IIHF

zeiss · 01-06-2009, 06:32 AM,

A top player in the SEL makes around 3 million SEK ($380 000) a year. The average player salary is about half of that.
The SEL can't compete with salaries so the NHL drains all the young talent and the Russian KHL has started to take the top scoring older players. What is left seems very overpaid..

Sigh.. the game starts at 01:30 over here. It better be a good one..

Weasel · 01-07-2009, 05:05 AM,

Five in a row!!!! The quest for 6 begins Dec 26, 2009 in Regina. Canada played their best game yesterday and did their best to avoid the penalty box. The Swedes let their emotions get to them (that Swedish goalie must play soccor, because he falls like he has been shot with the tinniest nudge) for two periods which didn't help.

The officiating was up and down. A stick on the skates is a hooking penalty, but jumping on a player who is on the ice, punching him in the head and trying to drive his head through the ice isn't. Dumb zebras could only see red out there at times that is for sure. Oh well, we prevailed...AGAIN. :bow:

zeiss · 01-07-2009, 09:51 PM,

Not only were Canada the better team but they also did very important goals after 30 seconds in the first and third period. Sweden's insanely ineffective powerplay continued in the final and ruined a great opportunity when Canada had 4 penalties in a row at the end of the second period.

The first two periods were marred by sloppy plays, missed passes and stupid penalties from both teams. Our good friends the referees did their best to add to the confusion.

It was a well-deserved win for Canada. Most of the Swedish team will be back for another try.. in Canada again apparently.

Weasel · 01-09-2009, 10:23 AM,

Yep, #6 in Regina. I believe about 50% of the Swedish team will return and about the same for Canada. Does Sweden have a "program of excellence" like they do in Canada? After Canada got clobbered in the early 80s a bunch of big wigs, Gretzky included, got together and designed a coaching program from peewee all the way up to help develop all around talent and not just goons as Canadians use to be. I think the USA has to start looking at this type of thing too.

Sweden always seems to have a good team.

Weasel · 01-09-2009, 10:25 AM,

BTW - the reason they are playing more in Canada now is because we keep setting attendance records (and thus more $$$$$). We set one last year in Vancouver, broke it this year in Ottawa, and they expect to break that next year in Regina. All game have very good attendance, even the B pool games.

Vesku · 01-09-2009, 03:57 PM,

Weasel Wrote:Yep, #6 in Regina. I believe about 50% of the Swedish team will return and about the same for Canada. Does Sweden have a "program of excellence" like they do in Canada? After Canada got clobbered in the early 80s a bunch of big wigs, Gretzky included, got together and designed a coaching program from peewee all the way up to help develop all around talent and not just goons as Canadians use to be. I think the USA has to start looking at this type of thing too.

Sweden always seems to have a good team.

Swedes did the similar thing about 5-6 years ago when they hit rock bottom, I really hope Finns have the brains to do the same now.