The first game of the World Cup was played last night featuring Team USA vs. Team Canada. Some Thoughts:
Since when was
mustard a colour of Canada?
Man, were those atrocious. And how come everybody was named "Canada?" OK, I know it reinforces the Team thing, but c'mon. It says Canada on the front, leave the back blank. And yes, I also realize that the mustard jersey was a throwback to Team Canada circa 1920, but why? Don’t we have enough throwbacks already? Isn't this what gets the NHL in trouble? Red, white, and a huge maple leaf: what’s wrong with that? Team USA, on the other hand, looked good — colour-wise, that is.
On the ice, however, Team USA looked old. Hey, I am as big a Team USA fan as anybody, but I am getting a little tired of seeing Tkachuk, Amonte, and Hull out there. Tkachuk and Amonte are not exactly premium NHLers anymore and Hull looked awful last night. It looks like the Red Wings did the right thing cutting him loose this summer. His shots were mostly prayers, and the few times he did get set up he either fanned or went wide.
From what I saw, Esche played about as good a game as I've seen a US goaltender play. If not for him, Canada could very well have been up four or five goals after the first. I was surprised how well USA came out in the second, but I think it was mostly due to Guerin's play. Unless the US gets more out of guys like Gomez and Drury they could be in for a long tournament. The fact that Canada only won 2–1 seems like a statistical error. They clearly have the better team top to bottom.
I did like the pace of the game and the hitting. Both teams came out hungry to establish themselves as the Cup favorites. It was also nice to see a little fighting, but I wish the US would have let up on Brodeur. He should have drawn a penalty just prior to the extracurriculars in the 2nd, but the US did seem intent on running him.
In the end, hockey is hockey, and unless the NHL works out a CBA, I'll take what I can get.
[Editor's note: I'm happy to post essays like this one of Chris's. If other readers have thoughts they want to share with Just Wide readers, they're encouraged to e-mail them to me.]