The morning links, Thursday all-blog edition:
Canada (and Slovakia) lose. Friday's semifinals: Sweden vs Czech Republic, Finland vs Russia (so does this mean we're all Swedes now, or Finns, or Czechs? Anyone but Russia, right?)
Cindy Klassen wins gold, so that's a record four medals. And I guess we're all curling fans now, with the Brad Gushue rink into Friday's gold-medal rocker.
Raptors breathing heavily for Bryan Colangelo to fill the GM spot.
Isiah adds another guard, Steve Francis coming to the Knicks, cue the Pearl-Clyde reminisces even if it's going to end up "more like Ali-Frazier".
Chelsea lose at Barcelona as the Champions League rolls on.
They're pitchin' and catchin' among the grapefruits and cactuses. Fantasy baseball isn't far behind.
Finally, from Off Wing Opinion, it's Slap Shot, the Romania cut.
I wasn't surprised to see Canada lose to Russia yesterday ... Pavel Bure's team did what Wayne Gretzky's did not: Consider a blend of veterans and youthful talent to form the best team and not waste valuable roster spots on political appointments (hello Todd Bertuzzi and Bryan McCabe).
If Canada had at least inserted Jason Spezza and Eric Staal into the lineup long ago, they may have had a flying chance. But of course, this requires a good coach. And here in Toronto, we know all about the perils of having a team without a good coach.
Regardless, the better team won. I figure it's about time to start rooting for Mats Sundin and the Swedes.
What I think is being forgotten with this hockey loss is the fact Canada did amazing overall at the Games yesterday -- isn't it our best medal totals to date? We're looming large for VanCity in 2010.
Posted by: Flam Flim | February 23, 2006 at 08:36 AM
Re: The Steve Francis trade.
I'm amazed I haven't heard this pointed out yet by anyone in the media... Does Isiah Thomas realize that he now has Steve Francis AND Stephon Marbury AND Jamal Crawford? There must be a second deal in the works... perhaps one that provides the Knicks with a second ball on the court during play?
Posted by: Tim Farrell | February 23, 2006 at 09:20 AM
well, i'd like to see mats sundin win a gold medal. and those russian kids! man, are they awesome! i know this: i may not know the names or care who wins, but we'll definitely see a very exciting semi and finals.
thanks for all the updates chris!
5-1 : not a bad record! better than team canada (men's edition)
karim
Posted by: karim | February 23, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Bleah, I'd cheer for anybody else--even the Russians!--before I'd cheer for Sweden, after the questionable events of this past week, Chris. The IIHF representative's opinion of the Sweden/Slovakia game is the only one I've read that didn't think that the Swedes had thrown that game. The whole thing smells pretty funky to me.
Contrast that to the story (http://www.aftenposten.no/english/sports/article1225796.ece) that my Norwegian-born coworker sent me about the Norwegian cross-country coach who gave Sarah Renner a replacement pole when hers broke... To Bengt-Ake Gustafsson, I say THERE is an example of true sportsmanship.
Posted by: Carla | February 23, 2006 at 12:39 PM
I will be cheering for Russia. How can you not like that Ovechkin kid? He's just so happy all the time. He didn't even let on that the Canadians were a push-over. Also, I like Finland, in the hopes of injecting some winning attitude into Aki Berg, and of course Sweden for Mats. Anyone but the Czechs (I was pulling for Slovakia), I guess. Maybe now that Canada isn't playing we can enjoy some good hockey.
Anyone else notice how much Team Canada looked like the Leafs? Do you think it might have something to do with the coach? Sure, there are lots of reasons (excuses) but it seemed like the motivation to execute (not questioning the will to win--everyone wants to win) was not there. I think it is up to the coach to bring that out, as all of these players seem to have it in other circumstances.
Then again, it worked last time.
Posted by: Jlo | February 23, 2006 at 12:48 PM
I have to admit, there's nothing stranger than seeing these two headlines next to each other:
"Raps may be out of luck" http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1140648614923&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064&t=TS_Home
"Raptors finally getting it right"
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1140648614929&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064&t=TS_Home
Maybe Doug Smith and Dave Feschuk should duke it out! Anyone going to weigh in on this one?
Posted by: U. N. Owen | February 24, 2006 at 12:29 AM
Hey, Flam Flim. I'm wondering what you mean when you refer to Bryan McCabe as a 'political appointment' to TC...? Esplen pliz.
Posted by: Carla | February 24, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Karim! As if Canada wouldnt do anything to win. There are several examples of how unsporsmanlike Canada have behaved throughout the years. Trying to injure key players like Forsberg, trying to influence the referee and behaving infantile when loosing and starting fights even after the game is over. I reckon you would have done the same if you had been in our situation. SWEDEN RULES!
Posted by: Lockert | February 26, 2006 at 02:23 PM