Over the last few days, I've gotten a lot of sympathy from everywhere - friends, co-workers, my students, family, my Swedish instructor. I've received texts, emails and phone calls from people who fall into one of two categories. Either they want to trash talk (with a Go Canada Go!)or they are genuinely sympathetic towards me and ask how I'm coping.
The longest distance was Newcastle, Australia, where a good friend lives. We worked together every day for five years, and she knows me better than most people. She fell into the category of genuine sympathy. Her husband is Slovakian by birth, so there was a little trash-talk from him, given that the Slovaks beat Sweden 4 - 3.
I guess it goes to show that anyone who knows me, knows how much Alexander Ovechkin and his Russian comrades as well as Tre Kronor mean to me.
About Me
- queen of hockey
- I live in Calgary, Alberta CANADA...home of the NHL's Flames and the WHL's Hitmen. I love watching hockey. My favorite player is Alexander Ovechkin, followed closely by Nicklas Bäckström. Then there's my goalies Henrik Lundqvist, and Carey Price. I also like watching the dynamic duo of Toews and Kane. I like watching the Caps, Rangers, Habs, Hawks, and Canucks. But I'll watch anyone play anyone, at any time. I love the game that much. In my limited spare time, I am learning Swedish. I've actually been taking lessons since the NHL lockout in 2004. So, it stands to reason that I pay extra close attention to Swedish players/prospects. Pretty much the only time I'm not thinking hockey is when I'm sleeping, or when I'm at my boxing club.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Olympics - end of the road for me (maybe)
"This is the worst day of my hockey life", is what I said after Sweden lost 4 - 3 to Slovakia in their quarterfinal match last night. The game was over at 12:14 a.m Calgary time, and that's all I could manage to say.
The night started out with Canada laying a beating on Russia, the score being 7 - 3 when all was said and done.
Then the Finns blanked the Czechs 2 - 0.
And in what was the upset of the games in men's hockey, Slovakia beat up on my Swedes 4 - 3. Oh sure, the Swedes made it interesting, scoring goals 37 seconds apart to tie the game 2 - 2 at one point in the second period. With my heart racing as quickly as the .10 second clock, the clock ticked down and it was all over.
All in all, the 5 Washington Capitals that were in the Olympics all lost out in a matter of hours!
Russians Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Semyon Varlamov went out first, then Czech Thomas Fleishmann, and finally, the Swedish Nicklas Bäckström.
From espn.go.com -- "I don't know, I don't have an explanation right now," a stunned Backstrom said. "I don't feel we were on top of our game. They're a good team, we knew that before the game, but we weren't ready maybe.
"We should be better than what we showed. I'm just really upset right now."
That's what bothers me most - my guys expecting more from themselves and when it doesn't happen, them feeling upset over something they can not directly control.
Now they can all get back to the business at hand and focus on making a good Cup run with their Capitals.
The rest of my Caps had their first practice yesterday at Kettler.
(P.S - at one point during the Russia/Canada game, I remember thinking that if it were the Capitals playing this version of team Canada, Caps could come back from a 3-goal deficit easy.)
I do not wear black clothes, but if I did, today would be the day to dust them off...
I don't know if I'll have enough interest left in me to continue watching the rest of the men's hockey. I would be rooting for the Finns I think. Maybe I'll put the gold medal game on in the background as I'm housecleaning on Sunday. Right now though, I've just moved into the 'acceptance' stage.
The night started out with Canada laying a beating on Russia, the score being 7 - 3 when all was said and done.
Then the Finns blanked the Czechs 2 - 0.
And in what was the upset of the games in men's hockey, Slovakia beat up on my Swedes 4 - 3. Oh sure, the Swedes made it interesting, scoring goals 37 seconds apart to tie the game 2 - 2 at one point in the second period. With my heart racing as quickly as the .10 second clock, the clock ticked down and it was all over.
All in all, the 5 Washington Capitals that were in the Olympics all lost out in a matter of hours!
Russians Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Semyon Varlamov went out first, then Czech Thomas Fleishmann, and finally, the Swedish Nicklas Bäckström.
From espn.go.com -- "I don't know, I don't have an explanation right now," a stunned Backstrom said. "I don't feel we were on top of our game. They're a good team, we knew that before the game, but we weren't ready maybe.
"We should be better than what we showed. I'm just really upset right now."
That's what bothers me most - my guys expecting more from themselves and when it doesn't happen, them feeling upset over something they can not directly control.
Now they can all get back to the business at hand and focus on making a good Cup run with their Capitals.
The rest of my Caps had their first practice yesterday at Kettler.
(P.S - at one point during the Russia/Canada game, I remember thinking that if it were the Capitals playing this version of team Canada, Caps could come back from a 3-goal deficit easy.)
I do not wear black clothes, but if I did, today would be the day to dust them off...
I don't know if I'll have enough interest left in me to continue watching the rest of the men's hockey. I would be rooting for the Finns I think. Maybe I'll put the gold medal game on in the background as I'm housecleaning on Sunday. Right now though, I've just moved into the 'acceptance' stage.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Russia vs. Canada - Vancouver 2010
I just finished watching Canada lay a beat-down on Russia -- Final score 7 - 3.
I'm still in shock at the lack of everything the Russians were able to muster. I've never seen such a talent-laden team play so individually. It was upsetting, to say the least.
The game was pitted as Crosby versus Ovechkin, Olympic version, but it certainly did not turn out that way. Canada outhit and outshot the Russians in the first 5 minutes of the game, and really set the tone, taking it to the Russians on almost every shift. It was unbelieveable, and not in a good way.
I thought that Roberto Luongo playing in his home arena in front of a rabid crowd, versus a very good Evgeni Nabakov would present a great goaltending matchup. It was clear from a few minutes in that Canada came to play. They are under so much pressure after that loss to the US that made it so that Canada had to play an extra game versus Germany. I thought that maybe they would be tired, but as Chris Cutherbert from TSN pointed out, time management in that Germany game played a pivotal role in keeping the guys rested.
But back to this game. My guy Ovi was so limited in his time and space. It was unbelievable. I'm so not able to analyze things objectively right now. It hurts me that my favorite player is done for the tournament. It hurts me that he's upset. I know how hard he is on himself. I can only hope that this helps him with the rest of the Caps season.
He did take a shot off the hand late in the third. Here's hoping he's okay...
I'm still in shock at the lack of everything the Russians were able to muster. I've never seen such a talent-laden team play so individually. It was upsetting, to say the least.
The game was pitted as Crosby versus Ovechkin, Olympic version, but it certainly did not turn out that way. Canada outhit and outshot the Russians in the first 5 minutes of the game, and really set the tone, taking it to the Russians on almost every shift. It was unbelieveable, and not in a good way.
I thought that Roberto Luongo playing in his home arena in front of a rabid crowd, versus a very good Evgeni Nabakov would present a great goaltending matchup. It was clear from a few minutes in that Canada came to play. They are under so much pressure after that loss to the US that made it so that Canada had to play an extra game versus Germany. I thought that maybe they would be tired, but as Chris Cutherbert from TSN pointed out, time management in that Germany game played a pivotal role in keeping the guys rested.
But back to this game. My guy Ovi was so limited in his time and space. It was unbelievable. I'm so not able to analyze things objectively right now. It hurts me that my favorite player is done for the tournament. It hurts me that he's upset. I know how hard he is on himself. I can only hope that this helps him with the rest of the Caps season.
He did take a shot off the hand late in the third. Here's hoping he's okay...
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Olympics - my take
For some reason, maybe because the Olympics are in Vancouver (a short 45 minute flight from here), I've been paying a lot of attention to the winter games. On opening weekend, I literally watched about 24 hours of coverage, if not more (thanks to PVR I was watching live action on one station, and then watching what I missed after that station went off air...a couple of late nights!!)
Anyway, after watching so many athletes perform their heart out (in everything from Nordic combined, to downhill, to biathalon, long track speedskating and pairs figure skating, mens and women's moguls, etc, etc, etc), it kind of ticked me off that the NHLers are now stealing the spotlight.
The NHLers are professional athletes with yearly million dollar salaries, mixing in with the althletes, who in a lot of cases, have day jobs. It somehow doesn't seem right. I mean, Olympic athletes typically don't have fans wearing sweaters with their favorite player's name on the back. I think 99/100 of them can walk down the street unrecognized, even if they've got a gold medal around their neck. They are not household names, and they are not taking a two-week break from their multimillion dollar day job (except Dale Begg-Smith). (tidbit: In the NHL, one sellout game brings in over a million dollars in ticket sales...and there are over 1000 games in the regular season! -- granted not every game is a sellout in every NHL city, but still.)
I remember 1994 when Sweden won the Gold medal in Men's Hockey. It was exciting hockey, complete with future NHL superstar Peter Forsberg winning the Gold for Tre Kronor in dramatic fashion. The following Olympics in 1998 was the first year they featured the NHLers and the agreement (contract with kickbacks, I should say) that allows NHLers in, ends in 2010.
Now....I love watching international hockey. (I watch the world juniors and the world championships religiously). I love watching players represent their countries! There is so much pride involved, and so many great story lines. NHL teammates become rivals due to their birthplace. It's great on so many levels....but I think it is misplaced in the Olympics.
I have a plan (schemy fingers like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons....'yeeeesss').
It starts by cutting the NHL season down by about 4 teams. (come on, there are a lot of struggling franchises, particularly in the southern states that we could stand to get rid of!). That would elimate about 90 players from the League, and the hockey would probably change a little, eliminating a lot of bubble players. (Daniel Carcillo comes to mind...but he's another blog topic!)
After that's done, cut out about 20 games a season from 82 to 60 or so. There will be more of a sense of urgency from fans to buy tickets for an NHL game, particularly with this better brand of hockey. With fewer teams and the shortened schedule, the playoffs would have less teams making it in. AND, they would start in March and end in April...which is just in time for the World Championships, that start every year in May! Then we could have the best players in the world playing for their countries every year rather than once every four years!
Think about it - less teams, shortened schedule - it would be more exciting for the fans who will be much more engaged, (with likely every game in every building being a sell out)!. Playoffs start and end sooner, and then players are able to represent their countries at the World Championships if they so choose!
I think it's a swell idea!
Back to the task at hand...the NHL invading the Olympics.
In silent protest, I haven't watched any of the preliminary games in the round robin pool action. I will however, do a 180 and likely start watching at least the semi's and the final. And I will likely cry tears of joy when whichever winning country is celebrating and signing their national anthem.
I don't remember feeling like this towards the NHL last winter games. Maybe in my old age, I've become crotchity.
Anyway, after watching so many athletes perform their heart out (in everything from Nordic combined, to downhill, to biathalon, long track speedskating and pairs figure skating, mens and women's moguls, etc, etc, etc), it kind of ticked me off that the NHLers are now stealing the spotlight.
The NHLers are professional athletes with yearly million dollar salaries, mixing in with the althletes, who in a lot of cases, have day jobs. It somehow doesn't seem right. I mean, Olympic athletes typically don't have fans wearing sweaters with their favorite player's name on the back. I think 99/100 of them can walk down the street unrecognized, even if they've got a gold medal around their neck. They are not household names, and they are not taking a two-week break from their multimillion dollar day job (except Dale Begg-Smith). (tidbit: In the NHL, one sellout game brings in over a million dollars in ticket sales...and there are over 1000 games in the regular season! -- granted not every game is a sellout in every NHL city, but still.)
I remember 1994 when Sweden won the Gold medal in Men's Hockey. It was exciting hockey, complete with future NHL superstar Peter Forsberg winning the Gold for Tre Kronor in dramatic fashion. The following Olympics in 1998 was the first year they featured the NHLers and the agreement (contract with kickbacks, I should say) that allows NHLers in, ends in 2010.
Now....I love watching international hockey. (I watch the world juniors and the world championships religiously). I love watching players represent their countries! There is so much pride involved, and so many great story lines. NHL teammates become rivals due to their birthplace. It's great on so many levels....but I think it is misplaced in the Olympics.
I have a plan (schemy fingers like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons....'yeeeesss').
It starts by cutting the NHL season down by about 4 teams. (come on, there are a lot of struggling franchises, particularly in the southern states that we could stand to get rid of!). That would elimate about 90 players from the League, and the hockey would probably change a little, eliminating a lot of bubble players. (Daniel Carcillo comes to mind...but he's another blog topic!)
After that's done, cut out about 20 games a season from 82 to 60 or so. There will be more of a sense of urgency from fans to buy tickets for an NHL game, particularly with this better brand of hockey. With fewer teams and the shortened schedule, the playoffs would have less teams making it in. AND, they would start in March and end in April...which is just in time for the World Championships, that start every year in May! Then we could have the best players in the world playing for their countries every year rather than once every four years!
Think about it - less teams, shortened schedule - it would be more exciting for the fans who will be much more engaged, (with likely every game in every building being a sell out)!. Playoffs start and end sooner, and then players are able to represent their countries at the World Championships if they so choose!
I think it's a swell idea!
Back to the task at hand...the NHL invading the Olympics.
In silent protest, I haven't watched any of the preliminary games in the round robin pool action. I will however, do a 180 and likely start watching at least the semi's and the final. And I will likely cry tears of joy when whichever winning country is celebrating and signing their national anthem.
I don't remember feeling like this towards the NHL last winter games. Maybe in my old age, I've become crotchity.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Caps v. Oilers
I watched the Capitals play the Sens tonight. From the drop of the puck, it was an exciting game...lots of end to end action, and pretty physical too. Of course, both teams are in playoff spots right now, the Caps standing third in the Eastern Conference and the Sens in sixth. The Caps won 5 - 2, with Nicklas Backstrom scoring two goals (his 16th and 17th on the year), and Ovechkin netting his 27th goal and first as Caps Captain!
After that game, I watched (kinda) the Jackets take on the Oilers. The game pitted the 14th place Western Conference team versus the 15th. I did not expect a lot of scoring, rather a chippy, desparate game. Dreger from TSN twitted that he expected Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock to be fired if they lost versus the Oilers. Well, Hitch is safe for another day, with his boys picking up the win 4 -2. It was the Jackets first road win since November 19th (stat thanks to Gene Principe on Sportsnet)
Now.....It was downright painful watching the Oilers. As I watched, one thing became crystal clear...Man, I'm glad I got out when I did. It is such a difference cheering for a team that expect themselves to win every night (the Caps). They are exciting to watch. They have fun on the ice and to a man, their love of the game resonates.
Granted, the Oilers do not have the best player in the world on their roster but come on...in the NHL, with the world's best coaches you'd think every game would be full of beautiful hockey (to borrow a phrase from Ovi).
See, this is what happens with 30 teams in the NHL. You have the Capitals, who have a player in Ovechkin whose love of the game radiates and seeps into the attitude and play of his teammates. And then you have other teams, like the Oil, with records of 16 - 23 - 5, who, despite their payrolls, cannot put together a team that can string together three consecutive wins...who disappoint their fans almost every game out. In fact, at tonight's gane, with seconds winding down on the clock, the Edmonton crowd tonight started to boo their Oilers. It was shocking! But that's what happens when the product on the ice does not match the inflated ticket prices. (That is another blog topic)
Anyway, I am glad I am not a die hard Oilers fan anymore. I will still watch them from time to time, obviously, but I am happy that I got out when I did. Being part of a winning team (Caps) is something that I have not experienced in almost 20 years, since the end of the Oilers glory years.
After that game, I watched (kinda) the Jackets take on the Oilers. The game pitted the 14th place Western Conference team versus the 15th. I did not expect a lot of scoring, rather a chippy, desparate game. Dreger from TSN twitted that he expected Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock to be fired if they lost versus the Oilers. Well, Hitch is safe for another day, with his boys picking up the win 4 -2. It was the Jackets first road win since November 19th (stat thanks to Gene Principe on Sportsnet)
Now.....It was downright painful watching the Oilers. As I watched, one thing became crystal clear...Man, I'm glad I got out when I did. It is such a difference cheering for a team that expect themselves to win every night (the Caps). They are exciting to watch. They have fun on the ice and to a man, their love of the game resonates.
Granted, the Oilers do not have the best player in the world on their roster but come on...in the NHL, with the world's best coaches you'd think every game would be full of beautiful hockey (to borrow a phrase from Ovi).
See, this is what happens with 30 teams in the NHL. You have the Capitals, who have a player in Ovechkin whose love of the game radiates and seeps into the attitude and play of his teammates. And then you have other teams, like the Oil, with records of 16 - 23 - 5, who, despite their payrolls, cannot put together a team that can string together three consecutive wins...who disappoint their fans almost every game out. In fact, at tonight's gane, with seconds winding down on the clock, the Edmonton crowd tonight started to boo their Oilers. It was shocking! But that's what happens when the product on the ice does not match the inflated ticket prices. (That is another blog topic)
Anyway, I am glad I am not a die hard Oilers fan anymore. I will still watch them from time to time, obviously, but I am happy that I got out when I did. Being part of a winning team (Caps) is something that I have not experienced in almost 20 years, since the end of the Oilers glory years.
Monday, October 26, 2009
http://svtplay.se/v/1682971/backstrom_ser_fram_emot_os
Nicklas Backstrom video in Swedish. He talks about hopefully playing in the Olympics, and playing with Alexander Ovechkin. This was in the summer back home in Sweden,so kind of dated, but cool nonetheless...
backis ar min kille
Nicklas Backstrom video in Swedish. He talks about hopefully playing in the Olympics, and playing with Alexander Ovechkin. This was in the summer back home in Sweden,so kind of dated, but cool nonetheless...
backis ar min kille
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)