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Russian rhapsody

ROY MacGREGOR

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:01 PM EST 20/05/08

Team Canada falters in overtime as Russia earns 5-4 victory in the world hockey championship final ...Read the full article

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  1. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Good call by the officials.

    Dumb rule, though.

    Russia deserves credit.

    The only bad thing is having to listen to Gord Miller.
  2. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Great Russian performance...Canada couldn't even come close to keep up with skills and skating... The way the Russians outshifted the Canadians was just a lesson in top hockey... It would have been even more entrtaining had Sweden and/or Czech Republic made the Finals... They would have been able to match the Russians for a better game.... I hope that the sick and pathetic Canadian bragging will stop now for few days... You can't control the Europeans with dollars when they play for their Country. Although the NHL denied participation to players from Czech,Sweden,Finland etc....even Russia.The list is miles lond too long to mention names,who would have probably kept Canada out of medals altogether... The European players truly come here only for money,none of them would come here and/or move here for no paycheck...Just because they thought NHL is great... It's all money... NHL affects very negatively the sport of hockey and development programs in all European Countries.... Never mind that they don't stop and or finish NHL before the World Championship to have best players available for every country,they even wouldn't stop the damned NHL even for the Olympics until few years ago. I don't watch NHL anymore,it's poor hockey and boring waste of time... The Europeans even with the all the disadvantages still play the best hockey,can beat Canada any day,with their best Teams and produce the most best talent pool of superstars,Canada produces grinders....
  3. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: In terms of "flipping" the coin in OT....You could imagine how the Czechs feel "loosing" to Russia 4:5 in OT and to Sweden 2:3 in OT as well....
  4. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: It could have been Bohemian Rhapsody instead....
  5. Al B from Canada writes: Random person randomly talking to himself having noone talking to him. Sad.
  6. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: How is this that Canada is unbeatable and best in hockey,because only Canada knows how to play hockey,again?

    Let me hear it....

    I haven't seen some grinder trashing someone into the boards for a couple of hours.....
  7. Steve A from United States writes: Random Person - your comments are absurd. Which country is still rated #1 in the world? That's right, Canada. Can Canada be beaten by any of the other top countries on a given day? Yes, that's hockey - bounces not going your way or a hot goalie can always change any game. I still like Canada's best against any other country's best in a 7-game series. In fact, Canada could easily field two competitive teams in any tournament - no other country could.

    As for theEuropean leagues, they are not better than the NHL. You may prefer their style, but the quality is not the same. And Canada had a lot of players ineligible because they are still in the NHL playoffs. Seriously, know what you're talking about before you waste everyone's time with your drivel.

    Canada in 2010 - my bet has already been made.
  8. Dana Dana from Canada writes: I blame Harper. If he hadn't been there Team Canada could have won.:-)
  9. larry price from Arnstein, Canada writes: Both teams are winners after a game like that! The Canadians have no reason to hang their heads. The Europeans and North American teams have evolved along together to give us a much better game than 30 years ago. If you go to sudden-death overtime, you are equal!
  10. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP from wherever:

    You just don't stop, do you?

    First of all, congratulations to the Russians (not the Czechs) on today's win against Canada to replace Canada as the 2007 World Champions -- although as Steve A from the United States correctly points out, Canada is still rated #1 in the World.

    Secondly, the Stanley Cup was donated by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, in 1892. The IIHF World Championship only arose in the 1930s so to blame the NHL for scheduling their playoffs during this tournament to keep Europeans from participating is absolutely absurd.

    BTW No one actually forces Dominek Hasek to accept millions to be the backup goaltender of the Detroit Red Wings...

    Now since you are from the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands, I am assuming you must be a Penguin so...

    Go Penguins Go!

    Cheers.
  11. Antonio San from Canada, Canada writes: Geez no Canadian team left in Stanley Cup finals, no world championship, the inferiority complex is going to be unbearable: watch out americans, french, immigrants, dual citizens, successful people: retribution will be brutal.
  12. Scotcho Libre from Canada writes: There isn't such a rise in talent levels when you travel from the Canadian team to the Russian team, as RP, and the IIHF "hockey journalist of the year" claim. These were two very good teams, and I say "very good" because I don't think there has been a team better than the 1981 Soviet Union team, which thrashed Canada (a team that included Gretzky) in that one game final of the Canada Cup by an 8-1 score. When you think that Russia can accomplish this with a fraction of the rinks and a fraction of the number of registered players, then it's a pretty lofty accomplishment. I thought CAN would win almost right up to the end, but it's not so disastrous to lose to Russia, who are a great team.
  13. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: Oh please. Some of the people posting their "thoughts" shouldn't bother. What silly tripe. Especially Antonio San, and Random Person.
  14. Robin Hannah from Canada writes: Damn it. But as a Canuck, I heartily congratulate the Russkies!! I don't know why, but I'd rather lose to you guys than anyone. Next time .....
  15. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Random Person from Heard and MacDonald Islands:

    Here's a partial list of a few Canadians that also weren't able to participate in this particular IIHF tournament finale, but may still send their regards to your Czechs in a future tournament:

    Sid Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Mike Ribeiro, Eric Staal, Brad Richards, Dion Phaneuf, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Campbell, Martin Brodeur, JS Giguere.

    Cheers.
  16. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Steve A.....

    Canada will not win the Olympics in 2010...watch my words....

    Thank you for admiting that any of the top world teams can beat anyone....{each other on any given day}

    I agree and know that even Canada can beat any top team,all things being equal....

    However,most Canadian fans like to humiliate the other teams and make it sound like that the WC shouldn't even be played as "Canada" has it all wrapped up and who dares to bother them to actually play hockey against them,since they are so superior...

    That's how the Canadian media coverage sounds like....

    I am merely reacting to that,because I don't agree with that kind of mantra and brainwashing....

    The awfull refing vs. Czechs in the Q-Final game vs. Sweden and again against the Russians in the final vs. Canada in the first period mainly....{Russians spent 8 minutes in power-play against them}

    Czechs got no calls vs. Sweden as the ref told Elias he will not whistle anything anymore....5 minutes to go in the 3rd while hey were still up 2:1 over Sweden....

    All of this helps Canada......unfairly...

    Good job for the Russians that they stepped up to the plate and kicked your asses....!!!!!!!!
  17. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: I provided my list of missing Czechs already....

    Wasn't Staal playing ?

    Either way....Russia has as many medals from WC's as Canada and the one team behind them is Czech republic....

    The officiating vs. Russia was terrible in the first period...

    Same as the refing vs. Czechs in the Q-Final game against Sweden at the end....

    I can't listen to the bulls..t from Canadian media anymore.....
  18. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: Spare us your annoyance. Canada has some amazing players, and there is nothing wrong with being confident. The European media is just as biased. We like our own players, and that's not a sin either.
  19. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP:

    Staal had to leave this tournament because his grandfather died...

    BTW I don't really understand your animosity towards Canadians...

    If I understand you correctly, you feel the International referees in the Czech - Sweden game were biased against your team and this is Canada's fault...

    Why?

    Did you notice today that Canada got called on a penalty against the Russians in overtime?

    Do you see any Canadians on these threads complaining about that?

    Cheers.
  20. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Have you ever listened to the absolute insulting reporting by the media,regarding other teams etc...??

    How bad they are, how they can't possibly compete with the "only" true hockey country...{being Canada}....

    The reporters yelling these redicioules names of the french players playing for Canada everytime they screw up something as if they performed something out of the ordinary....Come on!!!!

    St. Luise just broke his own stick and tripped over his own puck...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!That proves the dedication of the Canadians that no "other" country has etc...and etc....

    Bowmeester{or whatever this crazy name is spelt like}...gave away puck which proves how great Canada is etc...and etc....Just listen to it sometimes!!!!!

    Ohh the Russian just scored but they aren't "physical",don't fight to win etc...and etc....

    That's why the whole world hates Canadian hockey!!!!!!!

  21. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: The "whole world hates" Canadian hockey because of how Canadian sportscasters call a game. Are you insane?! You must be. First of all the whole world doesn't listen to the telecast. Where are you actually from?
  22. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP:

    I will agree with your point on the media....

    The Canadian Sports media are generally terrible.

    BTW I now watch hockey games here with the sound down and have refused to watch Coach's Corner with Don Cherry... Games are just more enjoyable for me that way.

    Maybe, you should try to do the same... It might save you from blowing an aneurysm...

    Cheers.
  23. Steve A from United States writes: Random, If you could read (obviously you can't) you would also see I said Canada could take anyone best of seven. Sorry to hurt your feelings, but it's true. The reason any team can beat the other in one game is the nature of hockey - luck (good or bad) in how the puck bounces and/or a hot goalie can change the results. Canada and Russia are the two best countries in my opinion, so their games will be closer. But I still take Canada best of seven. And I totally take Canada in 2010 - watch my words! I don't think the Canadian media (at least the live broadcasters) is as biased as other countries' media are in favor of their teams. If you watch Pierre McGuire on TSN he seems to be thrilled whenever Canada loses. We are always touting the skill on other teams and announcers are very quick to credit a shift in momentum against Canada. Overall the focus will be more on Canada than any other team because, well, it is the CANADIAN media. You want a Russian focus, move to Russia. And don't let the door hit you on the way out. As for whatever point you are trying to make out of the Czech team and Sweden, all I know is Canada made it to the gold medal game because they won all their other games. They don't pick the teams they play against. The officiating at this tournament doesn't match the NHL (i.e. the best league in the world) - sorry, there have been calls that didn't go Canada's way. All the penalties in this game were well called. I don't like the rule that led to Nash being on the bench in OT and think it should be changed, but it was the rule for this game so I didn't whine when he got it or the Russians got it earlier. Stop your whining.
  24. Mark H from Canada writes: My best regards to Russia. Salute!
  25. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: Any country doing a telecast where their country is playing is naturally going to support the home team as much as possible. Canada isn't allowed to as well?
  26. Steve A from United States writes: To Random (continued) Anyway, Canada is the #1 ranked country in the world. You may have noticed we won this tournament last year and were kicking butt this year until the team took a very poor strategy of defending the lead. Our juniors own the world, and at the end of the day I take Canada over any other team. Rant however you want (there is freedom of speech in Canada so your drivel will be posted - don't count on that once you're in Russia), but anyone who knows hockey (i.e. not you) knows how pathetic your commentary is. See you in 2010. You'll have to look up to see us, we'll be the ones on the top step, with gold objects around our necks. FYI - there is more than one Staal... please, know something before you comment on it. You're cluttering the Internet with your garbage.
  27. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Absolutely....they know what the media does and what they say at all the Tournaments....

    I was present with whole Czech Hockey Association at a junior tournament just before the Salt lLake Olympics...

    You should listen to the Vice-Chairman of the Association and what he had to say about Canadian hockey and NHL....

    I am not making this up ,it is a really big problem for the idiots at TSN or CBC,they way they insult other countries....
  28. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: They don't insult anyone, you are just obviously way way too hypersensitive and nationalistic. Get a spine and stop sniveling.
  29. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Canada is ranked number 1 in the world?

    Come on?

    Since Friday,until then Sweden was for 2 years ever since they won the Olympics and before it was the Czechs....

    Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Have you ever listened to the absolute insulting reporting by the media,regarding other teams etc...??

    How bad they are, how they can't possibly compete with the "only" true hockey country...{being Canada}....

    The reporters yelling these redicioules names of the french players playing for Canada everytime they screw up something as if they performed something out of the ordinary....Come on!!!!

    St. Luise just broke his own stick and tripped over his own puck...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!That proves the dedication of the Canadians that no "other" country has etc...and etc....

    Bowmeester{or whatever this crazy name is spelt like}...gave away puck which proves how great Canada is etc...and etc....Just listen to it sometimes!!!!!

    Ohh the Russian just scored but they aren't "physical",don't fight to win etc...and etc....

    That's why the whole world hates Canadian hockey!!!!!!!
  30. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Agree (with most posters) that most of what RP says is complete nonsense and based on animosity...

    However, RP is also probably right about the anti-European bias of certain members of the Canadian sportsmedia.

    Cheers.
  31. Steve A from United States writes: Yeah, Jay Bouwmeester has a weird, hard to spell name. But all the Russian names, no more complicated than Smith or Jones. I don't know what media you watch. Yes, there are people who write in support of Canadian hockey (easy to do, we are the best). But the actual media calling the game - they annoy me for being so slanted in favor of other teams and not Canada. Always talking about how a team is a real threat, etc. I think it's pretty balanced. Yes, people like Don Cherry are going to tout Team Canada (not hard to do, we are the best). But I'm sure each country has people like him (probably dressed differently though) who cheer their home team. What do you expect? You sound like you have pretty high blood pressure. If you're suffering from Klinefelter syndrome you should seek counselling, and stop wasting people's time with your rants.
  32. Steve A from United States writes: RP - what's the ranking today? And regardless of the ranking, no country is as deep and talented as Canada.
  33. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: So? who cares? RP is obviously the result of a heavily biased mindset based in Europe. The idea that European Hockey is superior in all ways, and his problem is when he hears the exact opposite expression from Canadian media. So we get childish ranting rather than discussion.
  34. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Congratulations to Russia on a well-played game. Too bad the Canadian team went into a defensive shell in the third period--bad strategy.
  35. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: The times when Canadians deserved the praise was when players such as Vachon,Dryden,Orr,Clarc,Sittler,Machovlich,young Gretzky,Perrault etc....were playing....

    That was a real class....and those games meant something in the Challange Cups,Canada Cups,World Cups....

    And Americans,such as Hull,Esposito,Trottier,Bessy....

    When the Jets,Nordics,the Stingers etc...used to play honest hockey.....

    Now,it's all media hype,orchastrated and fixed by NHL big bucks....

    Going back a little further Mikita way back even further etc....{never mind he was Czech}

    At those times the international competitions meant something....

    At those times you felt there was a duel between the Nations....

    Just visit the "nhl/wha hall of fame" in TO to see what hockey used to be like....

    How many Russian,Czech,Swedes and Fins are in there....

    That show a sports competition spirit....

    Not this pre-orchastrated BS.....
  36. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Amanda Bereford from Vancouver, Canada:

    Agree with your 1:41 AM post.

    However, doesn't RP sound awfully familiar to someone that one could watch between periods on HNIC on Saturday nights ?

    Cheers.
  37. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: The times when Canadians deserved the praise was when players such as Vachon,Dryden,Orr,Clarc,Sittler,Machovlich,young Gretzky,Perrault etc....were playing....

    That was a real class....and those games meant something in the Challange Cups,Canada Cups,World Cups....

    And Americans,such as Hull,Esposito,Trottier,Bessy....

    When the Jets,Nordics,the Stingers etc...used to play honest hockey.....

    Now,it's all media hype,orchastrated and fixed by NHL big bucks....

    Going back a little further Mikita way back even further etc....{never mind he was Czech}

    At those times the international competitions meant something....

    At those times you felt there was a duel between the Nations....

    Just visit the "nhl/wha hall of fame" in TO to see what hockey used to be like....

    How many Russian,Czech,Swedes and Fins are in there....

    That show a sports competition spirit....

    Not this pre-orchastrated BS.....
  38. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Congrats to the Russians on a well-fought and well-deserved victory. What a way for Kovalchuk to redeem himself! Don't like to see my Canadian guys falter like that, but as another poster before said, they have nothing to hang their heads for.

    I see MK Euro Czechs 2008 has changed his/her name to Random Person. Still as angry as he/she was before though.
  39. Amanda Beresford from Vancouver, Canada writes: Well the thing about Don is he is a performer, and he knows it. He's paid to get people riled up, and some people fall for it. This RP guy is just whacked all to hell, and he doesn't even make any money on it.
  40. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes:...I see MK Euro Czechs 2008 has changed his/her name to Random Person. Still as angry as he/she was before though.
    ------------------------

    RP still hasn't learned how to spell yet either.
  41. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Jeff Gulley...you pest...

    You are still in Hradec Kralove....?

    We will be there the whole July and half of August with my son playing soccer with junior Spartak....{we'll be commuting there from Zamberk...you know Orlicke Hory...30 miles}

    Give me your e-mail or mobil and we can go for beer...

    12 ctku or 11 ctku,for me....Staropramen and I will stick to Hanusovice....Jenom jedenactku....
  42. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: MK Euro: Isn't Stan Mikita Slovakian, not Czech? Wasn't he also a bit of a "grinder", which you so clearly despise according to your comments. Oh, I'm sorry, you only hate the Canadian grinders.

    And why on earth would the headline read "Bohemian Rhapsody" as you suggest? Let me spell this out for you: THE CZECH TEAM DID NOT WIN. Bohemia, great place that it is, has nothing to do with this article. Why don't you move back here? You can take my place in Hradec Kralove...me and my girlfriend are moving to Canada.
  43. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium:

    Spell check is a wonderful invention that can improve one's credibility 110%...

    I was actually going to send RP a list of the words that he has previously misspelled, but I thought that would be petty.

    Cheers.
  44. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium:...I was actually going to send RP a list of the words that he has previously misspelled, but I thought that would be petty.
    --------------------------

    And time consuming. Maybe you could list the ones spelled correctly. Spell check would be of no help with players' names.

    It's disappointing to lose, but the Russians played a great game and it is a little easier to take than losing to Sweden.

    Did you notice that both refs last night were from Sweden? I wonder which team the Swedes detest more, Canada or Russia. I saw no bias. You?
  45. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Globe and Mail has no spell check....

    Jeff Gulley...You must be nuts.....

    Being EU person in EU zone is much better then what you will do here....

    Probably you are home sick?
  46. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Globe and Mail has no spell check...

    Jeff,where were you whole night to be at the internet at 7 am....?

    You are nuts dragging your girlfriend overhere....

    Homesick is strong though,isn't that?
  47. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Also,I detect you Jeff are a little "angry' aren't ya?
  48. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium:

    To tell the truth, Rollo -- I didn't get to watch the Canada - Russia game yesterday afternoon...

    I was up into the wee hours conversing on-line with a ranting, Czech supporting Penguin from the Heard and MacDonald Islands, and then I ran a half-marathon in Halifax this morning... By game time, I was too baked to stay up and watch.

    I thought that RP might have something interesting to say but it turned out to be no more than "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

    That's life.... sometimes.

    I didn't even know that there was a Czech version of Krusty the Coach...

    Cheers.
  49. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: Random Person, Canada wins most of the junior tournaments, both the Under 17 and the World Juniors. No, not every tournament, but more often than not. That leaves the 30% or 40% of the tournaments we don't win to be split amongst all those "skillfull" Euro nations and the US. Yet you bloviate that the Euros are somehow better. You obviously know nothing about the game. Nothing. Please keep talking though. It's entertaining to see someone make such a complete fool out of himself. A 5-4 OT loss in the final game is hardly a massive indictment of Canadian hockey. Where were all those other fantastic European hockey teams anyway? If Canada was so terrible, they wouldn't have been in the Gold medal game. They were one goal away from gold. But the Euros are all better. Of course.
  50. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: By the way Random Person, Bobby Hull was CANADIAN. So was Brian Trottier. While Trottier used his native Indian status to switch to the US side, he was born and raised in Canada, and learned his hockey here. He did so because he wasn't happy with the role he'd play behind guys like Gretzky and Gilbert Perault and Guy LaFleur if he played for Canada. You are making a bigger and bigger fool of yourself, the longer you post. Keep posting loser.
  51. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: By the way Random Person, Bobby Hull was CANADIAN.
    --------------------------------

    As Bobby Hull played for Chicago, his son Brett grew up with dual citizenship, and could choose to play with Canada or the USA.

    It's too bad that television scheduling ruins overtime with 4 on 4 and possibly a shoothout.
  52. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Regardless I remember Trottier playing for USA...Hull was Canadian ,his son however played for USA...Didn't he... I remember when the Americans brought him to Europe and the line was Bossy and Trottier,they were 18 years old and did better then when Canada brought 17 year old Gretzky..... I tell you one thing when the Jets came to Czechchoslovakia as the WHA winners,they did get "hammered" by the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia etc...However,they were true hockey players...competitiors,playing for their Country.... How that makes me an idiot? The Stastny's were from Slovakia as well? WOW..... Alistair....You don't know what demage it does to the European programs to have 15 year olds from their countries to play in Junior Hockey in Canada.... Very similar to what it does to Canada's program,loosing all their juvenile players to Europe.... Most of the young Czechs and Europeans get discarted and end up either quitting hockey and/playing in AHL....While they lost the European style and become "worthless".... Most of them would have been much more advised to play Junior Hockey in Czech Rep... and Europe and come here as true stars... Like Jagr,Hasek,Straka etc...Hejduk,Elias,Hlinka,Bubla,Pouzar,Musil,Crha,Klima,Suchy, and on and on....{dosens and dosens}..came here as finished hockey players.... NHL isn't a positive force in World Hockey.....
  53. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Bobby Hull played for Winnipeg Jets....Bobby Clark from Flin Flon was in Chicago,right?
  54. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP from Heard and McDonald Islands writes:

    "I tell you one thing when the Jets came to Czechoslovakia (not Czechchoslovakia as you have written) as the WHA winners, they did get "hammered" by the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia"
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Wow! Congratulations!

    I think I might even remember the Winnipeg Jets and the WHA...

    Late 1970's.... wasn't it?

    Cheers.
  55. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Bobby Hull played for Winnipeg Jets....Bobby Clark from Flin Flon was in Chicago,right?
    -------------------------

    Bobby Hull also played for the Jets, yes, in the twilight of his career. Bobby Clark from Flin Flon Manitoba played for Philadelphia (and was their GM, last I heard).
  56. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: No, Bobby Clarke from Flin Flon, Manitoba played for the Philadelphia Flyers...

    Bobby Hull played a long time for the Chicago Black Hawks before signing the first million dollar hockey contract with the Winnipeg Jets...

    Don't you have google on the Heard and MacDonald Islands?
  57. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP:

    More importantly, how did Czechoslavakia fare against some of the other WHA squads like the Miami Screaming Eagles, the Dayton Aeros and the San Francisco Sharks ?
  58. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Just for the record, Bobby Clarke is no longer the GM of the Flyers...

    He is the Flyers' Senior Vice President -- whatever that means!

    Cheers.
  59. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Okay,just off the cuff....

    Bobby Clark did play for the Flyers.....I mixed him up with Bobby Orr....

    You are right,my mistake....

    We followed this as kids,....So,don't take me to the detail as I don't take you for every team any Czech stars played....

    Just to try...where was Stastny's all 3 brothers playing before coming here...and/or where did Crha or Klima played before coming here?

    I am not using Google....

    It's not about this kind of discussion...it's about the whole principle of the game going forward....

    Another try...Trottier and Bossy played in New York for the Islanders,right?

    {not for Rangers?}....
  60. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Just for the record, Bobby Clarke is no longer the GM of the Flyers...He is the Flyers' Senior Vice President -- whatever that means!
    --------------------------

    Thanks Rob, it means that his association with the club still draws fans.

    NHL isn't a positive force in World Hockey..... have to agree, ditto with IIHF.
  61. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: You forgot Cincinnati Stingers.....
  62. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP:

    Peter, Anton and Marian Stastny all played for HC Slovan Bratislava before coming to the Quebec Nordiques...

    Peter Klima played for Litvinov of the Czech league...

    I don't even know what a Crha is...

    Yes, Trottier and Bossy both played for the New York Islanders... not the Rangers.

    Cheers.
  63. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: RP:

    OK, I admit that I just had to look up the Crha question on Google...

    It was a trick question.... Not fair !

    Jiri Crha didn't really play for a real NHL team....

    He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

    Cheers.
  64. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Crha{played for TML} was the goalie who came here after Nedomansky...Klima played for Pardubice....

    Anton and Peter played for Quebeck,but Marian the oldest brother played also for ther Maple Leafs...

    You are right they did all play for Slovan Bratislava,in Slovakia...

    They also fomed a 3 brothers formation with Anton being 17,Peter 19 and Marian 22 at a World Cup{I believe Czechoslovakia won that one},before coming over here....{there is a story behind that...Peter and Anton came first,ran away from a trip to Austria and Marian went back to get his family and it took him another 3 years to get out....}
  65. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: MK Euro: you do your fine country a great disservice by posting on this board.

    I can assure everybody else that most Czechs are fine people. If you can ever make it over here, Prague is probably the most beautiful city in Europe, and Cesky Krumlov is a small town that everybody should visit at least once. Don't judge the Czech Republic by one ranting random person with an inferiority complex about his/her national team.

    MK Euro, the Czechs and other European teams are just as guilty as not always fielding their best players for this tournament. Where is the great Ales Hemsky this year? He never plays for team Czech when they could use his skill because he would rather enjoy his time off. I know this because my work colleague is from Pardubice and is friends with him. I know you have a huge hate on for Canada...you're not the only one, definitely, but it baffles my mind why you choose to live there.

    My girlfriend and I will be fine, thanks for your concern.
  66. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: NHL isn't a positive force in World Hockey..... have to agree, ditto with IIHF.

    ------------

    I wonder if the IIHF people even watch their own hockey games. How did the best player for Team Russia not go to Kovalchuk last night? Do they just dip in and pick names out of a hat?
  67. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Hemsky wasn't released by Oilers to play....Mr.Jeff....

    Czech Republic isn't some kind of place for some "canadian yahoos" like you to get girlfriends and pretend that you are "smart" because you speak "english"....

    I think that everybody has seen through that and that's why you are on the move,my man......back where you came from....
  68. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium:

    I understand that the IIHF is currently trying to establish a "Champions Hockey League" and will award the "Champions Hockey League Trophy" in January 2009... The New York Rangers will be playing some games against some of the involved clubs this coming fall as I understand...

    SC Bern vs. NYR -- Sept. 30, 2008
    Metallurg Magnitogorsk vs. NYR -- Oct. 1, 2008

    Will Belgium ever field a team in that league?

    I also wonder if that means more European players will stay closer to home to play...

    Cheers.
  69. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Mluvim cesky taky. Ty myslis, ze znas me, ale neznas. Pracuju pro firm, ktery vytvora pocitacovy software. Mozna moje cestina neni perfekni, ale zkusim.

    Nemyslim, ze jsem chytry....ja vim, ze jsem. Moje pritelkyne je dobra zena a dobra ceska. Taky ja mam dobre cesky pratele tady. Mas nejaky kanadsky pratele se tvym postojem?

    Budu cekat jeste hodny roky pro Cesi vyhrat tento sampionat :-) Dobre stesti kamarade.
  70. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Will Belgium ever field a team in that league?
    ====================

    I sure doubt it. Here it's football, football, football. Tennis is covered on television only when Belgians play.

    England, maybe. Their semi-pro league plays without the middle redline which makes for a fast, exciting game...
  71. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: I wonder if the IIHF people even watch their own hockey games. How did the best player for Team Russia not go to Kovalchuk last night? Do they just dip in and pick names out of a hat?
    --------------------

    I dunno. I turned off the game off the second after Russia scored. Am I a poor loser? Maybe, but, as Jimmy Carter said, show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.
  72. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: I dunno. I turned off the game off the second after Russia scored. Am I a poor loser? Maybe, but, as Jimmy Carter said, show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.

    -------

    Haha...never heard that quote before. But I have heard "second place is the first loser". Haha. Don't fret though, getting silver against that solid Russian team isn't a bad thing. It's a bit of revenge for them too, because Canada took it last year on their home turf (albeit, not playing against Russia).

    Me and my friends (three other Canadians, one Czech, one half-Czech half-American) were watching the game in a pub right across the room from a table of Russians. They were pretty good winners about it so we gave them a round of applause after the anthem was played. I guess we're still losers for now though :P
  73. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Rollo Tomasi from Belgium:

    The calibre of the proposed "Champions Hockey League" doesn't seem to be just "semi-pro," however, if they are planning to play games against the NYR. This proposed European league also seems to have a bit of money and business support behind it...

    Makes you wonder if a Global Professional league is a future possibility where more players represent teams of places from whence they hail...

    Might make things more interesting.... then RP can head home!

    Good night.
  74. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: The NY Rangers will also play in Prague..that's why Straka and Jagr had to sign for another year....

    It's just a regular NHL game and another like that will be in Sweden as well....{I think Ottawa Senators will play}

    Jeff Gulley......

    I know people like you....You are basically "parasiting" off of the Czech good will overthere? Aren't you?

    I am surprised you actually work as yahoos like this usually went there to "teach" English....To make everyone amused that you sound like a rock'n'roll band....

    I remember you didn't cheer for the Czechs either during the Junior WC in December/January in Hradec Kralove and Pardubice,did you?

    Your Czech is fine for a foreigner/emigrant...although you could still use spell check and actually some structure to the Czech sentences.....
  75. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: MK Euro: Yes, Czech is difficult, and I don't give it the due diligence I should, but my company doesn't want me speaking in Czech, they want me speaking in English so that they can improve theirs. Thanks for the criticism of what I already know (and told you). I did teach for two years, and now I edit. Not all English teachers are lazy, the same way not all Czechs living in Canada are jerks. I was already in a rock and roll band years ago, so I don't need to pretend the way some people do (yes, I have met them here, I know who you're talking about). In order, I cheer for: Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic. I cheer for Czech Republic because of my girlfriend only. I have never liked the overall style of play, but I do like many Czech players. I said during the juniors that I didn't think Czechs would win...that is entirely different than not cheering for somebody. I don't think the Toronto Maple Leafs are winning anything soon either, but I still cheer for them. You don't "know" people like me...you don't seem to know much of anything, really. If anything, I would say that the schools here do more parasiting of native speakers than anything else. I'm glad I'm out of teaching, and when I get back to Canada I will be reporting my first headmaster. Some schools are okay, but the Swiss company I work for is leagues better than being a teacher in the Czech Republic. I regret nothing from living here the past three years. I'm excited to come back to Canada and to have my girlfriend move with me. She's excited too. And yes, I will continue to try speaking Czech with her when we get back. Now...what else do you think you know about me?
  76. John Stanton from Canada writes: Jagr is a wimp and should hang it up. He isnt good enough for the nhl anymore. The guy has been carried by Mario Lemiuex for years. Nice mullet too.
  77. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: Random Person, Mike Bossy never played for the US. While he played for the New York Islanders, he was a Canadian, and played only for Team Canada. Never once did he play for the US. Once again, your lack of knowledge is apparent. No wonder you love Euro hockey. You don't know anything about the North American game.
  78. Alex Peterson from Canada writes: Great game, great effort by both teams. Amazing come back by Russians, congratulations!
  79. Comrade Liberale from Canada writes: Another embarrassment on the national and international stages for Canada.

    Perhaps instead of cutting back funding and putting the money towards vote buying in Quebec and the spending spree for the military had Harper injected more money into the sport he supposedly loves so much this wouldn't have happened.

    What a disgrace.
  80. Sergey Pashkov from Moscow, Russian Federation writes: Russia is probably less hockey-mad than Canada but comes close. Great game. At 4-2 I thought we had no chance. You should have listened to Russian commentators. They were all saying about how it is not disgraceful to lose to a team like Canada.

    You have nothing to blame your players for, forces were equal but luck was on our side. Congrats to Canada for playing with their usual character and will.

    We'll see you soon
  81. Celine Brown from Canada writes: Rick Nash is our own Bill Buckner. What a stupid move.
  82. Earl Anthony from Canada writes: Thank you Sergey.

    What surprised me the most about the game was the Russians out body-checked the Canadian team. Ovechkin's enthusiasm and physical play was a big movitator for the Russians. Russians won because they wanted it more.

    You have to be excited about the future for both teams given the young talent on both clubs. Canada we can't win them all (under 18's and Juniors) though we came close!

    PS I'd rather listen to Miller and McGuire any day over the Toronto duo.
  83. nooracle nooracle from toronto, Canada writes: Why nobody mentions the fact that this victory of Russia over Canada happened at the 100 anniversary of the International Hockey League which is rival to NHL? And in Canada, heartland of world hockey? And over Canada? And to restore its shaken prestige Canada will have to wait another 100 years?
    So it is symbolic defeat, which, in its symbolic way, says volumes about shifting of power in the world in economic, political, and now, sport domains from America to Europe and Asia.
    But, to me, the nearest reason for Canadian loss in this game was a spineless attitude of the trainer of team Canada: you can't win if ready to lose.
  84. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: The hockey Gods have a sense of humor,a little blip in the world of hockey domination by Canada.

    If Canada wins it every year who would come.

    Good game by the Ruskies!
  85. Kim Huynh from Canada writes: One thing I observe in this game is that the Russian players are very accurate when passing the puck to other team players. And the Canadian very often passing the to their opponents. A stupid penalty aside, Canada is still the best team when it comes to hockey. The Russians play sports with their national pride in mind so as our team. But this devastating loss has more to do with the team coordination and practice than luck or else. After 17-year streak of winning, one loss is just a fluke. Next time around, to beat the Russians, Canada must learn to be more disciplined and team-centered practice.
  86. Andrew McCammon from TSN Announcers, Canada writes: A good game was missed yesterday by TSN's incompetent announcers, who inaccurately described what was happening on the ice and virtually ignored the Russian team except for Nabakov. Biased announcers enflame patriotic wishful thinking and cheapen a world championship. Congratulations to the Russians for their skill and their determination.
  87. Celine Brown from Canada writes: These posts show the true difference between Americans and Canadians.
    Americans would be skewering Rick Nash's bonehead move, but here we just talk about what a great game it was.

    Rick Nash=Bill Buckner
  88. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Celine Brown: Rick Nash is awesome, and almost single-handedly carried Team Canada to gold last year. Yes, he took one extremely badly timed penalty in this game, but it just proves once again that nobody is perfect. Except for the Czechs, of course, isn't that right MK Euro?

    Overall, Nash once again had a great tournament. I maintain my man-crush on him, despite the careless penalty :-)
  89. Mike Anderson from Canada writes: Maybe now, and hopefully forever, we can put away this childish cliche that grit and desire are exclusively Canadian hockey traits. Guess what, folks? People from other countries can get their noses dirty, too.
  90. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: I agree Mike. I thought the Russians played a great game....hard hitting (especially Ovechkin) and great skill. Nice to see Kovalchuk redeem himself too.

    If you have to lose a game, that's the type of team to lose it to.
  91. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: It is interesting to see the American attitude brought into the forum. Americans are one of the few people in the world without a national sport to rally around. There is no Paul Henderson moment or Z.Z.'s top to give them a connection with fellow citizens. All countries stop when the national team plays-except in the US.
    The World Baseball Classic might've given Americans a chance at that elusive moment but greedy owners(imagine that!) prevented many players from playing so it's become a diluted tourney. For the record Canada beat the States in that.
    All other sports allow for a world competition every few years or so. The governing bodies work with individaul leagues to release their top players for a true World Championship. The States for some reason misses out on this. Perhaps they compensate by bullying 3rd world rice farmers in Vietnam or 4th and 5th world peasants in Afghanistan to satisfy man's ethnocentric urges.
  92. Emilio Garazgos from Canada writes: I thought that it was very gracious of the Canadian hosting team to let the visiting Russians win the tournament.

    The Canadians very politely let off of the gas pedal in the Third, content to coast on the hype that had accumulated around the team as they obliterated every other team leading up to this game,
    -- you know, an approach that the Ottawa Senators have mastered --and the Russians stuck to the business of playing to win.

    Clearly, there were two highly skilled teams on the ice, neither "better" than the other IMO. The harder-working, more-determined team won in the end, and deservedly so.
  93. joe arsenaux from summerside, Canada writes: Maybe if owners paid Canadian players more money they'd try harder. Ha.
  94. Dan L from Canada writes: Random Person from a mother's basement somewhere blurted:
    "I provided my list of missing Czechs already....

    Wasn't Staal playing ?"

    For someone who's so knowledgeable about hockey (well at least he CLAIMS to be.....) there are TWO other Staal brothers in the NHL (with another one soon to join the party!!)

    Give it a rest already, there are some great Czech players, whom by the way I seriously doubt would want to have anything to do with a pathetic whining little blowhard