Russian hockey on the rise?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

By DAVID SHOALTS
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Toronto — When Russian society fractured along with the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, so did its hockey machine.

The last major victory for the Russian national team was the 1993 world championship, which followed a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. Since then, it has been mostly embarrassment for the hockey program, such as this year's 10th-place finish at the world championship, as its best players went to the National Hockey League and refused to play for their country.

- Globe and Mail article

[blaise]

I think it's commendable for the Russian players to participate in the World Cup despite any disagreement they may have with the Russian hockey authorities. It's particularly noteworthy that they're playing for the honor and not for financial gain, because they won't receive the $1M prize money even if they win the tournament. I have a feeling they would like the money to be donated to the town that experienced the school massacre.

[blaise]

In a game in which Russia was unlikely to lose its seeding to Slovakia, coach Bilyaletdinov felt it was safe to insert Ovechkin into the lineup. And the kid came through with a goal!

[seventeen]

Harry Neale exhibits his lack of reasoning again. He can't imagine why Russia didn't play Bryzgalov against Canada. Duh. Why would he? A meaningless game, yet a weapon he can hold in reserve for a more important time. Russia loses, no big deal, they didn't have their #1 goalie in net. It's just a psychological weapon he can use. Why not use that strategy? In fact, I thought it was silly of Quinn to play Brodeur all 3 games. He's obviously the #1, why not use Luongo or Theo against Slovakia?