IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I know I may recieve some flak, but I saw someone mention on here that the US team put together for this Olympics ggained advantage from the small ice.
I believe this is true as well, and I don't expect the same squad to perform as well on bigger ice. We will see.
As for the Russians, I think the young talent they have, with all the speed, will be dominant in Socchi, more so then I ever believed they would be here in Canada (had them to finish 4th).
Russia does have some good talent on the d-end, I personally see Kulikov becoming a top 30 d-man in the next 2-3 years.
I personally think the Canada Russia Rivalry is more intense because the Russians go into every tournament expecting to win. I don't think fans or members of the USA team have the same level of expectations. Also, I find the Russian players to be a little less sportsmenlike, than the Americans, Ovechkin for example is a very cocky guy who plays dirty, talks trash, and is ungracious in victory and defeat. The Americans, however, are always very polite and quick to compliment their opponents. Another team that i think is being overlooked is Sweden. I hate when Canada loses to the Swedes and i don't even enjoy it too much when they beat Sweden because i find their fans to be very sore losers. It may just be a few dozen homers that give their country a bad name but it seems they are always complaining about missed calls and this and that.
I was merely responding to the implication that the US won't be Canada's biggest rival next Olympics. ... in my opinion, the US is going to be way ahead of Russia by then.
you can't be serious.
while Team USA played well and deserve that silver medal, the backbone of the run was Ryan Miller -- not the offense or defense. they will have to upgrade both to be a consistent medal favorite as they wont always have the best goaltender in the world hanging out.
Canada / Russia final to a Canadian: "Oh wow, another one for the ages, can we stop that offense?"
Canada / USA final to a Canadian: "If we don't beat them they're going to rub it in our faces, and then make a ****ing movie out of it. We can not lose this game for our sanity."
Canada / Russia final to a Canadian: "Oh wow, another one for the ages, can we stop that offense?"
Canada / USA final to a Canadian: "If we don't beat them they're going to rub it in our faces, and then make a ****ing movie out of it. We can not lose this game for our sanity."
lol you were obviously wrong about that first thought
this time, but historically vs the Russians in the Olympics, Canada has been the loser.
Yeah I was just goofin. I really think that US-CAN rivalry would be a really good thing if it became more heated. Imagine what something like that would do for hockey in America. If there's one thing Americans love, its to hate other places
Yeah I was just goofin. I really think that US-CAN rivalry would be a really good thing if it became more heated. Imagine what something like that would do for hockey in America. If there's one thing Americans love, its to hate other places
100%. I think were on the cusp of having a 1a) and 1b) rivalry situation. I think the US needs to win one more major tournament at the men's level.
Back and forth number 1 and 2 in IIHF standings, historical rivalry, passionate countries about the game, etc..
Wow 110%! Does your speakers go to "11"
I understand your comment "Only Americans would pick CAN/USA" if you were the first one to post, but you have many fellow Canadians picking that rivalry. So even your hindsite isn't 20/20 Good job!
Not many aside from Americans take US hockey very seriously, hence the #5 IIHF ranking.
You had a good goalie, big deal.
No one but Americans take USA hockey seriously? I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion base on a IIHF ranking.
As for the poll, it really should only by voted on by Canadians. They are the only ones that would be able to properly rank the rivalries since they are the only ones involved in both. As an American it would pretty hard for me (or any non-Canadian) to fully grasp what the Russia/Canada rivalry means to Canadians. Or what the USA/Canada rivalry means to them as well.
I know that the country I want to beat the most in hockey is Canada. Partially because they are the best, the gold standard if you will when it comes to hockey. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Its also due in part to growing up/living in the Buffalo area playing and coaching against Canadian teams for years in tourneys. But I can't speak to what those games meant to my Canadian opponents. Other than to say they made it clear they weren't going to lose to any damn American team.
Also, the CAN-RUS game was almost as big as the CAN-USA game for me, despite there not being a medal up for grabs.
Like I said, though, if America can stay ultra competitive (aka contending) in every level up until the next Olympics, then things could change. USA just needs more international success to grow their consistency on all levels. I could see it happening.
The Canada/Russia rivalry was based mostly upon politics. Once Russians began entering the NHL the rivalry began to fade quickly. The emergence of the United States since 1991 has meant they have become Canada's biggest rivals. Just look at the evidence. 1991 Canada Cup final, 1996 world cup final, 2002 Olympic Gold medal game, 2010 olympic gold medal game. That is 4 of the last 7 best on best championships where Canada and the United States have met in the championship. Perhaps the biggest proof is the difference in the buzz between the United States against Russia games in the early stages of the tournament. There was a lot more buzz surrounding the preliminary game with the United States than with the Russia quarterfinal game.
Americans have a long way to go before reaching the level of Canada and Russia.
Yea, anything you say.
The facts are those world championships aren't best against best. When was the last time Russia has won anything best against best? Try 1981, or 29 years ago.
1991 was the changing of the guard for hockey. The USA will play Canada again for Gold in 2014, as long as tehy allow the NHL to play.
Russia was far and away the most overrated team in the tourney and they are the most overrated hockey power. The US has clearly passed them and won't look back again.
Americans have a long way to go before reaching the level of Canada and Russia.
Actually Jaco, you can even go back to The 1984 Canada Cup for the official arrival of the US as a legit hockey power. The US walked into that tourney with a roster that resembled a combo US Jr. Team/NCAA All-Star aged squad. Here is your proof of that
Not many aside from Americans take US hockey very seriously, hence the #5 IIHF ranking.
You had a good goalie, big deal.
Team USA consitently outshot the opposition. The only team that outshot them was Canada, and in the gold medal game it was by about 3 shots.
I have a feeling that #5 ranking will be going up. Team USA was the youngest team in the tournament and yet they were the only team to beat Canada, and their only loss was in OT to the best team in the tournament.
Team USA also took the WJCs this year. Which is a sign for the future.
Canada Russia is still the better rival. 8 years of competition doesn't make up for 40 years of history. I get more excited for Russia Canada. Toronto/Ottawa will never be the rival Toronto/Montreal will ever be, same situation.
