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Post by CentreHice on Jan 5, 2004 14:45:52 GMT -5
I don't know what game Pierre MacGuire was watching, but I saw the U.S. come at Canada all game long...much like the Canes kept coming at the Habs in the 2002 playoffs. If that had been an NHL game, Pierre would've been all over them for being sloppy and too comfortable.
The U.S. just wouldn't go away, and after Getzlaf missed that glorious opportunity to make it 4-1....(they never did show a replay, but I assume Montoya robbed him)....the comeback was on.
Kudos for the silver....but blowing yet another lead in the third period....are we getting the rep for being chokers?
Now we'll have to endure "Miracle on Ice Jr." for the next millenium.
CH
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Post by Boston_Habs on Jan 5, 2004 14:58:20 GMT -5
Huge win for the US and for American junior hockey. A much bigger win for them than it would have been for Canada. It's a wonder it took the US this long to reach the same level in junior hockey that they have reached at the NHL level. Too bad it will barely get a mention in the back pages of the Sports section - even in a college hockey hotbed like Boston.
US college hockey is fast becoming a great alternative to CDN junior hockey - the quality of the play and quality of players just keeps getting better. And you can get an education along with it! If my son were a budding hockey star I would send them to play college hockey in the US rather than junior hockey in Canada. Combine that with a large number of American kids playing in Canada (Patrick O'Sullivan) and you end up with the result we saw today.
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Post by MC Habber on Jan 5, 2004 14:59:03 GMT -5
This was the only game I watched this year, but it looked like the coaching could have been better. All game they were running around in their own end and they seemed to really collapse in the 3rd, especially after the US took the lead when they stopped playing as a team. It was certainly a lucky win though - the goal that was scored after the puck hit the ref and stayed in, the 5 minute penalty that should have been called, the 4th goal, and even the 3rd to an extent. Still, congradulations to both teams.
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Post by CentreHice on Jan 5, 2004 15:40:04 GMT -5
This was the only game I watched this year, but it looked like the coaching could have been better. All game they were running around in their own end and they seemed to really collapse in the 3rd, especially after the US took the lead when they stopped playing as a team. I agree entirely. My question is why didn't MacGuire (McGuire?) mention it? Where was the defensive strategy in holding a two-goal third period lead? Bounces? Yes...especially on the winning goal...but O'Sullivan forced Fleury to rush his clear attempt....hustle and desire over 60 minutes won that game for the U.S. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2004 16:27:24 GMT -5
McGuire is a moron. He is such a know-it-all; he should just learn to just be quiet and think before he speaks sometimes. I agree with what he says half the time, but when he rants (particularly about the sticks) it just gets dang-right annoying.
Tough loss, and it looks like the goaltending failed us just like against Russia two years ago (I think it was a 5-4 loss).
Canadian hockey is under serious pressure, because they're trying desperately to impliment systems instead of trying to bring out players skills. This is why the run and gun days of the 80's will never make a second coming.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 5, 2004 22:17:28 GMT -5
I didn't see the game, so please take that into account. All I saw was the goals and Fleury looked weak on 2 of them and not so hot on another. Only the US 2nd goal was one that I thought should have gone in with no questions asked and I might have a problem with that if I'd seen what led up to the goal. From the 2nd game I had my doubts about Fleury's play in these championships. He just did not look composed. Until today, they didn't need him. At no time was goaltending a key issue for Canada until today. In Durocher's shoes I probably wouldn't have changed goalies either. After all, it's Fleury. If I'd been a cold, reasoning, heartless sob, I'd have put Harding in from the Ukraine game on. Just a gut feel in game 2. And it cost us today. (Unless of course, he made numerous scintillating saves I didn' see. I doubt that since Fleury himself said he had a poor tourney). One 'great' save the highlights showed was a glove save behind him, which was going wide anyway. Sorry. I'm just bitter. This was perhaps the best team we've put together since 1978. That team (with Gretzky) didn't win and this one didn't either. I think if this team was relaxed and played the US 10 more times, we'd win 10 times. Still bitter.
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Post by CentreHice on Jan 5, 2004 22:39:49 GMT -5
Yes, today Montoya outplayed Fleury in the third period. BUT....it's wasn't Fleury's fault. Ironically, I think the only goal he SHOULD have stopped was the first one...the wraparound. Paddle down, it's not in. He misread it. The second goal was a great shot to the only place it could have been put....top corner short side, on a 3-on-2 rush...shouldn't happen with a 3-1 lead in a gold medal game. The third goal was a case of a man being left all alone in front (again something that shouldn't happen)....it caromed up off the blade of Fleury's stick and over into the net. The winner was a result of O'Sullivan's hustle forcing Fleury to rush his decision. And again, O'Sullivan sneaked in behind our defense to catch that long pass.
We basically started playing as individuals after it was 3-2. That's coaching. Take a time out....regroup. Ah, hindsight.
I feel sorry for the guys....but we gave this game away because we got too comfortable up 3-1....then panicked instead of remaining composed...and the US smelled it.
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HFFM
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Post by HFFM on Jan 5, 2004 22:53:51 GMT -5
Hey folks. As an American reading your posts, I actually want to thank you. All of you have demonstrated class and tolerance while discussing your disappointment in the game today. While that might not seem like a big deal to you, it certainly is to me, as I've seen other people at other forums take the less gracious and more childish route today. You folks are a credit to hockey fans everywhere.
Our team had a bit of luck on their side today which made a huge difference. I tip my hat to Team Canada for playing a heck of a tournament and wish you all the best of luck next year.
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Post by MC Habber on Jan 5, 2004 23:18:20 GMT -5
I thought Fleury should have come out to play the puck much sooner on the winner and there would have been no problem. I remember thinking after the 2nd or 3rd US goal and again after the winner that they should call a timeout but I wasn't surprised that they chose to save it for the end.
I sort of agree with you CH about McGuire, but I think he was trying to not be too critical of the team because they were already feeling so bad about the loss. I can see him doing the same after game 7 of an NHL playoff series.
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Post by Montrealer on Jan 6, 2004 14:11:14 GMT -5
It's an emotional defeat for sure, but I for one am proud that they came within ten minutes of the gold only to lose to a very impressive American team that fought for the win.
It was a well-earned Gold for them, and a good day for hockey overall. And we still get the Silver, which is nothing to sneeze at, for sure.
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