US International Hockey
Posted by jtbourne on January 6, 2010 · 53 Comments
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The gold medal game of the World Junior Championship that featured Canada and the US was everything fans could hope for.
Watching the respectful applause that spread throughout the Canadian crowd after the overtime loss to the Americans, I could not possibly have been more proud. Excessive nationalism is part of the reason so many countries resent the US, and is therefore something I need to be careful with, but I just can’t see that happening in very many other places. Props, Saskatoon.
Aw, they's just yittle guys...
But anyway… eff me, was that a good game.
I’m generally not a huge fan of watching hockey with the word “junior” in it, but the quality of the WJC hockey is always pretty insane, and this was no different. You can’t help but think that if hockey is headed in that direction, we’re in good hands. Literally.
The Americans undoubtedly deserved to win (much like they did the game on New Years Eve). That said, that was some of the grossest goaltending I’ve seen in a big game since Luongo projectile vomited on all the fans in Vancouver against the ‘Hawks last year. The goal the American tender (Lee) got pulled on was such a nauseating unforced error you just got the feeling “you can’t survive giving those up in a big game”. Apparently, you can.
I’ve had one major thought about “the good of the game” lately – and that’s that the Americans need more international success, if for no other reason that to create a taste of the mania that ensued in Canada in ’02, when we won the Olympics (men and women), World Juniors, Spengler Cup, and I think the Superbowl.
Ironically, the best thing for Canadian hockey fans that love the game would be for the US to win this years Olympics, so maybe they’ll up their coverage or do something more thorough with the sport. Congrats to the American boys on the win, and congrats to the Canadian kids for silver – disappointing in our home country, but a medal to be proud of nonetheless.
*****
Less anger, more hockey, David.
I haven’t been very active in my comments section lately, but I thought I’d chime in on the US olympic team:
Choosing Backes over Okposo isn’t a bad call at all – I’d make the same one. Opo is a bull, sure, but Backes is even bigger and stronger. Careers to date, Backes has put up a 30 goal season, been in the playoffs and works just as hard as Kyle.
What really boggled my mind is Roenick saying the US team should have Oshie over Chris Drury. I love that he speaks his mind on stuff like that - that’s what an interview should be. Someone wants to know his thoughts on the makeup of a team, and those are his thoughts.
Still, you don’t have to name players that shouldn’t be on the team. You can name guys you’d like to see on the club and be vague about who should be off the squad in their favor. As a general rule, you probably shouldn’t carve the exact guy people relate to your country’s international program. I mean, he’s probably scored a big goal or two in his career, right? Not sure though.
*****
This has been on my mind for awhile, so I’ve gotta ask:
Has anyone else noticed how many female readers/commentors I have? Its certainly not a bad thing, it’s great — thanks for your support. I was just thinking, what percentage of people reading about hockey on the internet are female? Ten? Twenty?
What percentage do you think my commentor base is, 35? 45? And they aren’t “hey you’re cute” comments, they’re serious analyses of the sport. So I wanna know – what is it about my site that has earned me such a solid female hockey base? (If you say cat pictures you’re banned, don’t be a cliche.)
*****
As I tweeted yesterday, Monday marked the first 1,000 visitor day for Bourne’s Blog. We’re on the rise people. We’re on the rise.
Also, I’m taking votes for a Deadspin-esque sign-off phrase (thanks for your continued support of Deadspin). I like to have closure at the end of posts. Y’know, “Stay classy, San Diego” or “And thats the bottom line” or Jon Stewarts “F**k that chicken”. Okay, it’s not a sign-off, but it’s still a great catchphrase.
For now, thanks for your continued classy support of our bottom line: F**k that chicken.
{Holy crap, googling for decent, recent pictures of USA international hockey reminds me of this:
WE DON’T PLAY INTERNATIONALLY! UNTIL THIS YEARS WORLD JUNIORS! WE JUST STARTED PLAYING!
I'm a hockey player turned writer. After playing for Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA (NCAA), I carried on with an NHL tryout (New York Islanders in 2007) before spending a couple seasons in the AHL/ECHL (last year was 2008-09). My father, Bob Bourne, won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the '80's, as did my fiancee's dad, Clark Gillies. I'm now the web editor for theScore's hockey blog "Backhand Shelf."
Jon Stewarts “F**k that chicken” …funniest thing I heard in a long time. Great reference!
“Excessive nationalism is part of the reason so many countries resent the US” ??
Excessive nationalism is also alive and well north of the border too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qFfuLy_fs
I’m well aware dude. Hence why I’d want to be cautious with it.
I assume the double question marks indicate you disagree that countries don’t resent the US partly due to its excessive nationalism? That’s a pretty foolish stance to take, no? Again, we’ve got it goin’ on too, so I just wanted to say — it made me proud to see my country show yours respect.
I started out last night flipping back and forth between the Blackhawks on Versus (because, THANK GOD, Joe Beninati was not doing pbp for it!) and the WJC final, but after watching about 5 minutes of the WJC game that stopped. What an exciting game.
Justin, I enjoy your blog because you’re very insightful about the game itself in all its aspects. There are other blogs I read, but your perspective is so different from that of a writer because of your experiences as a player and son of a player. I have to say, though, I do enjoy the random stuff you throw into your blogs as well, especially the little bit about the Christmas lights yesterday.
Why do I read your blog (and columns) as a woman? Probably two reasons: you’re funny (as in humorous and therefore entertaining to read) and you’re open about what it’s like to be a professional hockey player. The first is something you either have or you don’t, and the second gives me a a behind-the-curtains glimpse into a world I could never, ever be part of, but that interests me.
Man, what a helluva game. First period, I’d been flipping back and forth between VERSUS (and MN@CHI) because of the Dad’s Trip (I’ve been reading Michael Russo’s blog posts and articles about that) and the WJC on NHL Network, but after the U.S. went ahead 2-1, it stayed on NHL Network through the post-game analysis.
I can’t wait until the Olympics–even taking a week off work to hang out with friends explicitly to watch the final week of hockey competition.
You’re chick-friendly, Bourne. I mean, you admit it when you cry about stuff and yet you seem no less manly for it. It’s really quite a feat.
And like you’ve said before, you look at the personal side of the game, which I think speaks more to the way female hockey fans relate to the game. At least in my experience, we approach the game on a more personal level, and it’s a combination of what happens on the ice and whatever spark we feel for a team or players or whatever that drives our fanaticism.
Not, er, to speak for all the ladies or anything… I’m sure there are plenty of chicks out there who dig the stats and their feelings toward the team relate exclusively to the team’s performance… but none of my hockey girlfriends are like that.
You might be surprised at the percentage of female hockey fans on the whole. A vast majority of fans I’m aquainted with (both on and off line) are female, and a great number of those are more knowledgable about the NHL than male fans (meaning familiarity with other teams/players, etc.), who tend (IMDO) to be more provincial. Oddly enough, female fans are also less prone to hysteria and overreaction than male fans. (Maybe I just happen to know more hysterical male fans.
)
I have mentioned your blog to some of my female friends, only to have them respond that they already make a habit of reading you.
yea Ann, I don’t think anyone in the greater Washington, DC area can stand Joe Beninati’s commentary. He does NCAA lacrosse too, so really they only way to avoid him is to tune into Redskins and Nats games and well, that’s not those are whole other stories in themselves.
ms.conduct makes a very good point. Women tend to look more that the human side, and you provide an excellent window. Men sometimes appear to think that professional athletes are robots or part of a video game.
It sounds like I’m blessed to not know who this Beninati gentleman is…
Very wise to tread lightly with the whole fanatical patriotism thing. It usually turns into a measuring contest which is totally pointless. I love my country, you love your country, but let’s keep things in perspective.
As for the applause after the game, my first reaction was that they were celebrating the five-year run and not necessarily the US victory. After all, here was a chance for Canadians to celebrate another great run of the Canadian junior team on their own turf. Who knows what it was really for, but it came off as respectful.
I agree with the idea of the US teams needing to continue some success internationally to help foster the growth of the game. I also think we need some bigger American names in broadcasting to prove that not only were they successful in the game, but have transitioned to become unbiased and educated analysts, without the divisive edge of a Roenick or Milbury. Most of the best in the business right now are Canadians and carry the national bias (just the truth) on the air with them. Bottom line, the general American public needs that voice to sell them on hockey.
Great comment Pat (and thank you, to a few of the other commentors above) – I don’t want to start a discussion on nationalism either, I just thought it was neat, whatever they clapped for (I suspect just the effort of a great game, on both sides).
But also a great point about commentators. If Milbury and Roenick are the first voices that come to mind, the US can do better (like, say Don Cherry. Now THATS class).
There are so many reasons why other countries resent the US – it’s a little frightening to think about sometimes. We need to change our image and attitude….
It’s great that Canadian fans could appreciate a team that played well. I’m not sure US fans would have been so respectful. US fans don’t even respect fans of other US teams. Last month I went to two hockey games and a football game in another state. I can’t even count how many times we were told to “Go back to Minnesota!” I wanted to remind people that we were there spending our money on rental cars, hotels, meals, game tickets, etc – supporting their struggling team and putting our money into their local economy. The least they could have done is to just ignore us rather than heckle/jeer at us. A few excessively drunken fans made me very nervous and I just wanted out of that stadium! BTW – our teams both got their asses handed to them so we were pretty quiet throughout the games…certainly not being obnoxious about supporting our teams.
Why do you have so many women post comments? My first thought is that you make it a friendly atmosphere. You’ve talked about your family, friends and pets. You’ve talked about some sensitive issues and shown your sensitive side (including that the Winter Classic made you cry). You let your readers see you as a person, not just a faceless writer. And you write about things that everyone can relate to. We can post opinions or our “sports hate” list without needing five years of statistics to back it up. I love hockey, but I’m only really familiar with my team. I’ve never played the game (girls teams didn’t exist when I was young). I don’t memorize statistics. I don’t research who’s playing well based on their past 10 game point total, blocked shot number or faceoffs won percentage. Yet – your blog includes topics that I can chime in on. So – thank you! I will now STHU.
hey im wit mngirl … ive played alot of games in canada n mostly its been toly sweet but weve been booed, chanted at, heckled, and told to go home a bunch of times. im 17 n playin in hs now, so this was when i was even younger. one time it was a pee wee tourney n i was like 12 and toly confused why people were doin it. sweet jrs tourney … sweet final game … n hey its cool cause we beat the best in the world … the true north strong n free.
cool blog
Are you toly srius? srry to hr tht.
Chirpin’ 17 year olds………nice.
(Bourne’s Blog – We don’t care how old you are, you’re gettin’ beaked!)
And another thing about the national pride topic. I forget which coach it was for the US (Blais….I think) that was interviewed during the broadcast that said something along the lines of, “We’re trying to get the kids to realize they’re not playing against the logo on the opponent’s chest.”, but I thought it was great for someone to finally step up and make the statement.
hey toly srius .. but its cool i love canada. just found ur blog, i luv it …. mind if i link it to mine. i commented on ur entry bout the whole gay in hockey thing …. well said. not many gay kids out there playin so its cool to hear nething bout them. im one of them if u dint figure that out from my blog
mikey
Ha, not a problem buddy. Glad you liked it.
I agree with what the other ladies have written. I read your blog because you are funny, put a human side to the game of hockey and give me a window on the game of hockey that I could only dream about as a kid, because before Title IX forced US schools to start putting more emphasis on girls sports, there was no such thing as girls playing hockey in my neck of the woods on an organized team. All I could do was sit in the stands and wish like crazy I could be down there. So your descriptions of growing up playing and traveling have let me live the dream vicariously! Keep up the good work and congrats on the 1000th
Justin, consider yourself lucky. Beninati is for lack of a better term, very shrill… and I have to say, sometimes his grasp on the rules bugs me. There was a playoff game between the Caps & Flyers a couple seasons ago where someone (I think maybe Steve Downie) got a five minute major, putting the Caps on the PP. The player left the box at the end of the five minutes. Then Beninati proceeded to question whether a player could leave the box before a stoppage of play in such a case. I don’t claim to know every rule in the rulebook, but, come on, already!
Agree with the other gals here. I am not a sports player, I’m a sports watcher. Grew up watching sports with my dad and have continued to be a rabid spectator my whole life. It truly is the human side of sports that intrigues and captivates me (the passion, sacrifice, honor, commitment…). And hockey (the one sport I didn’t have a lot of exposure to as a kid ’cause my dad wasn’t into it) has grown to be the sport I love best – not only because of the beauty and intensity of the sport, but maybe moreso because of the culture of hockey. There is just so much to love about hockey and hockey players.
And you are a hockey player who shares not only the inside scoop on the sport (things I could not know, never having played it), but also of yourself – and that’s a powerful draw for us females out there.
Oh and, it’s also because you’re cute.
I agree the applause was a nice sentiment, however the excessive booing (especially when Canada wasn’t playing the US) and prank calls to players rooms in the weee hours of the morning were pretty classless. But that’s what makes sports great, you can be complete arrogant pricks the entire tourney and after you tip you hat and say touche. I’d like to think I’m that way when my Gophers play the Sioux…but then again Sioux are people not mascotts, so it’s hard to appreciate them…
On another note, the Canadian arrogance regarding the Major JR. leagues drives me Bananas…i read, on some blog, that the reason the USA won is becasue the coaches and GM were finally smart enough to put more CHL kids on the team. Even when they win it comes back to “their” Americans…
I started reading your blog after ms.c recommended it on her blog and have been reading ever since, so I guess you can thank her for my “readership.” I agree with what the other ladies have said as far as reasons to like your blog and will add the feline portraits (hey, I didn’t say cat pictures, still banned?) and love of Nannerpuss made me like you even more. Also, yours is the only blog I’ve ever read that has referenced the Banana’s in Pajamas. Hockey, adorable animal pics, and humor… How could I not be hooked?
I really appreciate the article you did on gay hockey players. If I hadn’t been reading you previously, I would have after reading that article. So… thank you.
I like your blog because as many of the women have already pointed out, you’re insightful, funny and seem to tell it like it is. I also like your honesty and sense of humor, which is a rare find in the media these days. Most of all, I love that you’re Bob Bourne’s son. I was very lucky in my life to have personally witnessed your dad’s 4 Stanley Cup wins. I’ve loved your writing style since the first article you wrote for Chris Botta’s Pointblank. That’s what got me hooked and why I continue to read.
i thought the canadian applause was out of respect for the game that was played, and thought that was pretty cool. as an american, i’d like to think that were the same to happen in buffalo next year, the crowd would stick around out of respect, but i’m not so sure.
i can remember watching the wings win the cup in the ‘burgh and hoping the yinzers would stay and applaud and a fair amount did.
i just think canadians have a stronger connection to the game, heck, you cried watching the classic, and i think that’s awesome.
p.s. i hate the two-tone helmets….
Well, most of the reasons why (also) females like your blog were mentioned before
), internal “relationships” within a team, bus tours, moose-stories etc. etc.
The main reason why I like this blog is that it is NOT another blog commenting on last nights game (what can be found a thousand times in the internet….) and stats. I do like the blog because of the the “besides the rink” topics like puck bunnies, commentators (nice to mention those two in the same sentence
To sum up: You bring daily hockey topics to a point that “the average fan” can understand
P.S.: I won’t comment the video – only because you said a discussion on nationalism is not wanted…. not because of my nationality
P.P.S.: Cat pictures are fine, but I’d like to see more bunny pictures again
http://www.jtbourne.com/every-blog-has-its-day/
I don’t really have a problem with Roenick speaking his mind about Oshie and Drury…Brian Burke knows a helluva lot more than I do, but I really agree with JR on this take…Having been able to watch Oshie since his HS days I think he was the most notable omission from the US roster….He started slow in the NHL this year and is playing very well right now….He was great in his World Jr appearance…He can do it all, plays with edge, scores, pound for pound of the strongest guy on his skates I’ve seen and I’m sure you know that from playing against him…Drury, while has scored big goals, has not been great his last few NHL seasons, he’s a great leader but don’t see him with a big role on US squad
Just like I think Mike Green needs to be on Team Canada….like John Carlson proved in the WJC, special teams in these tournys are HUGE…take the risk of the weaker Dzone play for a guy that can make a HUGE difference in the other end…just like Ryan Ellis proved last year at the WJC
If your face gets hot and your fingers run to the keyboard when someone mentions that the country you are from might be a tad nationalistic, you might be proving the point as you type, regardless of what you’re saying or linking to.
I live in Canada, watch TSN, and read blogs, and so far 90% of what I’ve read, seen, and heard, is that the U.S. played an outstanding game, outplayed Canada in both games, and was the fastest team in the tournament. Short of throwing ourselves on the ground, whipping ourselves, and begging for redemption, I’m not sure what some of you are looking for. You won, you’re getting the props, just enjoy it!
As for the “go back to _____” comments, is it fair to say that fans yell that shit at every team they beat, including small towns from 45 minutes away in their own state or province? Let’s not assume that drunk, angry sports fans represent the will of a nation.
Sorry Bourne, couldn’t resist.
Oops didn’t realize minnesotagirl71 already made that third point
Just want to give a shout out to Mikey! so cool that two blogs I follow are intersecting.
Class is what makes us Canadian. I was so pissed that we lost, but it still made me smile to hear the American boys singing their national anthem. They played a good game.
Justin, I found your blog after reading your article on gay slurs. As a woman, it got me hooked because not many men can stand up and say what you said. The gay activist in me loved that too. As a hockey fan, your blog is funny and insightful, and I don’t get overwhelmed by it (I love hockey, but I don’t understand all the ins and outs of the game.) Plus you put in other stuff too, so it doesn’t get boring.
I think it’s easier to be a female hockey fan online on a blog like this, than trying to hang out at a sports bar with a bunch of drunk boys. Don’t get me wrong, that’s fun in its own way, but female hockey fans don’t get a lot of respect, and your blog gives us that. So thank you.
Justin– Like so many of the other ladies have mentioned above…its all about the personal nature of the blog. The way you talk on here its like we’re all sitting at a bar having a conversation. You have the exact same sense of humor of one of my best friends..except he despises hockey (ive tried so hard to convert him but it just wont work!! he has had bad run ins with hockey players so maybe that has something to do it…any tips from anyone to get someone to appreciate the sport?) But the main reason I started reading your blog was after I read when of your hockey news articles about being a player…the behind the scenes stuff…and i love love love that kinda stuff. I mean ive had favorite players because of a story I hear about them…like a personal story and then i do some more research and its like “wow he is really talented too..”
although i should NOT like you because you hate my boy Milan Lucic…who happens to be my favorite player…buut i’ll let it slide
I enjoy the blog for many of the above reasons, but mostly because I play, or did before a series of bad injuries put me into grudging semi-retirement these last two years. The locker room style humor (toned down for publication of course), the player’s perspective about all the things I miss, what can I say, it’s all good stuff. I read the other blogs because I’m a stats geek, but this is the one that puts me back a little bit into how it feels to play.
It’s funny – people are remarking about you putting cute and/or sensitive stuff on here, and the truth is, the guys I played with/against tended to have that same mix of tough and cuddly. I guess it’s easier to let your softer side out when you just beat the crap out of someone on the ice
Cheers!
“mix of tough and cuddly”. This is very true, and more of course. Hockey players are the greatest guys alive, this is true.
Thanks Mr. Bourne for the USA Today article you wrote back in November. It shocked me that stuff like that happens, I never knew this, but I am naive sometimes despite me experiencing hockey up close and personal and as something more. But, I think it might be a regional thing too, if you know what I mean, (more liberal areas versus not so liberal). I was going to email you and thank you personally, but I was nervous to give my real name, and I can’t answer questions, and it’s also not my place to talk about things other than my own personal life. But thanking you is what I have intended to do for months.
The more the media talks about things and addresses things, the more desensitized the public will become. You guys play an important role, but visibility counts most and that rests on the individuals themselves, but that’s not my place to decide for others, only for myself. Things are changing for the better though.
Your article meant a lot.
I’m just here because Justin is soooooooo good lookin’
Someone had to say it…
what I wrote was all lies.
I’m really here just because of your looks
Roenick doesn’t answer to anyone or anything anymore for his verbal lashings, except for the bathtub full of money he made for playing “a game.” So, if he wants to beak Drury for being less deserving of a spot on the Olympic team, then whatever, it’s just JR beaking off like normal, only now no one’s gonna fine or suspend him. Hmm, maybe some team should’ve just put in a bid for him just so they could gag him…. we could all be in trouble otherwise.
I had a few thoughts on the WJC’s as well: http://bit.ly/6gGHGO
I really like your comment about mentioning guys who you think should have been on a team but avoiding the “I’d take off _____ and put in _____” comment, no need to sandbag a guy just because someone else might have been better, especially in the media.
We were all thinking it JBrown!
I have a couple of thoughts about the WJC.
First of all, the US v. Canada games – both of them – were so incredible that the people who watched them should feel privileged that they had that opportunity. Such unbelievable hockey, such great stories in both games.
Second, the rules need to be changed to stop teams from running up the scores. It’s frankly poor sportsmanship and it’s a real killer for teams in the lower tier when they’re trying to sell hockey to their respective countries.
Third, kudos to the Saskatoonies for the applause, but I have to wonder if a brief smattering of applause post-game makes up for the gloating, preening, strutting, and all-around egotism on display in the weeks (and, indeed, months) leading up to that moment. For a solid year, since last year’s US WJC meltdown, we’ve been treated to endless ruminations on the “hubris” of the Americans and the Canadians’ nobility and determination in the face of adversity. I have to say the irony is delicious (I can’t lie), but the lack of sportsmanship on both sides is nauseating. Having the WJC in Canada (and, consequently, home ice advantage) two years out of three is bad enough – sure, it’s because it’s how the tourney makes money – but it also seems sometimes that the WJC is less about promoting international hockey and more about being an annual masturbatory experience for Hockey Canada to offset the lack of a Stanley Cup or to make up for Olympic disappointment. Again, this is perception and I’m sure I’ll see plenty of disagreement, but that’s how it seems outside of the Great White North.
And finally, I can’t help but ponder the irony of the treatment of the US WJC team, given that the exact same tactics were used by the Soviets on the Canadians prior to the 1972 Summit Series games in Russia (to much howling and cries of “Foul!”). I guess it had the same effect as it did back then.
I’m more prone to believe the WJC is just a tournament of under 20 kids that want to represent their country and promote their personal careers, nothing more. I was unaware the US faced any “tactics” beyond being booed, which is EXACTLY what a good fan does to his opposing team, for sporting reasons, not personal ones (see: NY Rangers. BOO.)
The fans don’t pick where the games are at, and ours bought tickets to the games and cheered their hearts out, save for a few idiots, which all countries have.
And hey, hockey’s our big thing up there, like football is down here. Honestly though, I followed the tournament very little this year, so I probably have no idea what you’re referring too. Just sayin’ people are people and I doubt any of it is a real crisis.
@zyllyx:
You’ll appreciate this column from the local paper in Saskatoon.
http://tinyurl.com/hockeyboo
@Firestorm: Terrific article.
@Justin: The “tactics” I referred to were the incessant middle-of-the-night phone calls to the players’ rooms in the interest of keeping the players tired and taking away their mental edge. That wasn’t the fans’ fault, but it certainly was poor sportsmanship.
As for the rest of it, your assessment is dead-on… from the players’ perspective. Sadly, tournaments like these are rarely seen from that perspective. I will say this – the worst behavior seems to come from the Toronto media which, like the New York media, seems to have more than its share of arrogant d-bags on staff.
As a personal aside, I love the fact that Canada is so passionate about hockey. It’s when that passion becomes jealousy and “you can’t play with my toy because it’s my sandbox” type sentiment where I start to lose interest. I still maintain that that proprietary sentiment is one of the things keeping ice hockey from being more popular in the States than it is.
Now, having said all of this, can you imagine what the Stanley Cup championship would be like if it was an annual “Nations Cup” contest between Canada and the US? Like if they split the conferences along national borders? Holy cow, look out Super Bowl…
HockeyTown,
Ah, “HockeyTown”, I know this place all too well. Nice comment. I agree with you 100% about demographics and prejudice against groups of people especially in regards to lack of affluency and education. Michigan must be one of the most segregated states in the entire nation based on race, class, religion, culture, and education . Based on your comments as being “naive” and “shocked” I gather you are from the suburbs, “The OC” as it is often called, and you are all very socially liberal, very wealthy and very educated, however it’s a nice political combination as you have fiscal conservatives, but as far as social issues, it is very, very progressive, the most that I have experienced, the “blue” is blinding even more so than Chicago in my opinion, so your naivety is almost the “seperation” you experience from the rest of Michigan. The OC a great place to live, everything is clean and beautiful and the people are all stunning, you are all models. I drive two hours just to go shopping there. it’s a real treat! Christmas time was a blast! I know people come from all over the US and Canada just for the experience. I know many NHLers and AHLer’s live in this area as well as other professsional athletes and also movie stars so it’s a unique place, and I think areas like where you live inspire a happier more adjusted way of life for all people, and I see it too.
I think any poor sportsmanship tactics can be attributed more to the players and perhaps their age (though as someone under 20 I hate to say that) than to the countries the teams are from.
I do agree that running up the score shouldn’t be allowed. Seems to much like rubbing it in the losers face.
I know that Canada isn’t perfect, we certainly can be just as arrogant and unsportsman-like as Americans. But I think the reason that it seems like we’re doing the whole bragging/you can’t play in my sandbox thing is because we’re trying to reclaim one of our proudest assets. Lets be honest, what does Canada have to brag about on the international stage? We’re constantly overshadowed by the Americans. Hockey is where a lot of our national pride comes from, so yeah, we’re going to flaunt it. I kinda resent the fact that there are so many more American teams in the NHL, and that the Canadian teams aren’t the best teams. So when I get a chance to cheer on my country and watch us dominate everyone else, yeah, I get a little nationalistic.
Maybe a lot of sports fans are going to disagree, but I hate when people boo in sports. To me, you show what a fan you are by cheering for your team, not by booing the opposing team. I obvisouly like my team better, but I recognize the other team is playing hard too. I don’t even boo the Senators! The only time I boo is if a player or team does something disgraceful.
I would also like to point out too that despite how seperated we all are in Michigan and from the rest of the country really, we this state loves all four sports very deeply, more so than all states in the US, and especially hockey. Especially hockey!
@Madeleine: As far as “reclaiming” hockey goes, I guess I have to ask, when did the States ever take hockey – the game, not any franchise or franchises – away from Canada? Sure, there are more NHL teams in the States but that’s always been the case even when the number of American players in the league could be counted on one thumb. I guess I could see it if STYLISTICALLY there was a separation between Canada and the US, but is there really? Most references I hear are to the “North American game” vs. the “European game.”
In any case, speaking only for myself, I don’t want to take an iota of hockey from Canada – I just want more hockey in the US, particularly on the junior and college levels where Canada has such an embarrassment of riches. It’s the GAME I love, and the game – like baseball, cricket, football, futbol, etc. – should belong to people who love it and not to any particular nation.
@zyllyx: Well put, i want as much hockey as we can get, luckily i’m in Minnesota and we have an abundance of great HS hockey to tide us over when our collge and pro teams blow…
The thing i don’t understand from Canadians is why the USA is their biggest rival? It seems like they spend a lot of time, emotion and booooo’s to cheer against a team that, for the most part, hasn’t been much competition…
I certainly didn’t mean to imply that we need to take back hockey from the Americans. I want to see you guys have better teams too, and for hockey to grow south of the border. But I will always think of hockey as a Canadian sport, and I don’t often get to brag about things, so I like to brag about hockey. Like I said though, I would never boo an American team. If they love the sport and play it well, that’s all that matters.
The reason I read is, well you provide a perspective on hockey that I’ve never seen nor experienced, not to mention I like your sense of humor – you hooked me with that seven part series of being a hockey player…
I had no idea about the kitteh pics until I came here about a month ago
I think we’re making this more complicated than necessary. When somebody wins something a lot, their fans expect victory. Will Penguins fans be happy with losing in the Conference finals? Is that arrogance, or do they know they have a good team and expect success? Silver sucks when you’re used to winning, doesn’t it? Throw in the David vs. Goliath thing and there you go, I didn’t even use a country name.
It’s just a hockey game, they are just hopped up fans, etc., etc. It’s not fair, or reasonable, to look at the behaviour of people in a sporting event and start making inferences about who they are as a nation. Leave the silly nationalism at the door and just take it for what it is: a wicked rivalry and an awesome hockey game. Would you buy it if I took a clip of Glen Beck making fun of Hindus and claimed that Americans therefore have no respect for other cultures? I hope not. It’s frustrating to me that such obvious truths need to even be stated, but this may have been what Bourne was referring to with the whole “nationalism” comment, don’t you think?