Just a couple of thoughts on things that have happened in the last few days...
First, I spent an enjoyable weekend watching the best young female players in our province play for gold in the OWHA IAA Provincials. The skill and speed that I saw in the games at this level just reinforces my posting earlier that we have nothing to worry about moving forward. Whether it be at the U-18, U-22 and the national level.
This whole weekend cost me nothing but my travel to and from the arena - NO GATE FEES.
Team Canada from a national standpoint is getting younger - and not a moment too soon... while some of the young women I saw this weekend hone their skills at the next level, the future seems to be safe in the hands of Agosta, Johnston, Bonhomme, Ward, Philip-Poulin, Vaillancourt and Irwin - not to mention being very sound in goal with the addition and subsequent promotion of Shannon Szabados. The bridge between today's and tomorrow's stars is quite secure.
Should be a very good game on Thursday evening... I know who I'm voting for...
Not-So-Rosy Viewpoint:
I am trying to NOT be like every one else and being overly critical of the selections on the men's team. You nod your head and shrug when the topic is raised. A sound roster to be sure, even some of the American media were critical of the US selections - too young - was the term I heard over and over. Young was in our faces almost the entire night on Sunday.
There is something to be said for "youthful enthusiasm" and I'll go on record again by saying that superior (spectacular) goaltending is the key to winning a tournament like this. Has the entire hockey world or the red and white chest beaters been living under a rock this season? Maybe it's because we live so close to Buffalo that we see him play and hear about his exploits more often but - Ryan Miller is the REAL DEAL. The Laffs especially know it and have known it for the last four seasons or so. The guy is flat-out awesome.
As for "youthful enthusiasm" - who carried the play in the third period when given the chance? The young guns - Crosby, Nash, Keith and Weber - with a healthy dose of Iginla's hard nosed board play. More Toews, Seabrook and Doughty - LET THEM PLAY MIKE!!!!
Am I the only one who sees that a trend is apparent here? Thornton's line has remained intact, besides Heatley - and been quite ineffective. Getzlaf has had more than ample opportunity to put up numbers and continues to try and make the fancy play instead of just playing the game with some passion. This guy hangs his wingers out to dry so often, it makes my head spin.
Strangely, and I am by no means a Sid the Kid flag waver, Crosby has had a never ending shuffle scenario go on around him. Maybe put Sid with Nash and Heatley, or Sid with Marleau and Heatley - the list goes on. Here's an idea: let Crosby play with a consistent set of wingers for longer than a couple of shifts?
Getzlaf and Perry won a cup with Babcock - loyalty factor here - Thornton's line is a dud so far and yet they are out on the first unit of EVERY power play - when only Heatley is deserving of this honour.
Is there a subconscious trend here that may lead back to last year's Cup final? I hope not.
I also hope the supporting cast of coaches are not too old to see who is playing well and REALLY trying despite the distractions and lack of cohesion but, I fear I may have hit the nail on the head.
Fact - the US beat us with youth and speed - two of the Canadian veterans did not deserve a shift in the final two periods but, there they were time and again. Fact - the coaches who support Babcock have a reputation for being stubborn and set in their ways - maybe they are too old and loyal to admit that the torch needs to be passed NOW or we (Canada) will be crying in our beer for the next four years.
At this point, do we really have anything to lose? Your call Mike...
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Do I dare say it? O-V and the Russians Wednesday evening. Oh yeah - Sid did it...
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