Vladifan

To those who say they shouldn't be playing: I think it reflects on women's sports in general. It's taken decades for women to be recognized for having the skill to play at upper levels in anything. Even our beloved and reliable government came through with support for women who choose to strive to be the best in their given sport because they knew they should be given the chance. They've already kicked women's softball out of the Olympics - just when other teams were beginning to field really good and trained players. There was surely a time when at least American women (as opposed to Canadian women) didn't play hockey, let alone understand it. Now they do and they're damn good at it. With support and time, other countries will realize that ALL athletes should have monetary, logistic and physical support. So it's not happening right now. I don't think that's the point. Point is, other countries - even where women are not treated as well as in America - WILL start fielding teams that have the training and talent, and I DO NOT WANT to see another woman's sport tanked because there's just not enough parity right now. And where's the competition going to come from if they don't get to play at the upper levels? Who's going to give a s***? Hell, it wasn't even happening in men's pro basketball in the Olympics a few years back. We knocked everybody on their asses because we only played our pros. And it was BORing. And now there is parity. So please. A little patience? A little perspective?

That was/is a surprise. I assumed (and you know what they say about that word...) that the Russian women would be pretty good. But it's now 12-0 at the end of the 2nd period. Pitiful! What was interesting (really!) about watching them play the Chinese women - they never went after them, as in hitting, heavy forechecking, etc.). It's like they knew they would not have to come even close to doing that. In that sense this game is more fun to watch.

Anybody hear anything more about Lilja? I assume he's gonna be cleared but you never know in this bidness. Thanks in advance.

And that will indeed be a helluva game.

Hiller pretty much doesn't have a chance. His pals are not exactly taking peeps out in front of his net.

Ah. I knew there had to be a reason why, seemingly for no reason at all, I looked up at the screen and said "f*** off". And by golly, there he was. Kinda like a knee-jerk reaction-kind-of-thingy.

:beerbuddy:

We can only hope that Comcast/NBC pushes it so far that the FCC will finally get off their monopoly-loving asses and get involved. It has to be only a matter of time until Comcast demands that cable and satellite companies pay exorbitant fees to carry the NBC network. Why else did all that happen (Comcast+NBC+Versus)?

About a hunnert years ago there used to be a standard for broadcasting mandating that all stations/channels/networks must "broadcast in the public interest". Honestly, that actually used to mean something. With ESPN/ABC/Disney, Comcast/NBC/Versus, USA network, ad nauseum, it means absolute jacks***. And the people in charge (i.e., the FCC) frankly and simply do.not.give.a.damn.

Don't know where you're getting your updates but sure as hell glad you are and that you're putting them on here.

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

May the letters be scarlet and may they burn into his body! Muyhaaaaahaaaaaa!

Anybody else catch Cammi Granato and Whoever rhapsodizing over the fact that the arena seem to come alive because the Canadian men were on the ice warming up? That was just a little bit of a stretch because the arena was empty.

I think I understand where you're coming from and if I misinterpreted what you meant, I apologize. The best part of living here - and it's represented on this very thread - it doesn't matter where you're from or who your ancestors are you can root for who you want to without finger-pointing and judgment calls. It is beautiful to behold.

I sense that you think it's disloyal for Americans not to root for the USA. Yes, in the 80's the USA beat the "hated" Russians and all Americans cheered and that made some sense because of the cold war. Thank God the world is shrinking and priorities have changed. In fact, I would guess most of us believe they must change if this planet is to survive. I feel no obligation whatsoever to root for a team just because they were all born here. In today's world, that would be like me rooting for only the Finns on the Wings' team. Nor do I feel obligated to root for the Canadians because talent or no, some of them have no redeeming social value in my eyes (and the same can be said for some of the American players). I'm rooting for the Russians because in the past, they brought me more joy than any other set of players; and they seem to have an ongoing work ethic like no other team. And.I.love.watching.them.play. And any fan who quits a team because their favorite player leaves or retires is not a team fan in my book.

This has very little to do with the subject matter but Gretzky's behavior during the lighting of the torch was beyond weird. OK, so there was a glitch. Big frickin' deal. His job at that time was to look at ease and smile, even though I'm sure he knew something was amiss. For all the years cameras were on him, you'd think he would have figured that out. Fake it till "they" make it.

If I had to pick A team, it would be Russia. The Russian Five brought the whole hockey world so many thrills and innovations. They probably even brought a whole new work and play ethic to American and Canadian players. Yeah, I know - none of them will be there except Fedorov, but I feel I owe them the return favor. Least I can do. Signed, A Commie Pinko Sympathizer

That's pretty much how it works in our house, too. Sure makes it easier, huh! As for Kwame's problem, maybe gently (ahem) remind your lady that everyone has things happen in their lives that upset them and probably "shouldn't". Maybe one of her favorite TV/movie stars broke up with Somebody; or somebody got knocked off a show she liked. We really ALL do get upset about stuff that seems unimportant to others. But respect for those feelings is the bottom line and always helpful. And practical! ::stepping off soapbox::

Makes it a lot easier, eh? The Right vs. Wrong BS is removed and we just indeed, sit back and watch!

Karma's a *****, eh?

They have sure as hell earned that right. Like Loo says, they are priceless because of their contributions.

Thanks a lot! Now, I feel rotten. Won't change my mind, but boy do I feel bad.

This pretty much says it for me. There are too many individuals on the Canadian team I do NOT appreciate (cough, retch, gag) so I hope they lose. Yeah, I know that's probably a dumb way to look at it (ME dumb, not YOU dumb, Barrie! I'm sure your reasons are a lot more noble than mine. ) but I want to see the golden boy and his lackeys lose. Other than that, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, ad infinitum.

This is GREAT info! Thanks for taking the time to input this. Meanwhile, the Canada women beat Slovakia (?) 18-0. I think that was the final. Anyway it was real bad for the not-so-good-team.

Good question. Like Beth, it depends on how major the event is. If it's just a game and I don't "hate" the other team, I'm over it quickly. If it's a game we should have won (hah!), or against a team I hate, then it lasts longer..mebee a few hours. The worst ones for me were last year's playoffs. It took me days, especially when Crosby and the stupid-ass Penguins were all over TV. Also waking up every morning and remembering is a pisser. Yeah, I know - I'm way too involved. But my husband is truly a very patient and understanding man. After all, he's a Michigan grad/ fan. The longest-lasting are when team members retire or leave, like Stevie, Mac, Larionov, Fedorov, and Shanny. When Vladi got hurt it took me more than a year to "move on". But one of the neat things that happened during that time was that I was on a board where fans from all kinds of different teams - even teams we were supposedly arch rivals with - came visiting with their condolences and best wishes. That was a beautiful thing to behold. When things are at their worst, that's when the real hockey family shows up. And I can vouch for the fact that they are out there.