WJC Discussion Thread

[spndnchz]

I am now afraid to go on Sunday.

[Weave]

I saw some "ugly Canadians" on display in my section. Some teenage kid sitting behind me was wearing a Team USA jersey and they spent the entire game harassing him. I would understand a little back-and-forth but it lasted the entire game and he was just some kid at the game with his dad.

 

That really sucks and you should have done something about it. Either get up and say something or go find an usher. That is what the ushers are there for. I won't tolerate stuff like grown adults ragging on kids or verbally/physically abusing someone too meek to deal with it themselves. I'll be damned if I'll let some joker like that ruin the game for me or a kid who happens to be near me.

 

Kassian and Foligno should really change the Sabres persona next season as we'll be adding two big guys who hit, crash the net, and can't be intimidated.

 

Yeah, after seeing those two in person I am really anxious to get them on board. They have a personality that is completely missing on the Sabres right now.

[Robviously]

That really sucks and you should have done something about it. Either get up and say something or go find an usher. That is what the ushers are there for. I won't tolerate stuff like grown adults ragging on kids or verbally/physically abusing someone too meek to deal with it themselves. I'll be damned if I'll let some joker like that ruin the game for me or a kid who happens to be near me.

"Grown adults" probably isn't accurate. These were douchey Canadian twenty-something guys who probably didn't have a lot to be proud of in real life so harassing people at a hockey tournament for teenagers turned out to be the most fun they could have. Sad. And again, I can't imagine the level of douche bag you have to be to be openly delighted seeing some Czech teen get wheeled off the ice on a stretcher, especially when you're literally wearing your country's flag as a cape.

 

And I would have loved to have done something about it but I think there were about four people in the entire section not wearing Team Canada jerseys/clothing (me, the guy I was at the game with, this kid, and this kid's dad). So it wasn't a great situation numerically. Plus these guys were completely wasted so I don't think a non-Canadian asking them to settle down was going to achieve anything other than escalating things.

[Weave]

"Grown adults" probably isn't accurate. These were douchey Canadian twenty-something guys who probably didn't have a lot to be proud of in real life so harassing people at a hockey tournament for teenagers turned out to be the most fun they could have. Sad. And again, I can't imagine the level of douche bag you have to be to be openly delighted seeing some Czech teen get wheeled off the ice on a stretcher, especially when you're literally wearing your country's flag as a cape.

 

And I would have loved to have done something about it but I think there were about four people in the entire section not wearing Team Canada jerseys/clothing (me, the guy I was at the game with, this kid, and this kid's dad). So it wasn't a great situation numerically. Plus these guys were completely wasted so I don't think a non-Canadian asking them to settle down was going to achieve anything other than escalating things.

 

Ushers can (and do) remove problem causers all the time. Maybe it is my advanced age but I don't care if I'm outnumbered. If a fan is causing a problem I'm speaking up, either to them personally or to an usher. If I were that badly outnumbered and there was too much Labatt's involved I have no problem getting up and pointing out the trouble to an usher. That is what they are there and being paid for.

 

Then again, this kid's old man should've had the sense to talk to the usher as well. Probably (no... definitely) more his responsibility than yours, but stil...

[inkman]

I just hope they are actually ON the team next season. At this point a late season try out after juniors may be in order.

[Sterling Archer]

I love that etem got booed. Why should he deserve any different than anyone else? McGahee gets it. Campbell gets it. Max got it. Neil still gets it. Jagr always got it.

 

Gain the ire of anyone in Buffalo and you will get booed.

[darksabre]

I am now afraid to go on Sunday.

 

Put on the foil under your mittens.

[Eleven]

Is anyone watching right now? Norway is getting KILLED. It's like Ivan Drago against Apollo Creed.

[bunomatic]

Anyways, back to the game. Norway isn't much of a challenge but the game is entertaining. The scores gonna get way out of wack here ,6-1 after the first. Schenn with his third. Kids having a great game. The commentators were talking about the most lopsided win in World Junior history and it was 20-1 for sweden over Japan. That won't happen here. I think.

[repster]

I kind of figured this game would be a wipeout. Turned it on and it's 7-1. The Sweden game might be interesting, but I really think that the semis and final are where it's going to get ramped up. Keep it loud and proud Canada!

[bunomatic]

The scoring has slowed so I don't know if its work on the defensive side of the game or those pesky norwiegans(?) are just holding us off the board. I would think burying as many pucks as possible would be a benefit . It would be nice to see Schenn get another.

[Eleven]

The scoring has slowed so I don't know if its work on the defensive side of the game or those pesky norwiegans(?) are just holding us off the board. I would think burying as many pucks as possible would be a benefit . It would be nice to see Schenn get another.

 

Got your wish.

[thesportsbuff]

I love that etem got booed. Why should he deserve any different than anyone else? McGahee gets it. Campbell gets it. Max got it. Neil still gets it. Jagr always got it.

 

Gain the ire of anyone in Buffalo and you will get booed.

 

I agree. Love the show of support from the fans. They just zoomed in on a sign a kid was holding that said "Buffalo is the coolest city in the USA", decorated with icicles and snowflakes.

[bunomatic]

I think Campbell must be getting a little lonely ,37-11 shots for the U.S.

[Bmwolf21]

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.

This. I have a fantastic Official Fan Guide in front of me, which was picked up by my wife at the Niagara Falls Wegman's while we were visiting family earlier this week. (Fantastic foreword by Jim Kelley, btw.) 46 color pages of schedules, maps, venues, travel information (crossing the borders) coupons, ads, and details on everything fans need to know or would want to do - where to eat, shop, attractions, etc. - even info on places to worship.

 

It was included in the Buffalo News and from what I understand is available at the game venues, hotels, and other areas for visitors to pick up.

 

You can check it out here:

 

http://shopping.buffalonews.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=94138&pagenum=1&facing=true

[Bmwolf21]

One other thing. The team USA merchandise selection SUCKS and what little there was is not being replenished(I asked a couple of different clerks in the main store)!

The USA Hockey online store is pretty bad as well. I was very disappointed in the selection and prices.

 

I'd go if the seats were like $20 a pop. I can't afford these prices.

Same here. My brother went to the USA-Finland game and wanted to know if I wanted to get tix with them. $85 apiece. No way could I swing that, not the day after Christmas. $25-50, probably.

 

FWIW, on the topic of unruly fans - he said he saw a lot of Canada fans acting like complete jackasses at the US-Finland game. He said there were a couple near-brawls and a lot of rude, disrespectful behavior from the guests from the Great White North.

[Bmwolf21]

And I'm gonna apologize now for perpetuating the hijack of the Team USA thread. I didn't see the other WJC thread until just now.

 

Anyway....USA looked good again tonight. Jumped on Germany early and pretty much controlled the game all night. Should be an interesting match-up tomorrow night with the Swiss.

[themaze2332]

There were a few on the board who reported this idiotic behaviour during the finland/U.S.A. game the first day of the tournament. Are you referring to that game? I would hope that the host country and the fans of the U.S. wouldn't have to put up with these a$$clowns every game and that the security would start throwing them out on their heads. That being said, when and why does the behaviour of Canadian shoppers who may or may not disrespect your malls(?) and city come into play in this discussion. Every Canadian on this board agrees that the Canadian fans that disrespect the host country or its people are idiots but don't bring up the behaviour of shoppers who support your failing economy and ( apparently) leave cardboard boxes behind. Provide them with a cardboard box dumpster and encourage them to continue supporting your economy. BUT that has nothing to do with the behaviour of the small percentage of Canadians that are acting like idiots at the tournament. If you want to start a pissing match about incident of boorish or disrespectful behaviour by what we term 'ugly Americans' up here in Canada on vacation we Canadians could fill the board. I could personally recount numerous incidents from my own perspective being that I grew up in an area where Americans Good and bad liked to enjoy the sportfishing. I won't because this isn't the place and I realize that they do not offer a true representation of good American people in general. Grow some thicker skin and write a letter to the National Post up in Toronto if you have concerns. Everyone in Canada will know about these fan incidents very quickly if it is carried by the post and people will be embarrassed and quite frankly appalled. Great win by the U.S. last night!

 

1) Not starting a pissing match. Just making a comment on what I saw when I went to the Finland-USA game, with an infusion of what I have seen growing up in the WNY area. As already stated, I agree with you that both of our countries have people we wish would not represent the majority.

 

2) I wish Team Canada luck against Sweden and Team USA luck against Switzerland.

 

3) Happy New Year to all - I hope 2011 is a happy and healthy one for all people and their families:) Let's hope out teams kick off the celebrations with victories:)

[Eleven]

Tonight's game was a pleasure to be at. Not just because of the result--there was great rapport between the USA fans and the (comparatively very few) Germany fans. A bunch of Canada fans started a Canada chant in the third, but that was hardly objectionable; it was actually pretty cool.

 

All in all, a nice night for international sport.

 

Now, if USA can beat the Swiss tomorrow, well, it will be great. WIn the group, and then face Sweden--or maybe Canada.

[spndnchz]

Putting these together and pinning...

[Hank]

Was two threads really an issue??? Why? I actually prefered separate threads for the US and Canadian teams, I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[thesportsbuff]

I prefer just one thread. The conversation just overlaps anyway. Anytime you're talking about either Team Canada or Team USA, the other one is going to come up in discussion.

[Hank]

Ok, perhaps I am the only one....

[Eleven]

Doesn't matter to me that much, especially as we're getting to the relegation and playoff rounds on Sunday.

 

BTW, I did not get to find out whether the siren sounded for German goals last night, as I said I would.

[thesportsbuff]

WOW hit of the tournament from Foligno right there..