MafiaMan

I wasn't implying that the US needed to revert back to playing college kids! I was simply saying that it takes more than heart to play college hockey. If you've got a full-ride to Denver and are a two-time national champion, you've got more than just heart. What I'm saying is that there are talented young players all over the US who were left home so we could watch a team of mostly retreads and also rans attempt to medal. Think about it...1-4-1. We couldn't do much worse, could we? At least we beat a country that most people in North America couldn't spell. Woo hoo.

If you're playing college hockey for Minnesota, North Dakota, Boston U, Michigan, etc., you've obviously got some talent. I concur with Tsiouxnami on this one. Team USA needs people who WANT to be in the Olympics, not those who feel "well, since I'm one of the best players we have, I guess I should be there. Besides, I can get some free tickets for the family, some friends...". I agree on the stat about Canada being shut out in 12 of 13 periods of hockey. That's beyond comprehension with that team.

Of course, in correcting yourself, you are too, SiouxTupa. By the way, I concur on the self-evaluation of Hockey USA on both the women's and men's fronts. Let's start with the women. While a gold, silver, and bronze medal in three Olympiads are nothing to be ashamed of, it's clear that USA and Canada dominated the circuit in 1998 and 2002. Canada has continued its domination, some other teams have improved greatly (insert Sweden and Finland here), while others have regressed (obviously, USA). The men's program? Wow, where do we start? How about not throwing together a team and "hoping" they can put it all together on the ice. That logic is destined to fail. Herb Brooks must have rolled over in his grave yesterday after Mike Modano's comments. Oh how we have fallen when it is no longer a source or pride for athletes to don their country's crest on their jersey chest. The best thing Team USA could have done is pick a bunch of kids between the ages of 18 to about 28 and send them over there and wish them the best. Give them the experience to plow thru the field in 2010. Russia sends their Ovechkins and Kovalchuks and we counter by sending our Hatchers and Tkachuks? Chris Chelios has earned the right to say "it's time to find someone new" and turn down a spot on the team, but Tkachuk? Hatcher? Modano? That's the best we can do? Cmon...PCM and I could have picked a better roster this time around.

UND did beat BU in 1997, but BU won the 1995 title when Chris Drury was a freshman. Tsiouxnami is correct.

I think the issue second only to Robbie Bina's health is the fans letting the idea of some sort of payback go already. The last thing I want to see is some cheap shot penalty that causes the Sioux to lose a game this weekend or lose some players for next weekend. The best payback would be a sweep in Denver. The NCAA tournament is on the line and you don't get a chance to host a regional every day giving you home ice advantage and an enhanced chance to make the Frozen Four.

Who do you think you are, Mike, a Dream Team player for USA Basketball?

Sadly, PCM was never known for his fashion sense.

And it's not big for the Slovaks?

I believe a certain someone mentioned earlier that Finland or Slovakia would medal...but not both. I'm a regular Nostrodamus. Hold on for my title game prediction one hour before the gold medal game.

Exactly. Of course, right about now, 99.8% of Canada is in tears and 99.8% of America is saying "we have an Olympic hockey team over in Italy right NOW? Cool".

Wow, this is definitely stunning for the North American continent.

I heard that she had $500K bet on Mother Russia.

Oh here we go...the conspiracy theories are about 3:00 away from starting up.

Isn't that Canuck?

Wow! Everyone in Canada must be sweating bullets.

LOL...oh the irony if Bertuzzi will be the goat!

Slovakia has always had an inferiority complex with the Czech Republic. A win for the Slovaks today would be huge for that country.

I hope I DVR'd the right channels before I left home this morning...

You're my hero, Tsiouxnami...even if no one else is following along. Canuck isn't online today...I bet he's watching the game.

Players like Chelios, Yzerman, Lemieux, Richter, etc. have earned the right to say "thanks, but it's time to pass the torch to a younger generation." That being said, I do hope that Chellie does that come 2010! If we can't find a quality defenseman younger than 49 years old to play in that Olympics, I'll vote PCM to be the new head of USA Hockey.

I just think it's gotten ridiculous how it's become an "expectation" that you're going to be named to the Olympic team. Look at Team Canada...Lemieux and Yzerman remove their names from consideration yet for Team USA, Jeremy "There's no I in Team" Roenick says that he'd better get named to the team or else he'll become Canada's biggest fan? Gimme a break. What a bunch of pre-madonnas. Just like the NBA players.

Exactly my point. On the plus side, at least I don't feel compelled to run out and buy a hideous Team USA jersey. 1998 Nagano - no medal 2002 Salt Lake City (and near home-ice advantage) - silver 2004 World Cup of Hockey - semi-final loss despite playing Finland in St Paul, MN 2006 Italy - no medal Hey, www.usahockey.com...wake up!

I agree totally, but I've seen enough of Tkachuk to know that I've had enough. Let's go back to college kids who would at least play with some passion and would LOVE the opportunity to represent their country instead of throwing re-treads out there year after year. Switzerland can at least hold their head high after their performance, despite a disappointing loss today to Sweden.

When is Keith Tkachuk going to prove he still deserves to be playing for Team USA?

I watched that episode last week (think it was a re-run and I have it on DVD anyways)...absolutely hilarious. I loved the illegal alien line when Peter adds the "Joann Fabrics" bit.