World Cup Hockey: Canada to the final against Finland
- Thread starter Kev
- Start date
to Mario's defense, Mario knocked Czech's best defenceman out of the game with a big hit late in the last minute of the third ... Scored a huge goal, and set up Iginla and Sakic a few times... Their line was responsible for 17 of the twentysome shots on Vokoun...
Canada looked tired as a team, kinda on their heels... but they did it.
Canada looked tired as a team, kinda on their heels... but they did it.
I agree. Mario is not invisible. He's playing quite well actually (as stated above). The C goes to someone that not only puts points up. Did you see him step up to Konowalchuk in the US game? He doesnt need to score a ton of points to be a good Captain. He has contributed points as well though.And Sakic is an old dude, not one of the young guns. He's what 35? Iggy will be the leader of the future for Team Canada.
well put mojo...
what I don't understand is why the media is so hard on Luongo?
Bayek saying he was 'shaky', Mackenzie saying he played poorly...
I say come on guys! Give him a break... he faced 40 shots, only letting in 3 goals all the while he hasn't played this level of competition since April...You can practice all you want, and play in as many exhibition games as possible, it still isn't the same... how many goalies would let in less than 3 goals on 40 shots from the high firepowered Czechs? I thought, given the circumstances, he played awesome.
I'm out now, time to hit the SC...
what I don't understand is why the media is so hard on Luongo?
Bayek saying he was 'shaky', Mackenzie saying he played poorly...
I say come on guys! Give him a break... he faced 40 shots, only letting in 3 goals all the while he hasn't played this level of competition since April...You can practice all you want, and play in as many exhibition games as possible, it still isn't the same... how many goalies would let in less than 3 goals on 40 shots from the high firepowered Czechs? I thought, given the circumstances, he played awesome.
I'm out now, time to hit the SC...
You can not measure the value of Mario to this Team Canada and its future by how many points he scores. I could care less if he hadn't registered a single one.
This team is the youngest in the tournament. I can't think of a better player to lead, inspire and teach the youth. He said himself that when he first started playing for Canada he had the fortune of playing with Gretzky and he provided him guidance. There was a piece during one of the earlier games where it was pointed out that Lecavalier and another Team Canada rookie (St. Louis, was it?) were assigned lockers beside Mario. Ya think Lecavalier isn't better for this?
If Mario was a liability defensively, then I'd second-guess his inclusion on the team, but he's definitely not.
This team is the youngest in the tournament. I can't think of a better player to lead, inspire and teach the youth. He said himself that when he first started playing for Canada he had the fortune of playing with Gretzky and he provided him guidance. There was a piece during one of the earlier games where it was pointed out that Lecavalier and another Team Canada rookie (St. Louis, was it?) were assigned lockers beside Mario. Ya think Lecavalier isn't better for this?
If Mario was a liability defensively, then I'd second-guess his inclusion on the team, but he's definitely not.
The goal that went off Luongo's skate shouldn't have happened, as well as the tying goal by Elias(spelling). I felt those 2 goals were weak on Luongo's part and someone like Brodeur would have stopped them. So i agree with the sentiments of some of the media about Luongo's play. I hope Brodeur is back for the final. --- Kev21pro said:
Maybe Bertuzzi would be doing a better job than Mario.
Anyone arguing that Mario shouldn't be on this team doesn't know what they're talking about.
Anyone arguing that Mario shouldn't be on this team doesn't know what they're talking about.
There is alot to be said about what Mario brings NOW vs what he did years ago. He is a huge inspiration and motivator. He is not at all hurting the team, if he was I would say take him out. His presence and leadership are critical! Who do you think guys like Lecavalier and StLouis look up to most? MARIO, a fellow Quebecois. Hes there for the future of guys like him. He is their idol and as i said before Mario is not hurting the team and is invaluable in motivating the younger guys. As far as Mario asking to not be on a line with the young guys because he cant keep up? Are Sakic and Iginla slowpokes? No. and if you want Marleau over Mario, Ill have to agree with PPKathleen said:
Its too bad that people are knocking Luongo. We all should remember that this was his first real action. Brodeur was playing out of his skin and is deservidly recognized as the best in the worl. It is also widely recognized that Luogo is rates as #2 in the world. Not a bad position for Canada to have.
Also, hats off to Richards, Vinnie and Martin St Louis. We were not able to see them that much but what skill yjey have. It makes me wonder how Tampa was able to get all 3 of them.
Also, hats off to Richards, Vinnie and Martin St Louis. We were not able to see them that much but what skill yjey have. It makes me wonder how Tampa was able to get all 3 of them.
So true, But I believe that they are all still under contract, I guess that we will have to wait and see what the new CBA looks like.
'give me a great player and we can all watch in awe,
but give me a great leader and we will have a great team'-Pat Quinn in Salt Lake- his words on Mario fitting the role of a mentor for the younger players.
I think Mario is now, at almost 40, greater as a leader. ie, his timing and abilities aren't as they once were, but his knowledge is still there and he can now leverage his ability over many players... much as Gretzky in his last World Championship event... he tried to accomplish the younger gretz 'great things' in Nagano (didn't work), but has become more effective as the Director of Team Canada hockey. as evident in 2002...
but give me a great leader and we will have a great team'-Pat Quinn in Salt Lake- his words on Mario fitting the role of a mentor for the younger players.
I think Mario is now, at almost 40, greater as a leader. ie, his timing and abilities aren't as they once were, but his knowledge is still there and he can now leverage his ability over many players... much as Gretzky in his last World Championship event... he tried to accomplish the younger gretz 'great things' in Nagano (didn't work), but has become more effective as the Director of Team Canada hockey. as evident in 2002...
To a man, the Canadian team would name Mario captain. To suggest it should have gone to someone else, crazy. His role now is to mentor the younger players for the future. I agree with Kathleen that Sakic can be a captain, but his time will arrive once Mario hangs them up...
Why cant we have both? We do this tourny and we are very successful! We are full of youth right now! But as always we need the proven veteran motivator as well. We have a great mix and as long as Mario is able to play he should play.Kathleen said:
Whats interesting is LeCavalier, St. Louis, and Richards have already beaten Kippy in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Kippy was a hot goalie then but lost to Tampa's fire power.shinjitsu said:
This will be round 2. I think with the play of Canada Kippy's done. --- Kev
Not the same thing at all.....these players are veterans yes, can still play great yes, but Mario is already a legend, they' re not, even Brodeur......Mario's presence brings much more, I guess you need to play organized league sports on a team to understand what it means for young players to have next to them a guy like Mario....... or maybe it's a guy thing....some of these young players grew up watching Mario....now they play with him for national pride.Kathleen said:
I think what Kathleen fails to see is the way Mario provides inspiration. No one would argue that he is anywhere close to being the player he used to be. We see that, the other players see that and Mario sees that.
What the players also see is that Mario is doing whatever is asked of him in a team sense. He's backchecking, playing physically and not terribly concerned about scoring himself. These are not the attributes which got Mario into the hall of fame. Any young player can see this and realize Mario is doing whatever the team needs, not what pleases Mario. He is showing by example what is required for a group of players to succeed. Do what's asked of you and do it with gusto to the best of your abilities.
I've never, ever been a Mario fan. Mario was always a me first player. But if he, of all players, is making sacrifices, that shows true leadership and that is what a captain's supposed to do. No other player could be placed in the same postion of going from being Gretzky's rival to gladly being a role player. As such no one could set a better example of teamwork in action. Therefore Mario as captain is a no brainer.
What the players also see is that Mario is doing whatever is asked of him in a team sense. He's backchecking, playing physically and not terribly concerned about scoring himself. These are not the attributes which got Mario into the hall of fame. Any young player can see this and realize Mario is doing whatever the team needs, not what pleases Mario. He is showing by example what is required for a group of players to succeed. Do what's asked of you and do it with gusto to the best of your abilities.
I've never, ever been a Mario fan. Mario was always a me first player. But if he, of all players, is making sacrifices, that shows true leadership and that is what a captain's supposed to do. No other player could be placed in the same postion of going from being Gretzky's rival to gladly being a role player. As such no one could set a better example of teamwork in action. Therefore Mario as captain is a no brainer.
