Russian Olympic hockey cowards

[bill barilko]

.......their coaching is not NHL level either, they were not
flexible on the bench, could not adjust their game as things
didn't work, just kept doing same ole same ole, and just let
their team continue making mistake after mistake, without guiding
them on to other strategies.

Very much agree innovation in terms of line combinations isn't in the cards with those guys.

Putin skipped the closing ceremonies because he was so upset.

He's a notorious bully and bullies aren't good sportsmen.

I note the Russian coach was quoted as saying "In order to win our Generals must play like Soldiers" I suppose that says it all.

 

[damngrumpy]

The Russians are to be pitied. Of all nations they should be the most silent.
This country went from being a super power to an ignored back water in a
generation. They no longer have the pick of the litter as it were for so many
hockey players from the far reaches of the empire are now playing for their
own national teams. The Russians have skill, they have a plan they even have
professional methods of training. The problem is, the team I saw had no real
heart and that was the difference. In fact the Russians were and are in shock
they want to win like we do and when they don't there has to be a reason
other than themselves that is what is too bad

 

[Johnnny]

Apparently Medved whatever his name is the president is asking everyone who trained their winter Olympians to step down and resign voluntarily or he will fire them himself lol....

LONG gone are the days of Ivan Drago

 

[wulfie68]

The Russians are to be pitied. Of all nations they should be the most silent.
This country went from being a super power to an ignored back water in a
generation. They no longer have the pick of the litter as it were for so many
hockey players from the far reaches of the empire are now playing for their
own national teams. The Russians have skill, they have a plan they even have
professional methods of training. The problem is, the team I saw had no real
heart and that was the difference. In fact the Russians were and are in shock
they want to win like we do and when they don't there has to be a reason
other than themselves that is what is too bad

The Russians seemed to be trying to make a statement about the quality of the KHL with their team make up and staff. They have some good players and knowledgeable people over there but one of the things this tournament (inadvertently) demonstrated is the quality of the NHL compared to the KHL. One of the glaring examples was the coaching in the Canada-Russia game, where the coach refused to pull Nabokov until it was far too late. There's no saying Bryzgalov would have been able to salvage the win but there seemed to be no flexibility in the coaching staff, when it came to deviating from their plan, even after it was failing.

 

[EagleSmack]

Well you can say one thing, I bet the Russians are happy it is not 1936.

 

[DurkaDurka]

Well you can say one thing, I bet the Russians are happy it is not 1936.

Well, the hockey team might have played with a little more determination knowing they would be going to the gulag courtesy of Stalin if they ended up in the loss column. 8O

 

[EagleSmack]

Well, the hockey team might have played with a little more determination knowing they would be going to the gulag courtesy of Stalin if they ended up in the loss column. 8O

Gulag? I was thinking they would have been "purged" from the roster.

 

[DurkaDurka]

Gulag? I was thinking they would have been "purged" from the roster.

That too, depending on Joe's mood. :x

 

[EagleSmack]

That too, depending on Joe's mood. :x

I'm sure some would have survived, but for sure Uncle Joe would have purged a few of them.

 

[DurkaDurka]

I do think the Russian 2 line, breakaway pass style should be purged though.

 

[#juan]

I coached hockey for close to twenty years and what I saw was that the Russian lines were not balanced. What I mean is that it is not generally a good idea to have all your best players on one line. I would have put Ovetchkin, Malkin, and Kovalchuk(sp) on different lines except for powerplays. I was surprised how easy it was to check Ovetchkin. I thought he was gonna get a ton of goals, along with Malkin but he didn't.. The Russians were humiliated just like Canada would have been if they were beaten by a weaker team knocked out of the medals

 

[bill barilko]

I do think the Russian 2 line, breakaway pass style should be purged though.

It's an exciting play but maybe too easy enough to defend against.

EDIT-I saw the Russian women's team game against the Finns and was surprised how sluggish and unmotivated the Russians were, also a few players were definitely overweight.

The Finns were at first quite tentative but their textbook positional play meant they kept gaining while the Ruskies kept sinking.

 

[DurkaDurka]

It's an exciting play but maybe too easy enough to defend against.

EDIT-I saw the Russian women's team game against the Finns and was surprised how sluggish and unmotivated the Russians were, also a few players were definitely overweight.

The Finns were at first quite tentative but their textbook positional play meant they kept gaining while the Ruskies kept sinking.

It is exciting to see, I'll give them that. The Russians seemed to have one game plan for all opponents regardless of skill level.

 

[#juan]

Here are some of the team they are sending over next year:

http://www.holytaco.com/25-sexy-snow-bunnies

 

[Risus]

Well, the hockey team might have played with a little more determination knowing they would be going to the gulag courtesy of Stalin if they ended up in the loss column. 8O

I might be wrong, but did Russia even have a team in the '36 olympics? I thought Great Britain actually won the gold, and Canada silver.

 

[#juan]

This is what I was looking for:

 

[DurkaDurka]

I might be wrong, but did Russia even have a team in the '36 olympics? I thought Great Britain actually won the gold, and Canada silver.

I haven't a clue to be honest, just having a little fun with a what would Stalin do?

 

[EagleSmack]

This is what I was looking for:

LMAO

Why?

Is that a Wussian Wabbit?

 

[Risus]

LMAO

Why?

Is that a Wussian Wabbit?

LOL, but I think a snow bunny... :-|

 

[#juan]

LMAO

Why?

Is that a Wussian Wabbit?

This is more of a Russian snow bunny: