Is USA Hockey for Real?

[richmondesi]

Like everyone else, I was really happy about the win against Canada. However going into today's game, I feared a bit of a letdown. After watching the Canadians trounce the Russians, I pretty much expected them to coast to the gold medal (didn't think anyone would be able to play with them if they played like that).

Today, the USA team is playing lights out against a team that all expected to play them well.

Two Questions:

Can the US team actually pull this out if they meet Canada or has the sleeping giant been awakened?

After the US has beaten Canada in 3 major tournaments (from Olympics to under 18) this year, does this mean that the US is for real when it comes to Hockey?

BTW: Congrats to the Canadian women. Great game and party

 

[SliceOfLife]

When we beat them, I guessed we'd see a rematch for the gold. I hope it happens. I'll actually watch that game.

And of course we could win. We already beat them. I think we'll still be the underdog, but that will just make the win better.

 

[richmondesi]

When we beat them, I guessed we'd see a rematch for the gold. I hope it happens. I'll actually watch that game.

And of course we could win. We already beat them. I think we'll still be the underdog, but that will just make the win better.

I know we CAN beat them. Just like we COULD beat the Russians in '80 (for the record: I don't think that upset win against the Canadians is even in the same discussion as the Miracle on Ice), and we COULD beat Spain in football (for the purists ) this year. That certainly didn't mean we were better than either of those teams. My question is more big picture.

Is the US a real world force in Hockey for the foreseeable future?

 

[MoJoe]

What I like about this team is that the win against Canada was put in the proper perspective - it was one pool game and didn't win us a medal. Ryan Miller is good enough to keep us in any game. Hopefully, more of our shots hit net tonight than did against Switzerland because Finland is a better all around team with a lot of speed. We're going to need to skate and play physical in order to win. Still, at best we win Silver. Canada is not only the most talented team left but they have a chip on their shoulder and they want revenge.

 

[MoJoe]

I know we CAN beat them. Just like we COULD beat the Russians in '80 (for the record: I don't think that upset win against the Canadians is even in the same discussion as the Miracle on Ice), and we COULD beat Spain in football (for the purists ) this year. That certainly didn't mean we were better than either of those teams. My question is more big picture.

Is the US a real world force in Hockey for the foreseeable future?

Yes. It's the youngest team in the tournament. The fact that they won the 1 seed and are playing this late in the knock out round for a medal tells me that they've arrived ahead of schedule. This team was built for 2014 but a medal this Olympics will be pretty sweet.

 

[richmondesi]

What I like about this team is that the win against Canada was put in the proper perspective - it was one pool game and didn't win us a medal. Ryan Miller is good enough to keep us in any game. Hopefully, more of our shots hit net tonight than did against Switzerland because Finland is a better all around team with a lot of speed. We're going to need to skate and play physical in order to win. Still, at best we win Silver. Canada is not only the most talented team left but they have a chip on their shoulder and they want revenge.

Yeah... I'll not spoil it for you if you are going to watch it later, but I'm watching the US and Finland & this performance is what prompted this thread

 

[brianw]

I grew up in Minnesota where if you didn't skate before you walked
there was something wrong with you. The view from this misplaced Minnesotan is that we have always been able to play with the Canadians, we as a country just don't have the fire in our belly like our neighbors to the north.

 

[Greybeard]

I know we CAN beat them. Just like we COULD beat the Russians in '80 (for the record: I don't think that upset win against the Canadians is even in the same discussion as the Miracle on Ice), and we COULD beat Spain in football (for the purists ) this year. That certainly didn't mean we were better than either of those teams. My question is more big picture.

Is the US a real world force in Hockey for the foreseeable future?

Yes they are. There's a whole new generation of young American hockey players that won't peak till the next Olympics. What they're accomplishing this year is ahead of schedule. Right now they're probably as fast a team as there is in the world and have the best young goalie.

What most people don't realize is that hockey is growing faster in the US than in any other country in the world. The US has almost as many registered hockey players in organized youth leagues as Canada does. Both countries have 5 times as many as Russia for example. That's how you develop well-coached players and team depth.




- Peter

 

[Soopercat]

Yes they are. There's a whole new generation of young American hockey players that won't peak till the next Olympics. What they're accomplishing this year is ahead of schedule. Right now they're probably as fast a team as there is in the world and have the best young goalie.

What most people don't realize is that hockey is growing faster in the US than in any other country in the world. The US has almost as many registered hockey players in organized youth leagues as Canada does. Both countries have 5 times as many as Russia for example. That's how you develop well-coached players and team depth.




- Peter

+1

The US team can play!

The Canadian men's team haven't been thrown under the proverbial bus by the womens team. Just a little nudge eh.

The last time I checked we haven't gotten out of the semi finals yet.

Kind regards,

 

[MoJoe]

Yeah... I'll not spoil it for you if you are going to watch it later, but I'm watching the US and Finland & this performance is what prompted this thread

WOW! I had no idea the game was on. Looked at the score and . I thought that there was a chance that we go down to Finland. Guess not. Still think we win Silver if Canada wins but it's going to be a heck of a game.

 

[ouch]

I don't even consider this to be Olympic hockey.

I just can't get excited when I read that a NJ Devil scored against a NJ Devil. It's closer to an NHL all star game than an Olympic tournament.

 

[richmondesi]

I don't even consider this to be Olympic hockey.

I just can't get excited when I read that a NJ Devil scored against a NJ Devil. It's closer to an NHL all star game than an Olympic tournament.

That's true, but it's very entertaining

 

[Soopercat]

I don't even consider this to be Olympic hockey.

I just can't get excited when I read that a NJ Devil scored against a NJ Devil. It's closer to an NHL all star game than an Olympic tournament.

I can understand the perspective, but to a man they all want to win a gold medal. Both for themselves and their respective countries. Ask Wayne Gretzky what the biggest hole in his playing career is.

Kind regards,

 

[professorchaos]

What I like about this team is that the win against Canada was put in the proper perspective - it was one pool game and didn't win us a medal. Ryan Miller is good enough to keep us in any game. Hopefully, more of our shots hit net tonight than did against Switzerland because Finland is a better all around team with a lot of speed. We're going to need to skate and play physical in order to win. Still, at best we win Silver. Canada is not only the most talented team left but they have a chip on their shoulder and they want revenge.

Ryan Miller's been standing on his head !

 

[Greybeard]

I don't even consider this to be Olympic hockey.

I just can't get excited when I read that a NJ Devil scored against a NJ Devil. It's closer to an NHL all star game than an Olympic tournament.

They don't hit each other in an all-star game. They sure do in the Olympics.




- Peter

 

[Doc4]

I think most Canadians would view the USA as Canada's strongest competition in hockey, at least as nation vs. nation in general ... I think there was a lot of expectation that the Russians would do well this Olympics, and their 7-3 blow-out came as a suprise.

Back in the 70s and 80s it was clearly the Soviets who were our rivals; we had to work hard to beat them and it sure felt good when we did.

As the Soviet Empire crumbled and fell, and as more American kids took to hockey, in the 90s and onward, things changed. Now it's the Americans who typically provide the biggest challenge. But it's not the same.

Ever play 1-on-1 basketball against your kid brother? At first, you had to hold back to keep the game close so he doesn't go inside crying. Then he eventually got good enough that he was a credible challenge; sure, you usually beat him, but it could be close and he could win a bit. As you both got older he got closer and closer to you; the games would be intense and go down in family lore as epic battles and all that. Eventually, he can beat you almost as often as you can beat him, but only almost. That's what Canada vs. USA hockey is like

... Canada vs. the Soviets? D-Day on Ice.

I don't even consider this to be Olympic hockey.

I just can't get excited when I read that a NJ Devil scored against a NJ Devil. It's closer to an NHL all star game than an Olympic tournament.

Considering that the NJDs have managed to create the most goal-stifling, wall-building, sleep-inducing defensive system ever, and not co-incidentally have a pretty anaemic offence to boot, a Devil scoring against a Devil seems like the double whammy of the unexpected.

That said, I will agree that the hockey product we see now is a far cry from what Olympic Hockey ought to be. (But there is one big difference between this tournament and an NHL all-star game ... in this tournament the players actually care about the outcome, try hard, and backcheck. For all the justifiable criticisms of 'olympic hockey', no one's been calling it 'glorified shinny.')

 

[talibeard]

Is the US a real world force in Hockey for the foreseeable future?

Yes it is but that doesn't come with free gold medals. The final has to be reached and won; who would give the Slovaks any chance after their first game?

 

[richmondesi]

Yes it is but that doesn't come with free gold medals. The final has to be reached and won; who would give the Slovaks any chance after their first game?

Well, it's been reached, just not won. FWIW, I'm not a 1st place or nothing kind of guy. When you are talking about the best in the world, any medal is a substantial achievement. Even if the Canadians lose (in the gold medal game or to the Slovaks for that matter), it'd be a disappointment but certainly not shameful. I can remember being heavy favorites and getting beat in the playoffs in baseball. When you are at that level of competition, being competitive consistently is the goal. Winning will come when you are consistently competitive. I'd settle for that

Ian, I like your analogy. I was the kid brother and grew up to the point that I always beat big bro after a time. But the struggle getting to that level, made me a much better competitor in the long run. Hating to lose, but loving to play, also helped

 

[ouch]

I think most Canadians would view the USA as Canada's strongest competition in hockey, at least as nation vs. nation in general ... I think there was a lot of expectation that the Russians would do well this Olympics, and their 7-3 blow-out came as a suprise.

Back in the 70s and 80s it was clearly the Soviets who were our rivals; we had to work hard to beat them and it sure felt good when we did.

As the Soviet Empire crumbled and fell, and as more American kids took to hockey, in the 90s and onward, things changed.

Clearly, this is a result of the Russian kids abandoning hockey in favor of their new national sport- hacking B&B.

 

[Doc4]

... who would give the Slovaks any chance after their first game?

Just about any fan of the Montreal Canadiens.





http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470860