Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site alberta.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!alberta!dick From: dick@alberta.UUCP (Dick Foster) Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey Subject: Bye Bye Team USA!!!! Message-ID: <81@alberta.UUCP> Date: Fri, 10-Feb-84 17:58:29 EST Article-I.D.: alberta.81 Posted: Fri Feb 10 17:58:29 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 11-Feb-84 10:03:34 EST Organization: U. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Lines: 31 So the "magnificent" Team USA hockey team got blown away by the "lowly" Canadian team in the first round. I love it. We've been hearing and seeing so much of the USA team in the last few months (mostly from American sports reporters who have not clue one about the game of hockey). It appears that the Yankee team officials don't know the game too well either as witnessed by some of their statements and actions in the last few days: - The ridiculous attempt to assure themselves a Game 1 victory over Canada by creating the disqualification scene. All they really managed to do was give the Canadians the extra emotional push they needed. - The tournament against the Soviet junior team that apparently convinced so many that the US team was capable of beating the Russian national team. It's not just the team USA officials that are to blame, of course. The NHL is trying desperately to sell hockey more aggressively in the US market. What better way to increase the public's awareness in hockey than to create excitement over the chances of the American Olympic team? The USA has never been a hockey power, and they likely won't be for many years to come. The gold medal won four years ago was more luck than anything else - the Soviets were preparing more for the finals and found themselves unprepared for a highly emotional US team. This year everyone is gunning for the Americans, and the results thus far would indicate it. Also, I also heard ABC would send about 300 technicians home if the Americans fail to qualify for the medal round. It shows how much *real* interest there is in the game of hockey versus interest in mere flag waving. alberta!dick