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Sweden stuns Canada

TIM WHARNSBY

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 10:11 PM EST 29/12/07

Sweden scored with seven seconds left to earn 4-3 win over Canada at world junior championship on Saturday, Tim Wharnsby reports ...Read the full article

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  1. Dirty Burger from Canada writes: Canada was lucky to tie it at 3-3 after that BS call. Sweden ain't no joke!
  2. ray ittac from Canada writes: Very exciting game. Could have easily gone either way. No use whining about anything, they handled our kids very well in the third period on top of the fact that we were given a very marginal call on that 2 man advantage. Sweden did deserve this one but I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the tourney. My hat is off to the swedes on their new and improved combination of physical toughness and skill --- something the other two teams we played couldn't offer.
  3. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Sweden was full value for the win.
  4. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: This is Hartsburg's fault he just love that #17 and seems to hate 20. Marchand can loose the puck a dozen times and he's still out there. Tavares gets limited ice time and performs well but the coach just would play him. From the game you could see Marchand cough up the puck or take a dumb penalty but he never missed a shift
  5. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: Sorry for the spelling errors but from day one I've been choked about Tavares ice time vrs Marchand. Sweden is a very good team and deserved the win, a better coach for Canada would have settled his team down and stopped the panic.
  6. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: I still feel ok with our overall D and goaltending. Maybe this setback is a good thing as I would not want to go into the medal round still trying to hold on to the win streak (not that I think it plays on their minds) or having faced little adversity. Sweden is a pretty good team and should get a medal...I hope we get to meet them again, maybe for gold, and win!

    I also agree with the comments re Tavares and ice time. It seems he always creates chances and I can't see any reason he does not get a regular shift....other than his age which is just a number!
  7. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Marchand scores a goal for Canada in this game, and inexplicably gets criticized because Tavares is not getting enough ice team. Were we actually expecting Canada to win forever and ever, amen?
  8. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: I guess that Tavares should be able to score while sitting on the bench, oh stupid me I forgot that 20 minutes ice time vrs 5 minutes doesn't mean a thing. But if you look at the previous games just see who turns the puck over more than anyone else, but never get sat out even for 1 shift.
  9. Frank Black from Vancouver, Canada writes: Sweden stuns Canada

    I really don't give a crap ... Go Patriots go...
  10. Frank Black from Vancouver, Canada writes: I care less about the swedes as well...
  11. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Frank Black....Football?...Patriots?....Babies sport.
  12. Elliott Bourgeois from Ottawa, Canada writes: Couldn't agree more that the coaching has a big part to play in this loss. Should of settled them down, but what can you do. This should light some fire in the kids, show them that they can, and will, be beat unless they play top notch hockey. No need to panic, GOLD is coming our way!
  13. Quellcrist Falconer from Canada writes: Stuns Canada ? Please, the Swedes have a good team and showed what Canada needs to work on.
  14. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: Just what the doctor ordered. There was so much hype about 20 games without a loss, two shutouts ,the players were not thinking about the Swedes they were not focused.
    Better days ahead!
  15. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Did anyone notice that the winning goal was scored by a guy named Forsberg?

    Does anyone remember me tallking some time ago about Ottawa getting a Forsberg in their lineup?

    Everyone assumed I meant Mr. Ankles - think again.

    Swedes played very well and deserved the win.
  16. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Great win by the Swedes. Great game to watch live...I wish y'all could've been there with me. Very very intense action all game long. I thought Canada was sitting back a little bit in the third period and was getting beat to the puck in the defensive zone on almost every Swedish rush....Would've liked to see more killer instinct.

    Thanks to the first two posters for clarifying that penalty for the 5 on 3...it was hard for me to see because I was at the other end of the rink, but I still didn't think I saw any penalty either...another phantom call by the terrible officials working this tournament.

    Hats off to the Swedes. Great game by Canada except for a 10 minute lapse in the third. Pull up your socks boys, and get 'em next time (for Gold!)
  17. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: Ouch, but good. This team had been prematurely crowned with hype, and the players profiled as heroes during the round-robin, in the coverage I watched. Sweden played and beat Canada, while our guys seemed to be fighting ghosts of expectations.

    Some adversity for all will be good, with more focus in practices and games.

    I admire the heck out of these players, coaches and staff who toil for our country, and want to learn more about them. Most of these guys will lead their NHL teams soon. But lose the idolatry in the coverage, please.

    Here's hoping (not expecting) we get to shine through adversity with Gold.
  18. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: And I will add: another classless showing by the Czech fans here in Pardubice. Tossing the bottles again at Team Canada after a heartbreaking loss. Rubbish....I hope this city never gets any international hockey tournament again.
  19. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Good teams always learn more from a loss than a win. Everything is unfolding as it should for Canada. It will be a dandy to see the two teams go at it again in this tournament - hope it happens.
  20. rainer paakkonen from Gothenburg, Sweden writes: Haha, Great game, Canada celibreated to early...and did not realise that a Hockeygame lasts 60 minutes.....!

    [Dont forget, Swedes are Olympic champions]

    I care less about Frank Black
  21. Billy Biroux from Polar Bear Pit, Nunavet, Canada writes: Oh please Rainer.
    Canada was on a 20 game winning streak. On top of winning three straight titles. ON top of winning the first two games on shutouts.
    Guess you could say they were due for a loss, eh?
  22. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Hi Rainer, I don't think any true Canadian hockey fan ever forget that Sweden is a real threat every time they step on the ice. I've personally always found Sweden to be a real hockey force. I find Sweden's style of play an admirable mixture of hard-hitting Canadian hockey with soft hands/soft passes European hockey. Swedes are skilled hockey players, and I don't think any of us could say otherwise.

    However, don't gloat too early my friend...there's gold in them there (Czech) hills...and we want it really badly!

    Cheers.
  23. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: I saw this coming from the game 1. Czechs outshot and outplayed Canada for more then half the game until Canada started playing dirty and fauled a lot{9 power plays against them}...{that's why the Czech fans don't like the robotic grinders from Team Canada}. Against Slovakia it wasn't convincing victory either,considering Slovakia almost beat Sweden as well.. Finally now against Sweden the truth came all out. I think that Canada might be out of the tournament in the Q-Final next Wednesday... The only thing that keeps Canada in the tournament isn't their play ,but the record saves and effort of the NHL{LA Kings} goalie Bernier,who shouldn't be really playing in a youth Tournament...If it awasn't for him Canada would have lost the first game vs Czechs as well... That's the truth my firends,however,you might hate that..... You Jeff,don't bad mouth Pardubice and/or Czech Republic or you might have to go and 'teach English' or what the hell you do there-maybe nothing-..,somewhere else... Go watch some World Cup cross country skiing...to relax. The arenas are sold out,but you were right in the earlier comments that Czech fans don't attend in large numbers junior tournaments,women's soccer or hockey etc...as a general rule... They might be missing something,but they gravitate towards the Elite Leagues action more.{both soccer and hockey}.... One thing though that Canada could learn from is that the Pro-Teams over there,both in soccer and hockey,finance and pay for the youth development,whilst in Canada parents are going broke,mortgaging their homes to affort the costs.... It's sad that this country has to lie to itself regarding their hockey as if they have nothing else to be proud of? Czechs consider hockey as many other things they are World Class,top Elite in.
  24. rainer paakkonen from Gothenburg, Sweden writes: Hi there
    I agree, I welcome a mixture of all styles, and of course I hope sweden will continue this winning streak.
    May the best team win......

    And I want to see beter referees....
  25. Reasonably demanding from Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: I saw this coming..... It's sad that this country (Canada) has to lie to itself regarding their hockey as if they have nothing else to be proud of? Czechs consider hockey as many other things they are World Class,top Elite in.

    Very condescending MK. I might be offended if I thought you represented Czech opinion. Thankfully you sound more like a frustrated adolescent learning to cope with disapointment.
  26. Reasonably demanding from Canada writes: The referees were brutal but the Swedes played an outstanding game. I hope our team is capable of lifting their game. If not, then the Swedes look like Gold right now.
  27. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: You don't want to know what the Czechs really think regarding 'canadian hockey'....

    I know that you people hate the truth....
  28. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Reasonably demanding....

    You should read the above comments and comments on the previous article's to know who sounds condescending...

    Why is it that people hate the same medicine that they dish out?
  29. Mike Mike from Canada writes: This team looked pretty pathetic tonight. Even against the Slovaks they did not look good, getting outhit and out worked by slovaks. This is not Sutter's team, that's for sure. Too many passangers. D looks pretty weak when pressed and forwards are not aggressive enough in the offensive zone.

    Where are the Tootoo's, Phaneufs, Richards, Downies on this team? There is yet to be a single bone crashing hit a-la Dion Phaneuf from team Canada.

    I dont see this team going beyond semi-finals, if that.
  30. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: MK Euro: I taught here for two years, and now I edit training materials for a software company based out of Hradec Kralove. I have nothing against the Republic at all, aside from your wicked high taxes. I have great friends and a great girlfriend here...all Czechs. However, your hockey fans in Pardubice need to learn a little bit of class. Don't tell me you condone this bullcrap?! Even my girlfriend is embarrassed and angry about it. You may consider it badmouthing, but I will call a spade a spade, and if the Czechs insist on throwing bottles at a bunch of teenagers who just lost a great, tight game, then I will step up and denounce that.

    I think I'm done commenting on your posts for the rest of this tournament (and those beyond), as it is very clear that you have not a shred of reason in you with which to discuss something even as simple as hockey. I'm not going to let you sour my good opinion of the majority of your countrymen.

    By the way, I already know that the Czech opinion of Canadian hockey is half admiration and half sour grapes. Don't try and imagine that it's something grander...it's just hockey for cripes sakes.
  31. joe cormorant from Canada writes: YEAAAAAAAAAA!
  32. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Hey Rainer, I won't be able to make the Czech/Sweden game on Monday unfortunately, as I have to work.

    However, despite my girlfriend, Sweden has always been my number two team so I'll be pulling for the Tre Kroner (for silver medal of course!). (And for my girlfriend's sake I do hope the Czechs take the bronze).
  33. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: MK euro is just a troll.... ignore him. Probably not even from Czech.

    Rainer on the other hand has class.

    Best team won tonight. Let's hope this is exactly what are boys needed.

    Cheers/Scholl/Prost.
  34. Quellcrist Falconer from Canada writes: MK.... Typical classless Czech fan.
  35. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Quellcrist Falconer;

    Wow... a Richard Morgan fan... read Black Man yet?
  36. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Czechs have no sour grapes against Canada... What they don't like is the unsportsman-like style of play and organizing their games at the outer limits of acceptable dirtyness... Czechs admire the Russians,the Swedes etc...for winning or loosing,without simple minded bragging and idiotic remarks by the TV commentators.... I liked the Czech fans unveiling all the soccer flags and scarfs and doing the soccer 'kdo neskace neni Cech'...in translation:'who isn't jumping/dancing in the stands isn't Czech'.... Even Wayne Gretzky can attest to how 'hated' the Team canada is for the arrogant behaviour... You probably aren't old enough to remmeber the 70's and 80's when canadian Team couldn't even compete with Europeans and were getting beat by them all the time at every tournament,everywhere.... Canadian hockey 'saved its butt' by learning to put emphasis on skating{some former pros couldn't even skate properly 20 years ,ago},quickness and technigue... That put Canadian Hockey back on the radar screen,about 10 years ago and they are desperately trying to hang on by applying anti-hockey and dirty style of play{which was always their trade mark} The Swedes just uncovered their problems...i.e: If you keep skating and they have nothing to hit at or charge at,they can't play.... I believe that Canada belongs in the Top 5 in the World in hockey,amongst Sweden,Czechs,Finland,Russians and USA....nothing more,nothing less... They do belong to the Elite,but are far from being 'the best' all around... The TSN coverage should keep that in mind.... The Czechs in soccer are always in top 5 or at least top10 in the World,yet you don't hear them humiliating other teams and making arrogant remarks regarding other schools of soccer and/or hockey... All you got is 6 teams in the rich NHL out of 30 team{the other 24 in the USA},that atract players from all over because of the pay checks... You should realize that.....
  37. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: MK Euro... you are delusional.

    I am certainly old enough to remember the Europeans beating our AMATEURS.

    So the Canadians are dirty players because we don't use the stick and kick other players? You and your swan diving euros changed the game alright..... now played by soccer players on skates.

    Watching a whole bunch of them now as the New York Czechs are beating my leafs 2 zip.....
  38. Sam Gallagher from Calgary, Canada writes: GOOD ON YA SWEDEN !!! This is the best thing that could have happened to the Canadian Juniors. Now, perhaps they will be a wee bit less cocky and start concentrating on the fundamentals.

    Canada has been winning and winning too handily for far too long. The Canadian media (the worst) and the fans have become insufferable and obnoxious.

    Perhaps this 'reality check' will be the wake up call that Canada needs to go all the way (unlike the overindulgent, conceited and arrogant Olympic Mens team led by the incompetent Wayne Gretzky).

    Hopefully your heads are back in the game... worry about your sponsorship deals later... Take care of business now...

    Go Cdn Juniors go !!!
  39. Steve Prime from Canada writes: MK Euro... the more you say, the more you show your ignorance. Stop the foolishness and grow up
  40. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: The 80 plus Czechs in NHL make astronomical sums,in comparison to what they would make in Czech Elite League.

    When the 'NHL strike' was on,Jagr and Co...played there and asked not to get paid,because the small 5 or 10 K paycheques weren't worth their while!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Jagr and Hasek and Elias and Hejduk,Straka and the other ones become eventually 'billionaires' and own clothing companies,sorts bars etc... and are all over the TV in Czech in ads.
  41. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Steve Prime...

    Why is it ignorant?
  42. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Scot Loucks....

    You call former Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordic and Canadian National teams a bunch of amatures....

    Who's 'crazy'???
  43. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Now the NY Rangers{Czech National Team} are 6:zip already....
  44. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Wayne... Why not also blame another Nova Scotian for Team Canada's poor showing in the last Canadian Olympics too?

    Oh ya'! I remember! It was because Crosby wasn't even picked for the olympic team in favour of a bunch of deadwood players from Western Canada...
  45. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Scot Loucks....

    You call former Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordic and Canadian National teams a bunch of amatures....

    Who's 'crazy'???
    -----------------------------

    I believe you were talking 70/80's

    Our pro's couldn't play in the tourneys back then.

    btw; he said you displayed ignorance..... not you were being ignorant.... there is a difference..... but continue to prove him right.
  46. Jean Malice from Fight Global Walarmism!, Canada writes: A welcome result indeed: the Canadian hockey crowd and media was becoming un(polar)bearable!
  47. brian silva from Canada writes: MK Euro >>> ha ha ha touch a little sore spot? obviously, your reply indicates your inferiority complex vis-a-vis the germans, british, et al germanic and english people. no problem, for the size of your country and population, to be considered 2nd class citizens of the world, well, you've done well for yourself. re. football, win a world cup if you want to consider yourself amongst the elite. one euro win is nada, comprende amigo? verstehst du das? ha ha ha stick to your german beer!
    p.s. right now, you are ranked 6th by fifa - means d1ck all - you will never win a world cup - you know why? because you are not good enough; good enough for eastern europe, but that is all...
  48. ray ittac from Canada writes: Ok, ok, ok...I'm back. Saw the Junior game earlier today and despite all the crap being spread by some on this blog...the game could have gone either way. If they play again, it's a coin toss. Come the medal round the bench should get a bit shorter and that may make a significant difference as the Swedes have somehting the other 2 teams we played don't...guts! They really attacked the front of the net and made it a very difficult day for Bernier. The other 2 games, most of the shots could be seen from the horizon cuz they didnt have players with the hutzpa to play the slot with any real effect. On the other hand, I was really surprised to see that a couple of the swedish defenders weren't as mobile as the team has historically been and gave up some good chances on Canucks cutting hard around them and to the net like on the Marchand goal. I have no intention of making this an extended argument but you have to be really stupid to suggest that Canadian hockey is "anti-hockey"...whatever the heck that means. A team simply cannot go thru sixty-seventy players over a four year streak with the results they have without the skills necessary to do so. To deny the success of the program is to bury your head in the sand and make it really fruitless to dialogue further. On an off note: the Czechs have an elite soccer program? really? Since when? Never noticed them in the Wc or Euro in recent decades.
  49. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: That shows you people so ignorant...Now...Silva...You are in need of some pills...I just tried to explain to you the history...If I knew you are a neanderthal,I wouldn't have bothered!!!!!!!!!

    The other guy...

    Czechs won the Euro in 76,were Bronz in 80 and 04 and Silver in 96 and also belong to the few countries who have played the World Cup Final twice.....Only to get 2 Silvers from that so far....

    Apart the Silver the Czechs won last summer in Canada at the U-20 World Cup...

    Either way the Czechs will probably get a Medal as Canada will this year and that's it.....In the junior Hockey WC.

    I have a calendar hanging in our bedroom showing all the Gold Hockey teams between 1998{Nagano} and 2000,where the Czechs have won everything there was to win in hockey....
  50. ray ittac from Canada writes: Sorry, my apologies MK. I didn't know we were counting losing. Typical Canadian and Italian of me to only look at the winners list to determine success. I will lower my standards and set my parameters to include losing as a measure of success. Good night.
  51. ray ittac from Canada writes: WOW...just noticed..."I have a calendar hanging in our bedroom showing all the Gold Hockey teams between 1998{Nagano} and 2000,where the Czechs have won everything there was to win in hockey.... " What are you? 14? I think I have a picture of the Italian parade in Toronto last summer in my garage . But in my bedroom? MK!!! C'mon man, get a grip! You are taking this a bit too serious.
  52. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Playing in the Final obviously isn't enough for the hard core italian guy,wright?

    The one Final the Czechs lost was against Italy in the Nazi Germany{in front of Hitler and Mussolini} in 1934...

    The calendar of the Czech hockey accomplishments between 1998 and 2000 hangs there because it is so beautifully done....Not that we stare at it all the time....
  53. ray ittac from Canada writes: LOLOLOL.... 1934? 1934? 1934? Are you kidding me? As much as i like history...hell that makes the Maple Leafs look like a success story. They were great in'67 I hear. And 'hard core' definitely does not refer to me. Maybe to a guy who hangs sports calendars in his bedroom. Now..that's hard core. Ya got a beer fridge in there too? On a serious note, and you do make it hard to stay serious, yes, the finals in '34 doesn't cut it. A pattern of success makes for a respected program. I will conced that the Patriots have an enviable pattern of success, as do the red Wings and the San Antonio Spurs. Internationally, the Canadian junior and senior hockey teams also do, as do the Czech seniors and a few others. In soccer, Brazil, Italy and France immediately qualify but when you have to quote dates and numbers (especially from 1934) face it ---NO!!! That doesn't qualify.
  54. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Just to be clear for Silva...

    We are absolutely proud of the fact that Czechs have minorities in thier Country....

    Quoting 4 months ago,here in Canada that the Czechs "lost" the U-20 World Cup in soccer in last 5 minutes vs Argentina,after being up...in TO....{I forgot how they lost the game vs Italy in the group of death last year at the WP in Germany}

    Remember ,History will repeat itself....
  55. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: I really didn't know were Marchand was from and I don't blame him but the coach who wouldn't pull him in and tell him to be more careful with the puck. As for that poor excuse that was sent to the Olympics I agree neither Heatly or Bertuzzi belonged there. Nobody should be rewarded for a criminal record.
  56. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Bertuzzi was there as a bunch of other who had no business being there...In Torino....At the Olympics...WE'll see what will happen at the Olympics in Vancouver?
  57. ray ittac from Canada writes: Ummmm.......I'll help. Italy 2-0 after the first half. Then we just sht it down to rest for the next game. I hope history repeats itself next time. Maybe Mussolini's great-grandkids can be there.
  58. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Ray...are you stupid....

    The game was tied 0:0...Baros and Co...had goal winning opportunites...then Czechs didn't cover a post on a corner kick and Mazzeroti scored at the end of the first half....

    Then Polak did a stupid faul in the midfield and the Czechs went down to 10 men and then when everything was 100% risk,the Czechs had everybody attack to tie,Inghazi tied on a "break-away" just before the end....He ran alone from the half to do it.....

    So,the Italians were few minutes from elimination on the group of death....

    They absolutely weren't 2:0 in the first half...You forgot how it went....

    When the Czechs blanked USA 3:0,all the experts were saying that Czechs and Brazil were going to be in the Final....
  59. ray ittac from Canada writes: I remember 2-0 but you were probably right. Still doesn't leave them "minutes from elimination". I have a clearer memory of the playoff games.
  60. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Inghazi decided...not tied the game..

    The Czechs could have as well lost 1:0 or 15:0...it made no difference to them they had to win,following what happened with Ghana....

    They had to win and hope that USA will beat Ghana.....
  61. brian silva from Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 >>> ha ha ha listen, good luck in euro 2008; as always, with one exception, you will once again fall short. just like you lost to the greeks in the last euro. to the greeks, of all teams, but then again, they were coached by a german. and brueckner, guess what, he is german as well - yeah, call him czech, call him whatever, but he is german. like i said, you guys do well for being a "province" of germany.
  62. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Wayne Powers from Saskatoon: No offense taken really. My ire was already up after reading several articles on John Tavares in the Toronto Star (and Sickle.) In one of these columns, he has already labelled Tavares as the second coming of Sidney Crosby.... Not kidding, Tavares is 17 years old... give the kid a break! I also fail to recall Dave Feschuk screaming with outrage that Sidney Crosby being left off the Olympic team.... A decision that Crosby and the sports media in Nova Scotia accepted with grace. Marchand scored a beautiful goal today, and Tavares didn't. Perhps, Feschuk could remind us all why Marchand should be sitting down for this guy in his next column. Anyways, I wish all these kids well, and am sure that they will regroup after this loss.
  63. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: I know you hate that...

    Portugal has to play the Czechs {again} at the Euro...

    The problem that Portugal has and everybody knows about is that they have no "goal scorers"....Christiano Ronaldo isn't a goal scorer for your national team....

    The Czechs will probably win the Euro next year and Portugal will be lucky to get out of the group stage....
  64. Frank Black from Vancouver, Canada writes: Hockey players are "DOPES" anyhow imo...
  65. brian silva from Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 >>> btw. i'm not portugese, but good guess - it is a portugese name. re. portugal, couldn't care less, i don't like them; i'll only cheer for them when they beat you guys. even if you win the euro, which is not going to happen btw, it's still only the euro, which in any footballer's books means "f" all...
  66. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Let's see...Silva....Can be "hispanic"....and/or Portugese,hardly Italian...even though with all the scandals about citizenships....

    Hey man,I don't care......

    You are from somewhere,aren't you???
  67. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Frank Black from Vancouver, BC: All that rain on the left coast rotting your brain again? FYI, there is an article on the Patriots elsewhere if you care to comment to people who give a damn...
  68. Stewart Mawdsley from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada writes: Less soccer and more hockey talk please!
    The whole team really fell apart in the 3rd. Canada's style at the WJ's in the last few years has been focused on strong defense, as anyone familiar with the Sutter camp will tell you. That's why Canada can get outshot 44-20something like the Czech game and still come out with a 3-0 win, the shots they do give up are not quality chances. And obviously you can't discount our strong goaltending.

    Today in the 3rd, our defense coughed the puck up and mishandled the play repeatedly, and Sweden, skilled and aggressive team that they are, took advantage. The losing play was very characteristic of the entire 3rd period effort, a very clumsy play in the offensive zone (by Marchant) led to a rush for Sweden and the defenseman got completely suckered out of position - and the trailing players did not backcheck at all! Might as well have gift-wrapped that goal.

    I think the loss will be good for Canada because these players need to learn to keep their heads on straight in a spot of trouble. Props to Sweden, here's hoping the guys regroup (hard not to, it's Denmark next). I hope our other goalie (whose name escapes me) gets another game or two in as well, he seems equal to Bernier.
  69. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Hey Stewart, his name is Steve Mason, and he made one hell of a save in the final 5 minutes of the Slovakia game to maintain the shutout. I think they definitely will play him now, especially since they won't be skipping the quarterfinal game (in which Bernier will likely play again). Had they come first in the pool, they would have skipped the quarterfinal, in which case I don't know that they would want to sit Bernier for so long.

    Meanwhile, I'm sick! I have to go to work tomorrow before heading to the game too...wish me luck.
  70. Lucien Pignon from Sweden writes: Great game! I could not care less about Canadians and the Patriots.
  71. joe cormorant from Canada writes: MK Euro you are absolutely correct in your analysis of the Can. Jr. team play. The last 5 or 6 years they go out and try to injure and maim as many of the opposition as they can. The fans and announcers are so arrogant it is impossible to watch a game with the sound on. It would be absolutely great if Denmark beat them today. Canada barely got past Slovakia and the Checks. I wonder if they will cry if they don't win gold.
  72. Henry Allen from East Bank, Don River, Canada writes: Here's a thought: Hockey Canada's junior program is over-Russianed. This past summer and fall Canada's juniors have been saturated by games against Russia. Canadian juniors developed over-confidence by rolling over Russia, which has been stalled in its hockey development for quite some time. It did not help that the majority of Canadians put additional pressure on Team Canada to blow everyone out. This should send a message to Hockey Canada to drop these crap exhibition games against Russia and focus on the top hockey nations. A real test, and much more local, would have been to play an exhibition series against Team USA. Team Canada is as skilled as they showed in the first period against Team Sweden. But, when the Swedes did not wilt, Team Canada did not mentally handle that pressure. Playing too many games against the Russians taught them to get complacent and did not teach them to handle on ice pressure.
  73. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: Well if it isn't MK from the HF forum your English is a little better on this forum hey mk.
    Why don;t you go back to the HF forum where the real hockey fans made a fool out of you. Some of the idiots like Joe Cormorant are real suckers for your Euro sob stories.
    Maybe if your juniors stop playing like little girls you might win a few games and your goofy fans stop throwing crap on the ice you might get a little respect.
    By the way the Czechs are really average in all sports better in hockey than soccer which means you are really lousy soccer players!
  74. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: Canada's juniors haven't lost a game in the last 20, they lose a close one in the last seven seconds and the world is coming to an end.
    This is a very young team and the loss will do them a world of good. I know it's hard even if we only lose a game every 3 years it's always the darkest before the dawn hey MK!
  75. brad maddigan from Canada writes: The Canadians have been outplayed so far, but they managed to find a way to win. Hartsburg is making some questionable calls, but I have said that already on this forum. As long as you win, then you must be right. Taveres should be playing a regular shift. Period. Find a spot for him. And why didn't Hartsburg call a timeout when the Swedes scored the 2nd goal? The kids were running around and they needed some down time to collect themselves. It's not rocket science when you are coaching kids. Hopefully, Hartsburg will get it together.
    I am more worried about the fact that the Canadians are not skating as well as they can, and they have been outplayed for long stretches. Still, never bet against a bunch of Canadian boys. My money says we still win gold.
  76. david coates from toronto, Canada writes: Questions of Canadian vulnerability aside, has anyone noticed the striking similarity between parts of Wharnsby's article and the one by Dave Feschuk in the Toronto Star today? The following paragraph by Wharnsby is almost exactly the same as Feschuk's, except that Wharnsby doesn't indicate who Forsberg is not related to, while Feschuk does. So who plagiarized whom? Looks like Wharnsby, as he neglected to fill out his Forsbergian non-equitor as the rewrote Feschuk's copy. Or did they both scalp it from the newswires? Or do sportswriters just look over each others' shoulders as they sit at their laptops? Here's Wharnsby: "Canada sent a gift to the Swedes when Marchand over skated the puck in the neutral zone and went back down the ice with Canadians scurrying to get into position. But the damage was done. Mikael Backlund found Tobias Forsberg (not related) for the game-winner with seven ticks left on the clock." And here's Feschuk: "Indeed, they made some crucial ones. Marchand scored one goal for Canada – the beautiful burst of speed to a backhanded finish that made it 1-0 – but also effectively squandered the game, overskating a puck in the Swedish zone in the dying seconds to set up the rush that allowed Tobias Forsberg (no relation to Peter) to score the winner with eight ticks on the clock."
  77. He Shoots! He Scores! from United States writes: Watch the Euro trolls come out of the woodwork. I frequent several hockey forums and any stumble by Canada is greeted with unbelievable trolling by the Euros. What it points out is that Canada is always the team to beat and the standard against which all other hockey programs are measured. The trolls will trash talk and even outright lie but the very act of trolling underscores how essential Canada is to the king of sports, hockey.
  78. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Without starting to repeat myself...{re-read the above comments}

    Number one is sport of any kind...soccer or hockey is to RESPECT the opponent...

    If you don't ,in my eyes,you are the trash and I have no time or use for you...

    I think that countries such as Sweden,Czechs,Slovaks,Fins etc...have done a fantastic job developing their athletes in soccer,hockey and a number of other disciplines,considering their small size,population etc...

    So,then you have the USA with 300 million people/resources/wealth trying to keep up to them in everything,being the "underdog"???Come one!!!!!!!....

    How does that make you superior?

    Just go and count the hundreds of NHL players from those countries in Europe,who are the NHL's biggest attractions and stars!

    So,one more time,the last time...Both Canada and USA{just in last few years} belong to the top 5 in hockey in the World,now!

    Nothing less and nothing more!...{you consider that a trash talk?}
  79. Henry Allen from East Bank, Don River, Canada writes: MK Euro, the last thing Europeans, especially east Europeans, can teach Canadians about hockey is respect for opponents. East Europeans invented spitting at opponents, the most degrading and infantile type of behaviour. Throwing bottles and coins out on the ice by Czechs is an even lower step into immature sports behaviour.
  80. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Henry Allen.....

    Are you insane????

    What the hell are you talking about????
  81. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Let me add to the list for you Henry: among the gems I heard during the Czech/Canada game were several racist comments in Czech about PK Subban (the Pardubice "burany" around me really had a good laugh at him MK); as well as some chants in Czech: "Jdete domu Kanada!" ("Go home Canada").

    Yes, I agree, respect for the opponent is the number one priority for any sport. I hope the Czech fans here who choose to be idiots will figure that out too.
    -------
    MK Euro wrote: "I think that countries such as Sweden,Czechs,Slovaks,Fins etc...have done a fantastic job developing their athletes in soccer,hockey and a number of other disciplines,considering their small size,population etc..."

    I absolutely agree with you, and I think many of us here wouldn't disagree. Get off these boards and quit trying to convince us of what we already know; go on the Czech boards and tell your retarded hockey fans to quit throwing bottles at our kids.
  82. joe cormorant from Canada writes: Canada and Canadians have taken over as the worlds biggest ego-centric country. They are PROUD canadians, but have no idea of what they are proud of. We have no culture, no history, nothing to contribute to the world and the largest city is a refuge for terrorists and bums and looks like a dump.
  83. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Jeff...

    You as a Canadian in Czech republic should know what the situation is....

    They don't like Canada's hockey because of the arrogant behaviour...constant bragging and almost idiotic patriotism...

    People are polite to you and give you respect,but you can not be some kind of "hero" over there just because you speak English...

    All young speak it now and you are a yesterday's news overthere...

    So,if you don't like Czech rep,find somewhere else to spread you supremace remarks towards other cultures and nations...

    I bet your Czech girlfriend wouldn't even want to move to Canada with you....

    On the other hand the Czechs have a tough one ahead to beat Russia or be out....As Canada vs Finland.

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