Olympics not void of tensions

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:55 am

Hey guys what's your opinions on this here, I am not looking for controversy over this just picked this off the news .... do you think Canada is in the wrong running up the scores like accused??? Makes me sad to think that the good efforts of the ladies hockey team is seen as being wrong.

Our player had a good point about tie breakers being determined by most goals. Do you come and play to your best abilities or do you play politely??

Canada and the United States were locked in a bitter war of words as both teams comfortably completed their Winter Olympics women's ice hockey preliminary round programme.

Defending champions Canada conceded their first goal of the tournament but still hammered Sweden 8-1 while the United States rallied to beat Finland 7-3 to set themselves on course for another Olympic finals clash.

Canada finished the opening stage with a 3-0 winning record and 36-1 scoring record but their tactics invited nothing but scorn from the United States.

American defenceman Angela Ruggiero blasted the Canadians saying they being selfish by blowing out the other teams.

Canada beat Italy 16-0 and Russia 12-0 in the first two games.

"I'm upset that Canada has been running up the score, especially against the host nation," Ruggiero told Sports Illustrated.

"There was no need for that. They're trying to pad their stats. Canada is running up the score for whatever reasons - personal, short-term."

However, Canadian forward Danielle Goyette denied that they were going for personal glory.

"One of the tiebreakers is goals scored and we know that," said Goyette.

"We are just playing well and getting better as the tournament goes on. We are in the Olympics and we have to give it our best."

Blackjack · Post by **Blackjack** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:07 am

"We are in the Olympics and we have to give it our best."

Sounds reasonable enough to me. The last thing they should feel obliged to do is slack off.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:08 am

Blackjack wrote: "We are in the Olympics and we have to give it our best."

Sounds reasonable enough to me. The last thing they should feel obliged to do is slack off.

I agree, it is a chance for everyone to do their best. No matter the sport. It just struck me as sad that anyone would think doing ones best was the wrong thing.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:26 am

I don't understand the tension, the Canadian women's hockey team did a great job playing so far in the Olympics.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:42 am

chonsigirl wrote: I don't understand the tension, the Canadian women's hockey team did a great job playing so far in the Olympics.

I agree, and all the best to those who play their best. That is what the olympics are about. I don't quite know why the US team felt the need to say we padded the game. And should have gone easy on the host team. Now I am certain if they were playing here against us Canadians, they would play just as hard and with just as much heart.

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:41 pm

It might just be a US thing about letting everyone feel good about themselves...... I know in children's sports (football and baseball) the Coach will not run up a score on a team and thus demean them when they are enough in the lead that the other team has no chance of making a comeback. They then put in the second string and everyone gets to play............... When a Coach runs up the score on the other team, it usually is because that team has acted in an unsportsmanlike way and this is a way of putting them in their place.

I didn't see this game. I've not heard about this except just what you posted. I need to think more about this.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:42 pm

Have you seen the cute Canadian male skater yet, Minks! He fell once last night, but looks like a very promising skater! I cannot wait for the long program!

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:14 pm

SOJOURNER wrote: It might just be a US thing about letting everyone feel good about themselves...... I know in children's sports (football and baseball) the Coach will not run up a score on a team and thus demean them when they are enough in the lead that the other team has no chance of making a comeback. They then put in the second string and everyone gets to play............... When a Coach runs up the score on the other team, it usually is because that team has acted in an unsportsmanlike way and this is a way of putting them in their place.

I didn't see this game. I've not heard about this except just what you posted. I need to think more about this.

hmmm that very well could be it.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:14 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Have you seen the cute Canadian male skater yet, Minks! He fell once last night, but looks like a very promising skater! I cannot wait for the long program!

I did and you are right he is a hunny hehehehe