Looked like it went off the stick to me. I was hoping for OT too. What do you know another 2-1 rangers game

Edit: saw an over head view, definitely went off the skate. It was hard to tell from other angles that's why I thought stick not skate
- ehawk

Yep. 13 for 13 one goal games for them this post season.

Yeah - Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin, Terasenko are playing - don't know why US stars like Kane, Saad, Johnson, Bishop refuse to play - selfish bastards.
- StLBravesFan

I meant that they would mail it in in the next game (the bronze medal game).

Moore goal went of his skate like a soccer redirect but no kicking motion.

Was hoping for OT, still have a chance.

Anyone else think the US will fold in the bronze medal game?
- stljam

Doubtful. I don't think they were even given a chance to get this far. They;ll show up but at this stage the lack of game breakers begins to show.

Looked like it went off the stick to me. I was hoping for OT too. What do you know another 2-1 rangers game

Edit: saw an over head view, definitely went off the skate. It was hard to tell from other angles that's why I thought stick not skate
- ehawk

Shinpad.

Yeah - Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin, Terasenko are playing - don't know why US stars like Kane, Saad, Johnson, Bishop refuse to play - selfish bastards.
- StLBravesFan

Yeah, Ovie. What a jerk. His team loses a heartbreaker in game 7 and he is selfish enough to get on a plane and fly over to play for his country. What an ass.

Meanwhile. JVR, Kessel and Leddy to name 3 are nowhere to be found. Backes, Oshie and Dustin Brown are guys who are considered the leaders for the American team. No shows also.

The US team played with 2 college goaltenders because apparently Quick and the great Craigh Anderson can't be bothered.

Hell, Crosby asked to be put on the team,

Yeah, Ovie. What a jerk. His team loses a heartbreaker in game 7 and he is selfish enough to get on a plane and fly over to play for his country. What an ass.

Meanwhile. JVR, Kessel and Leddy to name 3 are nowhere to be found. Backes, Oshie and Dustin Brown are guys who are considered the leaders for the American team. No shows also.

The US team played with 2 college goaltenders because apparently Quick and the great Craigh Anderson can't be bothered.

Hell, Crosby asked to be put on the team,
- Elbows15

Elbows, were they even asked?
Maybe I've not looked enough but didn't see anywhere where it said "x" guys were asked but declined for "x" (or no) reason(s).
I mean, sure, certain guys wouldn't have to be asked (like Ovechkin, Crosby, etc) so I am just wondering if there was anything you've seen in print/website that gave a run-down of this.

Elbows, were they even asked?
Maybe I've not looked enough but didn't see anywhere where it said "x" guys were asked but declined for "x" (or no) reason(s).
I mean, sure, certain guys wouldn't have to be asked (like Ovechkin, Crosby, etc) so I am just wondering if there was anything you've seen in print/website that gave a run-down of this.
- savvyone-1

I don't see how that really matter, tbh. If they wanted to be there, I am sure the US team would have found a place for them.

Crosby wasn't asked. HE asked them to be added.

I don't see how that really matter, tbh. If they wanted to be there, I am sure the US team would have found a place for them.

Crosby wasn't asked. HE asked them to be added.
- Elbows15

But those U.S. skaters that did play had a very good tournament - including going 50 even minutes against Russia.

But those U.S. skaters that did play had a very good tournament - including going 50 even minutes against Russia.
- StLBravesFan

Very true. They have done well given the circumstances. Kudos to them for their performance thus far.

But those U.S. skaters that did play had a very good tournament - including going 50 even minutes against Russia.
- StLBravesFan

They did. They were by far the youngest team in the tournament.

They did. They were by far the youngest team in the tournament.
- Elbows15

Maybe the U.S coach hated older players?

Elbows, were they even asked?
Maybe I've not looked enough but didn't see anywhere where it said "x" guys were asked but declined for "x" (or no) reason(s).
I mean, sure, certain guys wouldn't have to be asked (like Ovechkin, Crosby, etc) so I am just wondering if there was anything you've seen in print/website that gave a run-down of this.
- savvyone-1

Asked or not they aren't there. I'm not surprised JVR and Kessel aren't there, both have shown me they play hockey strictly for a paycheque, or rather they are Leafs strictly for a paycheque. If I were an American hockey fan I'd be rather disappointed the others aren't there to represent their country.

Asked or not they aren't there. I'm not surprised JVR and Kessel aren't there, both have shown me they play hockey strictly for a paycheque, or rather they are Leafs strictly for a paycheque. If I were an American hockey fan I'd be rather disappointed the others aren't there to represent their country.
- paulr

It IS disappointing.
Had I ever had the opportunity, I personally would have jumped at the chance.
If you love the game, have to wonder why you wouldn't want to be there.

Would love to have a rundown of what the supposed reasons are for the various players. Doubt that gets covered here in the US by anyone but it should.

Maybe the U.S coach hated older players?
- paulr

The "anti-Q?"

It IS disappointing.
Had I ever had the opportunity, I personally would have jumped at the chance.
If you love the game, have to wonder why you wouldn't want to be there.

Would love to have a rundown of what the supposed reasons are for the various players. Doubt that gets covered here in the US by anyone but it should.
- savvyone-1

Who knows why they aren't there but I'm sure if any had requested to be included they'd be on the team. I'm with you on that, I played a couple of games against Finnish, Swedish club teams and lots against American club teams as a kid and even though I played for a local club team it was always a huge thrill.

The "anti-Q?"

- savvyone-1

That was the idea ....

It IS disappointing.
Had I ever had the opportunity, I personally would have jumped at the chance.
If you love the game, have to wonder why you wouldn't want to be there.

Would love to have a rundown of what the supposed reasons are for the various players. Doubt that gets covered here in the US by anyone but it should.
- savvyone-1

Of the U.S. "stars" who aren't there - which are UFAs this summer, and maybe afraid of a serious injury?

And - the international tournaments are more important in countries where hockey is arguably the number one (or close to it) sports - Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, etc. - than they are in the US, where hockey is number 4 at best.

My guess is one reason some aren't playing is because (coming FA or not) their agents are telling them not to go for various reasons.

I'm not excusing them - just trying to lay out some possibilities.

Of the U.S. "stars" who aren't there - which are UFAs this summer, and maybe afraid of a serious injury?

And - the international tournaments are more important in countries where hockey is arguably the number one (or close to it) sports - Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, etc. - than they are in the US, where hockey is number 4 at best.

My guess is one reason some aren't playing is because (coming FA or not) their agents are telling them not to go for various reasons.

I'm not excusing them - just trying to lay out some possibilities.
- StLBravesFan

That IMO would be a credible excuse (UFA) -- but Leddy just signed a 7 yr HUGE deal, so clearly that can't be his excuse. He was invited to the Olympic camp, you'd think he'd want to go. Puzzling and disappointing to say the least.

Of the U.S. "stars" who aren't there - which are UFAs this summer, and maybe afraid of a serious injury?

And - the international tournaments are more important in countries where hockey is arguably the number one (or close to it) sports - Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, etc. - than they are in the US, where hockey is number 4 at best.

My guess is one reason some aren't playing is because (coming FA or not) their agents are telling them not to go for various reasons.

I'm not excusing them - just trying to lay out some possibilities.
- StLBravesFan

None of them are. All have fat contracts. Really though? How about the college kids who went?

EDIT: Anyone can find an excuse if they want it. I am not going to get all patriotic ans poop but you get a chance to play for your country? How often do you get that chance. Plus those guys are probably having a blast playing together.

Asked or not they aren't there. I'm not surprised JVR and Kessel aren't there, both have shown me they play hockey strictly for a paycheque, or rather they are Leafs strictly for a paycheque. If I were an American hockey fan I'd be rather disappointed the others aren't there to represent their country.
- paulr

They should be embarrassed. I hope this group pulls a medal out of this.

It IS disappointing.
Had I ever had the opportunity, I personally would have jumped at the chance.
If you love the game, have to wonder why you wouldn't want to be there.

Would love to have a rundown of what the supposed reasons are for the various players. Doubt that gets covered here in the US by anyone but it should.
- savvyone-1

Why were you never asked?Your stats on Db show 0 international games?Dennis would have been awesome on the big ice,

Why were you never asked?Your stats on Db show 0 international games?Dennis would have been awesome on the big ice,
- eagle50

The hockey db is likely incomplete. Nevertheless, I agree, would have loved to see him on the larger ice surface and disappointed he and others didn't see fit/think it important enough to skate for his country.

This:
He was a member of the U.S. squad in both the under-17 and under-18 Five Nations tournaments in the Czech Republic. In addition, Leddy participated in the 2009 U.S. under-18 evaluation camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. in association with USA Hockey and the USA Olympic team. Leddy had three goals and two assists in just five games at Lake Placid.

Of the U.S. "stars" who aren't there - which are UFAs this summer, and maybe afraid of a serious injury?

And - the international tournaments are more important in countries where hockey is arguably the number one (or close to it) sports - Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, etc. - than they are in the US, where hockey is number 4 at best.

My guess is one reason some aren't playing is because (coming FA or not) their agents are telling them not to go for various reasons.

I'm not excusing them - just trying to lay out some possibilities.
- StLBravesFan

Keep selling this line of reasoning and maybe somebody other than yourself will buy it. For hockey players at that level, it is their #1 sport. What do you think they chose to do instead, watch the NBA playoffs?

Ovechkin flew over to join his team so did Plekanec. Crosby called and asked if he could play right after the Pens were eliminated. And there were 2 other good Canadian players who called after Crosby did and they were told sorry no room for you.

You can make a long list of very good American players who were available but opted out or decided it was well below their level of interest. Or maybe felt Matt Hendricks would get all of their ice time.

Shame on those guys - USA Hockey treats their players very well. They deserve something in return. Good on the kids who played so well.

I agree with Wiz, been around the block and anything can happen this time of year despite perceived advantages and disadvantages. But a hot goaltender this time of year, always makes the difference.
- TexasFlood

And when you see the way the Rangers get a defelction off the leg and suddenly they have a one game win advantage.

Far too many factors and the best way to get a leg up on luck is to score...a lot.

Anaheim has three amazing lines going now also. While you are going on about Kesler only playing against one line, you fail to mention the Ducks other line has Getzlaf and Perry. The Ducks actually have a deeper defense than Chicago and Keith, unless hes paired with Seabrook, will have to stay back.

I like the Hawks fans talk about playing along the boards but unfortunately I doubt the Hawks are planning for this. This series won't be about hitting, except in the Anaheim offensive zone. Anaheim gives the boards and clogs the middle really well. Their gap control has been unreal. Even Stoner can keep up with Kane and Saad playing a tight gap.
- sniper11

My daughter lives in North Hollywood and I find it silly how you all use AMAZING to describe everything. I think it is because you really never witnessed amazing.

Love the way your chest is puffed out, like a true fan.

If you think Stoner can play tight on Kane, or think all your defense is the best gap control team in the world, I would suggest they come with blades sharpened, because they aren't play two newbie-to-the-playoff teams with 18 and 19 year olds, they get to play against a really GOOD team.

I used Good instead of amazing.

What I will truly think would be amazing, is if your team loses this series you come back and say the Hawks were amazing at beating them.

Enjoy the smog and your every-other-showering-schedule.

I am praying it rains on you.