W E D N E S D A Y, J A N U A R Y 0 5 , 2 0 1 1
Congratulations to the kids from Russia, who played an amazing 20 minutes of hockey.
All kidding aside, the way Russia's Junior Team played in the 3rd, they deserved the win. They underplayed the Canadians into a dangerous complacency over the first 40 minutes, and then pounced.
Cunning pricks.
They did it to the Finns, they did it to the Swedes, you'd think Cameron would have prepared our boys for a 3rd period Commie comeback. He must have known it was going to happen.
And Tarasenko?? Wow - from lying on the ice not moving, to putting his team on the board - I sure didn't see that one coming. Vladimir's triumphant return stirred the hearts of his team mates, and sparked one of the most passionate periods of Junior hockey in my experience.
But it was Canada's over-confidence that created a third period complacency, and when our boys realized what had happened, their high-energy first 2 periods didn't leave them with enough adrenaline to keep up. They folded.
Russia didn't have a better team....they had a better strategy.
This was Dave Cameron's loss, plain and simple. Did he even look at Russia's previous 2 games? How do they win three games in a row, in exactly the same way, without their final opposing coach being prepared for it?? Gimme a break!
Water cooler talk will no doubt damn Cameron for not switching goalies. Bullpoop! A change of goalies would not have effected the results one iota. A goalie is the LAST line of defense, and last night, Visentin was the only person playing defense - with virtually no support from his teammates. As much as I would have loved to see the young Monsieur Roy given a chance to turn things around, this loss was the fault of a coach not anticipating his opponent's end game... even though they used it in every game they played. Do NOT blame Visentin, who was simply overhwhelmed by the insane onslaught...5 goals in 20 minutes(!), we should question where the rest of the team was!
But Canada's Offense has not been a problem this series...it was a defense deficit, and non-intuitive coaching, that lost them the series.
I must ask though...what was more inspiring? Was it the Russian win, or the series long performance by our own Brayden Schenn?
They did it to the Finns, they did it to the Swedes, you'd think Cameron would have prepared our boys for a 3rd period Commie comeback. He must have known it was going to happen.
And Tarasenko?? Wow - from lying on the ice not moving, to putting his team on the board - I sure didn't see that one coming. Vladimir's triumphant return stirred the hearts of his team mates, and sparked one of the most passionate periods of Junior hockey in my experience.
But it was Canada's over-confidence that created a third period complacency, and when our boys realized what had happened, their high-energy first 2 periods didn't leave them with enough adrenaline to keep up. They folded.
Russia didn't have a better team....they had a better strategy.
This was Dave Cameron's loss, plain and simple. Did he even look at Russia's previous 2 games? How do they win three games in a row, in exactly the same way, without their final opposing coach being prepared for it?? Gimme a break!
Water cooler talk will no doubt damn Cameron for not switching goalies. Bullpoop! A change of goalies would not have effected the results one iota. A goalie is the LAST line of defense, and last night, Visentin was the only person playing defense - with virtually no support from his teammates. As much as I would have loved to see the young Monsieur Roy given a chance to turn things around, this loss was the fault of a coach not anticipating his opponent's end game... even though they used it in every game they played. Do NOT blame Visentin, who was simply overhwhelmed by the insane onslaught...5 goals in 20 minutes(!), we should question where the rest of the team was!
But Canada's Offense has not been a problem this series...it was a defense deficit, and non-intuitive coaching, that lost them the series.
I must ask though...what was more inspiring? Was it the Russian win, or the series long performance by our own Brayden Schenn?
I'll be long gone when his star finally fades. I often complain about professional sports, but when you get to watch raw talent, it's a poetry in motion that can only culminate in superstar status in this young man's future.
Emperor Palpatine said it best...
"And you young Skywalker, we will watch
your career with great interest..."
your career with great interest..."
So to the Russian Juniors, поздравления!! Превосходная игра!! See you next year. We will always share the bond of friendship that is the excitement of Canada/Russia hockey!
As for the North West Passage, it's ours - back the hell off. We founded this nation trading bear skins you commie pinko bastards!
Vive la companie!
3 comments:
Who Knew You Were A Hockey Puck ?
Diversity is strength
Eclectic is electric
Without a taste of this and that
Life's far too antiseptic.
(Ogden Nash, eat yer heart out)
and not the first time PeBoVision has covered International Hockey!
Go A Little Farther Back, Ask Napoleon, Hitler. Beware The Russian Bear When It Awakes!
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