The Official Olympic Hockey Thread

[pens2005]

Well, that's that. All I got left to root for is gold for Sid and Kuni.

Can't do that. Hate Canada. I'll be pulling for Sweden hardcore.

[offsides]

At least these refs don't call penalties according to the score.

[luv66]

Ugly

[MRandall25]

They look like they don't care.

Get the **** off the ice if you don't care.

[nocera]

What a way for Selanne to end his Olympic career.

[luv66]

Well, that's that. All I got left to root for is gold for Sid and Kuni.

Can't do that. Hate Canada. I'll be pulling for Sweden hardcore.

I'm rooting for Sweden but I don't think they have a chance. If Canada must win I hope Sid and Kuni do well.

[iWonTheCup87]

wow USA just wow.

what a choke job this is. Could have at least got bronze and been respectable but man this is bad. 4-0 now what a joke

Cant wait til the pens come back

[farnham16]

Yikes. This is an embarrassment.

[pcm]

This was the best, most talented, most experienced US team that's ever been to the Olympics. To not even medal is a major dissappointment. The coach obviously deserves some of that blame.

Given that this is the same story that happened with the Pens last year, it's easy to draw the conclusion that coaching has more to do with the failure than would normally be accounted.

[Lt. Dish]

I know the HC is the main guy, but what impact do assistant coaches have?

I've never played on a hockey team, and therefore don't know how vocal, instructional, participatory they are in the game planning, etc. I always thought they were greatly involved being vocal and giving instruction but not as much on game planning, but if assistants have input to throw in on the game plan, then their voices are heard and suggestions possibly implemented.

There's probably no way of knowing unless an assistant or player says something to the media after the tournament, but which do you think is more likely:
1. The assistants are pleading with DB to match lines and adjust his game plan and he tunes them out completely,
2. The assistants disagree with the game plan but bite their tongues and defer to the HC,
3. The assistants are in agreement with the game plan,
4. None of the above matter because the players have packed it in?

bse, I hope you're right about going all-in. I'm quite disappointed thus far.

[nocera]

I'll blame Kane more than I'll blame Byslma. He's playing like a baby.

[MRandall25]

Stickhandling through 5 guys doesn't seem like the best way to win, USA.

[dodint]

I'm waiting for the mass of protectors that insist there can be no possible Blysma connection between the ECF and these Olympics. Should be fun reading.

[offsides]

This is exactly like watching Pens-Bruins last year. Not as soul-crushing but close. It's amazing to watch a team go from pure offensive domination to completely helpless overnight. I seriously have to wonder if this is a result of Bylsma's coaching or if he's just gotten this unlucky at the worst possible time two years in a row.

Yep, it's alllll coaching.

It's not ALL coaching, but the coaching is definitely a part of it.

[Lt. Dish]

This was the best, most talented, most experienced US team that's ever been to the Olympics. To not even medal is a major dissappointment. The coach obviously deserves some of that blame.

Given that this is the same story that happened with the Pens last year, it's easy to draw the conclusion that coaching has more to do with the failure than would normally be accounted.

I've been going back and forth between this team and the 2002 team. I loved that 2002 team; they were amazing.

[farnham16]

I'm waiting for the mass of protectors that insist there can be no possible Blysma connection between the ECF and these Olympics. Should be fun reading.

They aren't 100% related at all. But Bylsma absolutely deserves some blame for what has gone down today.

[superconan]

4. None of the above matter because the players have packed it in?

This, their Olympics were over after the loss to Canada. Canada would have lost this game as well.

[MRandall25]

I don't see how you can blame Bylsma for players who obviously look like they don't care, and are trying to do everything themselves. Bylsma has been barking at them all game and they aren't doing anything.

[dodint]

I'm waiting for the mass of protectors that insist there can be no possible Blysma connection between the ECF and these Olympics. Should be fun reading.

They aren't 100% related at all. But Bylsma absolutely deserves some blame for what has gone down today.

I agree. I just don't understand the attitude of some people that think the Olympics happen in a vacuum.

Team game, team failure. Though I do have two Blysma Team USA bobbleheads still in the box. Those ought to be really fun keepsakes.

[MRandall25]

And now they keep taking stupid penalties. Yeah, let's blame the coach for that.

[iWonTheCup87]

this is such an embarassment...Pens hockey cant come back soon enough

[murphydump55]

This is exactly like watching Pens-Bruins last year. Not as soul-crushing but close. It's amazing to watch a team go from pure offensive domination to completely helpless overnight. I seriously have to wonder if this is a result of Bylsma's coaching or if he's just gotten this unlucky at the worst possible time two years in a row.

Yep, it's alllll coaching.

It's starting to become a trend more than a coincidence.

When the US opened the Olympics like gang-busters, many Canadians were getting worried. Team Canada looked to be struggling and the USA looked to be gelling right off the hop, scoring at will.

I kept reassuring the Canadian fans that the USA had Bylsma behind the bench and this could be the difference in the big games. Zero goals in what's coming up on your last 6 periods? There comes a point when you have to stop making excuses for the guy and start looking at the results and how they all seem to mimic each other.

That being said, the Finns are the only team to medal in 4 of the last 5 Olympics? (if they pull this out) You can't hang your head about losing to squad like that.

As much as many say it won't be a factor for Shero, it HAS to be in the back of his mind. Whether he wants it there or not. DB is on the hot seat.

[farnham16]

I don't see how you can blame Bylsma for players who obviously look like they don't care, and are trying to do everything themselves. Bylsma has been barking at them all game and they aren't doing anything.

Everyone deserves blame. Its not all Bylsma's fault. But when you're team fails to even score one goal in the Semi's and the Bronze Medal game, then some blame has to fall on him. He also guaranteed victory today. Which makes him look like a fool.

[bse]

Määttä!

[Lt. Dish]

4. None of the above matter because the players have packed it in?

This, their Olympics were over after the loss to Canada. Canada would have lost this game as well.

If only for the fact that I wouldn't want the world's microphones in face challenging me to explain what went wrong, I'd bust my ass out there.