Playoff Hockey

[440 PHIXX]

 

[hugh68charger]

 

[Cojohnso1]

remember, the 1980 team were not pros ....... beating the Russian All Stars was epic!

Not only that. That '80 USA team was the youngest ever assembled for top international competition. And certainly ever will now that pros qualify.

I think it was coaching. Brooks did a masterful job on those kids. Drilling them with the premise that they dont belong against the Soviets. Once at Lake Placid? Total reversal. Pointing out USSRs weaknesses. Even mocking them. ("Someone is going to beat those guys! Is it going to be you?") Their weakness was EGO. Being lazy on the bench. The Soviets lost because of mistakes. Giving up too early at the end of the 1st period. Then pulling goalie Vladislav Tretiak to start 2nd period. Mistake #2. Not that backup goalie was any slouch, but you don't bench the #1 goalie in the world in front of a bunch of college kids. Now they believe they are killers! Later interviews with the Soviet players. Saying the US kids came out in 2nd period skating faster than, they as players have ever experienced. To the point of out of control. Though the Soviets would score the only goal of the period to take 3-2 lead. It would be their last. The first goal of the 3rd period was US just flat-out out hustling the Soviets. And of course shortly after the game winning screen shot from the blue line that made history. By the mid and end of game. It was clear the Soviets were gassed. Chasing those little basterds. Mistake #3 in my opinion.

For those of us that remember the early 80s. Soviet Union was the #1 superpower in the world. The US was #2. Many historians that studied the fall of the Soviet empire at the end of that same decade point out. It may have begun, of all things, with a hockey game. MANY other factors of course, but it began that Feb day in 1980 in my opinion.

 

[ESOXER]

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[eldubb440]

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[RemCharger]

Stay vigilant! Win the next 6 in a row and we'll be tied by 2050!

 

[khryslerkid]

 

[Cojohnso1]

I'm not sure rubbing in one gold medal is sportsmen like?

Once upon a time in America we didn't beat our chests. But that greatest generation is now past tense.

 

[Coelacanth]

Great game, I don't know why Canadians would be melting down...far too many missed opportunities. 2 breakaways, 2 wide open nets, a near 2-minute-long, 2-man advantage powerplay...all of Canada's best players missed their chances; McDavid, MacKinnon and Celebrini. USA had their moments and made the most out of them, but it was wave after wave of Canada pressure but unable to capitalize. Kind of the opposite of the women's gold medal game, where the roles were reversed. Great game to watch, but it's unfortunate it had to be decided by a 3-on-3. Great goaltending on both sides but you could arguably say Hellebuyck stole this one. What a performance.

 

[33 IMP]

Canada complaining about 3 on 3 is kinda hypocritical. They won two games in the tournament in overtime, ......3 on 3.
I don't remember any complaints when they won those games.

 

[Coelacanth]

I myself am not really complaining about the 3-on-3, but a game of this magnitude ought to be decided as team vs. team, but I realize it's the Olympics and they don't have the schedule to support multiple overtime periods with 20-minute intermissions...and with that goaltending, who knows how long it might've taken...only 1 goal each after 60 minutes.

 

[moparmarks]

Hellebuyck was the one player that had the most affect on the game. A really good keeper that had his career game. Totally an amazing performance. Canada totally dominated the game except for him.

 

[33 IMP]

I heard on sports talk radio that one comentator/hall of fame hockey player, had predicted after regulation, it'll be over in less than five minutes.

THAT'S why 3 on 3. He was right.


Sure better than a shootout!!!

 

[Coelacanth]

Sure better than a shootout!!!

Agreed.

This guy's channel is hilarious, I had a laugh at this one: