I'd love to continue this topic..but I'm banned now.

:lol:

Should be a fun game to watch, I expect Canada to come out like they're possessed again, they have to set the tone early, and establish that no matter what Slovakia does, they're going to lose.

Aussies are pretty happy - for a country with bugger all snow, we've two gold and a silver (even if the silver is from a Canadian import). Best Games Ever!!

Canada wins gold in women's hockey, no real surprise there, seems the talent in women's hockey needs to increase or it risks being dropped.
Women's game must improve, says Rogge | Sports | Reuters

Joannie Rochette wins bronze tonight, an excellent performance considering the week she had, I'm sure her mom was smiling down, watching her skate.

What a bittersweet moment that is for Joannie. Amazing that she was able to perform at such a high level.

I was thinking about man crushes earlier today, because I have no life to speak of and use my free time to indulge in useless speculation. I was thinking I am not the type to ever have a man crush.

Then I realized I have one on Shaun White. He was on Rachel Ray this morning and it was clear she did not watch his gold medal winning McTwist. She asked him the usual fluff crap I used to ask when I worked at my campus radio station. Then she asked him about his charity mainly to say she also has a charity. No mention of the McTwist. Dumb bitch.

I admit it. I'm waiting for his new line of boots to come out at Target.

Sweet, managed to get out of working tonight so I can watch the game. I'm sad I missed the women's finals last night... those games are always fantastic.

Nice, hockey's more important than work anyways, we're Canadian. I missed the women's game as well, thought it was on i nthe evening and when I went to find it, it was alredy over. Wish they had some body contact in women's hockey, that would make it more enjoyable to watch.

Anyone else expect more out of the Fins today? I didn't watch the game, but caught a little of it in replay and highlights and damn, they just got their asses handed to them. I was at least expecting them to give the US a strong show.

Almost time for game time, wonder how many telly's are going to be tuned into this game across the country tonight. Hopefully Canada comes out like they did against the Russians.

Unfortunately we still have to hear that tool Mcguire, the guy's not even Canadian what the fuck is he always doing on Canada's games? Go to NBC so I don't have to listen to you every bloody time I watch Canada play, or a game on TSN for that matter.

Edit: We lost to the Swedes......in curling......damn, wasn't expecting that, well at least the women still got the silver medal, not to wait and see how the men's team does.

Just saw Charles Hamelin take the gold in speed skating short track. Apolo Ohno was disqualified, so Tremblay took the bronze.

What a messy but satisfying finish. The whole race almost wiped out.

Shit, I missed it, I like watching speed skating, they're really in tight quarters in short track, so it's always interesting, well glad more Canadians got medals today, we're coming on in the second week for sure.

Oh yeah, 2-0 Canada, first period was good, Canada seems to be dragging a little bit of ass in period two.

Sung Si-Bak, who won silver, slid across the line, while Hamelin literally spun out just as he crossed the line. Ohno had caused Tremblay to wipe out completely.

We're now tied with Norway for third overall.

Damn, sounds like a really interesting finish, Ohno seems to wipe people out a lot if I remember correctly, doesn't seem like the most sportmanlike skater ever.

Looks like maybe the 'Own the Podium' program was announced to have failed too quickly, I even thought it was going alright when that guy said it was out of sight or whatever his words were. I mean 9 gold, and 20 medals overall seems like a success to me anyways.

3-0 Canada, Getzlaf get another.

It's official: the brothers Hamelin will share the podium. The men's 5,000 m relay has been won by the Canadian team.

Very nice, 10 gold medals so far I believe, with I'm sure a couple of more coming in the next couple of days.

I'm loving the Canadian fans chanting 'we want USA, we want USA' at the hockey game, 3-1 with 8:25 to go, let's get another couple to put the game to rest.

Edit: 3-2 with just under 5 left to play, fuckin horrible defensive zone coverage, Bergeron shit the bed there went for the totally wrong guy, getting nervous again.....

That dq of Ohno was bullshit. Slow motion replay showed his hand was already off Tremblay a good step before Tremblay wiped out on his own.

Canada -vs- USA!

Good luck, guys!

That was a stressful last couple of minutes, they just sat back for too long without enough pressure, and what about that save by Luongo off Demitra, that was intense, he just threw the legs and arms across and hoped for the best.
Just watched the race now, he did have his hand on his hip, and it was in the turn, and it did seem like the hand on the hip contributed to the fall, even if his hahnd was off his hip a step before he fell, it looked like the hand still contributed to the fall.

I thought I was actually going to have a heart attack during those last few minutes lol.

Go Canada!

And while I'm at it great job to the ladies hockey team too! Oh and as far as I'm concerned if they want to drink some pints and smoke a few stogies on the ice... hell they've earned it!

me too. I couldn't even watch the play for the last 5 seconds. I kept my eyes on the clock, and just listened for the horn. I think my heart rate was wll above what my doctor would think was safe. I could feel it in my ears.

They better play harder/better against the yanks.

Wow those last five minutes of that game had my head spinning. Seeing how ineffective Slovakia had been offensively (yet great defensively) all game I was not expecting such a large push at the end. I guess after playing three highly emotionally charged hockey games within a week the team started to become a little too complacent. Eitherway I'm glad to see we pulled it off, and let's wish Slovakia luck, they have an incredible team considering the size of their country.

As for the Canada-US showdown. Oh boy, it's going to be tense. Let's not forget that just as Canada almost lost to Slovakia the US almost lost to the Swiss in the game before Finnland, so who really knows what to expect. The only thing I reckon that will be for certain is that both teams will be revved to the max

Every person in that building will be revved to the max. Right at the drop of the puck at the opening faceoff.

Another gold in men's curling today, and Jasey Jay Anderson got one in snowboarding, we're up to 13 gold and 25 medals overall, with another gold coming tomorrow in hockey, been a very productive Olympics for the Canadian athletes.
Best pants of the games ever.
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/incl...243/243893.jpg
Edit: Finland takes bronze, more Slovak pressure at the end of the game, but they just couldn't pull it off.

Well I'm off to grab a seat in a pub for this bad boy..... who knows maybe I'll one or two of you downtown if everything turns out okay.

We just opened up the scoring on them Yanks.

2-0 Canada, they're rolling now.....

What about that bullshit hacking at Louie a good 5 seconds after the whistle blew by Langenbrunner, you can tell there's no fighting in international hockey, the yanks are playing like they have a set in front of the net suddenly.

Ummm make that 2 - 1

Yep, 2-1, and I have no idea why Mcguire is saying that was a 'hard one to stop because Kessel or Kessler touched it', Louie should have had that one, the amount of distance between Kessel or Kessler and Luongo wasn't enough to change direction drastically.

OT coming up, fuckin hell......

A whole nation just said 'Fuck'.

You heard that too? Echoed all the way from Hockey Place to Nfld.....

Weber or Nash is going to get the winner.......

GOLD medal, Crosby comes through in the clutch, what a fuckin game......
http://www.virtuallandmedia.com/images/canada.gif

Wow. Quite a game. Well done, Canada.

Wow I'm spent just from watching that

Our game.

Our golden Olympics.

First point for Crosby in 3 games, I'm not a fan of the kid, but damn he sure came through when it mattered most.

Congrats Canadians. I'm sure glad Crosby is a Penguin!!!

Sitting pretty at 14 gold medals, Canada now holds the record for the most gold-medal wins in the Winter Olympics.

Looks like Chris Rudge should be feeling like a right twat after saying Own the Podium would fail and was out of reach, we may not have won the most medals, but the most golds record sure seems like a win to me.

Definitely a win. That gold-medal record has been around since the '70s, I think. That in itself is a feat worth celebrating. Canada should be proud of its achievements. Not to mention the Olympic records in more than one event that were broken as well.

Getting up at 4:30am to watch the game was oh so worth it!

Gold for Canada.

Thank you Team USA! That was an awesome game. Well played.

I just wish I was down on Yonge Street with the rest of the Yahoos.

The yahoos are as far north as Eglinton. Flag bearers are on the sidewalks and in cars alike. Horns honking, yahoos ya-hooing.

Superb game!
Congratulations, Canada!

I'm glad Miller showed up in the closing ceremonies with his head held high, and smiling. He did an excellent job in keeping most of the shots at bay.

The thing that kinda surprised me, was the number of broken hockey sticks throughout the tournament.
I thought they were more sturdy than that.
Goes to show you shouldn't base your stick knowledge off of TMNT. :thumbsup:

It's the new composite sticks, they seem to break at the worst times, and most of the times for no aparent reason, although they're 'supposed' to make your shot harder, I reckon it's all in the players heads, like when aluminum sticks first came out. Give me an old reliable wood stick anyday, the new composite ones just feel weird.

Edit: "That we're a people who know how to make love in a canoe, which is why our healthcare covers splinters."

William Shatner at the closing ceremonies
Best quote of the game.

closing ceremonies. Neil Young just played Long May You Run , and now Bill Shatner is spouting.

Hope he does Rocket Man

Shatner!! FUCK.

I wish I was watching this...

And Michael Buble, fuckin love Michael Buble. Also us poking fun at ourselves is hilarious, big ass mountie statues, hockey that ends in a fight, hilarious, biggest game of table hockey in the world, is great.

Closing Ceremonies are on here Charlatan.
ATDHE.Net - Watch Free Live Sports TV

ya, he started with, "Hi I'm Bill and I'm proud to be Canadian".

Now Michael Buble is dressed like a mountie, singing Maple Leaf Forever, with a bunch of babes dressed as mounties behind him.

and now there are about 50 dancers dressed as mounties dancing in formations.

Now a bunch of skaters going around to the old HNIC theme.

you should be able to get this on CTV online

oh, it's Peter Puck


by the way, Toronto's downtown is shut down. Yonge & Dundas is a mob scene ever since the end of the hockey game:

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...28?hub=Toronto


eof/

Yup, these games were a win for Canada and North America as a whole. Canada won the most golds ever, and the US won the most medals ever. Go North America!

Evrytime I hear Alanis all I can think of is this

wow... I've never seen that before.

Haha, it was on her debut album back in 1991, they played it on the radio station back in Ottawa all the time when I was younger, probably one of those wish it would go away moments for Alanis

Sadly the CTV website is dead to me. I haven't been able to load video on it for the whole Olympics.

As for the other sites... they are mostly not working. I managed to get the game this morning but that was the first and only time I've managed to get live streaming footage of the Olympics.[COLOR="DarkSlateGray"]

Wow, I just got back from Yonge St. and it's been crazy there all night. We cruised down from a bar at Yonge and Eg by car right after that amazing, amazing, heartattack-inducing game. The whole of Yonge St was flipping out just minutes after Crosby's goal. I went down to Dundas square eventually after some food, and it was just an awesome time, sure can't remember the last time I sang the Canadian anthem........ but that game was ridiculously though, the comeback goal in the last 20 seconds! I couldn't believe they had 4 on 4 overtimes in the Olympics. That made me so nervous. Still can't remember Crosby's goal as well as I can the celebration! All around great games for Canada

I live in downtown Vancouver...and what can I say, it's been 2 weeks of madness. Capped off with the craziest celebration this city has ever seen. The streets are full like every man, woman and child in the surrounding cities is here honking, singing and waving flags..

Sad to see it go, but it'll be good for my sleeping habits!

I think the Olympics ended just in time. If heard that annoying "If you Believe" theme song one more time, I was going to snap. That's my only complaint. (if you ignore the British Press and Apollo's sound bites). Does CTV have royalties rights to that song? Every single intro, outro. Not once did i hear the traditional Olympic Fanfare that so hauntingly reminds me of Oh Canada.

NBC did play the Fanfare though, but that network always seemed to be mysteriously absent in its broadcasting. I would flip from CTV, only to find an infommercial on. It seemed that NBC only carried highlight packages.

What I really liked was the way the closing ceremonies conveyed humour. Not sure about you guys, but the Russian presentation was a bit too serious for me. Yes, they have a lot of impressive culture but I think they could take a more light hearted (dare I say fun?) approach. But a fantastic show nonetheless.

My favourite player in the hockey tournament: Ryan Miller. I think he got the tourny MVP as well. That guy is outstanding, and he came to the closing ceremonies. What a class act. I searched all over for more NHL players, but didn't see any, except my wife told me that I just missed Ovechkin. I did see Tretiak tho. Another classy guy.

Congratulations Canadians! That was one hell of a gold medal win in hockey. Believe it or not, this American was actually pulling for Canada. In addition to all of your other gold medals, Canada really should pull gold in hockey, right? Oh...sorry, I mean...eh? Watching all of those red maple leaf flags waving almost made me wish I was Canadian. If only it weren't so damn cold up there. Oh, wait...that's right, you guys exported all of your cold and snow to the states this year. Betcha wish you'd have kept some up in Vancouver. See? I told you, earlier this year, to keep it up there.

Congratulations, also, on putting on the best Winter Olympics...ever! Seriously, the Canadians really outdid themselves. The Russians are going to have one hell of a time trying to surpass this one. See you in Sochi.

Some more nice thoughts from the Brits and Russian press, maybe the Brits are still pissed about their seizure inducing animation for their games, or there just bitter about the Millenium Wheel, the Russians well they're just bitter all around because of their shitty showing.
Brits, Russians grumble as Games end - Vancouver 2010 Olympics - thestar.com
Why are Brits writing about the winter games anyways, they don't even have enough plows to clear their roads, hell their trains don't even work right in the snow, maybe they should write about the rain olympics, something they actually have a clue about.

I married a Brit.. she's not as bad as a lot of them, but I do know quite a few that find the smallest things to complain about.

Sochi is going to be boring. Over the top and serious.

About the hockey game, of all fucking people to win it, the goddamn golden boy II. Fuck.

Shatner should of done this speech. (Although how Canadians know how to make love in a canoe was pretty funny.)

Outstanding game yesterday! Growing up in blustery northern Maine I grew up playing hockey on frozen lakes and have loved the sport ever since. So I'm really glad the US team brought some exposure to the game and made hockey a bit of front page news story here in the States if only for a short time.

Anyway, despite the overall outcome, the last two weeks have been some of the best hockey I've seen in a LOOONG time and I'm rather sorry the whole tournament is over. Worse still as a Bruins fan, I think I'm supposed to go back to hating Miller again but after such a great performance its going to be a lot harder to do next time Boston plays Buffalo.

Big time congrats on the gold there Canada...But I think a best of seven series in order...just sayin'. Kidding, kidding...but wow what a series that would be huh? Anyway that celebration last night looked incredible! :)

A best of seven would be sweet, but then the Russians would want in, although we could call it the North American Summit Series.

That's a pretty good idea, they should postpone the NHL season another week and have it out starting tomorrow! Actually cancel the playoffs this year and have the Stanley cup decided between the US and Canada, how awesome would that be to cap off a year of hockey?

found it: the Sportchek commercial that I wanted to post prior to the US/Canada game, but still fun to watch:

What an AWESOME game and Crosby insured that no one will remember the mediocre tournament he's had.

Looking back I'm kinda glad it went into OT. It just gave it that something extra that turned a good game into a great one.

I'm just glad it wasn't ended by a fucking shootout though.

My thoughts exactly, worst way to end a game that has ever, ever been thought up, shootouts have no place in hockey.

AMEN. God I hate the shootout.

And another...

I was worried it was going to fall to a shoot out and was not happy. It's no way to win or lose.

Oh absolutely, I hate shootouts with a passion. Whenever a game goes to OT I cringe because I know that's whats coming...really how often does a game end in 5 min of 4 on 4? At Least the Olympic game allowed 20 mins of 4 on 4.

m0rpheus - I agree, it adds so much extra to a win when its pulled out in OT something about it just feels special...of course it also hurts that much worse when you lose in OT though, but still it either way it adds a lot to a great game.

I still can't believe the NHL has shootouts, if they're going to only play 5 minute overtime, if it's tied after that, each team gets a point and that's that, like it was back in the day, none of this 'drama' a shootout apparently brings, while there is an aspect of luck to hockey, it isn't enough to have a game decided on a lucky thing like a shootout, skill should be the deciding factor, if I had my way, every tie game would be sudden death overtime, 20 minute periods, go until it's done.

Agreed silent_jay. This idea that every game must have a winner is silly. (Unless it's for a playoff, obviously, in which case unlimited overtime is the way to go)

x3

I have no problem with a tie either, but then again I wouldn't mind games just going until somebody scores, it works in the playoffs why not regular season?

After watching Sportscenter and Sportsnet the last couple of days, you'd think Crosby had the greatest tournament ever in Olympics history the way these broadcasters are talking about him, I wish they'd just be honest and say he had a shitty tournament until OT of the gold medal game, and not try to lie to the viewers and make it out like every game he played was excellent.
It wouldn't work in the regular season because of the schedule, teams have back to back games in the regular season where in the play offs they don't have back to back, it's always every second day if I remember correctly, unless the series is changing cities then if I'm not mistaken they give them an extra day off.

BAH! Make em work that much harder and earn those salaries! I see what you mean though I hadn't thought of that...probably would be a physical and logistical nightmare.

I hear that, for what they do they are so overpaid it's not funny, it stopped being about the game for a lot of them years ago when the salaries went through the roof.

Two words = Triple Overtime.

Any game that I've seen that's gone that long (and there have been plenty) start becoming arduous to watch so there has to be some sort of special meaning for that to work (i.e. game seven or for the cup).

silent_jay - Indeed, I'm a pretty big baseball fan too and I think the massive salaries have just about ruined the sport. Players are too valuable to be injured and suddenly that leads a pitcher is sitting out with a hang nail and a hitter benched for a paper cut on his left hand. Imagine how amazing pro sports would be in players had to play for dinner so to speak.


IdeoFunk - I agree with you to an extent, having triple overtimes in the playoffs are awesome but could get tedious in a nothing mid season game. On the other hand I love the iron man aspect of it (I know its really a viable option) and would kind of love seeing how teams are able to deal with it. A hockey game is a pretty short compared to football or baseball so maybe I'm just used to ridiculously long games. :)

well, they could do a couple things in regards to overtime, they could follow the International rules and make it 4 on 4, or they could say 4 on 4 if it goes to the second or third OT, or they could even shorten the periods on each subsequent OT.

It's bad when international hockey is better than the NHL.

Thanks a lot Bettman.

or 4 on 4 for the first OT, then 3 on 3 for the second... until the goalies just do a shootout?

that would be..

AWESOME.

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 AM ----------

or..

the goalies have a death match battle..

Used to have that in tournaments when I was a kid, start out 5 on 5, then 4 on 4, then 3 on 3, and finally a shootout.
Yeah he's fucked a lot, look at his southern expansion clusterfuck, more players on the benches in Atlanta than there are in the stands, or the 2 referee system, all that gets you is shitty refs making marginal calls from behind the play, or the suspension policy of the NHL in general is fucked, but that's Campbell and he's as useless as Bettman.

I haven't kept up with the NHL since that douche took over with his stupid instigator rules and similar rules.

The NHL needs to do something to ride the wave of the massive TV share that the gold medal game had, but they won't. They'll miss an opportunity to gain viewers and tv deals because of stupid owners and an even stupider commissioner.

i watched my home team (The Leafs) play this week. The pace was slow. confused. passes were missed, goal posts were dinged. The energy level was decidedly low. I don't know if this is because I got used to the high octane output of the Olympic teams, or because the players themselves need to get back on track. But based on the comparison, I can almost understand when the Russians claim that the Canadian Olympic team was hopped up on drugs during their games.

The NHL definitely needs to capitalize on this Olympic exposure to the game. What's the network in the US that carries the games? they should be doing a massive NFL style marketing blitz. Play up that silver medal. Even the vaunted Russian Super team couldn't get a medal for chrissakes.

I think the problem with the NHL is they seem incapable of capitalizing on hockey's success. The winter classic for example is never really followed up on or hyped past the initial game itself, fans watch because of the novelty then go right back to ignoring it and watching the NBA...as does most of the media. I think the big game last weekend was very similar, it feels like the NHL did next to nothing to capitalize on the exposure and now a week later the excitement is wearing off and its back to business as usual.

I think for the NHL to become a must watch sport, it needs begin marketing itself properly. They need exposure on ESPN and weekly games on a major network, they need to invest in advertising and start airing funny, clever, exciting commercial that portrays them as an alternative to other major sports. Hype up the speed, the big hits, the exciting goals and make it seem like its a must watch.

Where was the advertising for the NHL during the gold medal game? They eyes of the nation are watching an amazing game and the NHL is almost invisible. Yes they had the players there but nobody talked about the teams they belonged too or where to continue watching them afterwards. In the end it feels like the NHL wants people to watch hockey...because...well...its just awesome!!! Until they put the time, energy and money into properly marketing the sport it will always be on a lower tier to others here in the states.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Missed opportunities by the NHL.

The NHL has a history of missed opportunities. NBC carried the olympics and it's the same network that carries NHL games. The NHL is too spread out on American networks. They're on the NHL network, ESPN (big games), and NBC for the outdoor games and Stanley Cup playoffs. Baseball can get away with it because of the money and the teams, but the NHL needs a real golden boy. Crosby can't draw people like Gretzky or Yzerman. The NHL should have had promo packages all over the olympics.. coulda shoulda woulda.

The Carolina Hurricanes have had dismal ticket sales up until the game right after the olympics. They had a good turnout from people wanting to see the medals, but after that game, I'm sure the attendance will drop once again. It's a mixture of poor advertising and poor management by Bettman.

That's because the talent level in the NHL is so watered down at this point it isn't funny, but that's what happens with expansion, more and more players who don't belong are making it to the show when they should have been dropped in the minors.
Personally I'd like them to drop some teams, get the talent level back to where it should be, because right now it's mind boggling how some of these guys have made it to the NHL.
Crosby couldn't hold their jock straps, the kid is a good player yes, but he's no great one, or as they try calling him, the next one, he's just a Bettman ploy to hope people fall for the bullshit they're selling.

Actually ESPN doesn't show games anymore (I don't think sportscenter spends much time on hockey anymore either), the NHL works with VS now...which is an obscure channel that a lot of people can't get (direct tv doesn't carry it for example).

Anyway, yeah I agree, its just been dismal management and very poor marketing for the most part and its really starting to hurt the NHL overall. Southern expansion for example, while very important to growing the sport and getting a national tv deal, has been handled terribly. There has been little to no quality control, leaving these teams in the hands of incompetent, greedy and sometimes crooked owners with no intention of building proper teams or building a real audience...the NHL's hands off approach, lack of marketing and proper advertising is losing these precious markets to other sports.

Here in Nashville the Predators haven't been on TV since before the Olympic break, they've missed three big games, including a huge divisional match up against Detroit last night. A growing hockey market with a ton of potential and there has been no hockey on tv in nearly 3 weeks. Everyone here, the media, local sports fans and people who don't even watch hockey are buzzing about the gold medal game last weekend and yet the local NHL team is NOWHERE to be found on television all week. If that doesn't sum up the current state of the NHL I don't know what does.

Watching Coach's Corner tonight I was reminded of something I wanted to mention, totally agree with Don Cherry and getting rid of touch icing.

I can say, never was I afraid playing hockey, until I turned into a defenceman and started playing touch icing in Michigan, most dangerous time for any player, and with the lack of respect in this day and age of hockey, more and more people are getting knocked into the boards during icing calls.

Hey, I just saw that clip as well, and after watching all the careers ruined or games missed due to injuries, I totally agree with you. I mean, I saw numbers of smashes over the years, but when you show them all together like that.......damn, that's gotta hurt.

Watching a bloody house league game of a friend of mine a couple years back and witnessed his mates leg from his ankle to knee do the 120 degree snap when he was basically pushed into the boards chasing after a puck in the end zone. He will never play hockey again...and this was bush league. Jeez, Louise. And that's what most of those clips are showing, the opposition is too late so, let's just push the guy at full tilt into the boards. Yeah, that's gotta stop.

Anywho, loved watching the Olympics...all of it. Not a big fan of the CTV coverage though....I just think the CBC is more professional and unbiased. Got a little tired of hearing some Canadian skier in, let's say 18th position during the giant slalom after the first run and then during the breaks or all during the next few hours waiting for his next run...."Canadian Bob Jerblovski is GOING FOR THE GOLD"....come on, we suck in skiing and have for about 15 years. He's not gonna win or even come close. I don't know, I just always liked CBC coverage of any Olympics.

I did hear from some American mates that NBC (was it NBC??) was a lot better this year.

NBC mainly strokes their cock over the summer olympics.. they did better on this winter olympics, but the coverage and the packages were still very weak.

Wow, NBC has a game on, Chicago and Detroit, can't watch it though, got Pierre McGuire preaching his no fighting again, someone just made a decent hit and Mcguire says:

'the nice thing is he didn't have to defend himself in a fight, normally today after a big hit you have to fight, want to keep hitting in the game teach these knuckleheads who take these retaliatority penalties after a good hit'

That's not an exact quote couldn't type as quickly as he was talking, but it's basicaly what he was saying. Now when has taking hitting out of the game been mentioned? Take hitting out and you're left with men playing womens hockey, and you'll have zero fans watching that, if I wanted to watch Europan hockey I'll stream it online. The Mcguires, Bettmans, Campbells of this world are trying to kill hockey as people know and love it, take hitting out, take fighting out, instigator rules, hell they already made cherry picking allowed with taking away the blue line which is bullshit in my opinion.

Oh yeah, still waiting for someone to poke Mcguie i nthe beak, or hit him in the mouth with the puck, he's between the benches again so there's still hope. Personally I'd want to kill him if he was sitting there trying to talk to me during the game.

Ugh. I'm sorry you have to watch our terrible goaltending silent_jay. I can only take solace in the fact that Khabibulin isn't doing much better in Edmonton, so we probably would have been screwed either way.

Anyway, I completely agree about the fighting. It's not even that I particularly like the fighting - I personally don't really care either way - but the fighting and hits are not the problem. It's frustrating to see people try and dilute the game instead of address the real issues.

Today's goaltending was terrible from what I've seen, I always feel bad for the offence when they get 4 goals and still can't win a game. Edmonton sucks bad this year, being in Alberta they're always a hot topic for how bad their doing.

Yeah they have to address the respect factor, that's the big issue, that's why these cheap shots into the boards are happening, they happened back in the day yes, but they seem to be happening more and more these days, there's been two in the last two days, hell Don Cherry almost said bullshit on Coach's Corner last night trying to talk about the one that happened to Keith Aulie, nothing but disrespect and Aulie's out for the year now, Cherry is 100% correct, it's bullshit the lack of respect players have today.

And when things like this happen, the fans deserve everything they get.
Marlies game turns ugly after racial comments and Aulie injury
I punched a fan in the mouth for heckling me all game once, no racial slurs though I'm white, so I can only imagine how Deveaux feels, had he got his hands on the fan and pounded him, in my opinion he did the right thing.

I feel for Deveaux. Nobody says that fans are not assholes and that proves the point.

so.... Saw this today:

Air Canada learns that hockey trumps flying - Yahoo! Canada News

Air Canada learns that hockey trumps flying
Module body

Tue Mar 9, 7:33 PM


VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canada's largest airline has learned it sometimes has to take a back seat to the country's biggest sporting passion, ice hockey, the head of Air Canada said on Tuesday.



The airline was forced to delay a flight from Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games because passengers watching the end of gold medal final on airport televisions ignored repeated calls to board.


"We incurred a flight delay for a reason Air Canada had not yet encountered in over 72 years of existence," chief executive Calin Rovinescu told a business gathering.


The Canadian fans were rewarded for their delay, as the nail-biting end to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics saw Canada beat arch-rival United States 3-2 in overtime


And I say, YES! take that corporate airflight culture with all its rules and security.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
 

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kz...8ifto1_500.jpg

Ron Ellis, the director of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, holds the puck used
when Canada’s Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal ice
hockey game at the Vancouver Olympics, before it's placed in a glass display cabinet.
-- (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)


[dailyme.]