The (Ice) Hockey Thread

[Mel07]

Fantastic final. That is what a gold medal match should be.

And I gotta say, I predicted an amazing final weeks ago.

Congrats to the Canadians.

[Deep Purple]

Congratulations to Canada. There will be a few sore heads in Canada tomorrow.

[cannut]

I am off to the heart institute:cheers 2:

[eddiejc1]

Since I got my sour grapes out of my system in ANOTHER thread, let me offer my sincere congratulations to Canada. While it's never fun to lose, the Americans did a hell of a lot better than all the experts who said we had NO shot to win after the way the Canadian routed Russia last week.

Speaking of Russia, I expect them to own BOTH our @$$es four years from now in Sochi. Especially MY team---they've been waiting 34 years for payback, and I think Ovechkin will give it to them. But if he brings my Capitals the Stanley Cup I may learn how a few words in Russian to cheer his team on. (When they aren't playing the U.S. that is!)

[luminousmind08]

	Quote:	Deep Purple
	Congratulations to Canada. There will be a few sore heads in Canada tomorrow.

What a game!

Very humbling to have so many people turn out. Special thanks to Hash Brown to recruiting so man folk!

Thanks to everyone in Zurich who came out to. What a great event! Special thanks to the Austrians and Germans in the crowd!

Will post pictures soon!

[Big Mac #24]

Cheers all for the great turnout at Paddy's last night, was apparently like a champions league football night with the numbers that came from all over.

Cheers to Hash Brown and luminousmind08 fro the effort in getting EF's to come, and thanks to all EF's who showed up - hope you had a great night, and that the drinks were aflowing!!!

I unfortunately couldn't make it myself, as I only arrived back from a lonnng birthday weekend in St.Anton someway into the 2nd period, and never made it back out again - KNA&%%red I was!

Amazing game that I'm sure made it worth the trip out on a Sunday night - In a way, was this the real DREAM FINAL, and not the potential Canada Russia matchup ?? Me thinks so.

Maybe worth organiszing a fun hockey night up at the Dolder Ice Arena for those who were involved last night, and would be up for a fun scrimmage ?? I'd be in.

[Mikeybroomers]

Wow, what a final!! Watched it in Dublin and it was a great little atmosphere. What a great hockey tourament that was and we just have to hope that Gary Bettman and the owners back down and let the NHL players continue playing in the Winter Olympics, as they seemingly love to do.

[HollidayG]

	Quote:	Mikeybroomers
	Wow, what a final!! Watched it in Dublin and it was a great little atmosphere. What a great hockey tourament that was and we just have to hope that Gary Bettman and the owners back down and let the NHL players continue playing in the Winter Olympics, as they seemingly love to do.

I saw you today in the Bahnhof about 16:30. You didn't recognise
me.

[Mikeybroomers]

	Quote:	HollidayG
	I saw you today in the Bahnhof about 16:30. You didn't recognise me.

I was kinda in a world of my own - just got back from a hard weekend's drinking in Dublin. I probably wouldn't have recognised my parents!!!

[Mikeybroomers]

So, another of the not to miss days in the NHL today - trade deadline day! Whoop whoop! I shall be glued to TSN when I get home, will have no trouble finding it to watch/listen to online - did it last year.

There's been a few moves so far and I think Ponikarovsky could be a nice fit in Pittsburgh. Will be interesting to see what Florida does after their open letter to the fans and Edmonton will probably have a fire sale!

Rumour has it that Wojtek Wolski, from my Avs, is being shopped - just hope we can package him up for someone like David Booth! Looking forward to seeing Svatos go and which defenceman (or men!) get shipped out. My guess would be Salei or even Liles if they can find someone to take his salary. I just hope we get some decent forward prospects or picks to continue this rebuilding

Anyone else got any hopes?

[California Dreamer]

I must say that it was a great game. However, I knew the U.S didn't have a chance in hell when 3 of the 4 refs were Canadian. Which is why the U.S deserves even more credit for almost upsetting the home team with home officials. I'm not here to complain as it was overall a fair and good game but WTF? How can the IOC think that is fair? What would England say if they met Italy in the W.C final and all the refs were Italian?? Ahhh, who cares. All sports are fixed.

[gking]

	Quote:	California Dreamer
	I knew the U.S didn't have a chance in hell when 3 of the 4 refs were Canadian.

I guess you don't watch much hockey. Firstly because there are only 2 referees, the other two are linesmen and secondly because the best referees in the world are from the best league in the world thus the majority of them are Canadian and American. The game would have been absolutely brutal if there were Russian referees in charge of things. I'm not sure about football, but when you are at the highest levels of officiating it pays be a neutral party. I also didn't see anything in that game that was clearly called in either team's favour.

Strange comment I must say.

In more important news, I happened to be in Vancouver for the majority of the games and although I didn't get a chance to see any hockey live, the atmosphere throughout downtown when the Canadians were playing was absolutely electric.

[luminousmind08]

	Quote:	California Dreamer
	I must say that it was a great game. However, I knew the U.S didn't have a chance in hell when 3 of the 4 refs were Canadian. Which is why the U.S deserves even more credit for almost upsetting the home team with home officials. I'm not here to complain as it was overall a fair and good game but WTF? How can the IOC think that is fair? What would England say if they met Italy in the W.C final and all the refs were Italian?? Ahhh, who cares. All sports are fixed.

Refs made no difference. Could have been American or Canadian there is no bias at all. Refs hardly made a dent in the game, I can't even remember who was calling the game.

	Quote:	gking
	In more important news, I happened to be in Vancouver for the majority of the games and although I didn't get a chance to see any hockey live, the atmosphere throughout downtown when the Canadians were playing was absolutely electric.

I heard the whole town was electric, must have been great!

[Mikeybroomers]

The Swiss play-offs start tomorrow night and there should be some cracking games. As a Zug fan, I am especially excited about the series with ZSC and Davos v Kloten should be pretty entertaining.

Hopp Zug!

Anyone got any predictions? I'm thinking Bern actually advance past the first round this year but then lose in the second

[PaddyG]

	Quote:	Mikeybroomers
	The Swiss play-offs start tomorrow night and there should be some cracking games. As a Zug fan, I am especially excited about the series with ZSC and Davos v Kloten should be pretty entertaining. Hopp Zug! Anyone got any predictions? I'm thinking Bern actually advance past the first round this year but then lose in the second

I think Lugano might actually dump Bern out. Bern seem to collapse during the playoffs and Lugano always have the ability to produce something special. I will be watching Gotteron-Geneva personally, a romand derby is always a spectacle (but not as much fun as Gotteron-Bern).

[swissotter]

predictions? i think bern are at the top now no?

Hopp Chloote!!!

[Rob]

I think Bern could get through to the 2nd round before they choke, LugaNO shouldn't be much of a challenge.

Zug - Zett, I don't know. Normally we nail Zug's toes to the floor but the way ZSC have been playing of late Zug could get lucky.

Anyhow da da dadadada Attacke, da da dadadada Attacke, da da dadadada AttackeZSCZSCZSC

[Mikeybroomers]

	Quote:	Rob
	Zug - Zett, I don't know. Normally we nail Zug's toes to the floor but the way ZSC have been playing of late Zug could get lucky.

You do??? The last 2 NLA meetings have resulted in Zug wins

[Rob]

	Quote:	Mikeybroomers
	You do??? The last 2 NLA meetings have resulted in Zug wins

That's why I said the way we've been playing lately (since Simpson went to the Nati)

Anyway Zug entgleist.

[gking]

Wow. A complete lack of defense across the league last night. What a bunch of games. Is it a Swiss tradition to play the 2nd game of a series with an empty net?

Hope Davos can rebound on Saturday!