[2] Incredible is right. Aside from baseball (ok, I am biased), not much is more exciting than Olympic hockey (maybe a great heavyweight fight).
Unfortunately, the NHL does not measure up to the Olympics, but that shouldn't be expected. This tournament features the very best players in the world spread out among 5 or 6 very good teams. Hockey skills seem to be so refined that as you dilute the talent, the pace of the game diminishes and the ability to display that skill lessens.
[3] I think the superiority of the Olympics has as much to do with the rules and the attitude as it has to do with the players. Sure, Team Canada has incredible talent, but they don't play together every day like the Blackhawks do. I mean, the World Cup in soccer has the best players in the world, obviously, but the Champions League has better play, because those teams have a big long season to gel. (Notice, also, that Team USA probably has less talent than the Blackhawks have!)
I agree that the biggest difference in the Olympics is the speed, but I do think that has to do with rule differences. Also, there are no fights. Which I guess means that true NHL fans find it boring.
[4] The soccer analogy really doesn't work. Because European soccer leagues are extremenly top heavy, the best teams in each country have talent equal to the national squads (it's just international instead of solely domestic). In many ways, it could be argued that the Champions League has more talent than the World Cup when you take into account the teams that participate from "lesser" regions. In the Olympic hockey tournament, however, you have top talent spread out over 5 or 6 very good teams, which compares to the NHL with its 30 teams.
Also, I imagine you meant it tongue in cheek, but I don't think the Blackhawks have more talent than the US squad. MSNBC is trying to equate this to 1980, but the U.S. team is extremely talented and beating Canada is not a major upset.
[4] Also, one thing that many always argued was that the Olmpic size rink made the international game more exciting, but this year they are using NHL size rinks. With the NHL adopting the 2-line pass, I am not so sure the few remaining subtle rule differences (faceoffs, icing and goalie puck handling) make much of a difference.
[9] yeah man, Carvel in the ATL! there was always ONE here. now that i moved, i'm 3 miles closer and i frequent that area waaaay more often than i used to. in the last few years, a slew of other Carvel stores have opened in the outer suburbs of Atlanta. i haven't seen any of 'em, but they exist. plus, you can now get the cakes (ick!) and other similar Cravel (that's what i call it, 'coz i always crave it!) items at some local supermarkets...
i'm not down with ST, either. i'll read the news and follow injuries, but i just don't really care until major league games start.
Chan Ho Park was very good in relief last season. He may be getting old, but he still has mid-90s heat. Once they ended his brief sojourn in the rotation, he was the most consistently effective member of the Phillies' bullpen. I'm curious as to the terms of the deal. It seemed pretty apparent, from his agent's comments after the season, that he was looking for another shot at starting. Guess he finally put that dream to rest.
i like the painting a lot, the content...not so much!
i did have a Carvel cone today. now that was delicioso!!!
Wow, what a hockey game!
I don't even like hockey. Olympic hockey is a lot better than the NHL, in my book.
[2] Incredible is right. Aside from baseball (ok, I am biased), not much is more exciting than Olympic hockey (maybe a great heavyweight fight).
Unfortunately, the NHL does not measure up to the Olympics, but that shouldn't be expected. This tournament features the very best players in the world spread out among 5 or 6 very good teams. Hockey skills seem to be so refined that as you dilute the talent, the pace of the game diminishes and the ability to display that skill lessens.
[3] I think the superiority of the Olympics has as much to do with the rules and the attitude as it has to do with the players. Sure, Team Canada has incredible talent, but they don't play together every day like the Blackhawks do. I mean, the World Cup in soccer has the best players in the world, obviously, but the Champions League has better play, because those teams have a big long season to gel. (Notice, also, that Team USA probably has less talent than the Blackhawks have!)
I agree that the biggest difference in the Olympics is the speed, but I do think that has to do with rule differences. Also, there are no fights. Which I guess means that true NHL fans find it boring.
[4] The soccer analogy really doesn't work. Because European soccer leagues are extremenly top heavy, the best teams in each country have talent equal to the national squads (it's just international instead of solely domestic). In many ways, it could be argued that the Champions League has more talent than the World Cup when you take into account the teams that participate from "lesser" regions. In the Olympic hockey tournament, however, you have top talent spread out over 5 or 6 very good teams, which compares to the NHL with its 30 teams.
Also, I imagine you meant it tongue in cheek, but I don't think the Blackhawks have more talent than the US squad. MSNBC is trying to equate this to 1980, but the U.S. team is extremely talented and beating Canada is not a major upset.
[4] Also, one thing that many always argued was that the Olmpic size rink made the international game more exciting, but this year they are using NHL size rinks. With the NHL adopting the 2-line pass, I am not so sure the few remaining subtle rule differences (faceoffs, icing and goalie puck handling) make much of a difference.
Not too many goons and chippy play in Olympic hockey either ..
Cakey-cake! Me likely. Thelarmis, wtf! >;)
[1] You had Carvel in Atlanta???
Bored with spring training already..wake me when it's 5 days till Opening Day!
[8] ah, don't ask! ; )
[9] yeah man, Carvel in the ATL! there was always ONE here. now that i moved, i'm 3 miles closer and i frequent that area waaaay more often than i used to. in the last few years, a slew of other Carvel stores have opened in the outer suburbs of Atlanta. i haven't seen any of 'em, but they exist. plus, you can now get the cakes (ick!) and other similar Cravel (that's what i call it, 'coz i always crave it!) items at some local supermarkets...
i'm not down with ST, either. i'll read the news and follow injuries, but i just don't really care until major league games start.
Looks like the Yankees signed Chan Ho Park. Not sure where he fits, but hopefully that's the end of Sergio Mitre.
[11] Chan Ho Park? I'd almost rather risk another Sergio Mitre Experience.
Helluva good game last night. It was balls to the walls from the first puck drop.
[1] Carvel + cake = Fudgie the Whale!
Chan Ho Park was very good in relief last season. He may be getting old, but he still has mid-90s heat. Once they ended his brief sojourn in the rotation, he was the most consistently effective member of the Phillies' bullpen. I'm curious as to the terms of the deal. It seemed pretty apparent, from his agent's comments after the season, that he was looking for another shot at starting. Guess he finally put that dream to rest.