For everyone that's been turned on by the Four Nations hockey.
The NHL gets a lot of stuff wrong, but they absolutely hit the mark with this tournament. This was supposed to be an exhibition series to replace the all-star game and there was some concern that the players wouldn't take it seriously, or risk injury and losing out on the NHL playoffs. But whether you're a fan of the white, yellow, blue or red jerseys you didn't see any of that. This has been terrific hockey. Credit to the players.
If you've been a fan of the game for a long time you already know this. If you're brand new to the game or maybe making the jump from casual fan to engaged fan, welcome. I don't care how you got here, just glad you made it. This is the greatest game on earth, played with extreme violence some times, and incredible skill all the time. There is space for Matthew Tkachuk and Tom Wilson, and Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid.
But don't just tune out when the game ends tonight. I hope you stay involved with the game. If you have kids or grandkids, buy them skates and take them out for a spin on the ice. If they don't want to skate buy them a stick and ball and a net and go take shots in your driveway. If they're too old for that (and you never are), take them to an NHL, AHL or ECHL game or even go to the local rink and watch some minor hockey. If that's too expensive, just tune into the every game you can on TV or engage in it via social media so that networks will add more hockey programming.
Regardless of the outcome today, hopefully the game continues to grow. For the US, 1980 Miracle on Ice begat the 1996 World Cup win. The 1996 win begat this year's success, and a lot of the more recent junior hockey success the US has had. Win or lose tonight, hopefully the US team's performance these last couple of weeks gets another generation of kids excited to play.
Good luck tonight. I mean that.
Replies to: For everyone that's been turned on by the Four Nations hockey.
Happy for Canada
Awesome game. Hockey is Canada's sport and good for them to win.
They have suffered enough under Trudeau.
Oh, Canada!
And thank you again for Shania Twain.
When played at the top level, like this or the playoffs, it’s a sublime sport combining physicality
with extreme skill.
Geaux Canada, eh!
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IMHO, hockey is the best sport to watch and doubly so live. But expensive AF to play.
I grew up in CA in the 70s and hockey didn’t become a thing until the 90s, but seems like a fun sport to play on a recreational basis.
I am reminded of a Mike Lange call.
Stanley Cup Finals. When Le Magnifique got the puck, everyone in our section stood up. Lange put the cherry on the ice cream sundae.
Link: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=mario+lemieux+north+stars&mid=DAFCEF22E1D8A3BE2799DAFCEF22E1D8A3BE2799&FORM=VIRE
I'll be rooting for the USA. But Captain Kid has a way of stealing the spotlight.
Hockey is a fine sport, no question. The greatest game on earth is debatable. To each his own. Literally.
Totally agree. Home run for hockey. Glad Canada made it back…
because to be the best, you have to beat the best.
And US hockey has not actually beat the best (good on good) in a long time.
Now they need to let the Russians have a team. If the NHL wants to showcase their best, you
Cannot exclude them. A Russian is going to be the leading goal scorer of all time. They have true talent that deserves to be a part of this.
Sorry, when Russia decides to join the civilized world, they don’t deserve shit…
I know this about hockey, but a country’s actions has consequences.
Russia is presently as civilized as were the Germans in the 1930's and 1940's.
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You’re entitled to that opinion. These athletes live in Canada and America. They are part of the
Civilized world.
I get that, but if the Russians want to form a Russian team that represents Russia…fuck them
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You'll get no argument from me.
Russia is better than Sweden and Finland, but not as good as the US and Canada.
Do owners have any say on keeping their guy out of the line up?
These dudes already are most likely playing with nagging isssues.