The problem with international tourneys are multiple:
- length is too short to generate any rivalries worthy of the name. Yes we all want to beat the Russians or the Americans or the Swedes but there isn't a lot of animosity, like we see in league (especially divisional) play. Things like the old Flames-Oilers hate-fests of the 80s added intensity to the games.
- talent is substandard. Not so much at the Olympics but in tourneys like the World Championship, many of the best players have other commitments. The other issue is with have/have-not countries. There's about 3 tiers of national teams that compete. Canada can ice probably 3 teams with an equivalent or superior level to most other national teams, whereas the Czech, Slovak, Finnish, etc. teams are clear under dogs and the Baltic, German or Swiss teams have a hard time being competitive.
-rules and officiating in the international game is sub-standard. Prime example is in the Olympics where a defenseman had to head for the bench because his helmet came off, which created an odd man rush and the goal that decided the bronze medal game. Also one other thing can be said, for all their warts, NHL refs, for all our complaints, aren't as nationalistic/political as IIHF refs.
As for tonight, I hope the Flyers finish off the Habs and I can start rooting for the Blackhawks to end their drought!
the ice size is a major difference in the two games, so much
time on that big ice sheet, it takes north american teams
a while to adjust. Dave Tomlinson on team 1040 played in
the NHL then in europe for a few years and explained in
detail many different 'plays' and how they differed on
each ice sheet.
The one thing that north american teams
have to learn to do very quickly is 'slow' their game down,
as in the NHL they have to react instantly when they receive
the puck and immediately do something else with it, and on
the big ice one can hang on to it for awhile, skate with it
then make the play. And he said when you are in the corner
with the puck the goalie is a long way off.
This years canadian team were very young, and the experience
of this tournament was huge for them, and next time they will
be better.
I always remember the interview with Markus Naslund, he
loved the north american ice, said the game is much more
exciting.
)
