It is a farce - but I agree that the Winter version of the Olympics needs the programming for the TV deals, so Women's Hockey stays. It's flat out embarrassing to watch, however. Wake me up for the finals.
Guess what? It used to be the same way with Olympic men's hockey, except there was only ONE very good team. Canada used to dominate the other nations in similar ways. They were scoring 20+ goals all the time. Heck, one Olympic tournament involved all the OTHER teams competing to see who would play Canada in the gold medal game (since they were given a bye to the finals). From 1920 to 1952, Canada won the gold medal, except in 1936 when a bunch of ex-pat Canadians with British citizenships won the gold for Great Britain. However, other nations started to field better teams and things became much more interesting. It'll take time, but Sweden, Finland and (my wildcard guess for 2018) China will be much more competitive.
American defenseman Angela Ruggiero Shouldn't that be American Defenseperson Angela Ruggiero?
At least it's a team sport, so a country can't take more than one medal. I'm watching Women's Luge and it's Germany, Germany, Germany. You want farce, there's your farce. Same with the newish type sports like Snowboard Halfpipe -- where the American's were very close to sweeping all three medals. Again. Inbalance happens with new sports. It'll grow and it'll get better.
grum makes a good point. Also, I should point out that US basketball has been through this twice; first, the amateur players used to pound the world by ungodly scores ... then the world's amateurs caught up and passed them ... and then, the NBA players started demolishing everybody ... and now that's a pretty even competition, too.
grum has got it, except for that I'd bet that China will be contending long before 2018. They'll be on the radar by the time Vancouver rolls around.
Heck, the first time Women's hockey was in the Olympics there were only six teams (including China and Japan who are not in it this time) so the interest level is increasing. It'll take time.
For the most part you can only get as good as your hardest competition. As long as these lesser teams get to play against the Canadiens and US more often it should not take too long for them to become competetive. I also noticed a few of the players for the other countries are playing college hockey in the US. If that becomes a trend it should also help speed up the process.
maybe it would help if the rink was smaller. although i don't know how feasible it would be to have separate venues for men's & women's hockey at the olympics. and as far as watchability, it would help if they let the women play a bit more instead of calling all those damn penalties. that US/GER match yesterday was like watching a high school field hockey game, what with all the whistles.
Hater I saw an interview with her Sunday and she called HERSELF a defenseman.
It's one thing if this was a yearly league or something, and two teams were destroying everyone. But it's once every four years. It's up to the other countries to get better. They don't like being destroyed? Train better then. I have very little sympathy. It's not like it's a surprise that Canada is good at hockey. I'm personally finding it hilarious to see the Canadian womens team score 28 goals in two games. It's once every four years. The other teams need to get their acts together. The World Cup happens this year as well. (Soccer.) It's EXTREMELY rare to see this kind of imbalance there.
and as far as watchability, it would help if they let the women play a bit more instead of calling all those damn penalties. that US/GER match yesterday was like watching a high school field hockey game, what with all the whistles. Right on, goddam. Watching that game was like riding in a car with a bad clutch. Let 'em play.
and as far as watchability, it would help if they let the women play a bit more instead of calling all those damn penalties. that US/GER match yesterday was like watching a high school field hockey game, what with all the whistles. No doubt! A friend of mine and I were putting a new wall in my bathroom and I had the game on in the other room. I swear, every two minutes we heard either the penalty chime song or that damn Monkees song. Hey, at least I got me a new wall.
GO FINLAND YAY!!!!!!!!!
^ That's what's gong to happen. The Finns and the Swedes are going to draw a lot of fans come the medal round. Actually, Canada/Sweden & USA/Finland are tomorrow. Curious to see what the fans will be like in the arena for that. I can guess.
tomorrow's games should be a bit more competitive (the us/finland one anyway).
Canada/Sweden should be competitive too. It was a 2-1 game pre tournament, mostly on the heels of their goaltender.
Yeah, mkn, but I think the shots were like 50-10. That's not exactly an evenly matched game, although I'd welcome any uncertainty at this point. BTW I should just mention that an old classmate of mine and the alternate goalie for the Canadian team is writing a blog from Turin.
Think I'll find a cave and hybernate till FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!! Do us all a favour. Stay in your cave for good.
italy scored a goal!
Think I'll find a cave and hybernate till FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!! See, and here I was, assuming you lived in one already.
I'll have the roast duck, with the mango salsa.
CAN 8 - SWE 1 -- that didn't turn out to be very interesting. The Finns, on the other hand, actually have had 1-0 and 2-1 leads ... interesting!
damn, it's 3-1 now.
Looks like alot of penalties in that game. They actually have to call it "women body-checking"?
The ghost of Tammi Granato shows itself. However, a small blip - we all know what the final is going to be.
Wow, that's a crappy box score design. I can't seem to find anything better though. Edit: That's a little better.
They actually have to call it "women body-checking"? It's not the most elegant name, but at least it's self-explanatory. Also: Finland 2, USA 1 after two periods. This could be interesting.
thanks. drj. actually this is the box score. the other link is the live results.
Ahhh, excellent point. I miss my Yahoo! live box score. These ones are new and strange to me.
3-3 in the 3rd. Sounds like a good game and I forgot to wear my USA jersey to work. I'll keep my "holding the stick" to myself.
6-3! i wish i taped this game.
7-3 Final. Thanks for the link goddam.
