Hockeyagi!! - 2011/2012 race for the cup!!

[scyll]

I really wouldn't care what language the coach speaks as long as he's qualified by being a good coach and he can reach the players. Then again, I'm not a Habs fan so I tend to be practical about things

It's not about being a Habs fan, it's about being French. And while I understand that all players in the Habs should speak French, we both know it's impossible. The coach is at the head of the team, he's the, I don't know how to say it, the "boss" I guess, and it has almost always been a bilingual coach in the Habs' history. As I said, it's a question of culture, I know Bruins' fans (and many french-speaking frogs haters! ) can't even imagine how good of an argument this can be, but we're just part of another culture than yours, I don't have any other explanation... Plus, I have a hard time proving my point in ENGLISH!!

[mooyagi]

I really wouldn't care what language the coach speaks as long as he's qualified by being a good coach and he can reach the players. Then again, I'm not a Habs fan so I tend to be practical about things

It's not about being a Habs fan, it's about being French. And while I understand that all players in the Habs should speak French, we both know it's impossible. The coach is at the head of the team, he's the, I don't know how to say it, the "boss" I guess, and it has almost always been a bilingual coach in the Habs' history. As I said, it's a question of culture, I know Bruins' fans (and many french-speaking frogs haters! ) can't even imagine how good of an argument this can be, but we're just part of another culture than yours, I don't have any other explanation... Plus, I have a hard time proving my point in ENGLISH!!

You articulate your point very well. I'm just never going to agree with you on this issue

What if Cunneyworth was a great coach? Would you not give him a chance to learn French before complaining about his lack of language skill? And what about non French Habs fans? Are they looked down upon for not being French enough by other fans?

The situation sounds very similar to Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexican soccer. I don't know if it's the case nowadays (it may very well be), but they had a policy of only allowing Mexicans to be involved with the organization, including players.

[KDibildeaux]

The situation sounds very similar to Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexican soccer. I don't know if it's the case nowadays (it may very well be), but they had a policy of only allowing Mexicans to be involved with the organization, including players.

Well it is a Mexican team..............

[mooyagi]

The situation sounds very similar to Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexican soccer. I don't know if it's the case nowadays (it may very well be), but they had a policy of only allowing Mexicans to be involved with the organization, including players.

Well it is a Mexican team..............

From Wikipedia (I know, deep research) it states Chivas is the only Mexican team with that policy. The league is in Mexico but it's open to people from all over the world. Like pretty much all major professional sports leagues.

[KDibildeaux]

The situation sounds very similar to Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexican soccer. I don't know if it's the case nowadays (it may very well be), but they had a policy of only allowing Mexicans to be involved with the organization, including players.

Well it is a Mexican team..............

From Wikipedia (I know, deep research) it states Chivas is the only Mexican team with that policy. The league is in Mexico but it's open to people from all over the world. Like pretty much all major professional sports leagues.

I actually have no idea since I never watch futbol but had to chime in

[mooyagi]

Well it is a Mexican team..............

From Wikipedia (I know, deep research) it states Chivas is the only Mexican team with that policy. The league is in Mexico but it's open to people from all over the world. Like pretty much all major professional sports leagues.

I actually have no idea since I never watch futbol but had to chime in

I know.

[scyll]

What if Cunneyworth was a great coach? Would you not give him a chance to learn French before complaining about his lack of language skill? And what about non French Habs fans? Are they looked down upon for not being French enough by other fans?

1. He is not a great coach. So there's no debate over Cunneyworth.

2. One of the greatest Habs coach we've had is Scotty Bowman. Probably the best coach in the history of hockey, too. He knew a bit of French before he came to Montreal, and then learned it quite well, and now he speaks it quite fluently. But he knew a bit of French, and he was good. Cunneyworth knows nothing of the French language, knows nothing about the club (he arrived at the start of the season, was promoted when Perry Pearn was fired, and then was catapulted as the head coach, I don't think he expected it to happen this fast), and he arrives at the middle of a shitty season. So yes, people give him a cold welcome, but I'd say the context is the problem, much more than the language barrier anyway.

As for the English Habs fans, they have their place as much as the French speaking fans. I'd say it's about 70% French - 30% English, and English Habs fans are as passionate as frenchies. But when you have about 70% of your fanbase that speaks another language than most players, it's nice to hear the coach speak in French after a game. It's always been this way, anyway.

You know, you Americans speak English, so of course there's no language barrier, and that's perfect this way for you guys. But without offense, there are other realities, other countries, other areas where English is not the main language. Quebec is the only place in North America where French is spoken by the majority of the population. As I said, it's a reality, and even in sports, it should be considered. No one forces players to learn French, but many do. We love the players that don't speak French at all, too (Saku Koivu was a fan favorite, after all), but as for the coach, we love 'em bilingual!

[ShoreSlayer]

1st mistake: You're trying to have a discussion involving CULTURAL SENSITIVITY with the Bostonian mooyagicorn... Good luck with that

[mooyagi]

I'm not asking about evaluating Cunneyworth as a coach, just throwing a name in there to the hypothetical language situation. Do you believe Scotty Bowman would have ever had a chance to coach the team if he didn't know a lick of French going in? Would the Canadiens have held themselves from getting one of the greatest coaches to preserve their Frenchness?

I really wouldn't care if my team's coach didn't speak English. As long as he could reach his players and be a good coach, I'd be fine with it.

And what are you talking about? America is the center of the universe and the only thing that matters! Plus, have you heard the way some American speak English? They've got their own languages. Look no further than Boston

The soccer parallels really keep popping up for me. Look at Europe. Hell, even the national teams can have coaches/players/etc. that have no ties to the country/culture/language.

Would we all prefer a "local" guy? Of course! But in the end, it's only sports and I'd hate to see my team deny a qualified person a role with it just because they didn't fit the culture of the region. A successful league team gives me lots of local pride and I'd want my team to not hold itself back for something like language.

In the end, it's really a non-issue but it's lots of fun to argue

[mooyagi]

1st mistake: You're trying to have a discussion involving CULTURAL SENSITIVITY with the Bostonian mooyagicorn... Good luck with that

Yeah, homeboy don't play that game

[Whiskeyjack]

Throwing this into the Cunneyworth fire:

Canadiens Apologize to Fans for Non-French Speaking Coach
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=384029

[Whiskeyjack]

The soccer parallels really keep popping up for me. Look at Europe. Hell, even the national teams can have coaches/players/etc. that have no ties to the country/culture/language.

I've read a bit and met a few that don't like this in British footsoccer, sort of in the same way Cunneyworth is derided. They complain that the national coach (Italian, I believe) and the amount of non-British players and coaches/managers is weakening the development of English coaches and players by denying them a lot of the top-level opportunites that exist in the country. Sort of like... the more help you bring in, the less your own lads improve, thus you're stuck having to bring in even more outside quality.

...and whenever the national team fucks up, it seems like SOMEBODY is going to publish an article suggesting "that damned Italian Capello can't communicate with ENGLISH players!" Language hate!

[NuuX]

The soccer parallels really keep popping up for me. Look at Europe. Hell, even the national teams can have coaches/players/etc. that have no ties to the country/culture/language.

I've read a bit and met a few that don't like this in British footsoccer, sort of in the same way Cunneyworth is derided. They complain that the national coach (Italian, I believe) and the amount of non-British players and coaches/managers is weakening the development of English coaches and players by denying them a lot of the top-level opportunites that exist in the country. Sort of like... the more help you bring in, the less your own lads improve, thus you're stuck having to bring in even more outside quality.

...and whenever the national team fucks up, it seems like SOMEBODY is going to publish an article suggesting "that damned Italian Capello can't communicate with ENGLISH players!" Language hate!

Naaah, that has nothing to do with that. The problem with English football is that they overrate their native players and their national team. They are like those guys in high school who bully everyone and then end up working as a janitor or something. It's not that they don't give chance to young players, they just don't have the quality so they have to bring the foreign guns to do the job.

PS: Good to see Kings on the bounce. They got rid of Murray about two years too late

[EvilDan]

And Lundqvist denies Biere's pentaly shot with 19 seconds left to preserve my hat trick!

Was it just me, or were the refs doing anything and everything they could to help Philly at the end?

[EvilDan]

I actually have no idea since I never watch futbol but had to chime in

It's comforting to know you're keeping an eye on us.

[EvilDan]

I'd say it's about 70% French - 30% English, and English Habs fans are as passionate as frenchies. But when you have about 70% of your fanbase that speaks another language than most players, it's nice to hear the coach speak in French after a game. It's always been this way, anyway.

If they have any desire to promote their brand, then they'll speak English. Reporters outside of Quebec will be too lazy to follow a team that they can't communicate with. Lowers their visibility, lowers their income, lowers their ability to get marquee players.

It's been mentioned before about putting a team in Mexico City. Aside from the ridiculousness of that (coming from a Texan), if they only spoke Spanish, they'd never succeed in the NHL because no reporters would bother.

[scyll]

I'd say it's about 70% French - 30% English, and English Habs fans are as passionate as frenchies. But when you have about 70% of your fanbase that speaks another language than most players, it's nice to hear the coach speak in French after a game. It's always been this way, anyway.

If they have any desire to promote their brand, then they'll speak English. Reporters outside of Quebec will be too lazy to follow a team that they can't communicate with. Lowers their visibility, lowers their income, lowers their ability to get marquee players.

It's been mentioned before about putting a team in Mexico City. Aside from the ridiculousness of that (coming from a Texan), if they only spoke Spanish, they'd never succeed in the NHL because no reporters would bother.

Every player speaks English. They have to, anyway, all strategies are made and practiced in English, and no one has any problem with that in Quebec. We just want SOME players to speak a bit a French and the coach to be bilingual, I'm not asking for an unilingual French team! Reporters can communicate with every player in the Habs, as they can with the players of any team.

Just asking for a bit of French bothers you all that much?

[EvilDan]

I'd say it's about 70% French - 30% English, and English Habs fans are as passionate as frenchies. But when you have about 70% of your fanbase that speaks another language than most players, it's nice to hear the coach speak in French after a game. It's always been this way, anyway.

If they have any desire to promote their brand, then they'll speak English. Reporters outside of Quebec will be too lazy to follow a team that they can't communicate with. Lowers their visibility, lowers their income, lowers their ability to get marquee players.

It's been mentioned before about putting a team in Mexico City. Aside from the ridiculousness of that (coming from a Texan), if they only spoke Spanish, they'd never succeed in the NHL because no reporters would bother.

Every player speaks English. They have to, anyway, all strategies are made and practiced in English, and no one has any problem with that in Quebec. We just want SOME players to speak a bit a French and the coach to be bilingual, I'm not asking for an unilingual French team! Reporters can communicate with every player in the Habs, as they can with the players of any team.

Just asking for a bit of French bothers you all that much?

Not really. Just pointing out the business perspective, since it hadn't been mentioned. Although, the frenchness does make me want to re-evaluate my support for the team.

[KDibildeaux]

I actually have no idea since I never watch futbol but had to chime in

It's comforting to know you're keeping an eye on us.

I see everything!

[Jaimie38]

No Futbol.... All Hockey!!

Canada VS Russia!!

Rink packed..( the 50-50 draws have been huge being as much as $87,000! ) all games the rinks are sold out, many beers have been sold
Sweden is already through after beating Finland( sorry folk metal fans!! )


BRING IT ON!!!

[shaneos]

7 penalties on home ice. Dammit, bloody Caps. At least I picked up the Phaneuf question. Hopefully the Wings hold off Dallas, sorry Dan

[vikingbitch]

Dear Canada and the Flames tonight:



I hate the Russians. I hate the Russians sooooooooooooooo bad.

[ShoreSlayer]

As much as I'd love to join you in your hatred Marlo, wtf??? we totally beat ourselves in SO many ways tonight.

Inexperience, immaturity and lack of discipline and composure taking dumb penalties when there was lots of hockey left to play just dug an insurmountable hole. Came as close as we possibly could have to tying it up in the end there but wasn't our night. Watching that game, I really regretted that we got the bye into the semi and that our initial pool was so weak and offered us pretty much zero competition with which to prepare for a tough elimination game

As an aside, how the hell did the commentators pretty much completely avoid talking about how that one Russian player totally ran over our goalie on that 4th goal? Me and my buddy were screaming at the tv wondering if we were the only ones that thought it mattered at all until they finally gave it a passing comment about 5 minutes later. Surprised our boys didn't respond to that either and take the guy's head off

I hate that we're not in it but still gotta say that's a good lookin' matchup for the gold medal game.

[vikingbitch]

I know. You're right (I hate saying those two words to ANYONE), Rob.

But why... why always the Russians? Did we not go through this last year??? Nail biting, close match to get our asses kicked by the Russians? I know we didn't play that well at all during the first two periods but damn it. I don't care if we deserved a win or not, I wanted it

[ShoreSlayer]

Typical guy eh?

Trying to console a woman with logic when all she needs is to be told it's okay, we'll get 'em next time now here, have a beer/hug

[Jaimie38]

I'll give my commentary some other time..




Great Fucking Comeback though!! Old Time Hockey!

[vikingbitch]

Typical guy eh?

Trying to console a woman with logic when all she needs is to be told it's okay, we'll get 'em next time now here, have a beer/hug

Logic means nothing when feelings, hockey and losing to the Russians are involved but thanks for trying

[shaneos]

7 penalties on home ice. Dammit, bloody Caps. At least I picked up the Phaneuf question. Hopefully the Wings hold off Dallas, sorry Dan

Ok no idea what I looked at last night, only 4 penalties to the Caps.


Commiserations to the Canadian team, a tough loss. Guess now it's go Sweden eh?

[mooyagi]

[scyll]

As an aside, how the hell did the commentators pretty much completely avoid talking about how that one Russian player totally ran over our goalie on that 4th goal? Me and my buddy were screaming at the tv wondering if we were the only ones that thought it mattered at all until they finally gave it a passing comment about 5 minutes later. Surprised our boys didn't respond to that either and take the guy's head off

I'm totally with you on that, that was an absolute disgrace to see the goalie get hurt without anybody reacting. Also, the dirty hit on Jenner should have been a 5 and a game (it would been so in the NHL, no doubt about it), and instead, it's the Canadian player that got a game misconduct and a 5. Huberdeau, our best player in the tournament in my opinion, got a 10 for a minor unsportsmanlike behavior (ridiculous penalty considering the mvoe he made), and the Russians kept diving all game all long, agonizing as soon as a stick or a glove went a little high. Frustrating game to watch, but...

WHAT AN EPIC FUCKING GAME!! The comeback was unbelievable, as much as the atmosphere. And that post hit by Strome neat the end, my... Good old hockey!

And as much as I hated the referees in that game, Canadian players are to blame for the loss. Too many penalties, crappy def, bad goaltending (it's been like this for a couple of years now in the Junior Champs, last good goalie was Price in 2007). I would have loved a comeback, but Canada deserved the loss!

[vikingbitch]

Okay, feeling better about last night considering what I have ahead of me tonight - one of my friends is taking me to the Czech v. Slovakia game tonight 5th row from the ice:

[last_candle]

a lot of close matches - haven't seen a single minute on tv, though
(it's not like the Junior WC gets any airtime here)
I must say, I would have preferred a Finland vs. Canada, too

[shaneos]

Okay, feeling better about last night considering what I have ahead of me tonight - one of my friends is taking me to the Czech v. Slovakia game tonight 5th row from the ice:

Nice! Should be fun.

[EvilDan]

Montreal scores 7 goals, and not 1 is a power play goal? Fuck you, HTC!

[ShoreSlayer]

Bit of a buzz in town already about Saturday Ryan. Maybe we can watch it on Skype with the rest of the skype clan. First chance for your fans to rub it in our faces and for us to quiet 'em. Can't wait!!

[Ogre]

Okay, feeling better about last night considering what I have ahead of me tonight - one of my friends is taking me to the Czech v. Slovakia game tonight 5th row from the ice:

Holy shit, man, verdy verdy jealous!!

[mooyagi]

Bit of a buzz in town already about Saturday Ryan. Maybe we can watch it on Skype with the rest of the skype clan. First chance for your fans to rub it in our faces and for us to quiet 'em. Can't wait!!

That could be fun! Hasn't been much buzz up here yet. Guess it means more to you folks. We already won the war

Don't think Vancouver fans would be wise to try and rub it in our faces. We do have the cup still. Regular season game means very little in comparison.

[Ogre]

Okay, feeling better about last night considering what I have ahead of me tonight - one of my friends is taking me to the Czech v. Slovakia game tonight 5th row from the ice:

5-2 Czechs, eh? How was the game?? (Like I need to ask, but I want to know, anyway, haha!)

[mooyagi]

Boy the Flames are looking good against the Bruins so far tonight, eh?

5-0 B's with 17:30 left in the second period

[vikingbitch]

Okay, feeling better about last night considering what I have ahead of me tonight - one of my friends is taking me to the Czech v. Slovakia game tonight 5th row from the ice:

5-2 Czechs, eh? How was the game?? (Like I need to ask, but I want to know, anyway, haha!)

Oh it was awesome! Killer seats, good time and some GREAT hockey! I love the Juniors the best for Hockey, so much more intense and the games are always so exciting to watch. Young guys that account for good eye candy trying to make a name and reputation for themselves and throwing what nationalistic pride can inspire in there too certainly doesn't hurt. Really glad I was able to hit up two of the games this year, I've been to hundreds of hockey games before but never a Juniors game and it was high on my bucket list

Watching the Sweden vs Russia game right now.

GO SWEDEN!! KILL THOSE BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!