Comments on: Americans upset over Canadian stellar hockey scores

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 15:46:51 +0000

Kris, I don’t quite see how anyone has prevailed, except perhaps the Canadian team that is running up scores (and is quite within its rights to do so). But they’re not the “whiners,” are they?

Unless you count criticizing the rule and recommending it be changed as “whining.”

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 04:01:08 +0000

Know what? If the role was reversed the Canadians wouldn’t say a thing…why? Because we are that kind of nation. I think this is a matter of being a very poor sport, full stop. Again, whiners prevail.

By: Clark

Clark — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 02:32:16 +0000

Of course ltbugaf, the US didn’t get the gold last time. But I agree. When I heard what the women’s hockey team was doing I immediately thought of the “dream team.” Although as in hockey, as basketball becomes more international the natural advantage of the US decreases.

But I do think this was unsportsmanlike of the women’s hockey team. Especially in a sport that apparently the rest of the world isn’t exactly emphasizing. I’m recalling the women’s baseball team where it seemed like there were few serious competitors to the US. And the sport eventually was dropped. Actions like this are great ways to have women’s hockey removed.

Of course I also think they should just follow the same rules as men’s hockey.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 20:39:31 +0000

â€œThe problem is, that, if there is a tie, the team with the most goals in the tournament will win? Am I right on this?â€

No, this is not actually the case.

The team that has the most goals gets all the home team advantages in the final game. Last line change, last stick on the ice, etc.

So the point of the Canadian coaching staff is, make it a coin flip and the whole problem goes away. Keep the rule as is, and you’re forcing the really good teams to run the score – ther eare only two really good teams and you can be assured that the other team may thouroughly route someone on their side of the pool – losing you the home team advantage in the finals.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 20:08:58 +0000

I can tell you an awful lot of folks in the US–including me–have been thoroughly irritated with the professional all-star basketball teams that have taken over the Olympics. If I could force the USOC to return to an amateur rule, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

I think the fact that nearly all Eastern Bloc athletes were, in reality, professionals, is part of what led to the change in some sports. But the result, at least in basketball, has been disgusting.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 20:08:44 +0000

"The problem is, that, if there is a tie, the team with the most goals in the tournament will win? Am I right on this?"

From what I understand, yes. But I do not think that is what they are upset over. I think they are upset over the current spreads, and may think the Canadian team is taking advantage of the other teams.

"The problem is, that, if there is a tie, the team with the most goals in the tournament will win? Am I right on this?" Well, there are no women in the NHL, so it isn't the same as the NBA dream team from a few years back. The men's team is a different story, but then many of the men's teams are comprised of NHL players.

By: Ian Cook

Ian Cook — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 20:00:21 +0000

I really don’t see what the problem is. I read the article twice to make sure I understood it right.

The problem is, that, if there is a tie, the team with the most goals in the tournament will win? Am I right on this?

I really don’t see that as a problem. Also, do they want the Candadians to score less? I think that is unsportsmanlike to ask that. If they are that good, then what is stopping them? This kind of reminds me of the American basketball “dream team”. It irratated me that these highly paid superstars were out beating amateurs at best. I don’t think this is the same with the Hockey games is it?

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:02:12 +0000

Looks like one side is urging self-restraint in spite of the rules and the other is urging that it’s fair to exploit the rules fully even if they should be changed.

I can’t say one side is more right than the other.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:00:01 +0000

Yeah, the rule is not cool…

But when you get such a huge advantage in the final because of it – how can you not take advantage?

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 18:41:26 +0000

Looks like the Canadians are upset about it, too, since the Canadian team’s coach is advocating a change in the sport to make this sort of thing impossible.