Russia vs. Canada, Thursday, May 20th, 14:15 ET
If Canada will lose, who cares? They are supposed to lose. If team Russia will lose, that's when the gloating will begin. Ovi's haters will be all over. So it's due or die for team Russia and Ovechkin.
Kovalchuk said it's a matter of principle to beat Canada. He was asked what he could say to the fans:
"Come and watch us at the arena or on TV. And get some validol. Root for us to the end!"
So you know the drill. Check myp2pforum.eu, atdhe.net and ngetv.net for live feeds. For those who won't be able to watch, here are live stats that are immediately updated.
Russia's superstar Alexander Ovechkin shots the puck during their Qualifying Round Group E match between Russia and Finland at the World Ice Hockey Championships in Cologne, Germany, on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
Go, Ovechkin!
The officials for the game are: Referees: Christer Lärking (SWE) / Vladimir Sindler (CZE), linesmen: Roger Arm (SUI) / Tobias Wehrli (SUI).
Update:
TSN.CA will stream a live feed starting at 2:00 ET
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13 comments:
Exactly right. Little if any criticism will be leveled at Canada if they lose to Russia tomorrow. But if the reverse happens and Canada defeats Russia, the team and Ovie in particular will be the targets of all sorts of abusive and unfair commentary, gloating, and tongue wagging by Pens fans and the media (mostly Canadian).
I don't usually get involved in dissing Crosby. But in this case, IMO Crosby decided to skip the WC after the Pens were eliminated so as to avoid any confrontation with Ovie and possible comparisons. One of the main reasons I still prefer Ovie and regard him as the best hockey player is he's always been willing to man up about any failure by him or his team. He was very open about this after the Caps Game 7 loss. Contrast this to Crosby's complaining about officiating and attempt to deflect any blame after the Pens met the same fate against the Habs.
I so want Russia to crush Canada and Ovie to have a monster dominating performance. But I would enjoy a Russia victory a lot more if Crosby was on Team Canada.
@ BobbyG
Crosby can't avoid comparisons ever- even now there are multiple articles out comparing Crosby's decision with Ovechkin's decision (to join World's). (Well maybe not directly, but you can get the insinuations).
So I do hope that Russia wins!
What matters in hockey is who the better player is, and I believe that to be Ovechkin.
What matters in life is who the better person is, and I know without a doubt, that is definitely Ovechkin.
Well I first of all guess, that Russia will make it tonight. I'll be there and watch the game. Can't wait!
In addition I am really disappointed that Sidney Crosby left his team alone here in Germany at the world championship. It's a case of honor and pride for the country you're from. Even I would be proud to play for Germany (even if I am cheering fro Russia).
The question who the better guy is, is difficult for me to answer. Crosby is the nice guy from the neighbourhood, who brings you the sugar if you need some. And I know he does a lot of social work. Ovi does so much for his fans and he plays for his country. They are both really good guys!
Why aren't we crucifying Nicklas Brackstrom and Henrik Zetterberg for refusing to represent Sweden at the World Championships?
I thought this tournament was extremely important to European players?
Stop talking about Crosby, it's beyond pathetic at this point.
I don't know about Zatta, but Backstrom has injury, and it still hasn't healed yet, Taik asked him about it. Crosby is busy moving his dryer out of Mario's basement, this is more important for him than defending the honors of his country.
If anyone in the DC area wants to watch the game, it is airing live on WRCDT, and I think they are rerunning it later tonight.
BobbyG, I doubt Crosby's decision had anything to do with Ovie and the ever-present comparisons. He's played a lot of hockey the past three years and deserves a rest. He also has other things on his summer schedule.
All NHLers deserve a rest, since they have the most rigorous season, and shouldn't be lambasted for not jumping to join their national teams any time their countries snap their fingers. It's a sport we love, but it is just a sport.
Nick Backstrom suffered a back injury during one of the Habs games so no way will I criticize him for not playing for Sweden.
Mily, I'm glad Crosby is being criticized in some circles for declining to play for Canada. Sorry all you Crosby defenders, but if moving out of Mario's house is more important than representing your country, then I guess this tells me a lot about Crosby's priorities.
Dan, Jr.--thank you. I also think Ovie is not only a much better player than Crosby, he's a better MAN and, even more importantly, a better person for putting aside his personal disappointment and risking his reputation yet again, all for the opportunity to wear the Team Russia jersey at the WC. It's a character issue for me, and Ovie has it in spades over Crosby.
I don't know why everyone is saying that Sidley is tired and can't play for Canada. If he was in the third round of the playoffs, he would be playing. Or would he be taking time off?? If he is moving the dryer, he could have hired someone, he would have had to do that if he were still in the Stanley Cup hunt.
I'm saying that being tired or wanting to spend time with family are legitimate reasons for any player, not just Crosby, after going through an NHL season. Playing in the NHL is their job. Playing in an international tournament, whether the Olympics or the WC, is optional.
Turning down your country isn't an indication of a lack of honor or patriotism, nor is it an indication of indifference or thanklessness.
It is another unjust smear campaign against certain players, and if it were Ovie we would be crying foul. The players and representatives had every right to be upset about the original article. It was petty, judgemental, and in bad taste. After the firestorm, the IIHF removed the article from their website and posted an apology.
@BobbyG,
Nicky has a shoulder injury, not a back injury.
@the previous Anonymous: thanks for the correction about Nick Backstrom's injury. In any case, he's hurt and can't play at the WC.
And, since Ovie is at the WC we don't have to cry foul. His desire to play for his country is well documented and unquestioned. He's willing to take risks, Crosby isn't. It's that simple IMO.
@BobbyG,
Sorry, but it isn't that simple. Crosby did play for his country in the Olympics, and in Juniors. Those count too. The other WC's he hasn't been available for.
@DianaP,
I forgot to respond to your post and what others have said about how these players would still be playing for the SC if their teams hadn't been available.
From my experience of going all-out for one goal and having most of the year geared toward achiving that goal you are so focused on it that little else filters through your mind and life. Pain is suppressed, injury and managed so you don't have to end your efforts, and mental and physical warnings are ignored. You are performing the same routine every day, so you keep rolling along. It's like you are operating in a closed system.
When you are eliminated or have reached the goal, then the floodgates open and everything you were holding back is suddenly screaming or whimpering for attention. You can't ignore your mental exhaustion and physical needs any more. The mind could be blank, numb, feel like its oozing out of your ears. Your body could be a wall of pain, filled with weariness down to the bone. Although you seem "just fine" to the outside world, everything could be rebelling.
When you are suddenly asked to do it again, you can't. You expended yourself on striving for that goal. You need time to recover, a change of pace, something completely different to turn your attention to.
Some people need more time to recover, or more down time away from the "office", or get more stressed. Some have more demands on their scant "free time" than others.
Some people aren't as run down, or they recover faster, or they just have more energy than other people, or they aren't as good at listening to the needs of their bodies and minds.
Who knows? Outsiders certainly don't know what factors go into players' decision-making. That is why they can't judge if it was the "right" decision.
I wrecked my body because I didn't always listen to the warnings, take the time it needed to heal from injury and the accumulation of wear and tear. Sometimes doing nothing is what is needed. I learned that late. So, no, I won't judge these players who decided not to go to the WC. I'm glad they are taking time off because knowing when to say no is healthy for mind and body. It can extend your career.
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