I was not prepared to root against Stevie Yzerman (or Wyle Kenotye), in any capacity, ever.
Ever.
I adore Stevie Y and will eternally feel gratitude for all he has given this hockey fan and the City of Detroit, the people of Michigan. I will always want the very best for him. Always want him to excel and win. He deserves so much more. (This goes for Kenny Holland too.)
I was not prepared to care about a team based on nationality.
HEDHS, I am so anti-xenophobe, I feel bad for the Russians that lost to the US in 1980. I really, really do. Instead of thinking about how amazing that underdog win was for the “Miracle” team, I think about the conditions the Russian players were forced to live in as part of that team, and how badly they were treated. I worry that they got punished excessively for such a loss.
I am part of a new (and apparently miniscule) guard: those hockey fans who adore players and types of teams for their skill and talent and style of play. For sportsmanship, grace, drive, class and talent, not birth place.
I don’t believe that any single country owns this game more than any other. Further, I think only those countrymen willing to evolve with the game will continue to reign supreme in the hockey world.
and of course you all know how I feel about not getting a break for my beloved Red Wings during the Olympics. I fret and worry about injury and exhaustion. Olympic years are not fun in the NHL.
That said, I just loved watching Team USA manhandle the behemoth in the room, last night. Even as Kesler hit the empty netter with less than 2 minutes left, I was sure somehow Canada would pull it together and take over… I was both shocked and awed when USA held their ground and defended as if their lives depended on it through the last 4 minutes. The Canadian fire power was outrageous.
And yet they lost…
But before I talk about Team Canada I want to give credit where it is absolutely due: to Team USA- a team comprised of no less than 6 NHL players from Michigan (and two goal scoring kids from my hometown hood!). Very young and holding considerably less superstar fire power, USA was not expected to even come close to winning his game.
Yet, there I was, watching former MSU Spartan, Ryan Miller make tremendous save after outstanding save- playing like a dervish- just as he has all year. Seeing my own Red Wing, Brian Rafalski, lead and rally an underdog team with grace, focus and amazingly understated talent to the win against the most touted, celebrated and allegedly talent laden Olympic hockey team ever, and I was all Red White and Blue.
Hobey Hobey Hobey! HEDHS, I was even cheering Bobby Ryan on, without a trace of vomit rising in my throat.
I broke out into tears when Ryan Kesler hit that empty netter and they all dog piled on him.
The last time I cried over the outcome of a hockey game was on June 12, 2009.
USA! USA! So proud of this team, these players. I was proud of and impressed with the way Brian Rafalski brought his experience and quiet strength to lead a team of young 2nd and 3rd liners to the win. Trust me. B-Raf has been on a lot of championship teams, and he knows that stats, speculation and odds mean nothing when the puck hits the ice.
Some might argue that Brian Rafalski’s two goals, leading these young kids- a defenseman being the most prolific scorer might be a cause for concern down the line. I see that. Look, no team is gonna win the gold over Alexander Ovechkin or that insanely talented Swedish team, if only its defensemen are scoring. However, B-raf’s grace and experience allowed the rest of this young team to put aside their preconceived notions about going up against the NHL’s heaviest hitters, and sparked a confidence amongst them that has not previously been seen. Helped them settle and focus on the job at hand.
I was proud to see the rest of the team pull themselves up by their fight straps. I was so impressed with the heart displayed in defending their lead. Eric Staal exhibiting the sort of leadership Hurrcaine fans hope to see more of in the future…Chris Drury filling all New York Ranger fans with conflicting joy and despair: dropping like he was Stevie Yzerman to block a slapper by Weber and then scoring? Who is this kid?
All taking their cues from Brian Rafalski’s lead. Yet, even B-Raf wasn’t even the star of the show.
That designation goes to Hobey. Superstar!
RYAN MILLER!!!! Hobey has brought his regular season confidence and talent to this tournament in levels very few expected. Yes people, this isn’t a goalie having a great tourney, or stealing one (as some media outlets **cough-nhl.com-cough** have suggested.)
This is Ryan Miller continuing to have the greatest year of his goaltending career.
HOLY Crap Ryan Miller. You have been driving your Sabres to the top of the East all year long, and so its no surprise that you came into the Olympics so hot. Your talent is shining bro. Simply put, you are living up to the hype, and you are the reason USA won last night.
It wasn’t Canadian implosion, or the scrappiness of the USA team- it was 42 MF saves. Its you, who I am rooting for bro. I want to see Ryan Miller win on this international stage, with all these heavy hitting teams. Hobey deserves it, and damn it TEAM USA- don’t you dare let him down.
(Ryan Miller is sometimes referred to as “Hobey” because he is one of only 2 goalies to ever earn the coveted Hobey Baker Award.)
Still, Team USA, are far far away from being ready to stand atop a medal podium. I have no doubt Miller will provide the backstop you need here, but simply put, the rest of the blueline has got to step up and guard the neutral (this means you Jack Johnson and Dustin Brown.)
And Joe Pavalski- don’t make me start singing “second rounders” – cuz I will.
Kaner, Staal, Lanngenbrunner- we need more.
More More More. Tougher, faster, harder, stronger.
Ryan Kesler- this goes for you too.
Work harder than you think you can, harder than you think you should, and continue to expect more of yourself than you think possible.
Make us “Believe”. Earn it.
Speaking of “Believe”, it should come as no surprise to you that despite being thrilled for the USA, I can still picture the weight and pressure resting on the shoulders of Team Canada. Brody, Big Joe T, Getslaffed(at), Iginla and even Cindy- no one will be tougher on these guys than themselves.
Maybe Babcock. He can be a tough, mean ol’ bird.
So how did this happen? As I see it, there is no obvious excuse for Team Canada’s two failures in these Olympics. Yes 2 failures. I watched Canada-Switzerland, and thought, if these guys don’t get their poop in a group, they are going to get upset. The “win” over the Swiss was uninspired, sparkless and utterly below average.
Team Canada is rolling 4 lines of first liners. This year’s Team Canada is almost as much a dream team as the 1992 USA Basketball team. Mike Babcock has San Jose’s amazing first line as his first line, and his “fourth line” is comprised of first liners from Anaheim, Carolina, and Dallas (and Chicago), three of these 4th line players have Stanley Cup rings in this decade.
By comparison, Team USA, has 3 maybe 4 first liners-total. Seriously. This should have looked like a vets v. rookies training camp scrimmage last night.
Canada isn’t just lousy with the best teams’ first lines. You are looking at some of the best shooters, most talented puck handlers, strongest defenders in the best league in the world.
What’s more, you are looking at a shitload of NHL leadership and experience: Captain of the current Stanley Cup champs, two Stanley Cup winning goalies, the entire first line of the SJ Sharks- who perpetually lead the league in games won and points scored, several other Stanley Cup winning captains and coaches.
So what is wrong with Team Canada? Everyone has their theories. Here is what I am seeing.
Team Canada did not lose to USA because of overconfidence, as some in the mainstream media suggest. With the exception of a couple players, (and for once I am not accusing Crosby of this) I don’t see any of these guys being over confident. I fact, sometimes they look like they are afraid of being overconfident.
That said, I think a lot of it is in their heads.
Lack of chemistry, too many stars, not enough supporting actors? I think it is certainly part of it. I started to think this when the lack of energy and cohesion was apparent against Switzerland. Particularly passing through the neutral and general on ice communication.
And in the same breath I allow for chemistry as an excuse, I think to myself- Get the “fok” over it- you are Superstars. I can’t believe that this caliber of players cannot overcome chemistry.
I will also allow that, as I see it, your defense is really coming up short. I hate to say it, but you look a lot like last year’s Detroit Red Wings: Tons of fire power, no one guarding the blueline, leaving your goaltenders hanging out to dry (too bad you don’t have Ozzie..) Weber and Pronger are still relying too fully on intimidation, and Duncan Keith is just skating circles trying to be everything to everyone…
Some of the chemistry can be chalked up to leadership (then again look at the 2002 Detroit Red Wings- undeniable proof that massive amounts of HOFF Talent and Leadership can succeed).
Some of the chemistry can be chalked up to coaching. Babs is a tough guy to play for, but he will make you a better player if you let him. I am not always fan of Mike Babcock’s incessant line shuffling. I think sometimes it’s excessive and it does backfire, prohibiting a group to settle, find a rhythm and flow. Maybe that is what is going on here. Still in this instance, (with the exception of Marleau, Thornton and Heatley) none of these guys have played with each other before, so there should be no huge benefit to set linemates.
As for Brody? Some are whispering that this tournament may show that his career success owes more to the style of team he played for than his actual talent. Hm. I have no opinion on that one. (In other words, I am not sure I agree, but I see some evidence.)
Here is the thing. Babs is a tough coach to play for if you are a goalie. He likes a lot of offense, but expects his defense to rise of their own accord. He also doesn’t coddle a goaltender’s emotions, and we all know goaltenders while being the toughest bastards in any sport ever, also can be toyed with emotionally. Still, I see Luongo being a more emotional goaltender than Brody. Partially because of experience and partially because of personality.
My question is this: Why aren’t they playing Fleury? He’s having a seriously solid year. Is he hurt?
Regardless, I think Canada is in a very tough position because none of these goaltenders have looked adversity in the face. Not in the way a Ryan Miller or Evengi Nabokov or even Henrik Lundquist have faced adversity. In this respect, the Canadian goaltenders have a distinct disadvantage. I also think Nabby is the best goaltender in the Tourney, with Kipprusoff and Miller at 2nd, Hiller and Brody tied for third, at best. (Sorry ‘Berto, Henrik- you have to earn it.)
Chemistry, Too many cooks not enough blueline tending, Tough coaching staff, goaltending- these are all contributing to the mediocre results from Team Canada.
Losing in these preliminary rounds, while no real indicator of final success, will only be seen as complete failure and implosion in Canada. HEHDS, they closed “The Beer Store” early in Vancouver to avoid riots last night.
But that would be a mistake. The Team Canada you saw against Switzerland and the USA will not be the team you see going forward. I will chug a bottle of maple syrup if the home team continues imploding.
It ain’t over until the Canadian Mountie sings. I just refuse to believe that Canada cannot get its act together. Team Canada may be carrying the weight of their entire country’s highest, most crushing expectations, but that is why it’s impossible to believe they won’t rise to the occasion.
Then again, maybe nationalism isn’t enough anymore….
