Hockey fans, can we agree that it would have been better if Iginla had scored?

[Barack_America]

Serious question.

I was rooting for Team USA all the way, don't get me wrong, but once it went into overtime I really didn't care which way it went. Once the USA finally made a game of it and forced OT, I was satisfied.

Canada, the country and the team, clearly wanted the gold more and I'm glad they got it.

My husband is Canadian as is one of our friends that came over to watch. Immediately after the game ended, the calls started coming in from across Canada. With the exception of a few select states (Michigan, represent!), the US just sadly does not feel that way about hockey. As far as hockey is concerned, the better nation won.

That all being said, I still feel bitter as shit today. There's still one thing that's just killing me about that game.

Why did it have to be Sidney f'ing Crosby? The man with the hype that is so out of control that he's been heralded as the "Next Great One" before he ever stepped on an NHL rink? The man who is such a whiner and diver that even Don Cherry isn't that crazy about him (though I'm sure he's a bit more fond now)?

Ugh. Why couldn't it have been someone like Jerome Iginla, the tough, talented, yet humble player who exemplifies what North American hockey is supposed to be about? Why would the hockey Gods deny Olympic glory to someone like Brendan Shanahan, yet bestow it on someone like Crosby?

Why?

As one of my friends said it, "I would rather we have put it in our own net".


Okay, thanks for letting me rant. I feel like I can move on now. ;)

[MadBadger]

1. I dont think it matters because Crosby's hype isnt out of control anymore.

That's cuz of this guy

[Barack_America]

13. It eats Don Cherry up inside that Ovechkin isn't Canadian and Crosby is.

It's so obvious.

With all of his railing about European players being sissy primadonnas and Canadians being the gritty guys.

Ovechkin vs. Crosby shoots that argument to shit.

Luvs me some Ovechkin. Now THAT is a hockey player!

[Captain Hilts]

27. In Toronto they really talk trash of Ovechkin. The NHL wants Crosby to be the face of the league.nt

[LisaM]

2. ABC - Anybody But Crosby

Any Red Wings' fan will tell you that after the Penguins were handed the Cup last year, Crosby, the Captain of the Penguins couldn't be bothered to shake Captain Nick Lidstom's hand - too busy giving interviews. Anyone who knows hockey understands that this is considered extremely unsporting.

Then he had to play for Stevie Y and Mike Babcock - both with the Red Wings - who, I hope, taught him a few manners. I noticed yesterday that he shook hands.

The NHL (and any league) should beware staking their reputation on one guy. Look what just happened in golf.

[Captain Hilts]

29. The league wanted Crosby to win it. First time in my life I've felt so ripped off.

When a Cap was on a breakaway to the Pittsburgh goal and got tripped and there was NO CALL, I knew.

[Toasterlad]

3. Sidney Crosby Is Awesome, And No One Deserved to Make That Shot More.

:popcorn:

[Barack_America]

7. *shakeshead*

[alcibiades_mystery]

15. I agree

I also disagree somewhat with the characterization of fan involvement in the US. I grew up in NYC, and we got in fistfights over Rangers v Islanders stuff. Yes, it's not Canada crazy, but the US side of the Original Six are certainly hockey towns, and I'd add the PA teams and Buffalo to that without a hesitation. The problem is in the expansion teams of the last ten or fifteen years, where they're still kinda relying on the O6 and 67 expansion transplants to create a hockey culture.

[Ten Bears]

4. As a huge Brendan Shanahan fan I suspect that we would agree on more than we disagree.

Of course I liked the Blues version of Shanahan much more than the Red Wings version. However there is a reason Crosby has the hype and it showed when he scored the winning goal.

[Submariner]

5. Just be thankful he had teeth

I was a huge Bruins fan in the Bobby Orr days, and most of the players then (NONE wore helmets) were missing one or more front teeth. The interviews, given before they got back to the locker to get their false teeth, were a sight to see. :rofl:

[Barack_America]

9. I might respect him more if he were willing to lose a few. nt

[damntexdem]

6. I guess the game of hockey is just all pucked up.

[DevonRex]

8. Not Crosby's fault they hyped him so much. At least it wasn't somebody

I absolutley can't stand. Speaking of somebody I cant stand, was Bertuzzi on the team?

Yeah, Iginla's a pretty good guy from what I can tell. He has skills and he's tough. Makes him an all-round hockey player.

[Captain Hilts]

28. Good point about Bertuzzi. I'm steamed 3 out of 4 refs for the game were Canadian, actually.

That wouldn't happen in the World Cup.

They should have gotten refs from countries other than Canada and the US to do the game.

[mmonk]

10. Staal

[Barack_America]

14. Any one of them would be better.

;)

[RagAss]

11. He's no "Great One"...there's only one Great One....

and he's called the Great One.

[texanwitch]

12. There are lot of us who had never heard of either guy, really.

I didn't care with team won, just wanted to see a good game.

Hockey is not high on the interest list for a lot of people.

Congrats to winning team.

[kanrok]

16. Iginla feathered a perfect pass

I could have scored.

Crosby is getting all the ink and it's ironic.

He played a pretty crummy series, including most of the gold medal game.

Toews was the best non-goalie on the Canadian team, IMHO.

[Barack_America]

19. Good point.

All glory must go to the golden boy, as usual.

[Loge23]

17. I'm still pissed

We were thoroughly outplayed in the prelim game and we won.
This time we played even and we lost.
It was a good goal, but it was a tiny-bit blown cover by Rafalski (who was superb all tournament) defending Iginla - Iginla goes down and barely gets the puck to Crosby who sent it home from there.
I really wanted this game, because pound for pound, we outplayed them.

[deaniac21]

18. Canadians....Hockey....who cares?

[Baclava]

20. Deal with it, haters...I bet Wings fans are having a conniption

Ha ha! Sid's Golden Goal will be the Picture of Hockey for the next 30 years for Canada.



Go Pens!

We only let Canada borrow Sid for a week...he's back home now, looking to shine up Lord Stanley's Cup once again.

[kanrok]

21. LOL

He's a good player, and I certainly don't hate him.

But you have to admit he played sub-par hockey in the Olympics.

Congrats to the Canadiens.

[LisaM]

23. I was rooting for Canada, but I'm still pissed about Crosby not shaking hands

with Lidstrom. Go ahead and defend that.

[daleo]

22. Good scorers score big goals

It's just probability, I suppose.

[Lucy Goosey]

24. Yes - I love Iginla! I was happy that he at least set up the win...

I don't hate Crosby as much as I feel I should, though.

[Iggo]

25. No. It would've been better if Jack Emmer Effin Johnson scored. (n/t)

[Captain Hilts]

26. YES!!!! Iginla is terrific. The NHL protects Crosby.

Now I know how all those Piston, Jazz and Spurs fans felt in the era of Bird and Johnson. The NBA protected them, too.

[JonLP24]

30. I wouldn't change a thing

It was a great game with a great finish. :toast: to Crosby.

[Onceuponalife]

31. I wanted Joe Pavelski to score on that great opportunity

he had just before Crosby's goal. I've seen him bury it from just that spot many times this season. So I blame Luongo for robbing "Little Joe" of the glory that should have been his.