World Hockey Championships

[Troll King]

While hockey fever is picking up here with the NHL playoffs, the World Hockey Championships are pretty popular over in Europe. I know we have a lot of Euros here, especially Finns (who skated to a 1-1 draw today in another chapter in the rival Swedes, btw). I'm just wondering if anyone else out there is following the tournament?

Oh, here's a clip from a Japan-Denmark game
http://sm3wmv.shacknet.nu/hockey/movies/jap-den_1.wmv

And yes, it was the winning goal. You've really got to feel sorry for the guy.

[Material Girl]

The real news is Don Cherry getting axed. In the spirit of The Right One: Those network executives should be SHOT!!!!

[Sleepy Weasel]

Does USA play a team in that?

[Desperate]

They do, sleepy.

Hadn't seen that goal... rofl..

[Jeansi]

While hockey fever is picking up here with the NHL playoffs, the World Hockey Championships are pretty popular over in Europe. I know we have a lot of Euros here, especially Finns (who skated to a 1-1 draw today in another chapter in the rival Swedes, btw). I'm just wondering if anyone else out there is following the tournament?

Oh, here's a clip from a Japan-Denmark game
http://sm3wmv.shacknet.nu/hockey/movies/jap-den_1.wmv

And yes, it was the winning goal. You've really got to feel sorry for the guy.

That jap was so depressed after the game. I feel so bad for him

But seriously sweden could take it up the bum. I mean score via 3 pole-bounces?? That's not possible.

And yes sleepy, usa has a team in it. they are fifth in their division, with sweden, slovakia, Finland and russia before them and denmark at the bottom.

[Exotic]

pole-bounces, lol is that what you people in europe call it?

[Cylor]

That's not the only thing the call it, hoho!

[Sleepy Weasel]

Why don't they do it after the NHL playoffs are over?

[Troll King]

Because then it would be the middle of June.

[Sleepy Weasel]

And the middle of May screams hockey?

[Troll King]

Well, at the very least, June doesn't. That's why the NHL is planning on reducing the schedule in the next collective bargaining agreement. Besides, with the NHL playoffs, you're talking big money. The longer they go, the more money is made. The world championships, while they do make money, aren't quite as profitable.

There are other reasons why the World Championships are held now. Firstly, the NHL isn't the only league in the world; all the European leagues finish much sooner, and it makes much more sense for the tournament to be held while players are still in game shape rather than having them wait a couple of months for the NHL players. And even if they were to wait, you'd only be waiting for a handful of players who may not even be selected on their national teams, and others who may decline the offer. Don't forget, these players went through an 82 game schedule, plus 10 pre-season games and, if they make it to the Stanley Cup finals, another twenty-something games. It made sense to start the tourny while the European players are still in game shape, but their schedules aren't over 100 games long. With the amount of effort, pain and sacrifice to make it to the Stanley Cup finals, there just isn't enough gas left in the tank to participate in a world class tournament.

[Blood]

oh man, sweden's goal against us. i still can't believe that bouncing shit.

[Sleepy Weasel]

NHL playoffs should be best of 5

[Exotic]

onto another hockey subject - what do you think of the people in the nhl thinking of shortening the season to 73 (4?) games next year. and the stupidest part about that is east and west would only meet in the playoff finals.

[Tyson]

GO CANADA!!
We takin that shit!!

-Tys