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Mason takes unusual path to stardom

TIM WHARNSBY

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:22 AM EST 02/01/08

Canadian junior head coach turns to London Knights goaltender to start against Finland ...Read the full article

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  1. brad maddigan from Canada writes: Hartsburg does it again. Why he didn't stick with Bernier right from the get go is beyond me? This guy is brutal. He keeps trying to find ways to lose this tournament. The problem with Team Canada so far has not been goaltending or defence, it has been their lack of offense, or more importantly, their lack of sustained offensive pressure. Spend more time worrying about who is going to take the key offensive and defensive draws. For example, Sutter lost a draw in their own zone against the Swedes and it took us 40 seconds to get the puck back. Luckily, we were not scored on. Maybe creating a goaltending contraversy, takes emphasis off their real problems. I don't know. I do know that Bernier should be the horse they ride in the medal round. Here's hoping the Canadians can succeed despite their coach. Unlike other years that we won because of the superior coaching that Sutter provided, this year coaching has been a negative.
  2. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: They are both exceptional tenders,Canada will beat the Finns!
  3. brad maddigan from Canada writes: I am not saying Mason is not an excellent goalie. Bernier is better, and he has earned the right to start the 1st playoff game.
  4. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: This means Bernier will not see another game!
  5. Hockey Fan from Kitchener, Canada writes: I agree with BMaddigan, the goalies are not the problem facing the juniors, it's the game plan! No offense to speak of, Hartsburg is stiffling his goal scorers and playmakers by trying to turn them into defensive players, during a short tournament. Let your goal scorers BE goal scorers. Your best defence is your offence.
  6. Matthew Townsend from Brooklyn, United States writes: Relax.

    Bernier will play in the semi-final and the final.

    Three games in 4 games is really tough for any goaltender.
  7. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Toughest job in Canadian sport: Coaching a National Team in hockey! Reason: 33 million so called experts watching your every move.
  8. JOHN PALANDRA from Toronto, Canada writes: why is everyone so shocked, he has been the sharper goalie thus far. Also you people who think you know everything about hockey and coaching need to shut up, just cause Canada lost one game, due to a third period miracle doesnt mean he is a bad coach with a bad system, grow up this guy knows what he's doing.
  9. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: If Mason plays well against the Finns it would be a difficult decision to put Bernier in vs the Americans!
  10. brad maddigan from Canada writes: John Palandra, have you watched any of the games? 5 on 5 we were supposed to dominate, and when we get a powerplay look out. Well, Hartsburg has screwed around, and his scorers aren't scoring except for Turris and Tavares(who he reluctantly put on a regular shift last game). This isn't about one period, this is about a consistent lack of speed from the Canadians that at the end of the day, the coach is responsible for.
  11. JOHN PALANDRA from Toronto, Canada writes: Umm Brad this guy has coached in the NHL, OHL, AHL and has been the lead assistant for the canadian juniors for a few years now, im pretty sure he is qualified and knows what he is doing. A coach can only do so much, your putting zero responsibilty on the players, he cant make them put the puck in the net. Finally he wasnt reluctant to play Tavares, but someone that young, with that fanfare surely has alot of pressure on him, and perhaps he was easing him into the spotlight, a common practice by many successful coaches.
  12. grzegorz brzęczyszczykiewicz from Canada writes: brad maddigan from Canada writes: John Palandra, have you watched any of the games? 5 on 5 we were supposed to dominate, and when we get a powerplay look out. Well, Hartsburg has screwed around, and his scorers aren't scoring except for Turris and Tavares(who he reluctantly put on a regular shift last game). This isn't about one period, this is about a consistent lack of speed from the Canadians that at the end of the day, the coach is responsible for.

    brad, what the hell are you talking about? who said we were supposed to dominate? certainly not bob mackenzie or pierre or any other hockey analyst i know of. and how do you know hartsburg was reluctant to put tavares in? you're making sh** up. stop it.
  13. brad maddigan from Canada writes: Gentlemen, it doesn't matter how old Tavares is, he should have been playing a regular shift from the start. That is the head coach's decision, and Hartsburg dropped the ball. Canada gives up 2 quick goals against the Swedes and instead of trying to slow things down, and call time out, Hartsburg lets the play continue with Sweden having momentum and guess what? They score again. I really don't care where Hartsburg has coached, what has he won? He won this tournament last year when even his incompetence couldn't screw it up. As for Mckenzie and Mcquire, they think Lindros should be in the hall of fame. Canada dominates the Russians in an 8 game super series with a real coach.(Sutter, in case you don't remember.) Four guys from that team aren't good enough to make this squad, and now suddenly we aren't very good. I disagree. This team is much better than they have shown so far, and I place this squarely on the coach for not being able to get the best from his players.
  14. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: "Mason will be the goal tender for the rest of the tournament",
    announces Hartsburg!
  15. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: I did not care who he picked but this team needs a goalie who knows he's no 1!
  16. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Guys...relax..first off Brad, the man from Brooklyn , Mathew Townsend (imagine...an American that knows hockey! good on you Mathew!) had it right, its tough for any goalie to play 3 games in 4 days. You try getting into a crouch that much. Secondly, no one said we would dominate. Just because they won 20 in a row over the last several tournemants, the Swedes, Finns, Russians, and Americans are not sending stiffs, they are sending their best. The tourney always has close games, even in the 20 straight that Canada won. A lot of those were close games.

    Bernier overplayed that last goal against the Swedes ( a tough stop to be sure though), and it was Mason's turn. If Mason stones everyone in the next game...he SHOULD start the rest. If not, Bernier has shown what he can do.

    The juniors will be fine. Even if they lose the tourney, in the long run, its good for the game to have another country win it occasionally. Everyone knows the Canadians teams are usually the best anyhow. But sometimes, even the best don't win.
  17. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: BTW Brad...you can't compare the results of the Super Series to this tourney. The Russians and Canadians both have some different players than those teams. The format is waaaaayyyy different, with no back to back games.

    3rd, I agree with the other poster....this coach has done fine at many levels. When you prove yourself as much as he has Brad Maddigan, maybe you can have the job. Until then, the points you bring up about Hartsburg are trivial at best, and sour grapes at worst.

    Anyone can coach from 5000 miles away, and hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. I agree with how he has handled Tavares. The kid is not overwhelmed now, comfortable in the international game his first time. You now have a confident...motivated player. If he gets thrown to the wolves the first game, you might not have the same player you do right now.

    Just relax and enjoy the game Brad...please.
  18. John Stanton from Not a Leaf fan, Canada writes: I agree...the goalies arent the problem. The problem is too many passengers....Marchand, Boychuk is too little, Giroux, Sutter looks hurt out there. Dont have 4 solid lines. I hope the boys get fired up. They are only going to win a gold with guts and heart....
  19. tad bradley from toronto, Canada writes: John Stanton is the only one here with a qualified opinion--qualified by having collected a NHL paycheque. Giroux has been a disappointment to me. I saw him in Gatineau a few weeks back and he looked great. And Sutter is clearly hurt--he has always tried to play like he's two inches taller and 25 pounds heavier. He better learn to pick his spots better or else he'll have injury problems at the next level.

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