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Post by Cranky on Feb 22, 2006 17:09:27 GMT -5
Since there is nothing happening in hockey for another week, we might as well toss this one on the main board. I'll move it out on Sunday.....after we all had a good venting and a cry.
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I don't know about you guys, but I was severely underimpressed by the mens hockey team.
*Why did we send a team of power forwards to play a fast skating, high skill game? Was Gretzky expecting a rope pulling contest to decide the games? Wayne hung his head in shame and he should. He let us down. BADLY!
*Why is Quinn the head coach? Obviously he is devoid of any strategic planning OR counter planning. When your team is outplayed and scores no goals for 11 out of the last 12 periods, then you KNOW that you should be coaching the lawn bowling team at a seniors home.
*Where was the rest of the Canadians coaching brain trust? We were played the SAME way by three out of the four teams and the coaching staff could not figure out ANY strategy to win? Could it be that they are dinosaurs? Correct that, I KNOW they are dinosaurs because they led this team to the path of early EXTINCTION.
*Why were we costantly throwing the puck in only to have Russia take it back out? Didn't Quinn read the menu? Russia has all the best puck moving defenseman on that team. Actually, they are some of the best in hockey. Even stupider is to play a dump and chase game when we don't have the fast enough tools to chase anything but a one legged dog.
*Why is Bertuzzi even within visual distance of this team? He may stick his butt out and muscle his way into the front with AHL defenseman, but not in the OLYMPICS.
*What the hell was Drapper and Doan doing on the team? In a team when ANY one of those players could kill penalties, we needed a "specialist"? Why? Did we run of of talent and had to put in some grunts?
*Pronger? Yes, I would take him to play on my NHL team but NOT in the Olympics. I would rather see another puck moving defenseman that we sorely lacked. Blake, Foote and Pronger are from another era and another style of hockey.
*The only player I liked on the team was Nash. Sure, he made a few bone head plays but at least he had FIRE. A lot more then I could say for most of the team.
Oh man, I was hoping for a lot more then the pathetic display in the last 3 of 4 games.
It's time to rethink and retool. Time to get the surgical knives in and leave the hammers home.
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 22, 2006 18:15:50 GMT -5
ESPN's headline for the American loss to the Finns is "Debacle on Ice".
An apt description of Canada's showing...other than our goaltending.
Canada never scored a goal at the Torino Esposizione Arena in the three games they played there.
It was like watching everyone trying to find chemistry on every shift....the last 4 games were like watching a bad Habs game. A lot of people drawing parallels to a Leaf game, with Belfour holding the fort as long as he can.
0-8 on the PP. Stupid, needless penalties. Bertuzzi's interference penalty came as far away from our net as it could....at the other end behind Nabokov.
I don't know if you can blame Quinn or not...although there was a stubborness to the style of game played....a la the Leafs. Many people pre-game were calling for McCabe to dress but not play. Roll 6 defensemen only. I'd like to see the ice time. Perhaps espn would have it.
Other than Brodeur and Luongo, an impotent tournament for most.
Very disappointed in Thornton's performance. He looked more like the guy Boston gave up on rather than the one ripping it up in San Jose.
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sXe
Rookie
Posts: 60
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Post by sXe on Feb 22, 2006 18:31:18 GMT -5
This wasn't Belarus, Canada was beat by Russia one of the top hockey countries. God forbid we give them credit for their win. Sorry to interrupt you can now go back to your previously scheduled whine session.  |
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 22, 2006 18:35:25 GMT -5
This wasn't Belarus, Canada was beat by Russia one of the top hockey countries. God forbid we give them credit for their win. Sorry to interrupt you can now go back to your previously scheduled whine session. In the two previous posts, I believe we're commenting on the majority of the tournament, not just today's game. I'm talking about the last four games....in which we were shutout in 11 of 12 periods. No whining there. Criticism of the highest order, but hardly whining. |
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Post by Roggy on Feb 22, 2006 19:19:27 GMT -5
Anyone notice that the three teams Canada lost to were all Captained by Habs?
And on another topic, for 2010, what do you all think a Brent Sutter managed, Daryl Sutter coached team would look like? I won't speculate on players, but I can imagine they wouldn't look as lackadaisical as this team did.
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Post by Forum Ghost on Feb 22, 2006 19:21:29 GMT -5
It's easy to look back now and criticize everyone and their dog, but the fact is that Gretzky and Co. brought Canada Olympic gold in 2002 and a World Cup in 2004. They didn't get the job done this year, but that doesn't make them all a bunch of idiots.
Yes, Team Canada embarrassed Canadians in this year's Olympics, but it's easy to point fingers now and criticize.
They played poorly and were beat today by a high-quality Russian team.
Personally, I think that Canada was overly confident throughout this entire tourney. It was probably their cockiness that did them in. They took all of their opponents too lightly and didn't show them the respect that they deserved.
The positive out of all of this is that they've been brought back down to earth, courtesy of a dismal 7th place finish. Atleast now they're going to be hungry to win gold in 2010 in Vancouver.
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Post by Skilly on Feb 22, 2006 20:52:37 GMT -5
I know you'll never believe this .... but I won $50 dollars from today's loss. We all picked the final four teams and put them in an envelop ... we each threw in $5 just to make it interesting.
I had Russia vs Czech for Gold and Finland vs Sweden for Bronze .... I was not surprised I had Canada losing in the quarters anyway. I was the only person in our pool to get all four countries right hence I get the money now .... lol
Canada's team to me lacked that star power scoring punch. They were all basically, as one poster put it, power forwards that lacked speed. Oh sure they were fast , but they didnt have that extra gear like most Europeans. Nash and Heatley were our scoring threats ... thats it ..
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Post by Skilly on Feb 22, 2006 20:57:18 GMT -5
Well there will be analysis over this fiasco until 2010 ....but I think this team's downfall began in 2002. They barely won the last Olympics. They got slaughtered by Sweden, nearly lost to Germany ..and then rode Brodeur all the way to the gold medal. If not for the luckiest play in Lemieux's career , a behind the back pass between a couple of sticks and skates to Kariya's stick .... well we might not have won then either. The 2002 team was not a great team IMO, it got the job done but nothing spectacular, and then we send basically the same team over when every other country got better. Unacceptable.
It has been said in this country for years that we could send 2 teams over and both would be favoured to win the gold medal. Well this year I think the players we left home were a better team than what we sent .... of course I would have some players from this current version (Heatley, Nash, Gagne, most notably), but for fun look at team B .... a team comprised of players who did not play in the Olympics, a team I feel would have beat Team A even.
Goal: Marty Turco, Manny Legace, and Manny Fernandez (all with better stats (or comparable stats) than Brodeur and Luongo)
Forwards:
Tanguay - Staal - Kariya
Savard - Spezza - Crosby
Horcoff - Marleau - Recchi
Morrison - Arnott - Bergeron
Morrow, Justin Williams, and Cheechoo would be on my taxi squad.
All my forwards have more points than Lecavalier, Smyth, Iginla, St. Louis, and Doan.
Defense:
The defense is weak, but so was Gretzky's version .... having three defenseman play hurt was foolish. At least my defense isn't slow like they were.
Dan Boyle, Dion Phaneuf, Brad Stuart, Phillipe Boucher, Nolan Baumgartner, Patrice Bergeron, Barrett Jackman ..... on the taxi squad: Aucoin and/or JM Bergeron
I just think Gretzky screwed up with the selections ... his gambling addiction had no bearing on who he picked so I dont think it affected the team ... but the habit of choosing players simply because they were there before has to stop.
Why was Cole good enough for USA but not Staal for Canada?
Why was Ovechkin good enough for Russia but not Crosby for Canada?
Why was Alfie good enough for Sweden but not Spezza for Canada?
But I digress ..
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Post by Yeti on Feb 22, 2006 21:01:03 GMT -5
I know you'll never believe this .... but I won $50 dollars from today's loss. We all picked the final four teams and put them in an envelop ... we each threw in $5 just to make it interesting. .. Illigal betting??? That's it, I'm calling the police! |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 22, 2006 21:02:54 GMT -5
I know you'll never believe this .... but I won $50 dollars from today's loss. We all picked the final four teams and put them in an envelop ... we each threw in $5 just to make it interesting. .. Illigal betting??? That's it, I'm calling the police! LMAO ... dont worry its ok .. I gave Janet some advice so it will all be pushed under the rug ..... ;D |
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 22, 2006 21:04:17 GMT -5
Forum Ghost....I agree that Gretzky et al deserve kudos for all they've done for Canada's Olympic and World endeavours. Top-notch.
But I don't think our players were cocky. On the contrary, I think this team was the most unconfident bunch we've entered in a long time. Something never felt right, and they knew they didn't have the time to fix it.
Can't wait to hear interviews from everyone. I hope they're honest and don't just give it the old pat answer, "We gave it our best, it just didn't work out."
Fact is, Gretzky did not go with the best available; he basically went with the team from the World Cup and ignored the seasons they were having when the final decision was made. Niedermayer and Jovo out with injuries....
The same fire and passion wasn't evident this time around. That, to me, is a sign of an unconfident team.
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Post by Skilly on Feb 22, 2006 21:08:51 GMT -5
Forum Ghost....I agree that Gretzky et al deserve kudos for all they've done for Canada's Olympic and World endeavours. Top-notch. But I don't think our players were cocky. On the contrary, I think this team was the most unconfident bunch we've entered in a long time. Something never felt right, and they knew they didn't have the time to fix it. Can't wait to hear interviews from everyone. I hope they're honest and don't just give it the old pat answer, "We gave it our best, it just didn't work out." Fact is, Gretzky did not go with the best available; he basically went with the team from the World Cup and ignored the seasons they were having when the final decision was made. Niedermayer and Jovo out with injuries.... The same fire and passion wasn't evident this time around. That, to me, is a sign of an unconfident team. What gets my goat is that IF Lemieux and Yzerman wanted to play he would have let them!!! We wouldn't have won a game.  Doan, St.Louis, Smyth, Bertuzzi, Draper, and Pronger had no business on this team. You could make a case that Iginla should not have been picked either but that would be a gutsy call, one I wouldn't want to make. |
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 22, 2006 22:37:08 GMT -5
Forum Ghost....I agree that Gretzky et al deserve kudos for all they've done for Canada's Olympic and World endeavours. Top-notch. But I don't think our players were cocky. On the contrary, I think this team was the most unconfident bunch we've entered in a long time. Something never felt right, and they knew they didn't have the time to fix it. Can't wait to hear interviews from everyone. I hope they're honest and don't just give it the old pat answer, "We gave it our best, it just didn't work out." Fact is, Gretzky did not go with the best available; he basically went with the team from the World Cup and ignored the seasons they were having when the final decision was made. Niedermayer and Jovo out with injuries.... The same fire and passion wasn't evident this time around. That, to me, is a sign of an unconfident team. What gets my goat is that IF Lemieux and Yzerman wanted to play he would have let them!!! We wouldn't have won a game. Doan, St.Louis, Smyth, Bertuzzi, Draper, and Pronger had no business on this team. You could make a case that Iginla should not have been picked either but that would be a gutsy call, one I wouldn't want to make. Yeah, not choosing Iginla would have gutsy. The tryouts were a bit of a facade, no? Gretzky went with who had been there before rather than looking at how they were playing this season. Bertuzzi was on the team the MOMENT he was re-instated. I said it was a mistake at the time. To his credit though, he played well until he got hit with that civil suit. Then again, everyone played "well" against Italy. Key moments for me: Gerber's performance in the 2-0 Swiss win...we were the better team....we just couldn't beat him. Weak performance against Finland. Almost as if we were still recovering from the Swiss game. Brodeur's performances in our last two games. Without him, it wouldn't even have been close. In the Russia game, St. Louis missed a glorious opportunity in the third period to tie it. Richards, on our final PP, had Nabokov flat on the ice and an empty net staring at him, and he passed it into the middle. Sakic had a nice rush and hit the post. We had our opportunites.....couldn't cash in. Again, I'm really disappointed with Thornton's play. And the fact that only 8 of the men showed up to watch the women win gold....not very classy. Kudos to Russia....they're clearly the better team. Too bad they have to play Finland now. That would be a great gold medal matchup. |
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 22, 2006 22:48:49 GMT -5
I just think Gretzky screwed up with the selections ... his gambling addiction had no bearing on who he picked so I dont think it affected the team ... Before I comment on this, are you serious? |
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Post by seventeen on Feb 22, 2006 22:57:42 GMT -5
Well put, CH. It is not surprising that Gretzky went generally with the guys he'd gone to war with before. That's loyalty and a good lesson for any other Team Canada GM. You need continuity and you need heart, but you also need speed and energy. Those are best supplied by younger, more naive players who are simply excited to be part of such a team. It worked in 02, when there was considerable criticism over having Jovo and Brewer on the team, but it worked. In retrospect you have to admit that any team with Bryan McCabe on it is not as good as it could be. He's a perfectly fine defenseman who's having a good year in the NHL, but he would never be my choice for a Canadian Olympic team. I also was concerned over the 3 Tampa players, who weren't having good years. I would not have chosen Crosby, having memories of 90 or 91 when Lindros was picked simply for the PR aspect. I haven't seen Crosby play well enough (though in fairness he's been better since Lemieux was sidelined) to make an Olympic team. I think Doan and Draper were fine, but as specialized PK'rs and a banger line. We were missing scorers with speed, Staal being the obvious choice, but Marleau and Tanguay would also have been excellent choices. Tanguay has been very fast and creative this year and would have been great with Sakic. It was very unfortunate to have Niedermayer injured just before the tourney. He is an underrated defenseman and his speed following up on the play would have helped the offense a lot. In the final analysis, the team just didn't come together. There wasn't enough desire and internal motivation and the team didn't become a TEAM before the playoffs.
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Post by Cranky on Feb 22, 2006 23:01:37 GMT -5
What gets my goat is that IF Lemieux and Yzerman wanted to play he would have let them!!! We wouldn't have won a game. Doan, St.Louis, Smyth, Bertuzzi, Draper, and Pronger had no business on this team. You could make a case that Iginla should not have been picked either but that would be a gutsy call, one I wouldn't want to make. When I heard that comment I lost all respect for Gretzky as a manager. Here is a guy who is willing to put in a few of his buddies in the HOPE that they would stir something up. What's next? Gordie Howe? This is not about friends and nostalgia. I'm willing to bet a years worth of Viagra that if Spezza, Marleau, Crosby, Staal and Phaneuf where there, we would have different results. my list of useless oafs... 1. Draper....the weakest offensive link by a Olympic mile. 2. Doan...speed to burn but limit offensive ice vision. 3. Bertuzzi......a blunt axe. The Olympic game is about speed and discipline. 4. Smyth......this guy made his living by taking advantage of garbage goals. Olympic caliber defenseman and goalies don't allow that many stupidities. 5. Pronger....another blunt axe. When he tried to stick handle around Kovalev, I started to cry. That is a quarter of the team. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 22, 2006 23:03:11 GMT -5
The tryouts were a bit of a facade, no? Gretzky went with who had been there before rather than looking at how they were playing this season. That about sums it up. He had plenty of choices, but ... Well, the Swiss played the "collapse down" in front of the net to a tee. It takes a very disciplined team to do that and it also took the slot away from Canada. It didn't hurt that they were one of the best skating teams, player for player, in the tournament. Chapeau! Well, I never completely gave up the faith but it was after this game where I said to myself that any medal for Canada was going to be remote. Didn't have a crystal ball, just a feeling. Chapeau! There were two goals disallowed against the Swiss. There was also one called back in this game too. In each instance, the Canadians looked bewildered. They didn't seem to understand. I heard it was only three. However, it's unlike Salt Lake City when they showed up as a team. There just wasn't any public display of unity with this group. Kovalev is the captian of Russia. Koivu is the captain of Finland. Hard call, but I'll be watching and wishing each player does well. Oh yeah ... and Streit is the captain of ... incredible that we can't find that leadership from time to time in Montreal. Cheers. |
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Post by Tankdriver on Feb 22, 2006 23:06:17 GMT -5
Actually I thought Daon played pretty good in this tournament. He had 2 goals and 1 assist, tied for lead in goals and 2nd in points. Plus he was doing an ecxcellent job on the penelty kill, because Canada definetly was shorthand a lot. He had a good game today. But Draper....he had one very good year in his career.
I already have brougth up the power forward issue and lack of playmekers so I wont get into it, but yes this team was picked 2 years ago when it should of had players that were having good seasons this year.
The goaltending was very good if not great, just seems like the coaches didn't know what to do.
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 22, 2006 23:52:38 GMT -5
The McCabe buzz in the Toronto media (Bill Watters included) is that the reason he's having such a good year on the PP is because the blue lines have been moved out. He has a great shot and now he has that little extra time and space to use it. At the Olympics, different story. It's the neutral zone that's bigger.
Also, and I didn't know this, he was sent home by his Swedish League club during the lockout last season because he was inefffective on the big ice. Sent home! "Sorry, Bryan, this isn't working out." So I did some net research and here's what I found: (quote is a combination of two sources that said basically the same thing)
"McCabe struggled mightily in the Swedish Elite League and was kicked off of HV71 Jonkoping after accumulating 1 goal and 0 assits, 30 minutes in penalties, and a -12 rating in 10 games."
Yet, with that knowledge, the execs and coaching staff (Quinn) decided he should be on the taxi squad for the big ice in Italy.
I realize that McCabe wouldn't have even seen action if Niedermayer and Jovonovski had been good to go. And I don't think McCabe lost us this tourney....but he was a poor man's replacement in light of what I heard today.
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Post by MC Habber on Feb 23, 2006 0:39:17 GMT -5
I don't think it's entirely fair to be criticising Gretzky here. As Don Cherry said, we all had our say when the team was selected and it's a little unfair to kick him when he's down. Afterall, this team had enough talent that they could have won, and no matter who he selected they could still have lost and everyone would blame him. The bottom line is that there were a lot of really talented players on this team who just didn't play at the level expected of them.
I assume that we won't see Quinn coaching Canada again. He's supposed to be good at bringing a team together quickly, and he did it 4 years ago, but not this time.
Bertuzzi is an easy target, and with Russia scoring on his bad penalty he'll probably get far more than his share of the blame for this because of who he is. Like I said, a lot of guys didn't get it done - this was a TEAM loss.
The guy that looked most out of place to me was Rob Blake. I never thought he should have been on the team and he looked just awful to me (but I didn't see all the games).
From the start of the tournament, I was thinking that the team could have used more veteran leadership. I know most people probably disagree with that but I think they really missed Yzerman (the Yzerman of 4 years ago, not necessarily the one of today) - they had nobody really other than Sakic to look up to as a warrior, nobody who could carry the team on his back. For the most part, they looked like a team of followers without a leader. Lots of top-level players but nobody who really could stand out and lead the rest like Mario.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 23, 2006 0:53:08 GMT -5
Mario can lead because he's so darn good. I suspect his 'leadership' is 90% that he can play 2 levels above everyone else. We could have used a few of his goals, but could he keep up at that speed?
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Post by MC Habber on Feb 23, 2006 1:01:57 GMT -5
Mario can lead because he's so darn good. I suspect his 'leadership' is 90% that he can play 2 levels above everyone else. We could have used a few of his goals, but could he keep up at that speed? But that's the point; he could have gone there and played like crap and he would still have been the leader of the team because how great he is. I like Joe Sakic, but how can he lead Lecav, Heately, et al? |
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Post by Cranky on Feb 23, 2006 1:49:29 GMT -5
You know what's funny? You go around the boards and everybody has a different player they disliked on the team. Some defend Doan, others loathe him. Some like Draper, some loathe him.
You know what's real? That the only players who deserve any credit are Mr. Luongo and Mr. Brodeur. The rest should hang their heads because the are gross failures. LOSERS. Nothing fancy or debatable about that. To what degree they failed or what excuses are conjured up, is not even important. The talent and ability was there in spades. Nothing came of it and for that, many heads should role and a total rethink is in order.
Unless of course one wants to argue that our CANDIAN players are just mercenaries that don't even care or have any pride.....even for their country.
One more thing....
I have been critisized for "living in the past", but I have one question. Would a true warrior like The Rocket skate off the ice or get carried off the ice? THAT is what we are missing.
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Post by MC Habber on Feb 23, 2006 6:22:07 GMT -5
They should have brought Mario or Yzerman along as a coach.
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Post by Rimmer on Feb 23, 2006 6:57:18 GMT -5
Unless of course one wants to argue that our CANDIAN players are just mercenaries that don't even care or have any pride.....even for their country. I thought Kovalev and Koivu were suppose to be mercenaries for caring more about representing their respective countries in the Olympics. Canadians players are mercenaries for not caring about representing their country in the Olympics. does this mean that all players are mercenaries regardless of whether they care more about their country or their team? not directed at HA, but...will Sakic now be questioned about his leadership because his team played poorly by those who questioned the leadership of Koivu? funny how team Finland and team Russia don't have problems with leadership... R. |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 23, 2006 7:15:18 GMT -5
I just think Gretzky screwed up with the selections ... his gambling addiction had no bearing on who he picked so I dont think it affected the team ... Before I comment on this, are you serious? I am not sure I understand what part you want clarified. Yes I am serious that I think Gretzky should have made selections based on how the guys were performing now and not just take a bunch of players because he likes them personally. (I think Staal, Spezza and Phaneuf should have been on this team unquestionably) I was being faceious when I said "Gretzky's gambling addiction". And I was serious when I said all the turmoil facing Gretzky had no bearing on this team. This team for all intents and purposes was picked in the summer of '05 based on play in '04. The final one or two spots that all thought would be based on merit, weren't ...... Gretzky's problems with police occured in January, and his relatives deaths occured in late December and this team was picked officially in early December ( but we all know that it was picked long before that). So I dont think his personal issues had any bearing on who he picked .. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 23, 2006 8:02:55 GMT -5
I just think Gretzky screwed up with the selections ... his gambling addiction had no bearing on who he picked so I dont think it affected the team ... Before I comment on this, are you serious? Honestly, CH, the selection camp was a joke. Most of these players were anointed prior to the camp starting. Other countries were using youth and it worked well for them. Glad to see the women pull it off. There was talk of squashing women's Olympic hockey and if they do it will be BS. Where was that lobby when the Russians were dominating in the 60's and 70's? Coming full circle on you, CH, I have to agree with Skilly's opnion. Gretzky had some choices but really didn't consider them as well as he could have. Cheers. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Feb 23, 2006 8:18:51 GMT -5
Anyone notice that the three teams Canada lost to were all Captained by Habs? ...a team apparently lacking in the leadership department... Hindsight is 20/20. Nothing guarantees we would have won if this team would have been packed with rookies. If Gretzky would have lost with a bunch of rookies, I would probably read about how silly he was for not picking veteran proven international athletes. This is not the All Star game where you patch teams with whoever played the best 30 some NHL games in the current year and have them coached by the flavor of the month. IMO, this simply was a rebuilding year. Many of these guys gave me memorable moments in 2002 and I'm not ready to treat them as dirt because they couldn't get it together in 2006. The new crop was arguably a little young to join this year but they will be there in 2010. |
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Post by BadCompany on Feb 23, 2006 10:05:39 GMT -5
I don't think it's entirely fair to be criticising Gretzky here. As Don Cherry said, we all had our say when the team was selected and it's a little unfair to kick him when he's down. Afterall, this team had enough talent that they could have won, and no matter who he selected they could still have lost and everyone would blame him. The bottom line is that there were a lot of really talented players on this team who just didn't play at the level expected of them. I think that’s it. We can second guess the selection process and/or the players all we want, but in my opinion we just have to accept the fact that we aren’t as far ahead of other nations as we sometimes think we are. Take the top 20 players from Canada, and match them up against the top 20 players from other teams, and there isn’t much of a difference. Especially in a short tournament, where the top 10 guys get double-shifted anyways. I also don’t buy the “we needed young guys” argument. Heatley, Nash, Bowmeester, they’re all pretty young. Heck, guys like Thornton, Lecavalier, and Richards are all under 27. It’s easy to say “this guy shouldn’t have been there,” but when you have guys in the prime of their careers, who have proven they can play at elite levels and win the big games, then that’s who you have to go with. St. Louis was NHL MVP, Richards was Stanley Cup MVP, Lecavalier was World Cup MVP. How do you leave them off the team? Blaming guys like Doan or Draper is like blaming Sundstrom and Streit for what ails the Canadiens – maybe you could have had better players, but in the end they were just secondary players anyways. We just got beat. Sucks, but hey, it happens. |
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 23, 2006 11:05:36 GMT -5
Before I comment on this, are you serious? Honestly, CH, the selection camp was a joke. Most of these players were anointed prior to the camp starting. Other countries were using youth and it worked well for them. Glad to see the women pull it off. There was talk of squashing women's Olympic hockey and if they do it will be BS. Where was that lobby when the Russians were dominating in the 60's and 70's? Coming full circle on you, CH, I have to agree with Skilly's opnion. Gretzky had some choices but really didn't consider them as well as he could have. Cheers. I made the comment already that I thought the tryouts were a facade. I was asking Skilly if he was serious about the "gambling addiction" comment. |
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