AHL- Apolyton Hockey League III-- Olympic edition

[Pekka]

Dunno. I think the Americans are better, and will take the division, and will push the Canadians into the 6th spot.

My prediction is for the shocker, and then Canada getting knocked out by the Czechs again in the quarters.

They should be able to get there even with a loss to USA, as they should have an easy matchup against Norway or Latvia to make the quarters. But past that, this squad hasn't shown any indication that they can match up with the top teams here.

I don't see how Canada loses to USA. They have a hot goalie in Miller, and Kane, but that's about it IMO. Not enough.

[Ben Kenobi]

Actually, with the Slovak win, that makes 7th a possibility now. They would play Belarus, and would have the second lowest seed going into the QFs.

That would mean a Canada USA rematch would be opened up, or Canada/Sweden in the QFs, depending on how the Czechs do. If the Czechs beat the Russians, that means that Canada/USA rematch would be the quarters. If they lose, then it will likely be Canada/Sweden.

[Asher]

Oh bull****. You had no problems cheering for Esa Tikkinen, did you?

Look, I get it. Oilers and Flamer fans piss all over Canuck fans.

No, you don't get it. The Oilers and Flames have a rivalry far more intense than Vancouver. Nobody ****ing cares about Vancouver...they've never won anything and they never will. I guarantee you Oilers fans hate the Flames more than the Canucks, and if what you're implying was the case, they'd rather have Burrows over Iginla.

The problem is, as always, you're clueless about the sport. Burrows has an awful reputation amongst both fans and players, regardless of his scoring numbers this year. He's lacking in character, something that many consider an essential quality when representing the country as the Olympics games. The last thing Canada wants is Burrows breaking down into tears and blaming the refs after a game, causing another distraction.

Did you know there's only one Canuck player on the squad, despite Vancouver being the best Canadian team at the moment?

The Canucks only have one Olympic-calibre Canadian player. All of their other stars are foreigners. The Sedins can't play for Canada, Ben...holy ****, this is stupid...

I've had to sit and cheer for asshats just because they happened to be Oilers, I got to watch ****ing Wayne Gretzky light the freaking torch, just another example of how the crap gets shoved down our throats.

Yes, how awful is it that the greatest Canadian player of the greatest Canadian sport lit the torch at the olympics? I'm surprised you didn't go shoot up the place in a rage, Ben. It was ridiculous! How dare they pick someone (almost) universally loved across the country. They should've put in a rather-marginal retired NHL player that no one cares about aside from long-time Canuck fans. After all, he did bring the Canucks the Stanley Cup, right? Oh wait, no, he didn't? Interesting.

Look, a local figure skater lit it in Calgary, and ya'll have the nerve to ***** and moan about Linden doing the honours here?

I'm not sure you know this...but back in 1988 the Olympics did not permit professional hockey players to perform. It'd make no sense at all to have one light the torch. Instead they chose a young, adorable local figure skater who represented optimism, hope, and the legacy of the games (she'd be able to train with all of the Olympic facilities left by the current athletes). It wasn't some "random local figure skater" picked, there was a purpose behind it. In modern games, the people who light the torch are supposed to represent the best of the host country. Trevor Linden is nowhere ****ing near that stratosphere.

Oh please, get off your hobby horse.

Burrows has the talent to play on the squad. Points-wise, just because you hate him with a passion has no impact on the skill that he brings to the table and the effort that he puts out every night. Frankly, I'd rather have Burrows because like Linden, because I know he gives a ****. I don't see that in Iggy.

Yeah, the general consensus with Iginla is he doesn't give a ****. He's never, ever been seen as an impassioned leader on the ice.

When one of his far-less-famous team mates gets hit by a questionable hit, he'll drop the gloves and fight with the guy...even if he's just a scrapper and not a superstar. Contrast this to Alex Burrows, who cries when someone hits him and whines liberally after every penalty call against him. Burrows has accumulated a very impressive 0 fights this NHL season...a sure sign of passion. Iginla only has 5 so far, much to the chagrin of his GM...

Look, Ben. Everyone in ****ing hockey knows Iginla is an intensely passionate player. You can see it in his eyes and his actions on the ice. The fact that YOU don't see that speaks more to your immense, never-ending ignorance about the sport. You've argued in this very forum that Trevor ****ing Linden was a better player than Iginla. You've argued that Alex ****ing Burrows is outproducing Iginla this year. You clearly have NO ****ING IDEA how hockey works outside of your simplistic model of "Vancouver is the best, therefore all Vancouver players are the best", DESPITE the fact that the Canucks HAS NEVER WON ANYTHING OF WORTH.

On what grounds? I don't get it. The man works his ass off every shift. He's performed well this season, at an olympic style calibre for the team.

What is in the Olympic style? The constant diving? The crying to the media when calls don't go his way? Illegally skating around during TV timeouts taunting the goalie, even after explicitly told by the refs not to do it? Punching another player WHILE SITTING ON THE BENCH but refusing to fight players on the ice?

Burrows is a ****ing childish coward, not an athlete of Olympic integrity and quality.

I don't expect you to understand, because you share those same qualities with Burrows. But instead of actually being able to put the puck in the net, all you can do is thump your ****ing bible.

[Flubber]

Actually, with the Slovak win, that makes 7th a possibility now. .

I am more optimistic. It actually increases the chances of Canada making second seed since the winner of Canada-US will be at least second if Russia can win or tie the Czechs through regulation ( or if Sweden-Finland tie through regulation depending on goals etc etc)


AS a Canadian fan, I am not that fussed by the Swiss hiccup. They do need to be better but they were clearly far superior and simply couldn't beat Hiller often enough. I asid reopeatedly before the tourmament that my biggest fear was hot goalies. Canada faced one last night and ultimately prevailed

[Flubber]

Iggy doesn't bring anything to the table in terms of intangibles. Burrows does.


.

With those words you finally confirmed what I suspected, you are completely deluded or just being ironic.

Carter, fits the winger position. Burrows fits the winger position. Sharpe with Toews as the 'Kid line', and St. Louis, just because he's that good.

.

Lets go back to bergeron since he was your most easily discarded. He was selected largely to be their right-shot faceoff man. Last night he took 4 draws to Brodeurs right in the last minutes and won all 4 cleanly and safely back to the dman in his own corner. Who on you list does that??Its a very specific and measurable skill.

[Ben Kenobi]

Iggy has a concussion, so he's not going to be contributing much of anything.

Hey, thanks for picking him Yzerman. Now we can't do anything about it.

Lets go back to bergeron since he was your most easily discarded. He was selected largely to be their right-shot faceoff man. Last night he took 4 draws to Brodeurs right in the last minutes and won all 4 cleanly and safely back to the dman in his own corner. Who on you list does that??Its a very specific and measurable skill.

Well sure. Last night they got scored on while shorthanded. They sure could have used Burrows mad PK skillz, no?

[Ben Kenobi]

AS a Canadian fan, I am not that fussed by the Swiss hiccup. They do need to be better but they were clearly far superior and simply couldn't beat Hiller often enough. I asid reopeatedly before the tourmament that my biggest fear was hot goalies. Canada faced one last night and ultimately prevailed

True, but now they have to play their toughest game so far against the USA, who had no difficulty against the Swiss. So we'll see whether Canada has what it takes. Win, and they get a bye and likely third seed. Lose, and they'll lose their bye and really have a long and difficult road.

[Ben Kenobi]

The problem is, as always, you're clueless about the sport. Burrows has an awful reputation amongst both fans and players, regardless of his scoring numbers this year.

Maybe to douchebags like Ron Maclean. He's a good player. I'm not surprised to see Calgary fans say this. As for the rivalry, we've had enormous playoff battles. I don't recall a single playoff series between you and Edmonton that's nearly as brutal as the three that we've had, in '88, 94 and again in '04.

He's lacking in character, something that many consider an essential quality when representing the country as the Olympics games. The last thing Canada wants is Burrows breaking down into tears and blaming the refs after a game, causing another distraction.

Two years ago the man was playing in the minors, and now he's on the best line in hockey. I'd say that takes a hell of alot of character. Burrows has more character than anybody on Team Canada, he's one of the hardest working players in the league.

Why? Because I actually watch the games, and I see him play. I don't rely on Ron Maclean to tell me what to believe. I saw him when he first came up, and I'm glad to see that the Canucks recognise his talents, and he has produced every time when he's been called upon to do so.

The Canucks only have one Olympic-calibre Canadian player. All of their other stars are foreigners. The Sedins can't play for Canada, Ben...holy ****, this is stupid...

If Bergeron with his 35 points is 'olympic calibre', then so is Burrows with his 52.

Yes, how awful is it that the greatest Canadian player of the greatest Canadian sport lit the torch at the olympics?

Then why didn't Beliveau light it in '88?

I'm surprised you didn't go shoot up the place in a rage, Ben. It was ridiculous! How dare they pick someone (almost) universally loved across the country.

Yeah, universally loved. Not here.

They should've put in a rather-marginal retired NHL player that no one cares about aside from long-time Canuck fans. After all, he did bring the Canucks the Stanley Cup, right? Oh wait, no, he didn't? Interesting.

He's like Lanny Macdonald, except that he played most of his career with Vancouver. Longest serving captain, and a legend in Vancouver. You want someone who's beloved on this side of the Rockies? Go with Linden.

I'm not sure you know this...but back in 1988 the Olympics did not permit professional hockey players to perform. It'd make no sense at all to have one light the torch. Instead they chose a young, adorable local figure skater who represented optimism, hope, and the legacy of the games (she'd be able to train with all of the Olympic facilities left by the current athletes).

So why again are you *****ing and moaning bout Linden. I want someone who's a local.

It wasn't some "random local figure skater" picked, there was a purpose behind it. In modern games, the people who light the torch are supposed to represent the best of the host country. Trevor Linden is nowhere ****ing near that stratosphere.

No, you pick someone to represent the locale. I just find it interesting how the rules have changed for Vancouver, and how there are different standards. Why can't Vancouver have someone to represent us, not some idiot from the other side of his country, who loved his country so much, he left to live in California?

Yeah, the general consensus with Iginla is he doesn't give a ****. He's never, ever been seen as an impassioned leader on the ice.

He's not. He's never won a cup. He's made the finals only once, and won't be seeing them again. You want a leader? Look at someone like Yzerman. Or maybe Crosby.

When one of his far-less-famous team mates gets hit by a questionable hit, he'll drop the gloves and fight with the guy...even if he's just a scrapper and not a superstar. Contrast this to Alex Burrows, who cries when someone hits him and whines liberally after every penalty call against him.

Yeah, and someone who plays single digit minutes is really going to be standing up for his team. I'm happy that Babcock benched him, but I'm sad that his spot is taken up when it could go to much more talented players who could contribute.

Look, Ben. Everyone in ****ing hockey knows Iginla is an intensely passionate player. You can see it in his eyes and his actions on the ice.

I see it in Burrows because he doesn't float around on his shift. I'd never see a line like I saw tonight, 0 shots, 0 goals 0 chances. What a waste of icetime.

You've argued in this very forum that Trevor ****ing Linden was a better player than Iginla.

Yep, he singlehandedly pulled Team Canada into a tie with the Czechs. Wasn't any of the superstars, but Trevor Linden. I can't name any big game on the international stage that Iggy has singlehandedly given Team Canada a chance.

Sure, he does great against powderpuffs, but he has a bad habit of disappearing for long stretches.

You've argued that Alex ****ing Burrows is outproducing Iginla this year. You clearly have NO ****ING IDEA how hockey works outside of your simplistic model of "Vancouver is the best, therefore all Vancouver players are the best", DESPITE the fact that the Canucks HAS NEVER WON ANYTHING OF WORTH.

And neither has Iginla for that matter.

What is in the Olympic style? The constant diving? The crying to the media when calls don't go his way? Illegally skating around during TV timeouts taunting the goalie, even after explicitly told by the refs not to do it? Punching another player WHILE SITTING ON THE BENCH but refusing to fight players on the ice?

The 25 goals? Pointswise, he's better then 6 other players on the Canadian olympic team. Clearly, he's olympic calibre. You mean to tell me Morrow is more productive then him?

Burrows is a ****ing childish coward, not an athlete of Olympic integrity and quality.

God, why don't you suck off Maclean some more. I'm sure he enjoys it. Look, Burrows is a hell of a player. At least the Canucks will be making the playoffs this year while you guys play golf. Or maybe Iggy can turn on IGGY POWER again and actually score a few goals for the lowest scoring team in the NHL.

I don't expect you to understand, because you share those same qualities with Burrows. But instead of actually being able to put the puck in the net, all you can do is thump your ****ing bible.

I've probably scored more goals in a game then you have in your life, despite playing defense for most of my time playing.

[Asher]

Iggy has a concussion, so he's not going to be contributing much of anything.

Hey, thanks for picking him Yzerman. Now we can't do anything about it.

You are one big ****ing liar, aren't you?

Iggy was shaken up by the hit and the coaching staff played it safe, but they confirmed this morning that all players are 100% healthy.

Well sure. Last night they got scored on while shorthanded. They sure could have used Burrows mad PK skillz, no?

No. It was a delayed penalty, they didn't have a PK unit out there. ****ing ******.

[Ben Kenobi]

Iggy was shaken up by the hit and the coaching staff played it safe, but they confirmed this morning that all players are 100% healthy.

He had a concussion. Don't see why you need to deny the truth.

[Asher]

Maybe to douchebags like Ron Maclean.

No, it's to everyone outside of Vancouver. You really have no idea.

He's a good player. I'm not surprised to see Calgary fans say this. As for the rivalry, we've had enormous playoff battles. I don't recall a single playoff series between you and Edmonton that's nearly as brutal as the three that we've had, in '88, 94 and again in '04.

Yeah, the Battle of Alberta is nothing compared to the rivalry between Edmonton and Vancouver and Calgary and Vancouver. Are you ****ing kidding me. Holy ****.

Why? Because I actually watch the games, and I see him play.

You've made it very clear you don't watch much, if any, hockey. This is another demonstrable lie from you.

You like him because he's on the Canucks. That's all there is to it. You are a simpleton with a simple opinion.

If Bergeron with his 35 points is 'olympic calibre', then so is Burrows with his 52.

They don't pick players solely based on point production. You have role players on your team, people who need to play specific roles to help the team win. You can't only have scorers. Do you understand hockey in the slightest?

Then why didn't Beliveau light it in '88?

DID YOU NOT EVEN ****ING READ MY POST?

Yeah, universally loved. Not here.

Why would you? He sunk you guys in the '04 playoffs. You're still bitter. Grow the **** up.

He's like Lanny Macdonald, except that he played most of his career with Vancouver.

You'll note Lanny Macdonald did not light the torch, nor did anyone sign stupid petitions asking for it.

So why again are you *****ing and moaning bout Linden. I want someone who's a local.

This isn't some local ceremony that only people in Vancouver watch. 99.9% of the people watching the ceremonies would say "who the **** is Trevor Linden?" You might say to this, "who cares?", so I'll preempt this and just call you a ****ing ****** right now.

No, you pick someone to represent the locale.

The locale is Canada.

I just find it interesting how the rules have changed for Vancouver

They changed about 15 years ago. They're not rules, either, they're conventions. You want to portray the host nation in the most positive light. Wayne Gretzky is phenomenally famous, Trevor Linden is almost a nobody. If you have some nobody light your torch at your Olympics -- the most prestigious honour of the ceremony -- it says that nobody came from your town.

Did I mention that Trevor Linden is a ****ing Albertan, by the way? He's not even a local.

He's not.

You're right. He's not an impassioned leader. You're so smart, Ben.

I see it in Burrows because he doesn't float around on his shift. I'd never see a line like I saw tonight, 0 shots, 0 goals 0 chances. What a waste of icetime.

You'd never see it? You saw it last week from Burrows. He's stone cold right now.

Yep, he singlehandedly pulled Team Canada into a tie with the Czechs. Wasn't any of the superstars, but Trevor Linden. I can't name any big game on the international stage that Iggy has singlehandedly given Team Canada a chance.

Holy ****ing ****, you ****ing douche.

Iginla scored 2 goals in the gold medal 2002 Olympic game. Canada's FIRST OLYMPIC GOLD IN HOCKEY IN 50 YEARS.

How ****ING IGNORANT can you be? You could not be more wrong here.

ALLOW ME TO QUOTE AN EXCERPT ABOUT THIS APPARENTLY MEANINGLESS GAME:

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0012378

Mike Richter got just a piece of Jarome Iginla's one-time snap shot with four minutes left in the OLYMPIC gold-medal men's hockey game. It was a desperate effort by the American goalie, who was sliding across the crease to his right and had to reach back with his left hand to intercept the Canadian winger's blast. As if in slow motion, the puck tumbled end-over-end off Richter's glove, headed toward the bottom right-hand corner of the gaping net.

Around the packed E Center, there was a collective gasp as fans watched the puck's progress. Its fate was critical: Canada held a slim 3-2 lead, and with so little time on the clock, the Americans had to keep the score close if they were to have any chance. On the benches, players from both teams stood up to get a better look. In the second deck, the most anxious observers of all - Team Canada managers Wayne GRETZKY, Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini - leaned out over the balcony in anticipation. And on the ice, Joe Sakic, Iginla's centreman and the person closest to the play, tried to redirect the fluttering puck in mid-air with his stick to make sure it went in. He missed.

Anyone who has followed men's international hockey competition lately knows Canada's ambitions have frequently been thwarted by near-misses and really hot goaltenders. In fact, it was the very same Richter who stoned the Canadians at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, handing the otherwise out-gunned Americans a major upset. Two years later in Nagano, Dominik Hasek, the Gumby-like goalie for the Czech Republic, was unbeatable in the semifinal shootout and led the Czechs to the gold medal.

But Canada got the bounce this time. The puck dropped inside the post, just before defenceman Tom Poti could get to it and sweep it out of harm's way. On the ice, Iginla, Sakic and Steve Yzerman practically crushed one another in celebration. Canadian fans in the stands, who made up about 30 per cent of the crowd of 10,000, went berserk, waving flags and shouting CA-NA-DA! Gretzky and Co., meanwhile, leaped from their seats, propelled as much by stress relief as joy. The pressure that built over 18 months as the 2002 Olympic team was put together, the frustrations of past but never-forgotten losses, and the sleepless nights that preceded Sunday's final were swept away in the exultation of the moment. "Our country desperately needed to win this tournament," an exhausted Gretzky said afterwards.

So lets revisit your quote:

I can't name any big game on the international stage that Iggy has singlehandedly given Team Canada a chance.

This pretty much reinforces what we all know. YOU DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOCKEY.

Sure, he does great against powderpuffs, but he has a bad habit of disappearing for long stretches.

Holy ****, you clearly don't know anything. You also say this as Burrows is embroiled in a 7-game cold streak. Doubly awesome.

God, why don't you suck off Maclean some more.

****ing idiot. I've railed against Burrows LONG before Maclean said what most people were already thinking outside of Vancouver. Burrows is NOT well liked in the league for reasons I have mentioned. Maclean also mentioned it. This is reality we're dealing with.

I've probably scored more goals in a game then you have in your life, despite playing defense for most of my time playing.

Yeah, I'm sure a short, deaf guy with the hockey knowledge of a Ugandan woman would've been a terrific hockey player. How ****ing stupid do you think we are.

I'll also note that this has **** all to do with the thread. Douche.

[Asher]

He had a concussion. Don't see why you need to deny the truth.

I'm not denying it. It's the official statement. He's shown no symptoms of a concussion. He even played a bit in the third period last night, NOT THAT YOU CAN ****ING TELL. You probably don't understand what's happening on the ice.

The official statement is he's 100% healthy but they wanted to confirm that before playing him a lot again. That's why he didn't play much in the third after the hit. But they've confirmed he's fine. He says he feels fine.

You are, once again, a shameless liar.

[Flubber]

Well sure. Last night they got scored on while shorthanded. They sure could have used Burrows mad PK skillz, no?

1. Canada surrendered no powerplay goals. They only had one penalty served by Morrow. The closest to a PPG by the Swiss was the tying goal where the ref had his arm up for a call on Pronger and the Swiss banked one in off Marleau with a 6th attacker on. Last I checked its very difficult for your penalty killers to get on the ice for that situation.

2. Vancouver ranks 20th in the league in PK% so maybe they need to use more of Burrows "mad PK skillz"

Don't you get tired of being so obviously and demonstrably wrong?

Aslo you never addressed who in your lineup would take the face-offs on the right side? If not bergeron who ???

[Flubber]

:


The 25 goals? Pointswise, he's better then 6 other players on the Canadian olympic team. Clearly, he's olympic calibre. You mean to tell me Morrow is more productive then him?



.

This again. ITs laughable that you keep citing Burrows goals and points as a reason he should be on the team when

1. you denigrate Iggy who has MORE of both --while playing with less offensively gifted linemates

2. You ignore other skills. I have pointed out that Bergeron is their face-off stud. Last night late in the game he took draws and then WENT OFF. The reality is that he would not make the squad as a "scorer". But as a face-off specialist and an all round guy, there he is.


Sometimes Ben it seems you would have just taken the highest scorers at every position. What hockey Canada did was look for many different roles

[Asher]

Did you see this quote, Flubber?

I can't name any big game on the international stage that Iggy has singlehandedly given Team Canada a chance.