1 USA USA USA

2 the sweet, sweet taste of their tears

yum... taste like beer

3 Hockey is a great sport.  I played all through high school, too bad the NHL is in the state that it is in today in the US.  As a whole I believe it garners more viewers in Canada than at home.

Oh, and the goalie should have replaced "support the troops" art with "AMERICA, FUCK YEAH"!

4 Looking back, it was so much better hating the Soviets than your own govt. Less scary too.

5 yum... taste like beer

Or Timbits.  Or poutine.  Yum.

6

the sweet, sweet taste of their tears

tastes like maple syrup and shitty beer

7 Ah, the old days, when the amateur rules meant that Soviet athletes could have make-work "jobs" in the Army while they trained 10 hours a day and we still could win with college kids and Bruce Jenner living off of his wife's waitress salary.

And the Eastern Bloc judges (or the French) could be counted on to give absurd scores.

8 I remember watching the USA beat the Russians and the emotional impact it had. In those days the anti-USA propaganda, including from the US msm, was in full throat and the victory gave us all a sorely needed rallying point.

9 What did Coach Brooks say before the Gold Medal game against Finland, something like "don't fuck it up now" ?

10 One of my fondest childhood memories is watching that game with my family.

11

 In those days the anti-USA propaganda, including from the US msm

 

What do you mean by "in those days"?

12 I remember how proud I was of that victory. That was such a bleak time and then these kids came up with this amazing comeback. It was like a light in a long-dark room.

13 That game was on tape delay on ABC. I already knew the result and was at a bar watching it and it was still gut-wrenching getting through the last 10 minutes. A memorable night.

14 I remember they announced the score on TV News and I heard it by mistake, but it was still thrilling watching it on tape and knowing the score. Even on tape I was still sure the Russians were gonna come back.

15 Dang, I can't even see where the puck is from 5 down to 1 in that film.

16

I remember it well. I was on my way to a bar to meet some friends and heard it on the radio. The television broadcast was delayed by about 15 minutes. When I walked in the bar the US was behind by two on TV. I bet everyone the US would win.

Heh, good times.

17

My parents let us stay up and watch it.  I was like.. 12.

I will never forget that game.  The whole family was cheering and jumping up and down.  AWESOME memory.

One of the best moments in sports. IMO.

18

I was overseas in Venezuela at the time (High School exchange program type thingy. it was a really nice country back then), but the older brother of the kid I was staying with woke me up to watch the end of the game when it became apparent the US was going to win. it was truly a great moment.

I think the movie that was made about it, does the story justice. (lloppyd, glad to see you here. I remember the LGF days. not sure you remember me....)

19 Dang, I can't even see where the puck is from 5 down to 1 in that film. Posted by: arhooley at February 22, 2010 01:01 PM (J8yM/) It ain't in the net, that's all that matters

20

"What did Coach Brooks say before the Gold Medal game against Finland, something like "don't fuck it up now" ?"

Mike Eruzione tells that story. He gave them a talk and basically  said the win over the USSR meant nothing if they didn't beat Finland and if they lost they would "take it to their graves. To their fu--ing graves..."

HBO has a documentary on the 1980 team made a number of years agoo but they re-air it now and then. Maybe one of their channels will have it today. ABC should re-air the game on the anniversary. It'd probably get good ratings.

21 I was a junior in high school at a Model United Nations Conference in a huge hotel, the Shoreham Americana in DC. While all of us kids were supposed to be in meetings, an enormous roar started, guys were running through the conference rooms and hallways and stairwells yelling, "we won, we won, we beat the soviets." Everything stopped and everyone ran to their rooms to watch the tvs. People were screaming and hugging strangers in the halls. I'll never forget it. When I saw the movie, I cried like Glenn Beck.

22 When I walked in the bar the US was behind by two on TV. I bet everyone the US would win. Heh, good times. Posted by: robtr at February 22, 2010 01:01 PM (fwSHf) The USA was behind by 2 goals? I don't remember them ever being behind by 2?

23 "What did Coach Brooks say before the Gold Medal game against Finland, something like "don't fuck it up now" ?" Mike Eruzione tells that story. He gave them a talk and basically said the win over the USSR meant nothing if they didn't beat Finland and if they lost they would "take it to their graves. To their fu--ing graves..." HBO has a documentary on the 1980 team made a number of years agoo but they re-air it now and then. Maybe one of their channels will have it today. ABC should re-air the game on the anniversary. It'd probably get good ratings. Posted by: JWF at February 22, 2010 01:02 PM (1l37M) Thanks. I knew it was something great. That was it.

24

'I remember it well. I was on my way to a bar to meet some friends and heard it on the radio. The television broadcast was delayed by about 15 minutes. When I walked in the bar the US was behind by two on TV. I bet everyone the US would win.'

The game was played at 5 pm ET on a Friday afternoon and aired at 8 pm. The US never trailed by more than a goal at any time.

25 I caught parts of the game, which was very good.  It seems as though Olympic hockey has become much more physical than it was a few decades ago.  My recollection is that "back then" they played a more European, non-checking style and that that was how the refs called the games. 

Anyway, although it was a great game, I just don't get any national pride or whatever out of the victory when the players involved are professionals and, let's face it, most of them are playing each other all the time in the NHL. 

As frustrating as it was having U.S. athletes be "real" amateurs compared to some/most of the communist bloc teams, I greatly prefer an Olympics with amateurs over this version. 

26 HBO has a documentary on the 1980 team made a number of years agoo but they re-air it now and then. Maybe one of their channels will have it today. ABC should re-air the game on the anniversary. It'd probably get good ratings.

Very well worth the time to watch it. Also, the movie version, Miracle, starring Kurt Russell is a good one, too.  I watched the HBO one last night (DVD).

27 Does anyone think little Barry Obama cheered?

28 i remember, i was in indonesia...heavily pulling for the soviets....you stinking americans ruin everything....i hope you fail....oh wait...well, ummm, let me be clear, i hope you learned your lesson.

29 I was living in a u shaped Garden Apartment complex and the only 2 times I ever heard a lot of noise from the other apartments was when we beat the Soviet Union and when Bucky Dent hit his home run.

30 I remember watchin it with my uncle at Aushwitz right after he singlehandedly liberated it

31 27 Does anyone think little Barry Obama cheered?

I dunno.  Do Cuba or Venezuela have ice hockey teams?

32 Remember Craig looking up into the stands for his father with the American Flag draped over his shoulders?

33 Thank God for the miracle of ice.

34 You know what goes good with Canadian tears of unfathomable sorrow?  Bacon.

35 This would have been about the time that barry was being "mentored" by the communist bisexual Davis in Hawaii. Celebrate? Probably not.

36 You know what goes good with Canadian tears of unfathomable sorrow? Bacon. Posted by: Purple Avenger at February 22, 2010 01:10 PM (Q5pQP) I'm happy the USA beat Canada but i can't work up the hatred and excitement that I had when we beat the ENEMY, The SOVIETS. Just ain't the same thing.

37 Anyone watch Bob Costas' reaction to the Team Canada loss?

Holy crap it was lol city.  He was talking about how the loss would be viewed as a national tragedy in Canada.  He said speculation on the decline of hockey would commence in Canada.  It was like he was giving a eulogy for hockey in Canada.

38 I remember it well.  I didn't and still don't know a damn thing about hockey, but that was a great moment.

39 Does anyone think little Barry Obama cheered?

Silly question of course he did and boy was he bummed when his team lost.

40 I remember that game.  Unbeknownst to most people, I made the winning shot.

41

JFW is right. It was gut wretching to watch the last 10 minutes of the game. Someone made a mistake and I knew the US won. I was all wrapped up watching the last 10 minutes and I stopped myself...you know they WON, what is going on? The people in the stands DID NOT KNOW THEY WON!!! You truly got involved.

PS:  Thank you Martha Johnson for ringing your cow bell at the :30 mark like you did at Dane County Colesium.

42 Does anyone think little Barry Obama cheered? Silly question of course he did and boy was he bummed when his team lost. Posted by: rockhead at February 22, 2010 01:14 PM (RykTt) maybe but I hear Biden has taken full credit for the victory?

43 That game was on tape delay on ABC. I already knew the result and was at a bar watching it and it was still gut-wrenching getting through the last 10 minutes. A memorable night.

Posted by: JWF at February 22, 2010 12:59 PM (1l37M)

So the drinking age was 15 then, right? 

44 It was gut wretching to watch the last 10 minutes of the game.

I didn't remember this until I watched the bit on it yesterday on NBC.

45 I was 9 at the time, watching the game with the family at my grandma's house.  I still get tingles hearing the Al Michaels call at the end...

46 Anyone watch Bob Costas' reaction to the Team Canada loss?

Holy crap it was lol city.  He was talking about how the loss would be viewed as a national tragedy in Canada.  He said speculation on the decline of hockey would commence in Canada.  It was like he was giving a eulogy for hockey in Canada.

Posted by: wtfci at February 22, 2010 01:13 PM (+zo63)

Someone needs to tell him it's ok to have gray hair at his age.  The dye job is Gawd Awful.

47 I can never really enjoy hockey unless the Hanson Brothers are playing.

48 There will be no more ice and no 2014 Winter Olympics because the Earth has a fever.

49

LOL, 30 years. It seems like yesterday.

50 By the way the Coach of the US Womens Olympic Hockey Team is Mark Johnson. He was on that team.

51 I was attending NYU in 1980. Some buddies headed up to Lake Placid for the game and asked me to go. Didn't, had to study. Epic regret.

52

So the drinking age was 15 then, right? 

Posted by: loppyd at February 22, 2010 01:16 PM (akk3Z)

Heh, nope. Unfortunately I had been legal for about 6 or 7 years then.

53 For those of you who are unfortunate enough to not be Penguins fans, I'd like to point out something amusing you may not have seen: Brooks Orpik's face is scary as hell. He's not ugly, mind you, but his face is like that of a psychopath on a killing spree. His eyes are all bugged out, his mouth is frozen in a tight sneer, his nostrils flared.. just take note the next time you watch a US game. It's hilarious, and frightening.

54 I remember sitting at Katie's Diner, with my coal miner dad, when FDR came on the tv to announce the US team had won.

So excited, I nearly pulled all my hair out. Thankfully it grew back as naturally as ever.

55 I remember the Hanson Brothers.  Originally I was offered the role of Reggie Dunlop, but duty called so I gave it to Steve McQueen. 

56

'So the drinking age was 15 then, right?  '

I was a HS junior but never got carded back then and the drinking age in NY was 18. I hung out with an older crowd for the most part and was allowed in bars when I was 15.

Times have really changed.

57 Was such a great game last night, hat tip to Ryan Miller. As a country we desperately need a miracle right now, not that a USA win this year equates at all to the 1980 miracle but I will take whatever I can get.

58 It was definitely cause for celebration. One of the players lived in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, just a few miles from my home. The  greatest team ever fielded on ice got beat by a bunch of college kids. In those days, all the players were amatuers except the Russians and the eastern bloc countries. Because of communism, they were known as professional amatuers. Whereas, in the west, we had true amatuers, no NHL players like we all have now. I was 20 years old.

59 Times have really changed. Posted by: JWF at February 22, 2010 01:22 PM (1l37M) Nah now I hear you try and sneak out of bars without paying?

60 It was a great game, but to listen to Eruzione and Craig et al talking about their win as if they had singlehandedly brought down the Soviet Empire is tiresome.  Its a game, fellas.

61 NHLers in the Olympics? Bullshit.

62 39 Does anyone think little Barry Obama cheered?

Look, let me be clear, as I have always said, I was stoned out of my gourd on pot and blow.  WTF is hockey to a Ken...um, uh, Hawaiian?

63
Is it just me or is this site acting shitty again?

64 but to listen to Eruzione and Craig et al talking about their win as if they had singlehandedly brought down the Soviet Empire is tiresome.

Affirmative.  Everyone knows that Mikhail Gorbachev and Fidel Castro were the ones enlightened enough to stand up to the imperialist aggressor, Ronald Reagan. 

65 it was a great game, but to listen to Eruzione and Craig et al talking about their win as if they had singlehandedly brought down the Soviet Empire is tiresome. Its a game, fellas. Posted by: Mittens in Paramus at February 22, 2010 01:23 PM (jat5l) Nah, it was way more

66 we had true amatuers, no NHL players like we all have now.

The Olympics have been a crock since they started allowing professionals.

67

Not to be a dick, but, you should add the Bruce Springsteen "Glory Days" track to that video.... you know... the song about how you were awesome that one time, back in the day?   hahahaha ok, that Is being a dick... I'm pushing the button anyway.

68

Times have really changed.

Posted by: JWF at February 22, 2010 01:22 PM (1l37M)

Fake IDs are going by the wayside now too.  I still have mine in a scrapbook. 

69 60 It was a great game, but to listen to Eruzione and Craig et al talking about their win as if they had singlehandedly brought down the Soviet Empire is tiresome.  Its a game, fellas.


Yeah, its a just a game, but at that time in history America was beaten up , downtrodden and needed something great to happen.  Just like now actually.. Watch the movie "Miracle on Ice" kinda puts it  into perspective.

70 It was a great game, but to listen to Eruzione and Craig et al talking about their win as if they had singlehandedly brought down the Soviet Empire is tiresome.  Its a game, fellas.

Posted by: Mittens in Paramus at February 22, 2010 01:23 PM (jat5l)

That pretty much sums up the feeling from back then. It was like we had won WW3 by proxie.

71 Not to be a dick, but, you should add the Bruce Springsteen "Glory Days" track to that video.... you know... the song about how you were awesome that one time, back in the day? hahahaha ok, that Is being a dick... I'm pushing the button anyway. Posted by: Terry at February 22, 2010 01:26 PM (TJ8HB When the Iranian Hostages came home, they showed them the USA beating the USSR on tape and played the Song " Back in the USA" when they passed into American Air Space.

72

Does anybody remember how many shots Jim Craig blocked in that game?  It was a lot.

73 Too bad Springsteen turned out to be such an ass.

74

'Fake IDs are going by the wayside now too.  I still have mine in a scrapbook. '

Never even had a fake ID. I either knew the doorman or bartenders wherever I went or was with a group that did the buying. When I'd go out with my older sisters and their friends they usually caused enough distraction nobody paid any attention to me. If a high school kid was caught in a bar today the place would be shuttered and the parents would be up on charges.

75

 In those days the anti-USA propaganda, including from the US msm

What do you mean by "in those days"?

We have always been at war with the 4th Estate 5th column.

76 Remember when the Canadian fans booed when they played the Star Spangle Banner at an All Star game or playoff game, I forget which?  This is great payback.

Posted by: fake Hockey fan at February 22, 2010 01:30 PM (m2CN7)

The Canadiens fans boo our anthem all the time when the Bruins play up there in Monrealistan.  

77 Never even had a fake ID. I either knew the doorman or bartenders wherever I went or was with a group that did the buying. When I'd go out with my older sisters and their friends they usually caused enough distraction nobody paid any attention to me. If a high school kid was caught in a bar today the place would be shuttered and the parents would be up on charges.

In MA if you get busted with a fake ID you can lose your driver's license for a year.  Mine was real, just not me.  I can still recite all the pertinent info...

78 You young punks do not remember the REAL MIRACLE on ice and even if you remembered it would not mean whit. It occurred in 1939 and was referred to by the locals as Talvisota.

My 3rd favorite war to ponder over ever, after Revolutionary and Northern Aggression.

Sisu!

79 There are certain memories from childhood you'll never forget. I was 12 and my parents let us stay up to watch it and even eat in the living room! Unheard of! My Dad had heard the score but we didn't. I remember our whole family jumping up and down and screaming. It was really cool. over half the team members were from MN and it was cool to see kids you watched playing.

80

If a high school kid was caught in a bar today the place would be shuttered and the parents would be up on charges.

That actually happened here. We had a bard wontown which served a lot of underage kids. Everyone knew it was going on and the law just kinda winked and nodded at it up until....one of them got killed on the way home.

The next week the place was raided and their license was permanently revoked.

81 Great performance by the USA guys. Goaltending and D were awesome. Burke and Wilson a very bright and unlike BHO got their jobs based on their experience and achievement. Given that Wilson has an intense dislike for the Canadian media- this must be very sweet for him. If USA can win a medial, Wilson can end the complaint that his teams can't win, what he heard in San Jose.

82

When I saw the movie, I cried like Glenn Beck.

That is f'n pathetic, dagny!

83 For many years the game of hockey was taught to us by the French Canadians who migrated to the US (Vermont) from Quebec. The worked the "stone sheds" and granite quarries during the day and skated like crazy cannucks on every rink in town at night. They taught us how to build skating rinks (it's not just pouring water on the ground) and beat the BeJesus out of us at the game itself. We loved the game - despite getting our asses handed to us every time we played - and eventually we improved...at least enough to be competitive. I played in a men's league until I was 45 and then officiated for another ten years before hanging up my skates. And then came the Miracle On Ice and all Hell broke loose. American kids were on a par with the Canadians in Hockey. Some will tell you that hockey is the national game of Canada. It's not. Curling is.

84 BTW...Canadian fans are royally pissed off at their coach and his goalteding decisions, and complaining that the team is not showing enough heart and desire. Would love to see them beat the Germans and the Russians but they will have to play better.

85 Waiting for BHO to apologize to Canada.

86

When I saw the movie, I cried like Glenn Beck.

That is f'n pathetic, dagny!

Glenn and I have a pathetic patriotic emotional streak. I broke down in the National Archives once while reading the Declaration of Independence. Confused the hell out of the field trippers. I make no apologies.

87 Wild game last night.  The canadians had so many shots on goal, it was amazing that we weren't down 3+ goals by the end of the 2nd period.

Looking forward to elimination rounds.  Who knows, we may actually get to see a game in HD this week.

88 sock

89

27 Does anyone think little Barry Obama cheered?

No.  He got on the phone immediately and offered Stephen Harper an apology.....

90 #74, 78
I've heard booing like that on both sides of the border. But it always bothers the fuck outta me. It shows a total lack of class.

And the only reason O Canada itself isn't booed in Montreal is that it's sung in French.

As to the game, we're not crying, just pissed off, mostly at our goalie Martin Brodeur, (and as a friend of mine pointed out he became an American citizen in December so we don't quite know why he's even playing for us). We know Roberto Luongo will be replacing him in goal henceforth.

We are bloodied, but unbowed.

To the gloaters, let's wait till the medals are awarded, eh?

91 I wonder what Don Cherry has to say about the results.  Well done Team USA.

92 I do remember that game.  I was at College.  And like most here, I found out the score but still sweated out the end.  I had to take my TV to the dorm lounge to plug it into the antenna in the wall to watch.

And yes.  Every time I hear Al Michaels say "Do you believe in miracles?" I cry like Glenn Beck.

Yesterday afternoon they Al interviewed Eruzione and was that Johnson?  They showed Eruzione's rebound goal that got Tretiak benched.  I forgot about that.

93 I remember it well.
I watched it on my I-pad.

94 JIM BROWN. Wooooo laxers!

95 Hockeymom in Chief chimes in.

http://tinyurl.com/yjy82j3

96 I wonder what Don Cherry has to say about the results.  Well done Team USA.

Posted by: Pat at February 22, 2010 02:06 PM (6L8wk)

Lots of wailing, gnashing of teeth, and rending of garments last night...

_{(Aw, dammit!!! With all that rending, I done ruined my best plaid and florwer print blazer.})

97 Beating the commies in 1980 was a great moment and a huge morale boost for the country. Considering that POS Carter in the White House, the hostages in Iran and the economy going to hell. Of course Reagan winning in November was the big turn around that we needed.

98 Some will tell you that hockey is the national game of Canada. It's not. Curling is.
---------------------
Some will tell you that curling is the national game of Canada. It's not. Lacrosse is.

99

And don't forget, tmi3rd, Team USA luring us into a false sense of security by letting us get 45 shots on net and spending 3/5 of the game in the US zone.

Does that sound bitter? Good.

(And I'll let fake Hockey fan's trivia question go as any hoser over the age of 35 should know the answer. BTW, do you know how he died, fHf? I believe he was also named Canada's athlete of the century by sportswriters in Canada's centennial year of 1967.)

100

And I'm not bitter against Ms Palin. After all, unlike anyone in Washington currently or living in a certain, once-flame-scorched building, she's actually been to hockey games without having press attachés there to arrange the accompanying photo-shoot.

101 Lax season is 7 days away and they can't get ready in DC because of the snow. Wonder how they play in Canada with all the snow. Is their season later?

102 I hope you Canuckleheads realize this is all in good fun. It's like teasing your brother when you whip his ass at ping-pong.

Just because we don't approve of your lifestyle choices doesn't mean we don't love you guys, eh?

103 (And I'll let fake Hockey fan's trivia question go as any hoser over the age of 35 should know the answer. BTW, do you know how he died, fHf? I believe he was also named Canada's athlete of the century by sportswriters in Canada's centennial year of 1967.)

-----------------

Huh? Like Dagny, I thought it was Jim Brown (he played his college ball at lacrosse powerhouse Syracuse).

Am I missing something?

104 For the "Miracle on Ice" I was stationed in Germany. You have no idea what that win by those scrappy college kids did for our morale. It was a game changer in more then one way.

The best description I heard of last nights game was from one of the announcers who said that while Canada viewed the USA as a hated rival the sentiment wasn't returned.

My viewing went like this. Watched the first period and USA looked good, but I figured they would blow it. Spent the second period watching the Amazing Race. Flipped back as the third period was starting and the score was 2 -2. Slightly surprised, but kept waiting for the Americans to blow it. The last five minutes you could not have paid me enough money to be the American goalie. They threw everything at him but a Mountie with his horse.

Good game.

105 Speaking of "how he died" trivia:

Tim Horton died in a car crash. Think about that next time you get a box of Timbits.

106 Mmm. Doughnuts.

107 The best description I heard of last nights game was from one of the announcers who said that while Canada viewed the USA as a hated rival the sentiment wasn't returned.
-------------
I've never understood Canadian anti-Americanism. They have a 3000-mile long border with the greatest superpower in world history, and they are the #1 source for our most needed resource. Yet they're able to leave the border undefended and spend all of that money on government health care instead. And rather than being grateful for our peaceful neighborliness, they're smug.

I don't get it. Is it just Little Brother syndrome?

108 I hope you Canuckleheads realize this is all in good fun. It's like teasing your brother when you whip his ass at ping-pong.

Just because we don't approve of your lifestyle choices doesn't mean we don't love you guys, eh?

Just wait for the World Juniors next year. 

Why not this year ?......uhh....we lost to the US

109

while Canada viewed the USA as a hated rival

We hate everyone on the ice, Just A Grunt. Nothing personal. And alot of us would prefer a US victory over Russian if it came to that choice.

Speaking of trivia, in the Stalag where the real "great escape" was staged, in winter the Canadians had to have their own separate hockey league at the camp because the Euroweenies thought we played too rough.

Re. professional players playing, considering that the East Bloc and Soviet teams were pros in all but name (hey, they're actually soldiers in the Red Army--no, honest!), I'm not too upset about it. If you want to see the best in the world playing, it has to include the NHLers unless you want the national teams to be the same teams sent to the annual World Junior Championships.

110

The 1980 Olympics Hockey Miracle(s)...one of the best memories of my youth.  One of the others was playing in the old Squaw Valley Olympic Hockey arena during a tournament, where one side of the building was open so that it was snowing on us as we played...that was the site of the original miracle on ice, where the 1960 Men's team beat the usual suspects to win the gold.

Having said that, last night's game was one of the best of all time.  For the US to win the gold, they'll have to play that way each game.  I hope they stay healthy, and keep that same level of intensity on every shift.  They'll still need some good bounces, but damn... last night was truly 'awesome', in every sense.

111

I don't get it. Is it just Little Brother syndrome?

I think that the answer to this (from us) is what pisses them off: Who cares?

They have to care about us. We just sorta think they're cute, cold, and dispensible.

I am grateful for their partisipation in D-day but other than that...Molson, maybe?

112 Molson, maybe?

ugh.  Why don't you just drink out of the toilet ?

113

You mean the World Juniors we won for the previous five years and have 15 gold medals in?

114 yes those World Juniors. 

I was hoping to rub thier faces in it, until I checked TSN's web site and found we had lost that one too.

Oh well......just like the Maple Leafs there's always NEXT year



ok, maybe not like the Maple Leafs

115 I caught parts of the game, which was very good.  It seems as though Olympic hockey has become much more physical than it was a few decades ago.

That's what struck me, too.  Just look at all that open space in front of the net back then!

My favorite part of the documentary I saw is that the Russians (who, damn it all, do seem like great sports in telling the story -- not the Ivan-Drago-Commie-robots-of-death we naively pretended they were) got chewed out by high-ups in the government when they got home.  Tretiak told of being bollocked by someone for "loooosing...to a bonch of stooodents??"  That's what sums up the 1980 team to me -- it's like Syracuse beating the Lakers in the NBA Finals.  Granted, in the CarrierDome, but still...

116

Re. anti-Americanism--there are two types, along with jealousy as a motive. The pro-British, old-fashioned kind; and the leftist kind that is the exact same as U.S. anti-Americanism from your own MSM, the "educated" elite and your usual leftists.

The "conservative" kind is unknown to anyone under 35 as (like your kids) they weren't taught enough real history to be suspicious or pissed off about the past. The other is the driving force today as the left controls education and the media, just like in the States.

117

I saw a documentary about the 1972 Canada-Soviet series, Bender Bending Rodriguez, and it was hilarious to see a superstar like Tretiak's reward from the state was having a one-bedroom apartment in Moscow. I think he might not have even had a Lada because he wasn't high enough up in the Party's mind to get one. (Although that might be my memory playing me false.)

118 Don't know how you did it but you turned me on to hockey. As a Chicago boy the anti-fan antics of the previous Blackhawks owner turned me off. So kudos for doing the improbable. Of course, you had help from two amazing games yesterday. Watching Russia beat the snot out of the Czechs was fun. And the USA Canada game was exciting. I'll have to pick up Hockey for Dummies to figure out all the terms, but I'll be rooting for USA as they clinch the gold.

119 Pursuant to pressure- most folks (including your faithful hockey scribes here) were hopeful but not optimistic about US medal prospects. Last night showed what Switzerland vs Canada or Russia vs Slovakia showed- it's anyone's tournament to win. Do Canada and Russia have better players? Probably. Are they still the favorites to win the whole thing? Of course. The US has plenty of talent, though (as do the Swedes, Finns, Czechs, Slovaks, and even the Swiss) and won with better goaltending and chemistry, to say nothing of patience. The pressure in North America is solely on Mike Babcock now- to make a good decision in net and to continue totinker with his first line. It's inexcusable that a Nash-Crosby-Iginla line is not scoring goals by the handful, and would someone please explain to me why Chris Pronger looks so bad out there? He made mistakes last night that I haven't seen him make since he was in Hartford. Conversely, Ron Wilson just needs to keep his boys fresh, focused, and ready... of US coaches over the past forty years, he's the only one with a winning record vs. Canada. It's Miller's tournament to win or lose now.

120 You guys check out the Bing homepage?

121

One intangible that needs to be considered... Ron Wilson coaches the Leafs.

 

 

122

Jim Brown died? But really, who were you talking about andycanuck?

Lionel Conacher is in both the lacrosse and hockey halls of fame. I thought that's who you meant, f H f. Sorry for any confusion--I misread your "football" as "hockey" because of it being a hockey thread.

So we both learned something new today. There's never anything wrong about that.

123

It's like this - the biggest brand in Canada is "Canada."  I was in Toronto watching the opening ceremonies with my in-laws, and we were struck by the lack of a Canadian identity except for:

- We like our "Injuns" unlike you bastard Americans.

- It's cold here

- We're multicultural - look at how enlightened we are compared to you neanderthal Americans.

That's pretty much it.

GM can't call itself GM - it has to be "GM Canada."  McDonalds has to put the leaf in the logo.  God forbid an American company not Canadize itself before doing business.

Canadian nationalism and antipathy toward America has more to do with the lack of a coherent root identity than anything else.  The identity seems to be: "Canada: We're Not America."

Oh, and I'm convinced that designing the Olympic torch to look like a big joint was subliminal.

124

The Leafs are dead to me. Since the lockout/pseudo-strike.

125 Canada is gonna kick the US team's ass. But you know, in a polite way.

126

grognard, I had the same feeling watching the ceremonies.  And seeing the McDonald's M with a Maple Leaf in it was surprising.  Speaking of the Openning Ceremonies, anybody see that dude KD Lang?  Man, that is a square shoulderd, tough looking guy.  Wouldn't want to run into him in an alley.

127

It's Toyota Canada, too, grognard. They're separate companies from their parent corporations thus the differences. [See you later. I'm off to the Beck thread.]

128 What happened in 1980 was a miracle, what happened yesterday was just a good game.

The 1980 Russian Red Army team was the best ever in international hockey - you could count their losses in the previous 10 years on one hand in international tournaments.  The Ruskies won the gold in '64, '68, '72, '76, '84 and '88.

They wasted the US team something like 10-0 in an exhibition before the Olympics.

But we beat them with amateur college guys and that made it a miracle, the likes of which we will never see again.

129

grognard, I had the same feeling watching the ceremonies.  And seeing the McDonald's M with a Maple Leaf in it was surprising.  Speaking of the Openning Ceremonies, anybody see that dude KD Lang?  Man, that is a square shoulderd, tough looking guy.  Wouldn't want to run into him in an alley.

That is hilarious.  My FIL, old-school Irish, turned to me and says: kd lang looks like a man.  I couldn't resist saying, "Acts like it too."  I know I'm going to hell.  Planned on it already.

It's Toyota Canada, too, grognard. They're separate companies from their parent corporations thus the differences. [See you later. I'm off to the Beck thread.]

In the event you come back, I understand that part of it - but Toyota Motor Sales USA calls itself "Toyota" in the US for the purposes of advertising and the like, not "Toyota USA."  That they felt compelled in Canada to include "Canada" in the name they use says a lot.

It has struck me quite a few times while travelling back and forth - using "Canada" is a very clear marketing strategy/gimmick north of the border.  It's pretty shameless at times.  It's not every company - in fact, many Canadian companies don't.  It's equally telling that Tim Hortons doesn't feel the need to call itself "Tim Hortons USA" for its locations in NY.

Speaking of Tim's, their newest slogan is "A coffee all our own."  Of course, they aren't using that in the States. It's a clear appeal to nationalism. As if the beans are grown in Canada. Right.  Love me some Tim's but that's silly.

Maybe Americans are far more cynical, but I don't think that sort of shamelessness would work down here, by and large.  Americans are nationalistic, but we are also individualistic, and we don't buy into appeals to our national pride in an attempt to sell us something.  In Canada, that almost seems like a requirement, at times.

130 schizuki - re: anti-Americanism

Because 99% of us live just a couple of hours from the border, I can see New York from my house, and we are completely dominated by US culture.  Any Canadian gets famous and they immediately go south.  (You're welcome for Celine Dion btw.)  So their's a lot of resentment to the big glamourous richer nation to the south.  Not from me though.  I can't stand that our national identity has devolved into Not-America. 

131 Grognard you beat me to it. 

132

I can't recall ever being so nervous listening to or watching a sporting event. I was living in the Twin Cities.  Many of the US players were from Minnesota and of course, Herb Brooks was a huge part of the local sports scene.  Someone in management at a local radio outlet had been on the 1960 Gold Medal team. He cut a deal with a counterpart at a Canadian station to get the feed, so the area got to listen to the game live. Even the neutral Canadian play by play announcers got excited towards the end by the magnitude of the upset in the making.  It was during the evening drive time and half the metropolitan area must have been tuned the game.  It was one of those rare moments when even the DJs at rival stations were telling people to turn the dial to catch the game. Our house was three blocks from an arterial street and we could hear the horns honking from inside the house. 

What I remember best of the event on TV was the start of ABC's evening coverage.  The crowd at Lake Placid was still wildly celebrating.  There was a sea of red white and blue flags behind the announcers, who had trouble being heard over the chants of USA USA.  Even if the ABC execs had still wanted to keep the final score a surprise, a blind man could tell had won from that crowd.   

133 I remember TiVoing the game and watching it later.

134

It really is a shame - I don't think that Americans bear any animus toward Canada at all.  Sure, there's teasing and a general ignorance about Canada, but there's a general ignorance about America too.  It's not personal coming from Americans.  Most Americans can't be bothered - that's why Obama is President.

It's just ironic that a lot of Canadians see Americans as arrogant, nationalistic, and insular, but are far more arrogant and nationalistic in response to that prejudice. I get the feeling that it is personal.  That's just a damn shame. 

135 330 million of you and you're all excited about beating Canada with a tenth your population?  Hey, you assholes ain't won anything yet but that's good. You go celebrate, we'll take care of the Germans and the Russians and see if you get by the Swiss.

136 In 1980 we had the Mullahs in Iran with the Hostages, the Soviets in Astan, Carter had gave away the Panama canal etc, the pending all out nuclear war, an economy from hell. And over all that was the constant drumbeat from the media about how morally corrupt the USA was, with no internet or talk radio to counter them.

That USA hockey victory was a godsend.

137 Last nights hockey game was amazing. It was the topic at work today and smiles were seen even for a Monday.

138 Not from me though.  I can't stand that our national identity has devolved into Not-America.
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Thank Pierre Trudeau for that, the prick.

It's a shame, because as a student of history, I know Canada does have a distinct identity. Or did, until as you say, it simply became not-America.

Ironic. In your desire for identity distinct from ours, you re-defined yourself in our terms.

139

I remember watching that game 30 years ago -- my dad ran to his cedar chest, pulled out his American flag and sat with it draped over his shoulders, crying tears of joy.  Every time our team made a good play he'd be yelling at the top of his lungs, holding up the flag.  My dad was not the type to display much emotion (other than wrath and scorn when he felt the need) -- but that day he was a yelling, crying, dancing around the room fool, and the whole family, right down to the dogs seemed to catch the spirit.  That had to be one of the greatest games, if not the greatest game of any sport, I've ever witnessed.

 

Last night's game was a good one and fun, but nothing compared to beating the Soviets. For one thing, these are pro players so hardly a miracle, and secondly, I don't bear too much animosity towards Canada -- having some good mates from Ont. and Sask. -- sometimes I get a bit fed up with some snotty behavior I've encountered in Toronto and Montreal, but by and large I kinda like Canada (they are the hockey country, and hockey is one of the best sports evah, so Canada can't be all bad, right?).

140

"I get a bit fed up with some snotty behavior I've encountered in Toronto and Montreal..."

A bit redundant there, don't you think?

141 Ah, 1980 & Lake Placid.  I was just 16 and living in Rutland, Vermont.  We spent our days up on Pico Peak trying to sneak through the trees to where the Swiss and Lichtenstein ski teams were practicing (Upper Giant Killer, if there are any Pico skiers here), mainly to get a glimpse of Hanni Wenzel (hey, for 1980 she was one of the hotter ski babes).  Watched the game with the family and will never forget Al Michaels' call nor the image of Jim Craig searching the stands for his dad.

Even better was the medal ceremony, where Mike Eruzione totally broke protocol and called the entire team to the podium.

142 Right now on Bing.com the background image is a backnet view of a goal from yesterday's game.

143 I was at a Kinks concert in Shippensburg, PA, and Ray Davies stopped the show to announce the final score. Place went crazy, I still get chills.

144

148  Nah, I've met people from both places that were quite nice!  Worst they (the not snotty ones) ever did to me was giving me shit about us "'oser Amurcans" taking everything from Canada... "even our damn geese!"

I told them they could have the geese back.  They started laughing their asses off.

That's been the worst I"ve gotten in pleasant company...the not so pleasant ones are pretty much like being around like minded Euros...blech.  The Canadians can keep them too.

145

I was 12 when the U.S. beat the Russians. I rember the game vividly. In Cleveland, they had the game broadcasted live on radio. I listened to it in the basement of my parents home with a few of my childhood buddies while we were building legos. We all went nuts when the U.S. won. Even though I new the outcome of the game I stll watched it on tape delay. I remember Jim Mckay not wanting to spoil the viewers with the outcome of the game, saying something like I can not tell you what happened in this game, but I assure all of you watching tonight that you do not want to miss this game.

That without a doubt is the greatest single event I have ever seen in sports or will ever see in sports. I feel a little sorry for some of you who were too young to remember this game, because the way the olympics are set up today; and sports in general, you will never see anything like that again.    

 

146 I see a couple people trashing Errizione for thinking that this win brought down the Soviet empire.

In a way,  it did.

It was just a few years after Watergate and our withdrawal from Viet Nam.  The country was in a terrible state, the economy was crap,  Carter kept telling us that our best days were behind us, blah, blah, blah.   Remember,  this was the time when the MISERY INDEX was invented.  

We were so pathetic,  that it took a hockey game to give us something to root for.   As Al Michaels said yesterday, "Before this game they were burning flags.  Afterwards,  they were waving them."

That's the God's truth.  The Miracle on Ice brought back patriotism, and Americans liked feeling PROUD of something for their country.   And I firmly believe that if the American team had lost, the temper of the country would have continued demoralized,  and Reagan wouldn't have won.

But when Reagan appeared right after this epic win,  and talked about dfeating the Soviets and how wonderful our country was,  it appealed to a lot of peopple who remembered how they felt after that win.

So,  in a way,  those hockey players DID defeat the Soviets,  because if Reagan hadn't won the election,  there would still be a Soviet Union.

147 Even if the hockey game did not lead to the downfall of the Soviet Union, it sure as hell did not hurt

148 it was an awesome 'miller time' game. The honchos will shuffle a goalie&players and light a fire under them for the russkies, and all will be forgotten. BUT. If the same result is at the russian game then lynchings are in order--that's how things are done in hockey canada.

149

tmi3rd describes the USA-Canada game well.  It was a pleasure to watch.  But it is an allstar NHL game, USA v Canada.  The level of play was top notch as it should be. 

 

And I did watch the Soviet-USA game (granted on TV).  With my dad.  Now that was an amazing game.  The hockey was very good, but what made it special was the underdog status of the Americans. 

150 Y'know, some of our trolls on this thread must not have bothered to read... not that that's a surprise.

As many may have heard, Roberto Luongo gets the start for Canada in net against Germany. One of the things that a lot of folks overlook is that Brodeur has had one good game against the US- that being the gold medal game in 2002. In 1996, he let in a couple of stoppable shots (as well as a Brett Hull laser to the opposing top corner) in the preliminaries of the World Cup. He had a substandard game last night as well- not so much soft goals as much as poor puckhandling decisions.

Can Luongo change everything? I'd like our Canadian friends to weigh in on this- I think Luongo is not as good a choice as Marc-Andre Fleury (last year's Stanley Cup winner) in terms of background. Luongo's meltdown in the playoffs last year was very underwhelming, and he's sort of been the anointed one for Canada since he was a Florida Panther.

That's not to disparage Brodeur- a nicer guy and more established winner than Patrick Roy, and arguably the best goaltender to play the game (sorry, Domink Hasek fans).

Anyway, what's the Canadian take on the switch in net?

151 and arguably the best goaltender to play the game (sorry, Domink Hasek fans).
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Apology not accepted.

We can argue who was the best, but there's no question Hasek was the most entertaining. He was half Patrick Roy and half Buster Keaton. At least 20% of his saves made you laugh out loud. I was fortunate enough to see his entire Sabres career, and he is and always will be my favorite Sabre.

152 yes i'm damned pissy about the game, don't blame brodeur, the forwards had 47 shots on net and they still managed to lose.in the spirit of good fun USA bite me.
Drew- save your prayers for the boys in Afghanistan. a shitty day here is still better than a good day there.