Re: OT: Canadians in Hell

LOL - you show the typical Canadian attitude - Crosby is sooooo much better ;^) Still haven't gotten over Alex the Russian winning the Calder last year.... Seriously - they're both great talents, and evidently fine young men. At least for Sid the kid, he has a real team with some veteran talent playing on his line, on his team - both these seasons. Unlike poor Alex who has also been expected to carry a team that doesn't have forwards of veteran, good caliber to go with. I think they both get quite a bit of media, though I'd expect the media coverage on Sid is much more in Canada.

Of course, I do have to note that he did leave to go play his prep hockey in Minnesote ;^)

Well, they brought back fans after many years of not doing so. I'm a big Mario fan, and lived in Pgh when he was drafted. But, their fans are truly horrible on the road. And horrible to visiting fans when you're there. The CAPS and Pens have a long standing history of horrible play-off runs between them - they are like a curse for the CAPS.

Absolutely - which goes back to Alex and his shots. He takes a lot, but doesn't have the follow-up around him, or the protection, adjuncts with him. He is however, a very conscientious and 2-way player. And also - the team thing - why I hate the shoot-out. While it's fun to watch - it's a stupid way of turning a team sport into an individual skills type thing, a.k.a soccer.

Ellice - definitely more of a hockey fan, but I'll do baseball, too.

It's not a Canadian attitude OR media hype. Crosby's performance this season has proven his ability. He was the youngest player to post 200 career points and the youngest player to win the Art Ross.

He did this while taking over the leadership of his own cellar dwellar team which hadn't made the playoffs since 2002. The NHL was still reeling after the 2004-5 lockout season, struggling to regain its lost fans and sports $s. Crosby didn't avoid the media or try to fly under the radar but instead gave freely of his time and attendance rocketed where ever he played.

Ovechkin had an impressive rookie season and deserved to win it.

I haven't seen enough Capital's games to know how they play their lines but the average age of both teams is around 26-27. 10 of the Penguin players were called up from last years AHL or OHL. Hardly a team loaded with veterans players

????...he hadn't any choice as he wasn't allowed to play major junior hockey, as an underage player, here at home. He had to play competitivly somewhere. He created new scoring records there and by the way and lead the school to a national title.

Mavia - hoping to see today's game while minding grandkids! Not a good mix! :)

"Mavia Beaulieu" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

I don't follow hockey but I have to say I have perforce followed some of Sid's career. Above all, he comes over as a very nice young man, with his head on the right way and just like Gretsky (who was the same) he has detractors who only think loud mouths are of any value. Go Sid, Go !

I'm not detracting from Crosby's performance. Just that I wouldn't denigrate Ovechkin in comparison - they are seemingly of similar talent levels, and both bearing up well to the responsibilities of fame and expectation. Similar attendance growth has happened where Ovie played, and it would seem that with Crosby being Canadian there has indeed been some national pride, and media blessing going with that in his wunderkind status. It's a great feat earning the Art Ross. But, while Crosby is the star of the show in Pgh, there are some great hockey players currently there - and one hall-of-famer who does much for all of hockey, and especially in Pgh.

Ovechkin - hmmm, he was playing with Zubrus - not an HoF likelihood - but a good solid player - he's gone. Oh, hmmm, then he had been playing with Chris Clark - a solid guy, but nothing out of the ordinary. OK - well, we have Brashear - who comes out on the checking line, and on occasion for protection - but, then again Pgh has Larague & Ruutu. The CAPS are definitely more bereft of veterans than the Pens, or other top liners as the Pens have had this season.

Ummm, last year he played on a line with John LeClair, just as a "minor" hall of famer to be. Malkin? Staal - young but great this year. Mark Recchi? Even on D they have Gonchar (who came from CAPS via Boston? Gary Roberts - old but stalwart. Oh, and did I forget Mario, who played 26 games, almost a third of the season? I think that's at least a few significantly strong players to get broken in with. Having a few top level players, and good veterans makes a big difference in the experience, and ability to come into your own for a player.

Not detracting from Sid, but the reality for his first year - he played with John LeClair, amongst others. That's at least 1 great linemate. And indeed, the Pens have done well with the guys up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Gee, I guess the smiley got lost - or hit a sore spot. And, indeed I was a goal judge at the game when Shattuck won the national title. FWIW, the games at nationals weren't all about him - while he did stand out as a great player - it wasn't a one man show, by any means.

Well, enjoy.

Ellice

Ummm, just to be clear, in no way I have ever bad-mouthed, or loud-mouthed or defamed Sid Crosby. In point of fact, all that I said is he's a great talent, and a fine young man. I did, however, insert the tease about him playing prep in Minnesota. Oh, well.

However, my little point, take it or not, is that as Sid Crosby is a Canadian, and Alex Ovechkin a Russian, and they came into the league at the same time - there has been some attitude of tending towards downplaying Ovechkin while doing the reverse with respect to Crosby. For those who follow the hockey press, during last season, there was much ado in the media with respect to those two, and pushing for Crosby to win the Calder (rookie award), as is natural - but a kind of beyond Alex winning the scoring award, but having to do even more. Media reports and communities tend to some bias

- so it doesn't seem extraordinary that the bias in Canada is even more hype for Crosby in comparison. Not that he's not a great player - just the media attitude, and amongst the "people" may be a bit biases. Not a big deal. In the community there is definitely some attitude about a Russian player versus a Canadian. That's all. And, as Mavia was indeed throwing some little barbs - jesting or so - at Ovechkin - it seemed reasonable to reply.

They're both great talents, and seemingly great for their teams, good examples of hard-working young men who haven't gotten into trouble with bad habits, are responsible, etc. It'll be great to see them both play for years to come. It's phenomenal to have 2 talents like that come in the same year. The Pens are gifted to have followed with adding a similar talent in Malkin, and Staal. I don't think that praising one of these young men has to be done at the expense of denigrating another.

ellice

ellice ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

I didn't see where either Mavia or myself denigrated any players. I must also put in a word for our great womens hockey team, but then again, perhaps they are over-hyped too and not really that good. After all, I believe they lost one title in ten, a real failure you might say.

I did thanks...it was a rough but good game.

We agree that Crosby and Ovechkin are two great young hockey players who hopefully will give us lots of enjoyment in the years to come...maybe even at the upcoming world hockey championship in Russia?

Time to end this thread and get back to stitching! :)

Mavia

Yesterday, after returning from taking DD to public skate, I backstitched while watching the last period of the Rangers/Thrasher's game. Man, that was nasty. Some great hockey, but lots of cheap shots on both sides.

I brought my purse project to the rink - this is a nice bright one. But I actually spent most of my time talking to the Zamboni driver. We're about the same age and he had me in stitches. He was telling me about how when he puts the sound track to Rocky Horror Picture show on, EVERYONE starts skating just like "those fool synchronized swimmers". That, I have got to see.

Cheryl

(DD needs the ice time to break in her new skates before camp starts)

Seeing 'synchronized swimmers' reminded me that yesterday I watched a bit of a synchronized skating competition. I only saw two teams, Finland and the US but I was really impressed with the routine of the US team. They must have spent many hours practicing to reach that level of unison.

Mavia

I've seen the synchronized swimmers for ages (my alma mater was VERY in to it). I've seen the synchronized divers on the Olympics. So far no skaters (beyond pairs figure skating and I'm not sure it counts). I watch but I don't appreciate beyond the dedication it must take.

I do want to see a bunch of kids skating to Time Warp though! Especially since they're never seen the movie.

Cheryl

Huh? The women's programs in both the US and Canada are great programs. Sweden seems to be trying to catch up, but, those national teams are pretty neck and neck - winning going one way or the other with all the bounces.

I didn't say that you denigrated anyone - though it seemed to me that you thought I had slurred upon Sid Crosby. Similarly it did come across with a bit of Sid Crosby standing sooooo far above the other great young talents, and carrying the NHL solo was a bit over the top, and dismissive of the players such as the 2 great young ones he playes with, Malkin & Staal, & Ovechkin here. Hockeywise - in the details, Sid Crosby does indeed, and most importantly for his first year in the NHL, have a core of extremely talented, well-experienced, balanced veterans to play with - making his situation smart on the part of the Penguins, and close to ideal for him.

That's all.

ellice

Too right. Our friends are the broadcast crew for the Pens-Ottawa series, so we're trying to keep in touch, and get whatever back info we can!

And hoping to get some stitching later today.

ellice

There is some organization - IIRC - "ISI" that covers "precision skating teams" and competitions. There are several teams in the greater metro DC area. It's fun to watch them at practice. Like all the skating sports- I think they spend a fair amount of time doing just getting time on the ice, singly, and as a group.

When you come visit - if you want we'll find some for you.

BTW - if you pick the right week - we can get the kids in the CAPS hockey camp.... And at least get you meeting our friend who runs a company helping guide young players into prep, college, juniors, etc....

ellice

So - WHICH WEEK????

Cheryl

LOL - Here's a link to the CAPS camp. But, we'll be talking with the boys this week and get some info on what else is going on.

if the camp is of no interest - we haven't forgotten about getting someother refs. DH says there is a good goalie camp coming to the rink that'sjust nearby - but we'll have to do some looking for dates and who. Ellice