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Post by webm@ster on Feb 23, 2006 12:48:30 GMT -5
Gretzky down, Canada out
By John Niyo
Detroit News
Published February 23, 2006
TURIN, Italy -- Canada invented the game. Russia perfected it.
And Wednesday, a reinvented Russian national team--intent on winning with a stifling, defensive brand of hockey--toppled the defending Olympic champions.
With late goal by NHL rookie phenom Alexander Ovechkin, Russia eliminated the gold-medal favorites with a 2-0 quarterfinal victory that might have signaled the end for Wayne Gretzky as Team Canada's executive director.
"I take all the responsibility of us not winning," Gretzky said. "Quite honestly, I'm going to reassess where I fit and what I'm going to do in the future. Hockey Canada is wonderful, and our country's great. But I'm also human, and it's tough ... when you don't win."
The winter has been a trying time for Gretzky. His mother died of cancer in December. His grandmother died of a heart attack the next month.
In early February his wife's name surfaced in a federal gambling investigation that zeroed in on Gretzky's friend, Rick Tocchet, one of his assistant coaches with the Phoenix Coyotes.
"Quite honestly, it has been a horrible few months for me," Gretzky said. "Personally, your health becomes more important than anything."
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it was tough for me to watch 44 year old Chelios play his heart out for the US team and lose.... amazing athlete...... Hey congrats to the Euro teams, personally I still know where the best hockey gets played......(webby)
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Post by lionsden® on Feb 23, 2006 13:02:16 GMT -5
Those Swedes are a bunch of wimps ;D  |
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Post by Currian on Feb 23, 2006 13:40:25 GMT -5
I was all ready to see the arrogant Russian bastards get their ass kicked by one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and they lost!  |
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Post by MEANSTREAK on Feb 23, 2006 19:29:09 GMT -5
What are the odds Canada would bite it so hard in Olympic Hockey? Hang on....yep Mrs. Betzky says they were 40-1 to miss out on the medals.
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Post by lionsden® on Feb 23, 2006 19:31:33 GMT -5
What are the odds Canada would bite it so hard in Olympic Hockey? Hang on....yep Mrs. Betzky says they were 40-1 to miss out on the medals. well he and his wife should be experts at the odds game ;D |
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Post by mape on Feb 23, 2006 23:50:27 GMT -5
Gretzky took the blame upon himself which was good, but he doesn't deserve any of it. Well maybe he does deserve a little for the choices he made for the players to put on the team, but other than that he should be blamed.
The Canadian players looked so lazy and unenthusiastic out there. They got outplayed every game and didn't even look like they wanted to win. They didnt know what they were doing on defence and offence.
Guys like pronger, foote, draper and a few others are just a waste of skin. There are so many young guys they could have put on the team instead, and at least they would have tried harder.
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Post by StepOut on Feb 24, 2006 0:05:40 GMT -5
I think one of the big issues with this Canadian team was the fact that most of these guys have seen better days and some are even past their prime. They went out and assembled the same team as the last olympics thinking that they would repeat and win the gold. Well, reality check, that was four years ago and these guys are now four years older.
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Post by masterplan200 on Feb 24, 2006 0:10:47 GMT -5
Some are acting like they're 21 again. Wake up people!
Even my hockey team in my Pc games better
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Post by Currian on Feb 24, 2006 13:18:51 GMT -5
What game did you play?
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Post by nyr401994 on Feb 24, 2006 14:01:34 GMT -5
What are the odds Canada would bite it so hard in Olympic Hockey? Hang on....yep Mrs. Betzky says they were 40-1 to miss out on the medals. that's just a cheap shot. they didn't bet on hockey, they bet on the superbowl. you're from texas, you probably bet on the superbowl in a pool too. i mean, you're from texas! this just showed how classy wayne gretzky is. he didn't deserve ANY of the blame, but took it upon himself as he was the general manager. he's had a pretty rough year... his mother died, a mediocre nhl team, the superbowl betting scandal, and this. Gretzky took the blame upon himself which was good, but he doesn't deserve any of it. Well maybe he does deserve a little for the choices he made for the players to put on the team, but other than that he should be blamed. The Canadian players looked so lazy and unenthusiastic out there. They got outplayed every game and didn't even look like they wanted to win. They didnt know what they were doing on defence and offence. Guys like pronger, foote, draper and a few others are just a waste of skin. There are so many young guys they could have put on the team instead, and at least they would have tried harder. you're absolutely right. i couldn't have said it better than that. |
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Post by webm@ster on Feb 24, 2006 15:21:43 GMT -5
Gretzky took the blame upon himself which was good, but he doesn't deserve any of it. Well maybe he does deserve a little for the choices he made for the players to put on the team, but other than that he should be blamed. The Canadian players looked so lazy and unenthusiastic out there. They got outplayed every game and didn't even look like they wanted to win. They didnt know what they were doing on defence and offence. Guys like pronger, foote, draper and a few others are just a waste of skin. There are so many young guys they could have put on the team instead, and at least they would have tried harder. can't agree totally. Their play kept the Russians to 1 goal until the final minute. I felt Canada owned them in the last 10 mins. Wouldn't call that lazy.... |
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Post by mape on Feb 24, 2006 23:36:02 GMT -5
maybe they weren't totally lazy, but their expressions just made it appear as if they had no desire to be their and to win. They just got out played almost every game (i think they got shut out 3 times).
I'll be going for sweden in the final. Go Mats!
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Post by lionsden® on Feb 24, 2006 23:42:03 GMT -5
maybe they weren't totally lazy, but their expressions just made it appear as if they had no desire to be their and to win. They just got out played almost every game (i think they got shut out 3 times). I'll be going for sweden in the final. Go Mats! Go Forsberg! Damn I wish he was still with the Avs  |
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Post by masterplan200 on Feb 25, 2006 5:13:21 GMT -5
Nhl 2005, as Sweden against Canada |
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Post by MEANSTREAK on Feb 25, 2006 21:39:31 GMT -5
What are the odds Canada would bite it so hard in Olympic Hockey? Hang on....yep Mrs. Betzky says they were 40-1 to miss out on the medals. that's just a cheap shot. they didn't bet on hockey, they bet on the superbowl. you're from texas, you probably bet on the superbowl in a pool too. i mean, you're from texas! this just showed how classy wayne gretzky is. he didn't deserve ANY of the blame, but took it upon himself as he was the general manager. he's had a pretty rough year... his mother died, a mediocre nhl team, the superbowl betting scandal, and this. So what are you trying to say? just because I'm from Texas I MUST have bet on the superbowl? Are you prejudice against TEXANS?? Well you listen to me mister - you are right! HA! I did win money on the superbowl! SO SCREW U!! lol take it easy man just making light of what is really a moronic situation in the first place. So friggin what if a Hockey coach's wife wants to bet on a football game? I could care less and I think the media and anyone else out there complaing about it should just shut the hell up! As far as I'm concerned athletes and coaches should have full reign to bet on any sport they are not participating in. Hasseling the Great One is like giving Shaq trouble for betting on Arsenal to beat Real Madrid the other day. Who the hell cares!?? |
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Nov 4, 2024 5:04:30 GMT -5
Nov 4, 2024 5:04:30 GMT -5