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Olympic hockey tournament could be one for the ages
Vancouver Now - Olympic hockey tournament could be one for the ages - Scott Morrison
* By Scott Morrison
In the opinion of Team Canada coach Mike Babcock, if everyone performs as expected and hoped in this Olympic hockey tournament, we could be on the verge of seeing the "best hockey event of all time."
In the opinion of Team Canada coach Mike Babcock, if everyone performs as expected and hoped in this Olympic hockey tournament, we could be on the verge of seeing the "best hockey event of all time."
Think of 1972 and the historic Canada-Russia Summit Series. Think of 1987 and the incredible three-game Canada Cup final between Canada and Russia and it is a heady prediction indeed.
And one we all hope comes to pass.
"The talent level is fantastic," said Babcock on Monday after Canada assembled for its first practice before opening the Olympic hockey tournament Tuesday against Norway. "If everyone lives up to expectations, it could be the best hockey event ever."
With apologies to the rest of the athletes who have already competed, let the Games begin.
And, fairly or not, how this Canadian hockey team performs over the next fortnight is going to heavily distinguish whether these Olympics, from a host country perspective of course, were a success or an abject failure.
No matter how many other medals are won, and not to diminish the accomplishments of the medallists, but what Canada does on the ice is the big story of these Games. This is, after all, a game we have declared is ours and one we just don't get interested in every four years, but more about that and the pressure and the ridiculous expectations later.
Babcock is right, of course, that this could be one of the greatest hockey tournaments of all time, as '72 was to one generation, and '87 was to another, 2010 could be to yet another.
Getzlaf ready to go
280-getzlaf.jpgAs such, and for other reasons, Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf didn't want to miss it. And he won't.
Getzlaf, if you missed it, suffered a high ankle sprain one week ago and missed two NHL games and literally did not know until Monday morning whether he would be included on the Canadian roster. His status was in such doubt that Philadelphia Flyers Jeff Carter, who was selected as the replacement, was flown to Vancouver just in case.
But Getzlaf, who underwent a battery of tests from the Team Canada medical staff, was pronounced fit to play and was on the ice, pain free, for the first practice, playing on a line with Anaheim teammate Cory Perry and Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal, who was moved from his normal centre position to the left wing.
"Today was the greatest relief in the world," said Getzlaf. "This last week has been tough. It has been one of the scariest and hardest things I've ever had happen. It was a big relief just to get out on the ice with the guys."
For the uninitiated, high ankle sprains can be one of the worst injuries - painful and often requiring a lot of time to recover.
"I am so fortunate," said the Regina native. "It's a rare occurrence with this type of injury that it heals this quickly, without any problems. But it feels great. The medical staff did a great job for me.
"This is the biggest stage, it means the world to me to be able to play."
It is a huge relief for Team Canada as well. In the eyes of the management and coaching staff, Getzlaf is a key piece to the puzzle, right up there with Sidney Crosby no less. He is big and strong, fast and skilled. He can be fury on ice, or a gifted scorer or playmaker.
"We think he's a very good player," said Babcock. "He has an opportunity to be real good for Canada. He's a competitive guy. When you talk about (Brent) Seabrook and (Duncan) Keith, Getzlaf and Perry, we think they are better together. Perry is a better player when he plays with (Getzlaf).
"One of my coaches on my staff says one and one sometimes makes three with some players."
And so the first omen for Canada is a good one, with Getzlaf able to participate in the most anticipated and nationally televised practices perhaps ever. Babcock put together his lines and defence pairings and quickly advised not to read too much into anything because his team is a work in progress.
"We've got to get better every day," he said.
Gold or bust
It is all about, as we've learned from previous Olympics and international tournaments, about quickly developing chemistry and cohesion as a team and, for a lot of countries, but especially the host country in these Games, it is about winning gold.
Nothing less will be acceptable, we all know that.
As such, the pressure on this group to perform and to come together as a team will be absolutely stifling. Sometimes we do have, as a country, a certain sense of entitlement when it comes to hockey, but a little perspective is in order.
"People love hockey in this country," added Canadian captain Scott Niedermayer. "It's as simple as that. We love to play hockey, we love to watch it and cheer our team on and I am happy to be a part of it. We obviously want to do well. This is why it's fun. It's important and it matters in this country and we like to be in this spot."
Truth is, the parity in this tournament is such that Canada, or any of the other top-rated nations, could play well, very well, and still finish down the track. That won't make it any easier to accept for the players, and it won't make it any easier to rationalize for the fans, but that is the reality of it.
Truth is, actually, as we all know in Canada, that anything short of winning gold and, well, few will give the Canadians performance an acceptable rating, whether they deserve it or not.
As Babcock said, we could be on the verge of watching one of the best hockey events ever. He just fell short of adding, if Canada wins.
"It's not about me, it's not about them, it's about Canada," said Babcock at one point.
It's so true.
Vancouver Now - Olympic hockey tournament could be one for the ages - Scott Morrison
* By Scott Morrison
In the opinion of Team Canada coach Mike Babcock, if everyone performs as expected and hoped in this Olympic hockey tournament, we could be on the verge of seeing the "best hockey event of all time."
In the opinion of Team Canada coach Mike Babcock, if everyone performs as expected and hoped in this Olympic hockey tournament, we could be on the verge of seeing the "best hockey event of all time."
Think of 1972 and the historic Canada-Russia Summit Series. Think of 1987 and the incredible three-game Canada Cup final between Canada and Russia and it is a heady prediction indeed.
And one we all hope comes to pass.
"The talent level is fantastic," said Babcock on Monday after Canada assembled for its first practice before opening the Olympic hockey tournament Tuesday against Norway. "If everyone lives up to expectations, it could be the best hockey event ever."
With apologies to the rest of the athletes who have already competed, let the Games begin.
And, fairly or not, how this Canadian hockey team performs over the next fortnight is going to heavily distinguish whether these Olympics, from a host country perspective of course, were a success or an abject failure.
No matter how many other medals are won, and not to diminish the accomplishments of the medallists, but what Canada does on the ice is the big story of these Games. This is, after all, a game we have declared is ours and one we just don't get interested in every four years, but more about that and the pressure and the ridiculous expectations later.
Babcock is right, of course, that this could be one of the greatest hockey tournaments of all time, as '72 was to one generation, and '87 was to another, 2010 could be to yet another.
Getzlaf ready to go
280-getzlaf.jpgAs such, and for other reasons, Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf didn't want to miss it. And he won't.
Getzlaf, if you missed it, suffered a high ankle sprain one week ago and missed two NHL games and literally did not know until Monday morning whether he would be included on the Canadian roster. His status was in such doubt that Philadelphia Flyers Jeff Carter, who was selected as the replacement, was flown to Vancouver just in case.
But Getzlaf, who underwent a battery of tests from the Team Canada medical staff, was pronounced fit to play and was on the ice, pain free, for the first practice, playing on a line with Anaheim teammate Cory Perry and Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal, who was moved from his normal centre position to the left wing.
"Today was the greatest relief in the world," said Getzlaf. "This last week has been tough. It has been one of the scariest and hardest things I've ever had happen. It was a big relief just to get out on the ice with the guys."
For the uninitiated, high ankle sprains can be one of the worst injuries - painful and often requiring a lot of time to recover.
"I am so fortunate," said the Regina native. "It's a rare occurrence with this type of injury that it heals this quickly, without any problems. But it feels great. The medical staff did a great job for me.
"This is the biggest stage, it means the world to me to be able to play."
It is a huge relief for Team Canada as well. In the eyes of the management and coaching staff, Getzlaf is a key piece to the puzzle, right up there with Sidney Crosby no less. He is big and strong, fast and skilled. He can be fury on ice, or a gifted scorer or playmaker.
"We think he's a very good player," said Babcock. "He has an opportunity to be real good for Canada. He's a competitive guy. When you talk about (Brent) Seabrook and (Duncan) Keith, Getzlaf and Perry, we think they are better together. Perry is a better player when he plays with (Getzlaf).
"One of my coaches on my staff says one and one sometimes makes three with some players."
And so the first omen for Canada is a good one, with Getzlaf able to participate in the most anticipated and nationally televised practices perhaps ever. Babcock put together his lines and defence pairings and quickly advised not to read too much into anything because his team is a work in progress.
"We've got to get better every day," he said.
Gold or bust
It is all about, as we've learned from previous Olympics and international tournaments, about quickly developing chemistry and cohesion as a team and, for a lot of countries, but especially the host country in these Games, it is about winning gold.
Nothing less will be acceptable, we all know that.
As such, the pressure on this group to perform and to come together as a team will be absolutely stifling. Sometimes we do have, as a country, a certain sense of entitlement when it comes to hockey, but a little perspective is in order.
"People love hockey in this country," added Canadian captain Scott Niedermayer. "It's as simple as that. We love to play hockey, we love to watch it and cheer our team on and I am happy to be a part of it. We obviously want to do well. This is why it's fun. It's important and it matters in this country and we like to be in this spot."
Truth is, the parity in this tournament is such that Canada, or any of the other top-rated nations, could play well, very well, and still finish down the track. That won't make it any easier to accept for the players, and it won't make it any easier to rationalize for the fans, but that is the reality of it.
Truth is, actually, as we all know in Canada, that anything short of winning gold and, well, few will give the Canadians performance an acceptable rating, whether they deserve it or not.
As Babcock said, we could be on the verge of watching one of the best hockey events ever. He just fell short of adding, if Canada wins.
"It's not about me, it's not about them, it's about Canada," said Babcock at one point.
It's so true.
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