Perhaps, there was more interest with Canada at this year’s World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia because the team was under an increased spotlight due to the NHL lockout.
However, fans appeared to be less interested in the World Juniors because of the early morning start times in Canada.
For the first time, I did not watch a full Canadian game live because of the time change and knowing the results ahead of time, I was content to just watch the high (low) lights rather than the television replay.
It’s interesting the streaks or peaks and valleys for Canada in this tournament which was reflective of past teams and championships. There were the five straight gold medals from 1993 to 97 followed by the seven consecutive years of non-gold from 1998 to 2004.
Canadian superiority was back with five more gold from 2005 to 09 but now the critics have resurfaced with the last four years not producing a first place finish.
In addition, the Canadian streak of winning a medal in 14 consecutive years came to an end which is puzzling considering Canada did not lose in the round robin and the Canadians had a “stacked team” since none of the eligible players were playing in the NHL because of the labour dispute.
Coaching and goaltending always come under the microscope for criticism when Canada loses on the international stage. This year was certainly no different.
While Prince George had no players connected to this year’s team there was certainly a local presence with Kitimat born and P.G. raised Don Nachbaur, coach of the Spokane Chiefs, one of three assistants under Steve Spott.
The assistants never get credit for wins, but on the other hand, do not take the blame for losses.
In a short tournament like this, responsibility lies with the Head Coach and Spott certainly was lambasted, particularly for the slow Canadian starts in each of the last two games, which were the crucial ones in the tournament.
I am not sure whether Nachbaur will ever get his chance to be Head Coach of the national juniors, but history shows his teams are generally motivated and prepared, something that on the outside seemed to be lacking with this year’s team. There was simply too much talent for Team Canada to finish in 4th place.
Nachbaur is one of just four men to coach over 1,000 career games in the WHL. With longevity generally comes success.
At the age of 53, (54 on January 30
th) he likely will never get an opportunity to become an NHL Head Coach as his strength comes from dealing with top notch junior players.
Canada still has the best players but the gap in competition has narrowed to a point that up to five other countries are capable of winning. Many of the American and European players enhance their skills by playing in the Canadian Major Junior Leagues.
For Canada to return to the top of podium, all of the little things must be perfected, because in elimination games, it’s not just which team has the most talent.
And those small details may very well include having a coach of Nachbaur’s credentials.
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I am not a fan of Brian Burke but it certainly appears he received a raw deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs .
No one can defend Burke’s losing record (129-135-42) and no playoff appearances since taking over as the man in charge four plus years ago. However, his dismissal as GM wasn’t about record, otherwise he would have been sacked prior to the lockout.
We may never find out the truth about why the move was made at this awkward time, but one can guess that some members of the new ownership group did not like his bombastic, in your face, style. Burke is not a Yes man and likely that rubbed somebody the wrong way.
His replacement, Dave Nonis, has a completely opposite type of personality and even more of a corporate look. Nonis was as stunned as anyone that the Leafs would make this kind of a drastic change with the season about to begin.
I realize there is never a good time to let anyone go, but Burke deserved a chance to complete his duties during the reduced 48-game season. The NHL though is not about fairness. Hockey fans have enough evidence of that.
From the Quote Rack:
Sources say Tim was unhappy because he felt she was using him — and coach Rex Ryan wasn’t.
Jay Leno of NBC, on the reason Tim Tebow ended a two-month relationship with supermodel Camilla Belle.
With Dickey gone, only one knuckleballer remains in New York: Tim Tebow.
Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel after the New York Mets traded pitcher R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Major League Baseball has announced that teams will now use cell phones to communicate between the dugout and the bullpen. League officials said they were going to implement this a few years ago but couldn’t get a plan with enough minutes to account for Tony LaRussa.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
New retinal technology has given blind mice the ability to see. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig welcomed the news, stating that after umps undergo the new treatment, instant replay will no longer be necessary.
Dr. James Andrews performed surgery on RG3’s torn knee. Washington fans are wondering if Andrews can give coach Shanahan a brain transplant as well for playing his quarterback while he was injured.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
The Eagles reportedly talked to Brian Kelly after the BCS Championship Game. Guess that would take some of the fan heat off of Santa Claus.
Quentin Tarantino says that his mom once dated Wilt Chamberlain. So what’s his next film going to be, a remake of ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’?
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Is there some unwritten rule that Staples Center in Los Angeles can only be home to one good NBA team at a time?
The NHL lockout is over, which means that most Americans can get back to ignoring hockey games.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
The Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be interested in goalie Roberto Luongo and would be willing to part with one of their scoring forwards. The Vancouver Canucks have rejected the offer saying Luongo had more points than most of the players offered.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com
NASA is reportedly testing new insomnia-fighting lighting on the space station to help occupants stay awake. Interested potential customers include the Washington Wizards, Chicago Cubs and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Comedy writer RJ Currie
www.Sportsdeke.com
Danielle Jennette, a swimmer at Kings Fork High School in Suffolk, Va., has asked Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte to be her prom date, but no answer yet. If he says yes, here’s betting they carpool.
And in case you missed it:
Steve Nash became the 5th NBA player to record 10,000 assists. That’s 9,999 more than Kobe.
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller
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