Bronze Medal Game

[redwing77]

Well, I have a different perspective.

Booing aside, what was there to cheer about with this Team USA team? How many times have we heard that the US was going to medal? Many said we'd win gold!

I'm sorry, but when we go to a competition like that as favorites and fail to even win bronze we don't deserve cheers. We look like fools and makes our Gold medal 2 years ago look like a fluke.

Take the Canadian fans for what they are worth, I'm more disappointed that Team USA didn't come to play than I am about who Canada roots for in any given situation.

Team USA: What a joke.

[Taz Boy]

...As far as Canadian hockey fans go they are a bunch of pompus jerks, that think they are entitled to winning the Gold every year and that its their sport, blah, blah, blah, I am so sick and tired of listening to that Bu11 $#!t. Do I hate Canada as a country, no, I hate their soicalist ruling eliets that are lecturing the American about the War in Iraq. I care less what they think of us or Bush. This is where some of this crap is coming from.

Goon: You don't think that hockey is far more important to Canada than the US? Its practically the official state-sponsored religion up there.

I don't doubt that there are some fans whose cheering against the US Team is purely motivated by our current policy re: Iraq. But, in the end I think the majority of it was more hockey related, and the fact that Team USA is no longer a preliminary war-up game to work out the lines for the medal round. They're still worked up about the gold loss two years ago.

Having said all that, I can't imagine how p!ssed I would have been if I had to sit in the middle of a bunch of drunks chanting "USA Sucks" while the team was getting schooled by Russia. I would likely have been doing a little "game misconduct" of my own (and perhaps getting my @ss kicked in the process).

taz

[Goon]

Having said all that, I can't imagine how p!ssed I would have been if I had to sit in the middle of a bunch of drunks chanting "USA Sucks" while the team was getting schooled by Russia. I would likely have been doing a little "game misconduct" of my own (and perhaps getting my @ss kicked in the process).

taz

I hear you there, I might have escorted out of the arena myself after taking a bath in beer and helped into a BC jail probably sporting a shiner.

[Greyeagle]

I hear you there, I might have escorted out of the arena myself after taking a bath in beer and helped into a BC jail probably sporting a shiner.

Wasting beer? Now that is something to get POed about!!

[petey23]

Crap. Looks like we are getting a delay of the 3rd place game instead of the Championship game here in Fargo. Might have to go to Wild Wings to watch the Canada/Russia game.

[SiouxMeNow]

Hey dick-weed, why don't you go on a "Canadian" message board, or don't they have that technology yet? FYI, I've never condoned any swearing the Sioux games, or any other venue. Harrassing a team is one thing, but the way Canadian fans have conducted themselves these past two years is inexcusible.

Quit being such a p*ssy! Step back for one minute and think about what kind of fans you want backing your team.....

A- Insane, blindly loyal FANatics who have nothing but "Insert Color Here"-Blood in their veins and don't give a damn what anyone else thinks....(think how AWESOME the Ralph would be PACKED with fans like this!)

OR

B- Geeks who support their team but wring their hands over the implications of their actions and how it may reflect upon world society in general?? (like St. Cloud State fans)

Canuck is right in that 5 years ago...no one here would have even posted about the World Jr's! Now that one US Team has won gold and we've hosted the tourney - there IS more interest down here! That's a good thing! It's really opened my eyes to this tournament and I think it's great....GET OVER the fans...it's really all about the hockey!

[Wilbur]

Is any other Sioux fan upset with the performance of Lee in this tournament? I can't believe how many fricken mistakes he makes in the defensive zone. I keep telling myself that he's young and that he'll overcome this, but it is getting so old watching him skate behind the net, get hit, lose the puck, lose position, and they score.....

PS: I can't believe that the reff called those penalties on the Oshie. And to make matters worse on the second one right after the whistle was blown he gets his head slammed into the boards....That official was inconsistent and really hurt the U.S. in the second period and gave the Fins momentum. That doesn't excuse the U.S. loss though, they didn't compete at all and deserved to lose to a team that they are better then.

PPS: Where was Kessel? Where was Porter? Where was Skille? Where was Lee? Where was Bourque? The best line of the game for the U.S. was Paukovich, Gerbe, and Wheeler, and the rest of the guys just tried to do it all themselves. Kessel is an outstanding player, but he tried to do too much, and its upsetting to say that he had a better tournament last year than this year....

I vote for Lucia to coach the team next year. Too much underachieving the past two years....

[SiouxMeNow]

I'm sure Lucia will be a coach ALL SIOUX FANS will cheer for

[Diggler]

I would love having Lucia as the coach of this team. Last year was disappointing because the games were herem but they finished about where they should have. They had a chance at a medal, but it wasn't suprising that they didn't get one. This year is much more disappointing. There is no reason this team shouldn't have medaled.

[SiouxMeNow]

GOPHER ASS-KISSER!!! (speaking as an American understanding the Canadian Fan reaction considering the fact that you're REALLY a UND fan considering having our (Intra-conference) rival coach the team....WHHAAA!! )

Remember...Eaves coached the USA to the gold....don't remember any of you putting on a Badger uniform after that?? Or did you??**

**It's a conundrum*....ask the Canuck for clarification of that definition....i'm tired....

[SiouxMeNow]

I would love having Lucia as the coach of this team. Last year was disappointing because the games were herem but they finished about where they should have. They had a chance at a medal, but it wasn't suprising that they didn't get one. This year is much more disappointing. There is no reason this team shouldn't have medaled.

ONLY if he wears the DARK neck brace to match his turtleneck...he looks like a mobster when he wears white...no ofense Donny!

[siouxnami]

ONLY if he wears the DARK neck brace to match his turtleneck...he looks like a mobster when he wears white...no ofense Donny!

Looks like?

That last name is awefully Italian...

And there were those "recruiting" violations.

[jk]

Is any other Sioux fan upset with the performance of Lee in this tournament? I can't believe how many fricken mistakes he makes in the defensive zone. I keep telling myself that he's young and that he'll overcome this, but it is getting so old watching him skate behind the net, get hit, lose the puck, lose position, and they score.....

...

PPS: Where was Kessel? Where was Porter? Where was Skille? Where was Lee? Where was Bourque? The best line of the game for the U.S. was Paukovich, Gerbe, and Wheeler, and the rest of the guys just tried to do it all themselves. Kessel is an outstanding player, but he tried to do too much, and its upsetting to say that he had a better tournament last year than this year....

I vote for Lucia to coach the team next year. Too much underachieving the past two years....

There were times, especially in the Russia game, where I thought Lee was running around a bit, and generally he didn't control things like I hoped he would. The excuse that he's young, though it may seem tired, still has quite a bit of truth to it. Until three months ago, his highest level of hockey was MN high school.

As for the disappearing stars in the bronze game, I think it's no accident that the US's best players in the last game were the ones who were underutilized earlier in the tournament. Kyle ground the top guys into the ice earlier, so I'm not surprised they were dead at the end. IMO this was the biggest issue for the US, as it turned what should have been the US's strength, depth, into a weakness. It's also why I would seriously consider limiting the ice time (even to 0) for some of the US's returning players in Anchorage the weekend.

Lucia would be a great choice for next year. He might even get a chance to coach Erik Johnson then, if his NHL team releases him.

Generally about the WJC: This tournament's structure is seriously flawed. The medal round should either be eight teams deep or four teams deep, or they should have a rest day between the quarterfinals and semifinals. When the US took the ice against Russia, it was their fourth game in five days. We watch the game and think they look outmatched or just aren't trying, but maybe sometimes the heart steps on the gas, but there's nothing left in the tank.

[sprig]

As for the disappearing stars in the bronze game, I think it's no accident that the US's best players in the last game were the ones who were underutilized earlier in the tournament. Kyle ground the top guys into the ice earlier, so I'm not surprised they were dead at the end. IMO this was the biggest issue for the US, as it turned what should have been the US's strength, depth, into a weakness.

Will never understand why two lines played the entire game against Norway. Did the US really need to score 11 in that game?

Kyle obviously didn't trust all his players to take part in the tourney. The continued use of a limited number of forwards was likely the cause of the third period meltdowns throughout the tourney.

And from the HF boards, a new reverse bias conspiracy. THe US' major junior players saw limited ice time because of a college player bias on the team.

On another note, no Canadian player appears on the scoring leader board, and only one was in the top 10. When you give up just 6 goals in the tourney (5 of them PPGs) it's hard to lose.

[Kermit]

Is any other Sioux fan upset with the performance of Lee in this tournament? I can't believe how many fricken mistakes he makes in the defensive zone. I keep telling myself that he's young and that he'll overcome this, but it is getting so old watching him skate behind the net, get hit, lose the puck, lose position, and they score.....

I'm not upset with Lee's performance and I think your summary of his performance is exaggerated. I think Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson were the USA's top two defensemen, but I think Lee was a solid #3. Sure, he made a few mistakes--but I think he made fewer than most of the other guys. I think he was actually on the ice for fewer goals against and had a better plus/minus than the Johnsons.

Lee needs to get stronger and a lot more assertive on the ice. By that I mean not only more physical, but more confident and definitive in his actions on both ends of the rink. Sometimes he appears to think too much and play under too much control. That said, he's an 18-year-old who has only 1/2 season of post-high school competition and is a top-4 defenseman for the USA WJC team. He also has a knack for stopping a rush, blocking shots, stealing the puck and making a short, accurate outlet pass--usually without any violent physical contact. I think some fans just don't like defensemen who aren't "big hitters" and Lee may never fit that mold. He's a great kid who works very, very hard and I'm extremely confident that he will continue to improve.

[Stack]

Watching this US Junior team reminded me a lot of the UND hockey team this year. Both teams seem to want to rely on their talent to win and have a tendency to go one-on-one rather than play as a team. Look at Canada; no superstars and they play as a team, play physical, play defense, and take advantage of mistakes.

I had two concerns coming into this season for the Sioux: Playing all of those freshmen, and how to mold a bunch of players who are highly rated, drafted, and probably beleive their own hype.

So far the Soiux play like the US Junior team with individual play, not physical, then talk about how the teams they play against aren't as talented, and lose to the good teams.

Seeing Kessel and Borque in the top scorers in the tourney mainly due to the Norway game reminds me of Stafford's hat trick against Tech. In general I've felt that Stafford has disappeared against Denver, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I'm using Stafford as an example because I've seen most of these players disappear in the big games.

The big question is how can Hakstol make these guys play as a team and play hard?

[sagard]

Generally about the WJC: This tournament's structure is seriously flawed. The medal round should either be eight teams deep or four teams deep, or they should have a rest day between the quarterfinals and semifinals. When the US took the ice against Russia, it was their fourth game in five days. We watch the game and think they look outmatched or just aren't trying, but maybe sometimes the heart steps on the gas, but there's nothing left in the tank.

I tend to agree on the structure of the tourney problems. However in my opinion I can live with it because EVERY game in pool play requires the utmost attention. Despite the appearances the US and Canada could easily traded places had the US not blown the Swiss game.

I don't think Kyle did the greatest job using his players either.

Next years team will be better assuming most eligible come back and the games will likely be played on big ice sheets where the Canadian MJ players may be taken a little out of their comfort zone.

I think Lucia would be a great selection for coach next year. If asked I'm sure he'd jump at the chance, despite the contempt of USA Hockey he shows at times. It would also be a great test to see if he could avoid the traps that he has openly criticized in the past. ie. Playing time, playing injured players.

[tnt]

I'm not upset with Lee's performance and I think your summary of his performance is exaggerated. I think Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson were the USA's top two defensemen, but I think Lee was a solid #3. Sure, he made a few mistakes--but I think he made fewer than most of the other guys. I think he was actually on the ice for fewer goals against and had a better plus/minus than the Johnsons.

Lee needs to get stronger and a lot more assertive on the ice. By that I mean not only more physical, but more confident and definitive in his actions on both ends of the rink. Sometimes he appears to think too much and play under too much control. That said, he's an 18-year-old who has only 1/2 season of post-high school competition and is a top-4 defenseman for the USA WJC team. He also has a knack for stopping a rush, blocking shots, stealing the puck and making a short, accurate outlet pass--usually without any violent physical contact. I think some fans just don't like defensemen who aren't "big hitters" and Lee may never fit that mold. He's a great kid who works very, very hard and I'm extremely confident that he will continue to improve.

Agree. I doubt he would have seen the ice as much as he did if the coach thought he was screwing up all the time. I think Lee's methodical skating style sometimes is mistaken for lack of intensity. He has had trouble with the Sioux tying up people as well on occasion, but I don't think many Sioux fans have been disappointed with him to this point in the season, and hardly to the point of being upset.

[sagard]

Lee and Chorney both did great in my opinion. The US defense and goaltending gave the team every chance to win. The offense was a major letdown and I think it may have had a lot to do with Kyle not rolling four lines and letting the different styles of US players complement each other and wear down opponents.

Oshie was the only consistant forecheck. Kessel looked tired and ineffective after the quarterfinals, and unlike Oshie who was great despite not finishing, Kessel has to be scoring/assisting to help the team. Had some of the bigger players taken regular shifts the whole tourney they would have improved as players and given the US a lot more varied attack up front.

Congrats again to Canada, we be taking our shots at you again in Feb.

[Goon]

Remember...Eaves coached the USA to the gold....don't remember any of you putting on a Badger uniform after that?? Or did you??**

**It's a conundrum*....ask the Canuck for clarification of that definition....i'm tired....

Are you kidding me, there is no way I wear one of them offensive red uniforms.

[THETRIOUXPER]

Lee and Chorney both did great in my opinion. The US defense and goaltending gave the team every chance to win. The offense was a major letdown and I think it may have had a lot to do with Kyle not rolling four lines and letting the different styles of US players complement each other and wear down opponents.

Oshie was the only consistant forecheck. Kessel looked tired and ineffective after the quarterfinals, and unlike Oshie who was great despite not finishing, Kessel has to be scoring/assisting to help the team. Had some of the bigger players taken regular shifts the whole tourney they would have improved as players and given the US a lot more varied attack up front.

Congrats again to Canada, we be taking our shots at you again in Feb.

I alluded to some of these very things last week, as far as playing times and such. The reaction seems to be about 180 degrees off of what it was when I said it.

[sagard]

I alluded to some of these very things last week, as far as playing times and such. The reaction seems to be about 180 degrees off of what it was when I said it.

I don't think I got bent out of shape with your comments. I like listening to you talk Oshie, your Kessel takes are hard to listen to. There is value in scoring

You are obviously much closer to the team/players than I am, so I do like reading your posts.

[THETRIOUXPER]

I don't think I got bent out of shape with your comments. I like listening to you talk Oshie, your Kessel takes are hard to listen to. There is value in scoring

You are obviously much closer to the team/players than I am, so I do like reading your posts.

I would like to set the record straight on phil. I've at times been very critical of him. I realize he has tremendous talent and potential. Most of what I say is strictly for my own amusement to get under the skin of certain gopher fans, nothing more. I have no hidden agenda to start an I hate phil organization or anything like that. I even said that phil passed up some scoring opportunities in this tourney, and I meant it. Sometimes I just feel, with all that talent , come on phil you could try a little harder. But I don't dislike him as a person. I also enjoy reading what you bring to the board Sagaard. Some others only show up to gloat after sweeps and such, so that is frustrating to me, if you knew me personally you would find that I enjoy irritating people like that. But for the most part I just enjoy watching hockey, and it stung watching our boys get whipped the last week. Oh well, we have the rest of the college season to go so let's get back at it.

[HockeyMom]

My favorite part of the Bronze Medal game was when the ref biffed it and slammed into the side of the goal with his ribs, knocking it off the post.

*is still laughing*

I love TIVO. I think I rewound it like 20 times and kept watching it......and everytime I watched I would laugh harder.

He had to have bruised his ribs.