WJC Discussion Thread

[LabattBlue]

V-M, the behavior of most (not all) Canadians at tonight's game was absolutely disgusting. Not just the "let's go Finland" and "Campbell" chants, but openly challenging to fights, etc. I mean, I have always not only respected, but loved, our neighbors over the border, and I was f*cking appalled at what I saw tonight. Maybe too many Boxing Day beers during the 4pm game; I don't know. But Canadians should be ashamed of the contingent they sent to Buffalo today. They were like a bunch of 23-year-old Bills fans after a day of tailgating.

I fully expected this poor behavior and this is why I hope the USA plays Canada in the gold medal game(I will be there) and kicks their ass. That being said, if Canada makes it to the gold medal game and the USA does not, I will be cheering for Canada despite some of their fans who choose to act like morons.

[Hank]

Re: Etem. He's a kid, and as such he is prone to saying things that are immature and stupid, just like the rest of us did when we were kids. Buffalo is a great place to raise a family. But let's face it, if you're a kid in town for a week buffalo really sucks. It's his opinion, and, like it or not an accurate one. Why are we trashing the kid? Stop being thin skinned, take off the buffalo colored glasses, and try to see the city through his eyes.

[SwampD]

Re: Etem. He's a kid, and as such he is prone to saying things that are immature and stupid, just like the rest of us did when we were kids. Buffalo is a great place to raise a family. But let's face it, if you're a kid in town for a week buffalo really sucks. It's his opinion, and, like it or not an accurate one. Why are we trashing the kid? Stop being thin skinned, take off the buffalo colored glasses, and try to see the city through his eyes.

Another thing to think of as well is that Buffalo is a late town. Every time I'm back there I'm always surprised when most places don't fill up until 11p, and until then, it is a ghost town. I gotta believe that a kid playing hockey the next day isn't out and about after 11p.

[inkman]

Re: Etem. He's a kid, and as such he is prone to saying things that are immature and stupid, just like the rest of us did when we were kids.

Except he's representing his country. I don't care what he thinks of Buffalo.

 

(surprised no one has dropped the race card yet).

[Robviously]

Re: Etem. He's a kid, and as such he is prone to saying things that are immature and stupid, just like the rest of us did when we were kids.

100% agree. I was a pretty smart kid (honor student, college scholarships, blah blah blah) but now that I'm older I think I was real lucky that no one ever put a microphone in front of me and recorded things I had to say when I was 16-22. Because even fairly intelligent young people are complete idiots. You don't know anything at that age, but at the same time you're pretty sure you know everything. Total recipe for disaster.

[Eleven]

US Jr team member Emerson Etem on twitter-

 

"much needed day off, buffalo is a ghost town!! the worst city ever, it makes medicine hat look like paradise, never thought ide say that"

 

Link- http://twitter.com/#!/emersonetem/status/19510513046130688

 

Edit- added link

 

Not sure where Team USA is staying, but if they're staying downtown like the teams from Canada, Slovakia, and Germany are, I can somewhat understand where he's coming from. There's nightlife down here, but it's all bars and restaurants. He can't get into the bars, and probably can't appreciate the cuisine at Bacchus or Chop House (and probably can't afford it, either). There's not much for a teenager to do in downtown Buffalo. If he were uptown or in the suburbs, there would be more for him to do.

 

That said, it was pretty stupid to put it on twitter.

[Eleven]

Man, why all the curling hate?

 

Dunno. I think it's a lot of fun. But the club near me just got really expensive.

[Weave]

Not sure where Team USA is staying, but if they're staying downtown like the teams from Canada, Slovakia, and Germany are, I can somewhat understand where he's coming from. There's nightlife down here, but it's all bars and restaurants. He can't get into the bars, and probably can't appreciate the cuisine at Bacchus or Chop House (and probably can't afford it, either). There's not much for a teenager to do in downtown Buffalo. If he were uptown or in the suburbs, there would be more for him to do.

 

That said, it was pretty stupid to put it on twitter.

 

Yep. My thoughts exactly. Downtown Buffalo probably sucks for a teenager. If I was 18 and all I had to judge Buffalo from was downtown I'd probably think there was nothing to do too.

 

I was at the Galleria Mall yesterday and saw some of the Russian team and Finnish team while we were there, so I guess these guys are getting transportation to other parts of metro Buffalo. They aren't stuck downtown. Still, unless the folks that are helping these teams with what to do with their downtime are really knowledgeable about the area, I could see the players leaving thinking Buffalo doesn't have much to offer.

[Eleven]

Yep. My thoughts exactly. Downtown Buffalo probably sucks for a teenager. If I was 18 and all I had to judge Buffalo from was downtown I'd probably think there was nothing to do too.

 

I was at the Galleria Mall yesterday and saw some of the Russian team and Finnish team while we were there, so I guess these guys are getting transportation to other parts of metro Buffalo. They aren't stuck downtown. Still, unless the folks that are helping these teams with what to do with their downtime are really knowledgeable about the area, I could see the players leaving thinking Buffalo doesn't have much to offer.

 

Those teams could be staying at the Millenium, too. I know that the Embassy Suites downtown has set up an information stand with area attractions, transportation, etc. I would hope that other hotels are doing the same. Heck, drop the kids off at the corner of Elmwood and Lafayette and let them walk around for a couple of hours; they'll have fun.

[Weave]

Those teams could be staying at the Millenium, too. I know that the Embassy Suites downtown has set up an information stand with area attractions, transportation, etc. I would hope that other hotels are doing the same. Heck, drop the kids off at the corner of Elmwood and Lafayette and let them walk around for a couple of hours; they'll have fun.

 

Walking Elmwood could be interesting for them but I don't see that happening until later in the week when the weather turns. Up until now, the weather has kept places like Elmwood (and Hertel also) kind of off limits. And even still, the best places (IMO) are over 21 kind of places.

[Stoner]

Those teams could be staying at the Millenium, too. I know that the Embassy Suites downtown has set up an information stand with area attractions, transportation, etc. I would hope that other hotels are doing the same. Heck, drop the kids off at the corner of Elmwood and Lafayette and let them walk around for a couple of hours; they'll have fun.

 

Just curious -- and not trying to start a debate in any way. But what's in that neighborhood that would interest teenage guys?

[Stoner]

Also -- a member of the Swedish media contingent might *might* have called Buffalo a sh*thole.

 

Some of the business owners are saying, "Where are the crowds?" Was the economic impact exaggerated?

[Eleven]

Just curious -- and not trying to start a debate in any way. But what's in that neighborhood that would interest teenage guys?

 

Guitar store, a few clothing stores (that are hip but not expensive) ice cream shops, a few hip sandwich shops, coffee shops, and most importantly, teenage girls.

[Stoner]

Guitar store, a few clothing stores (that are hip but not expensive) ice cream shops, a few hip sandwich shops, coffee shops, and most importantly, teenage girls.

I almost wish I was a teenager again. The 50s were awesome.

[inkman]

Also -- a member of the Swedish media contingent might *might* have called Buffalo a sh*thole.

 

Some of the business owners are saying, "Where are the crowds?" Was the economic impact exaggerated?

Aren't they always in these instances? You know, the sellers feeding lines of BS.

[shrader]

I can't imagine Saskatoon being much of a paradise either. Etem wasn't there, but some of those media members must have been.

[spndnchz]

Also -- a member of the Swedish media contingent might *might* have called Buffalo a sh*thole.

 

Some of the business owners are saying, "Where are the crowds?" Was the economic impact exaggerated?

 

WTF r u talking about?

 

If people can't find something to do during the tournament they're just not looking.

 

http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/worldjuniors2011/default.asp

That site even has a google map all set up for where stuff is.

 

Half the hotels downtown are sold out. Did u try getting into Pano's last night? O, that's right, ur miles away.

[spndnchz]

Bars bars bars...

http://video.buffalonews.com/player/index.php?id=2152

[spndnchz]

US Jr team member Emerson Etem on twitter-

 

"much needed day off, buffalo is a ghost town!! the worst city ever, it makes medicine hat look like paradise, never thought ide say that"

 

Link- http://twitter.com/#...510513046130688

 

Edit- added link

 

...and the I'm so sorry....

 

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/world-juniors/2010/12/usa-high-on-tweets-low-on-players.html

 

"I think it’s a great host city, and I’m definitely happy to be here," Etem said after the morning skate. "I think it was interpreted in many different ways. My point to get across was not to put down a great host city like this. I know a lot of people put in time and effort to make this thing possible. For me, it’s the middle of winter. People aren’t out. It’s really cold outside. Like I said, the point for me was not to put down Buffalo."

[Eleven]

Wait until they see the annual drunkfest that is Chippewa Street on December 31. They'll really wish they were in Medicine Hat.

[repster]

Canadian fans/Leaf fans = Raider fans? So sad.

 

Canadian fans + Leaf fans or Canadian fans/US fans/Bills fans + drunk fans = Raiders fans.

[spndnchz]

Wait until they see the annual drunkfest that is Chippewa Street on December 31. They'll really wish they were in Medicine Hat.

 

Now, u know this happens much more often than annually. ;)

[carpandean]

"... the worst city ever, it makes medicine hat look like paradise ..."

"I think it was interpreted in many different ways. My point to get across was not to put down a great host city like this ... Like I said, the point for me was not to put down Buffalo."

Really? How is "the worst city ever" not meant to put down Buffalo?

[inkman]

At least this gives us something better to talk about than the sucky Sabres.

[inkman]

I hope everyone boos the ###### out of him.