Olympic Hockey & National Pride

[JOVIAC]

I am sooo tired of people making excuses for team Canada. They lost not because of talent, but because in each of the games they played they got out worked, out hustled, out played! And that is shameful because most people would agree team Canada had more overall skill in almost every category. If they played spirited hockey the way they played in the last 5 minutes of the Russia game, they would have been unstoppable.

Then there were penalties. Canada had their share of penalties. Yes there is a period of adjustment as players get used to international refs, but a game is all that is needed for that excuse. Taking poor penalties in the offensive zone is the most selfish thing a player can do. At the Olympics, not only are they letting the rest of their teammates down, they are also letting the whole country down. Case and point…. Todd Bertuzzi. Of all the people you might have guessed would be in the box with a bone head penalty in the 3rd period of a tied game in the quarter finals, it would be him – and of course it was. It makes everyone wonder why he was selected in the first place. I’ll bet even he is wishing now that he wasn’t selected for the team!

Would Sidney Crosby have made a difference? Probably. But once again, it’s a team effort and we had enough talent to win, or at least score a goal in every period – let alone every game. But we didn’t have a ‘team’. Isn’t that the coach’s job, to make a team out of a bunch of players? Maybe Pat Quin needs to step up and take responsibility. But then again, it’s not like they had a whole lot of time to practice together and set the lines and gel with one another. But which team did? All the good teams are NHLers and had only one day or so to practice.

NO MORE EXCUSES. Here is what I really believe has happened. I can sum it all up in one word.

PRIDE

The European teams played with a lot more national pride then the North American teams. They played like they had something to prove. Think about this for a minute. All the European players come over to the NHL and play night after night of hockey in front of Canadians and Americans. Before each game they hear either Canada’s national anthem or the American national anthem or both. They see only 2 foreign flags flying in every building, never their own.

Finally, the Olympics roll around and the Europeans get to play in their own continent. They get to wear their national jerseys with their country’s national colors and hear once again from their own home grown supporters – the ones that were there when they were just learning the game. They didn’t come from the world’s richest countries. And they certainly didn’t forget where they came from. They might be the underdogs on paper but they were not going to let anyone down. This was their chance to play for their country, and this is called PRIDE. It showed with all the European teams. And this is why both Canada and the States men’s hockey teams are already flying home licking their wounds. They just didn’t have the same level of intensity that national pride can bring out when players have something to prove.

Canada has 4 years to learn this lesson. National pride will go a long long way when the Olympics arrive in Vancouver in 2010. It doesn’t come for granted and it has to be there when the puck drops for the first time in game 1 of the round robin.

But what do I know... I'm Just One Voice In A Crowd.

[uOttawaMan]

Todd Bertuzzi was the best player for Canada in the first two games of the tournament. After that, he started to slip. But if you want to talk about taking penalties.. look at Chris Pronger.. the man took an unbelievable amount of penalties, as well as giving the puck away again and again. Certainly did alot more damage than Todd.

The rest i agree with you .

[shoop]

Neither should have been on the team. Pronger is having a shite year, and injured. Bertuzzi has a history of boneheah penalties.

Crosby was too young. He'll be ready in 2008.

This could be the wakeup call Canada needs. There will be a hell of a lot more pride involved playing in Canada, and the cancelling of the World Cup, will make it that much more of a pride issue to play for your country at the olympics. Not a surprise that the final four teams in the tournament are European with the olympics being held in europe.

Todd Bertuzzi was the best player for Canada in the first two games of the tournament. After that, he started to slip. But if you want to talk about taking penalties.. look at Chris Pronger.. the man took an unbelievable amount of penalties, as well as giving the puck away again and again. Certainly did alot more damage than Todd.

The rest i agree with you .

[August1991]

Canada has 4 years to learn this lesson. National pride will go a long long way when the Olympics arrive in Vancouver in 2010.

"Canada" has a lesson to learn? All 30 million of us? (Why am I always the last to get the memo?)

"National" pride is somehow connected to the ability of about 10 guys to chase after a rubber cylinder using wooden batons on ice?

And what is "national" pride anyway? Do you mean "nationalism"?

[GreenWhiteandPink]

There is a another Candian Men's team to be proud about.

Gushue wins curling gold Newfoundland and Labrador's team win Canada's first Gold Medal in Curling.

[JOVIAC]

Crosby was too young. He'll be ready in 2008.

Hmmm.... Gretzky wasn't too young at 19-20 at the Canada Cup

1981-82 Canada Can-Cup GP 7 - G 5 - A 7 - P 12

Why do so many people think age is so important?

[JOVIAC]

And what is "national" pride anyway? Do you mean "nationalism"?

na•tion•al•ism P Pronunciation Key (n sh -n -l z m, n sh n -)

n.

1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation.

2. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.

3. Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination.

pride P Pronunciation Key (pr d)

n.

1. A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.

2. Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association: parental pride.

3. Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.

4.

a. A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class: These soldiers were their country's pride.

b. The most successful or thriving condition; prime: the pride of youth.

5. An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.

6. Mettle or spirit in horses.

7. A company of lions. See Synonyms at flock1.

8. A flamboyant or impressive group: a pride of acrobats.

Therefore:

National Pride

1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one’s nation to give a sense of national dignity or value; national-respect

[shoop]

As good as Crosby is, he ain't Gretzky.

It is experience that matters. Crosby didn't have it and we clearly needed it at these Olympics.

ps, as the old saying goes, you don't know the value of experience until you have it.

Hmmm.... Gretzky wasn't too young at 19-20 at the Canada Cup

1981-82 Canada Can-Cup GP 7 - G 5 - A 7 - P 12

Why do so many people think age is so important?

[JOVIAC]

Totally Agree about the Curling!!!! Great Game, Great Team, Great skip! You could see the pride in their faces

[Spike22]

Was there mens hockey at the olympics this year? Guess we didn't take part at least with that team of $100m individuals we sent there.

Gretzky and the rest of the management staff is responsible. The players weren't the hottest players this year. Crosby like Ovechkin can put the puck in the net. He picks his old players every time.

Players playing as individuals. They just weren't gellin' this time around. Possibly due to short prep time together and large ice surface.

Players coasting some games they appeared not to be very enthusiastic/energetic. Opponents winning the races to loose pucks and battles in the corner. NO GRIT. We did not play Canadian style hockey - penalties killed us - thanks Bertuzzi & Pronger.

Reality check - European teams have improved in the last 4 years while some of our millionaires spent the past year while on strike scarfing down ale in cottage country Ontario.

The coaches I don't think were the motivators for this particular team (prediction Pat Quinn will be axed this year in T.O.)

[Black Dog]

NO MORE EXCUSES. Here is what I really believe has happened. I can sum it all up in one word.

PRIDE

Could it just be that Canada was lacking in chemistry and played poorly as a result?

Crosby was too young. He'll be ready in 2008.

Russia's Ovechkin (20) and Malkin (19) looked pretty good.

It is experience that matters. Crosby didn't have it and we clearly needed it at these Olympics.

ps, as the old saying goes, you don't know the value of experience until you have it.

There was no shortage of experience on the team. Didn't make a difference.

Canada" has a lesson to learn? All 30 million of us? (Why am I always the last to get the memo?)

"National" pride is somehow connected to the ability of about 10 guys to chase after a rubber cylinder using wooden batons on ice?

And what is "national" pride anyway? Do you mean "nationalism"?

Right on. I love sports but come on: it's entertainment. At the end of the day, I don't see why i should be proud of something I had absolutely no part in.

I'm enjoying the Finland/Russia match up muh more than I did any of Canada's efforts.

[Wilber]

Nash sucked to. He must have had the most bench time. For some reason this team couldn't step it up. May be the long layoff hurt more than anyone thought it would. Most of the Europeans went home to play in their elite leagues. Most North Americans took the year off. The Americans were just as bad. Just shows you how competitive international hockey is at the top level. There isn't much between a gold medal and no medal.

[JOVIAC]

Right on. I love sports but come on: it's entertainment. At the end of the day, I don't see why i should be proud of something I had absolutely no part in.

So i guess we should stop funding Canadian Athletes then, eh? And the Russia - Canada summit series was just hockey too. What about all the other athletes who put the rest of their lives on hold just to stand on the podium wearing Canadian maple leafs. If you can't be proud of your athletes, what are you proud of?

$20M boost for elite athletes

Canada's sports system received a $20-million boost... http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/budget20...sue_sports.html

This is money well spent! (of course we could just spend another $20M on the gun registry LOL)

[Bakunin]

The truth is Team canada headquarter became corrupt like politics with Gretzky and his friend in place.

I can't beleive Pat Quinn was choosed as head coach... Wich is prolly why Mcabe was choosed over Dion Phaneuf.

Second thing, there is no brilliant explanation not to use Staal and Spezza.

I just can't beleive they choosed Drapper over Tanguay... Who the hell wouldn't choose him over a third line second hand utility player.

The defence was terrible, Pronger really sucked... Blake is too old, Foote is good for retirement...

The only thing that can explain this is that the headquarter is corrupt, Gretzky must leave, we should let Sutter or perhaps Patrick Roy clean this mess and build a team we can be proud of.

[Black Dog]

So i guess we should stop funding Canadian Athletes then, eh? And the Russia - Canada summit series was just hockey too. What about all the other athletes who put the rest of their lives on hold just to stand on the podium wearing Canadian maple leafs. If you can't be proud of your athletes, what are you proud of?

I'm sure the atheletes themselves are proud. They should be: they train hard and make great sacrifices to get where they are. But I don't. I watch them on TV. I have no need to bask in the reflected glory of someone else's accomplishments, as deserved as they are.

[geoffrey]

The truth is Team canada headquarter became corrupt like politics with Gretzky and his friend in place.

I can't beleive Pat Quinn was choosed as head coach... Wich is prolly why Mcabe was choosed over Dion Phaneuf.

Second thing, there is no brilliant explanation not to use Staal and Spezza.

I just can't beleive they choosed Drapper over Tanguay... Who the hell wouldn't choose him over a third line second hand utility player.

The defence was terrible, Pronger really sucked... Blake is too old, Foote is good for retirement...

The only thing that can explain this is that the headquarter is corrupt, Gretzky must leave, we should let Sutter or perhaps Patrick Roy clean this mess and build a team we can be proud of.

Staal and Spezza would have added massive punch to the line-up, they had to be there. As with Tanguay... Draper was a very poor selection.

Phaneuf is probably pretty close to being the best defenseman in the NHL right now considering all the old guys are either quiting or declining. He is a little young, but he would have been a great addition to the team. He was needed with the loss of Jovo and Niedermayer. We have no Scott Stevens anymore, and Phaneuf will be the one to fill those shoes. Dan Boyle should have been a starter.

[Canuck E Stan]

The use of "Hockey Canada" as the national team to represent Canada in the Olympics must end. A all NHL players team does not mean they are the best in Canada.

[Wilber]

The Fins are undefeated and shut out the Russians 4-0. When was the last time Canada did that in the Olympics? Sweden clobbered the Czechs 7-3. The two best teams by far are in the final. I should be a great game.

[Cameron]

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5171

[August1991]

Cameron, you are not alone in your opinion.

[Biblio Bibuli]

If you can't be proud of your athletes, what are you proud of?

I have no need to bask in the reflected glory of someone else's accomplishments.

A few posts back you said "I don't see why I should be proud of something I had absolutely no part in" and I didn't think much of it. But now that you are basically saying the same thing over and over again I'm curious.

You see, Black Dog, I believe that most people are proud of others because they never accomplished anything nearly as great, and don't see it happening anytime soon. And so, the ONLY explanation I can come up with as to why you are not proud of others is because you feel you did accomplish something just as or nearly just as great, or are about to, and that you are just too shy or too modest, or too whatever to talk about it.

But I think that I speak for everyone here when I say that we'd all be especially proud if one of our own group did something amazing.

So please, BD.... make our day.

[geoffrey]

I think the Dog is reflecting on the problems with nationalism, and cheering for your country. He's also probably one of those (rightfully so) thats against the ridiculous wastefullness that the olympics is.