[OT] Actual Headline in Swede Paper today

[Agamon]

Color me shocked; a team with Sundin, Salo, Lidstrom, Nasland, Alfredsson, etc, etc, lost to a team whose country I can kinda guess where it might be on a map (near Russia, right? ) and only one player whose name I recognize, Ruslan Sulei. Goes to show that anything can happen. I was kinda looking forward to a rematch of that embarrassing opening game. Ah well, hopfully Canada learns from this and plays hard and takes nothing for granted tomorrow.

On a more positive note...a big Woo Hoo for Canada's women's hockey team.

 

[Holy Bovine]

YEah Agamon - the Canadian Women's Team took gold from the US after having 8 (!) penalties called on them in a row! That is almost unheard of hockey, professional, amatuer or whatever - wish i could have seen the game in full though - I can't help but think some of those had to be borderline calls.

Doesn't matter though. GO CANADA!!!

 

[Wippit Guud]

Accoring to someone at my work (where I'm stuck right now), the reason Canada drew so many penalties, is because they saw the US team lay Canadian flags on their dressing room floor and walk over them repeatedly.

I don't know if it's true or not, but that would make me draw a penalty or 2 (stats say 14 against Canada, that's almost half the game!)

 

[gubaru]

I can't help but think some of those had to be borderline calls.

It was the worst officiating job I've ever seen. The ref was terrible. She actually called matching minors because two players bumped into each other and tripped each other up.

That said, the Canadians outplayed the US throughout. I'm very glad the ref didn't cost them the game.

 

[MulhorandSage]

Accoring to someone at my work (where I'm stuck right now), the reason Canada drew so many penalties, is because they saw the US team lay Canadian flags on their dressing room floor and walk over them repeatedly.

I don't know if it's true or not, but that would make me draw a penalty or 2 (stats say 14 against Canada, that's almost half the game!)

The CBC said that the Americans laid the Maple Leaf on their floor, but also that no one stepped on it.

The officiating was atrocious, although I'm sure some will accuse us of whininess for pointing it out even when we won.

Scott Bennie

 

[gubaru]

Originally posted by MulhorandSageThe officiating was atrocious, although I'm sure some will accuse us of whininess for pointing it out even when we won.

Not much chance of that. If you watch hockey at all, it was pretty obvious she had no business being out there. I doubt she could call a bubble hockey game.

 

[Imperialus]

I was listening to it on the radio at work today and there were a couple times when the commentaters were sitting there.

"Ok... it looks like there is going to be another penalty now... I honestly can't say what it was for... Roughing? Umm... ok. Penalty for Canada for Roughing...."

 

[SableWyvern]

The CBC said that the Americans laid the Maple Leaf on their floor, but also that no one stepped on it.

The officiating was atrocious, although I'm sure some will accuse us of whininess for pointing it out even when we won.

Scott Bennie

Given how seriously American's take their flag (something I'd like to see more of in Australia, although maybe I'm just far too old-fashioned), I would certainly hope they weren't walking on the flags of other countries just for a game of hockey.

Even putting it on the ground is arguably innapropriate.

 

[Fiery Todd]

Apparently, the ref for the women's hockey game was American(!). Atleast, that's what was broadcasted on the CBC coverage. Don Cherry snooped that one out.

Great game for Canada, but about only 4 of the 8 penalties were what you would call penalties. I was more surprised at what wasn't called. But it was silly. I think by about the 7th one, the Canadian went to the penalty box with a big "you've got to be kidding" smile on her face. It became a joke. Eight in a row!

Not that I'm trying to stir things up, because what's done is done, but somebody please explain to me the logic in putting a flag on the floor with a "don't tread on me" clause as an act of motivation? Again, it was the CBC coverage that carried that bit of information, and only after the Canadian player brought it up in a post game interview (with Cherry). The broadcast later came back to clarify that yes, the Canadian flag was on the floor, but out of respect, they didn't step on it. It was only there to remind them of the job at hand. Fishy...

Poor Swedes! How that team is being treated in the Swedish newspapers is been covered in the Canadian newspapers. They really don't deserve it. I gurantee that your average hockey fan, Canadian or otherwise, has nothing but respect and admiration for them. Mainly because the best players of that team are generally the best players of their favorite NHL team. Hell, the Leafs best line is Swedish (Sundin, Hoglund, Riechel)! Where would Ottawa be without Alfredsson? Salo and Edmonton? Nasland and Vancouver? Etc, etc, etc...They have nothing to be ashamed of.

And now the Russians! Chaos!

Anyway, as usual, hockey is at its best in these kinds of tournaments. It gets the blood flowing and you can't fault people for being passionate. Cheers to Canadian Women's Hockey! Cheers to Olympic hockey! I don't know about you guys, but I'm having a blast!

 

[Nightfall]

So am I Todd. This is some INCREDIBLE hockey.

Btw, since you're here, guess you guys are stoked about Beyond All Reason coming out VERY shortly. Any comments you like to make at this time?