, I think you just have to have on the team. His numbers may be worse this year because he's playing in front of some future hall of famer called Carter Hutton instead of Pekka Rinne. He's so strong and experienced that you can't eliminate him, though I wouldn't necessarily have him on the first pairing. He's looked a little slower this year than in the past and on the big ice, you might see players speeding around him on the outside. WE'll see, but he can be a very effective Penalty Killer and he still has a great shot.
After watching the Canadian Women play Finland, I was reminded just how much larger the Olympic ice is than the NHL version, and how important speed and skating is. It's also really critical to have players who can beat others individually. There is so much space, that if you have that type of player, you can create a lot of chances. Individual skill and speed. Key ingredients. Russia has some great forwards, but not much depth and their defense is suspect. I'd be going wide on Markov constantly.
I also sure hope the initial practice line-ups aren't what we end up with. I think both Duchene and St. Louis need to be in the starting lineups. They exemplify the individual skill as well as top end speed. I also think PK needs to be in the top 6.
My roster would have Hamhuis and Bouwmeester sitting on D. The forwards who'd have to sit are tougher. Patrick Marleau (not convinced he's fast enough for the big ice) and after that it gets tougher. I'd have to narrow it down to either Patrick Sharp or Rick Nash.
So that's my 'going out on a limb' line-up.
Price in goal for sure, that's an easy one. I might even use Smith as back-up (never a fan of Luongo, who has only ever won once, in the last Olympics, and I can't say he played a big enough role in that one to make me confident.
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Post by blny on Feb 11, 2014 8:02:10 GMT -5
2 more medals this morning in women's slope style skiing. Leading the medal count at 9. 4 gold. Remarkable start.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 11, 2014 9:44:46 GMT -5
2 more medals this morning in women's slope style skiing. Leading the medal count at 9. 4 gold. Remarkable start. The tricks they pull off this massive jumps are amazing. Dara Howell...Olympic champion. Bet she likes the sound of that! |
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Post by blny on Feb 11, 2014 9:55:30 GMT -5
2 more medals this morning in women's slope style skiing. Leading the medal count at 9. 4 gold. Remarkable start. The tricks they pull off this massive jumps are amazing. Dara Howell...Olympic champion. Bet she likes the sound of that! The CBC commentators had an interesting comment. This slope style sport, much like a skateboarder's street competition, is attainable for about anyone who skis. You don't need to move to the Rockies to get hills steep and long enough to train for World Cup downhill. You don't need to get to a city with Olympic venues to train in sports that are much more obscure (be it a sliding sport, etc.) Most hills have these sorts of set ups now, all be it on a smaller scale. If you have skis, and the willingness to try tricks, you can do this and have a legit shot at competing in it without having to move cross country. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 11, 2014 10:40:16 GMT -5
Checking out some Olympic stories and I came across this piece. It tells of Don Cherry's travels getting to the Games but two things stuck out for me in the article. One was the Russian version of the '72 Summit Series, and Cherry's love for dogs. Two cuts and pastes from Failure to Win Gold Would be Disastrous: Cherry did get to watch a made-for-TV movie on Russian television the other night, a docu-drama on the life of the late hockey star Valeri Kharlamov. He came away impressed, even if he didn’t understand a word of the dialogue.
What was particularly fascinating to him was how the Russians altered the ending of the famed Canada-Russia hockey series of 1972, ending with a 7-3 victory of the Russians. Paul Henderson, for the record, wasn’t a factor in the movie at all.
“It was a great hockey movie, one of the best I’ve ever seen. Even if they changed the ending,” said Cherry. “But they made (Phil) Esposito look like Dracula. I thought they did an awful number on Phil, he looked like a maniac. But other than that, it was a well-done movie.
“And they had a scene that Harry Sinden nodded to Bobby Clarke and gave him the go-ahead (to break Kharlamov’s ankle). That never happened. But I understand what they’re doing. I’m in show business. But overall, the whole thing was pretty good.”(some things in Russia simply don't change) ==================================================================================== “The dogs,” he said. “I went for a walk today and saw these two little dogs just wandering around, kind of following us. I see these homeless dogs and that really bothers me. I might bring them home with me. I love these dogs. I just hope nothing bad happens to them.”(Hope he doesn't change a thing here) |
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Post by habernac on Feb 11, 2014 15:47:43 GMT -5
Boouwmeester's inclusion gets a lot of flack, but he'll be great on big ice. The man can skate better than 95% of the league. He had horrible coaching in Calgary and seems to have done quite well under Hitchcock.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 12, 2014 7:24:49 GMT -5
Price gets the start against Norway tomorrow, Luongo in game two against Austria.
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 12, 2014 11:05:07 GMT -5
Some TSN 690 hosts were hoping Price would get Game 2 for two reasons.
1. The players will be working out the kinks/finding chemistry in Game 1, so Norway could get a few really good looks at the net.
2. Whoever starts Game 2 will be fresh in the coaching staff's minds and will get the start vs. Finland.
That's homer thinking.
The best goalie will eventually be in the net.
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Post by Gogie on Feb 12, 2014 11:23:26 GMT -5
Morrison wins SilverMakes you proud to be a Canadian - Junio gives up his spot in the event to someone more likely to succeed "in the best interest of the team". Just goes to show there's no "i" in team or Canada!
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 12, 2014 16:35:03 GMT -5
Morrison wins SilverMakes you proud to be a Canadian - Junio gives up his spot in the event to someone more likely to succeed "in the best interest of the team". Just goes to show there's no "i" in team or Canada! Very humble gesture. The needs of the many ... Cheers. |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 12, 2014 22:39:59 GMT -5
Morrison wins SilverMakes you proud to be a Canadian - Junio gives up his spot in the event to someone more likely to succeed "in the best interest of the team". Just goes to show there's no "i" in team or Canada! But there is an "i" in team ....  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2014 6:28:20 GMT -5
Subban and Duschene to sit out Game one later today.
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 13, 2014 7:27:39 GMT -5
Subban and Duschene to sit out Game one later today. And the Canadian Press has to keep the media-driven controversy alive... Subban, whose candidacy was the subject of much debate leading up to the selection of the 25-man roster, was ready for anything.
“I’m going to take whatever role I am given and excel at it,” Subban said. “That’s your job as a pro. That’s your job as an Olympic hockey player and representing your country. As a citizen of Canada, that’s your job. It’s your duty to do that.”No "debate" over Duschene, though, I guess....no, it's just a numbers thing with him. |
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Post by jkr on Feb 13, 2014 8:16:00 GMT -5
Subban and Duschene to sit out Game one later today. And the Canadian Press has to keep the media-driven controversy alive... Subban, whose candidacy was the subject of much debate leading up to the selection of the 25-man roster, was ready for anything.
“I’m going to take whatever role I am given and excel at it,” Subban said. “That’s your job as a pro. That’s your job as an Olympic hockey player and representing your country. As a citizen of Canada, that’s your job. It’s your duty to do that.”No "debate" over Duschene, though, I guess....no, it's just a numbers thing with him. I was watching TVA & I think the ticker said that Subban & Duchene would play against Austria. US leading Slovakia 1-0. Carlson scores assisted by Van Riemsdyk & Kessel. Leaf fans must be happy. They would probably rather see the U.S. win with a couple of Leaf players than see Canada win with Price & Subban. Pathetic. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 13, 2014 9:47:13 GMT -5
The USA looking good against Slovakia. No contest at 7-1.
Cheers.
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 13, 2014 9:58:55 GMT -5
The USA looking good against Slovakia. No contest at 7-1. Cheers. Strong coaching staff, too. Bylsma, Laviolette, Richards, Granato. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2014 10:32:15 GMT -5
I was watching TVA & I think the ticker said that Subban & Duchene would play against Austria. US leading Slovakia 1-0. Carlson scores assisted by Van Riemsdyk & Kessel. Leaf fans must be happy. They would probably rather see the U.S. win with a couple of Leaf players than see Canada win with Price & Subban. Pathetic. I guess they want to see both goalies and all the skaters in the first two games. You would think that PK's dynamic rushing ability and shot would guarantee him at least a 7th spot. If you want offense from the back end, Hamhuis isn't whom I would tap. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 13, 2014 11:09:33 GMT -5
The USA looking good against Slovakia. No contest at 7-1. Cheers. Strong coaching staff, too. Bylsma, Laviolette, Richards, Granato. Was listening to TSN 1200 yesterday. They were interviewing a lady from the Canadian women's hockey contingent (forget who it was) and she mentioned that the biggest difference in the latest CAN/USA match was coaching. I guess Kevin Dineen (sp?) has an entirely new, fresh approach to the team and the ladies responded to him big time. It's the way he approaches practices, the way he prepares for a game, all of which he learned as a professional in the NHL. This lady said that, for the first time in a long, long time, the Americans were simply out-coached. Nice to hear that for a change. Cheers. |
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Post by blny on Feb 13, 2014 11:18:48 GMT -5
Watching replay of USA vs Slovakia before Canada game starts. Really quite surprised by the final score. Lots of NHlers on that team. Off the start, they look slow. USA hounding whoever has the puck.
Mark Lee just called JVR Vanbiesbrouck.
Gotta say, CBC's online coverage, while extensive, is horrible. Video feed is awful. The announcer's mics are live all the time, so when the tv cast is on commercial they're talking to the truck and you can hear them. Pretty sad. I've found BBC feeds for games on third party sites with better picture.
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Post by Tankdriver on Feb 13, 2014 12:27:12 GMT -5
Canada playing out of sync today. It's hard to pick a side. I want Canada to do well for Carey Price, but at the same time I want them to choke so Subban becomes a prominent player.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2014 12:45:04 GMT -5
No chemistry or flow to their game. 8 shots against in a period against Norway, so still out of synch a bit.
Nerves maybe. Time to get those kinks worked out in the first two games.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 13, 2014 13:16:24 GMT -5
Canada playing out of sync today. It's hard to pick a side. I want Canada to do well for Carey Price, but at the same time I want them to choke so Subban becomes a prominent player. I'm finding the effort is there, but like you're saying, the timing is off. I'll give it to the Norwegians, though. They're hanging around and when they get a chance they're getting close. Benn just scores. 2-0. Cheers. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2014 13:28:10 GMT -5
Much more dominating period. First Norwegian shot was 18 mins in and going wide. Not the type of period that Carey is used to, he gets about 35 shots a game with our defense.
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Post by Gogie on Feb 13, 2014 13:31:25 GMT -5
Much more dominating period. First Norwegian shot was 18 mins in and going wide. Not the type of period that Carey is used to, he gets about 35 shots a game with our defense. I guess the Olympics will be a well-deserved rest for Price and he'll come back refreshed and ready for a long playoff run.  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 13, 2014 13:40:57 GMT -5
That makes things a bit interesting. 2-1 now.
Let's see how Canada responds.
Cheers.
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Post by jkr on Feb 13, 2014 13:42:58 GMT -5
How could Price not see that guy behind him. Poor puckhandling for sure. How many times have I seen that this season.
He has a rep for being a good puck handler but I don't share that opinion. Seen too many mistakes that lead to good chances.
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