Nation of domination?

Question

In light of Canada's 4 game sweep of the Russians in their own country and also the recent events in NHL, is it fair to say that Canada is not only near the top of the list in hockey countries, it is dominating all the others?

I understand that the Russian hockey development system isn't even close to what it used to be. There has been some big issues including ones over defection, improper coaching of well rounded hockey skills, and even over getting NHL players to play for the Olympic team. That said, going into Russia and sweeping 4 games is no easy task. They Russians have undeniable talent, as we will see in the NHL in 3 or 4 years, but their teamwork and coaching can be questioned.

As for the NHL, last year the top 6 scorers were all Canadians. The two top goal scorers were Canadians. The two top candidates for the Vezina were Canadians.

The only thing Team Canada has not won of late were the 2006 Olympics, won by Sweden. However, there was a lot of controversy surrounding that team with the Gretzky gambling scandal allegations and also the self-inflicted cancer in the choosing of Todd Bertuzzi. IMO, if Canada had sent younger, hungrier players, they would've fared much better.

Answer 1

These days, I think the closest rival Canada has in terms of hockey dominance is the Czech Republic, and ****maybe**** Sweden.

The Russians? The fall of Communism wasn't kind to the Russian hockey programme. They've never been the same hockey country that they once were.

The Swedes and Finns? They produce outstanding players, but they don't play physically aggressive enough to be the dominating country.

The Americans? Don't make me laugh! They can galvanize OK national teams, but their players are nothing special and their defensive style of play -- i.e. skating two steps over the red line, dumping the puck in and then retreating to their own end -- is BORING.

Despite our lacklustre performance at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Canada is still the dominant hockey country. As I recently heard someone put it, when Canada selects a national team, they leave behind two or three All-Star teams.

I agree 120% with everything you've said, especially your comments RE Todd Bertuzzi.

What the hell were they thinking when they chose him for the Olys????!!!!

Answer 2

How bout nation of not domination??? You guys gotta be kidding me, domination???? This is an EXHIBITION!!! Of UNDER 20 KIDS!!!!! This is nothing. NOTHING! Let's wind back to the last olympics shall we? Who did Canada lose to??? RUSSIA! I'm telling you guys, Russian players take longer to develop. Russia should win two, maybe three games now in this series. But I'm telling you guys, this is FAR from "Nation of domination". Let's see what happens when the next world championship runs along, or maybe when the next olympics comes. You know what's gonna happen? Sweden or Finland is gonna win. Canada never performs well at the olympics, and in the past 10 years has only won the gold at the worlds three times. That is FAR from domination. As for the NHL level, there Canada's superiority is almost undisputed. I won't question that.

Answer 3

Yes, Canada has become a nation of domination.
In the last 15 World Championships, we have more medals than any other country, more gold medals than any other country, won more games than any other country, and have the best goals against average of any country

In the last 15 years of the World Juniors, we have won more gold medals than all other countries combined. We have won more medals, won more games, and again, the best goals against average.

Over the last 5 Winter Olympics, we have won the most games (Sweden may have 2 gold, but where were they in 98 and 02?)

Canada has also won their share of Spengler Cups in the last few years.

Answer 4

We'll see come the IIHF junior worlds. I agree with you about Bertuzzi and the other older players on the Olympic team. Let the young guys go for Olympic glory and the old guys focus on their NHL commitments.