Mmmm.. In all his eagerness to protecting the goalie, the checking hit all wrong, no doubt about that. I can even give you that he (Hannula) might very well have gotten more desperate in protecting the goalie, if (big if there) he even acknowledged that it was Crosby poking at the goalie. It happens, and he got a deserving personal punishment.
But to suggest it was a deliberate from Hannula, and a tactic from Team Sweden coaching, that's just plain insulting. Compared to, well, other teams, that has never been a part of our play. NEVER. But it is like they say, you judge other on the basis of yourself.
Your're (JamieG) just wants to put blame. Chill out and go swallow that bitter taste down with a good beer and a good meal. Have worked for me.
To finish this post off... I have to admit I personally haven't liked North American hockey very much through the years. Way too much play on players, and less hockey (it is of course debatable what hockey is meant to be in the first place, though
). I guess it's pretty natural, but I have liked european hockey much more, especially Czech and Russian/Soviet hockey when they're on a roll.
But in recent years, I've come to see much more play with the puck than traditionally from Canada. Still very forward, but more smarter, quicker, playing the puck. Kind of a mix of european and north american hockey. Maybe I'm all wrong in this conclusion. But I personally am finding it much more fun to watch. Keep it up!