Canada's (New) Biggest Rival

[SpitsOHL89]

The Russian's are Canada's historic rival and the U.S. are always a major foe but apparently the Swedes are taking it upon themselves to really get under Canada's skin. During the entire tournament the Swedes demonstrated a flat-out disrespect for team Canada. It started before the tournament even began when they came out and basically said they weren't even worried about the Canadians and that the Americans were the favourites.

It continued after the Swedes shoot-out win when the Swedish coach (with Canadian coach Dave Cameron sitting mere feet away from him) claimed that they had tougher games against the Russians and Czech's even though they won those games by scores of 2-0 and 6-3 respectively as opposed to a hard fought 5-4 shootout win over Canada.

After they lost to Russia in the semi's, goaltender Robin Lehner complained about officiating saying that the called off icing which led to the Russian's second goal "would not have happened to Canada." And then the icing on the cake to Sweden's obvious discontent for the Canadians was when TSN showed a congratulatory sign that was posted on the Russian locker room door almost immediately following their gold medal win. The sign was from the Swedes congratulating the Russians on winning the gold medal, but it might as well have been sent to team Canada because they were clearly trying to rub it in their faces.

It almost seemed as of the Swedes were going out of their way to get under team Canada's skin throughout the entire tournament and although it was rendered meaningless in the end, hopefully it is something the Canadians will remember.

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[AquaticBirdman]

Haters gonna hate.

 

[BLBarmada]

I'm so happy that the Swedes went home empty handed and I think that our fastest growing rivalry is with them. That being said it's on now, between the US and the Russians were out for revenge and this tournament is going to be amazing next year but its going to be a long wait for a shot at redemption.

 

[Dosing]

You misstake "getting under their skin" with "knowing how fragile their confidence is" it's so funny

When people cry about congratulating the winners...

 

[BobDobolina]

The Russian's are Canada's historic rival and the U.S. are always a major foe but apparently the Swedes are taking it upon themselves to really get under Canada's skin. During the entire tournament the Swedes demonstrated a flat-out disrespect for team Canada. It started before the tournament even began when they came out and basically said they weren't even worried about the Canadians and that the Americans were the favourites.

Did they really now? If you are referring to the comments by Anton Lander I don't see how you can see it disrespectful to Canada in any way (unless you are paid to spin stuff like the boys over TSN)
He said they consider the US as their biggest competition in the tournament, how is that disrespectful to Canada?

 

[brtriad]

Did they really now? If you are referring to the comments by Anton Lander I don't see how you can see it disrespectful to Canada in any way (unless you are paid to spin stuff like the boys over TSN)
He said they consider the US as their biggest competition in the tournament, how is that disrespectful to Canada?

Ego. Canada is used to being the Goliath of hockey and if they aren't considered so, I suppose it's taken as a shot to their abilities.

 

[Petey21]

This isn't a new rivalry, it's been going on for several years now. Canada vs Sweden threads have been pretty heated on this site the last few years, so no late breaking news here really.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The Russian's are Canada's historic rival and the U.S. are always a major foe but apparently the Swedes are taking it upon themselves to really get under Canada's skin. During the entire tournament the Swedes demonstrated a flat-out disrespect for team Canada. It started before the tournament even began when they came out and basically said they weren't even worried about the Canadians and that the Americans were the favourites.

It continued after the Swedes shoot-out win when the Swedish coach (with Canadian coach Dave Cameron sitting mere feet away from him) claimed that they had tougher games against the Russians and Czech's even though they won those games by scores of 2-0 and 6-3 respectively as opposed to a hard fought 5-4 shootout win over Canada.

After they lost to Russia in the semi's, goaltender Robin Lehner complained about officiating saying that the called off icing which led to the Russian's second goal "would not have happened to Canada." And then the icing on the cake to Sweden's obvious discontent for the Canadians was when TSN showed a congratulatory sign that was posted on the Russian locker room door almost immediately following their gold medal win. The sign was from the Swedes congratulating the Russians on winning the gold medal, but it might as well have been sent to team Canada because they were clearly trying to rub it in their faces.

It almost seemed as of the Swedes were going out of their way to get under team Canada's skin throughout the entire tournament and although it was rendered meaningless in the end, hopefully it is something the Canadians will remember.

So what you're saying is Sweden didn't kowtow to the almighty Team Canada? What a shame.....

 

[Dosing]

Ego. Canada is used to being the Goliath of hockey and if they aren't considered so, I suppose it's taken as a shot to their abilities.

Thankfully most countrys are good at many things or we be at WW6 by now

 

[SpitsOHL89]

Did they really now? If you are referring to the comments by Anton Lander I don't see how you can see it disrespectful to Canada in any way (unless you are paid to spin stuff like the boys over TSN)
He said they consider the US as their biggest competition in the tournament, how is that disrespectful to Canada?

How is that disrespectful to Canada? Maybe because he is saying that to a Canadian source in reference to a tournament in which he knows gets incredible attention in Canada. Not one other player on any other team made any comments saying who they thought were the favourites, but he felt the need to come out and say that.

 

[SpitsOHL89]

So what you're saying is Sweden didn't kowtow to the almighty Team Canada? What a shame.....

There is difference between competing and blatantly trying to disrupt another team. You didn't see anything like this from Canada, U.S or the Russians. Apparently the Swedes had a different agenda and thought trying to get Canada off their game would help them. The Canadians, Americans and Russians just went about their business and guess what, they went home with medals while a Swedish team with equal talent goes home empty handed.

 

[BobDobolina]

How is that disrespectful to Canada? Maybe because he is saying that to a Canadian source in reference to a tournament in which he knows gets incredible attention in Canada. Not one other player on any other team made any comments saying who they thought were the favourites, but he felt the need to come out and say that.

So someone asked him a question and he replied to it honestly. Major parts of the Canadian media, including TSN were drumming US as the favorites so what's the big deal here. He was giving a compliment to the US, not downplaying Canada in anyway. For some people to get upset over that simply reeks insecurity more than anything.

 

[Minister of Offence]

So someone asked him a question and he replied to it honestly. Major parts of the Canadian media, including TSN were drumming US as the favorites so what's the big deal here. He was giving a compliment to the US, not downplaying Canada in anyway. For some people to get upset over that simply reeks insecurity more than anything.

Kudos to the Americans kids for not answering: "Yeah we for sure are the favourites"...even though that may have been what they honestly thought. Stay neutral in the media, as they did, as the Swedes made a point not to, as they have for a couple years now.

 

[SpitsOHL89]

So someone asked him a question and he replied to it honestly. Major parts of the Canadian media, including TSN were drumming US as the favorites so what's the big deal here. He was giving a compliment to the US, not downplaying Canada in anyway. For some people to get upset over that simply reeks insecurity more than anything.

And you don't think the same question was asked to everyone else? Obviously the Canadians, Americans and Russians were asked the same question but you didn't hear them say anything further about who they thought were the favourites. Anyways, had those comments been the only instance that took place then it wouldn't have been a problem but that was just the first of a slew of odd things that the Swedes did.

Their coach saying that their games against Russia and the Czechs were tougher even though they won those games handely but beat Canada in a shootout? Come on. And then having a note made up to congratulate the Russians immediately after they won? I'm pretty sure they never did that whenever Canada has won. They did it to rub it in to the Canadians, especially in which the way the game was lost.

 

[Chimpradamus]

... It continued after the Swedes shoot-out win when the Swedish coach (with Canadian coach Dave Cameron sitting mere feet away from him) claimed that they had tougher games against the Russians and Czech's even though they won those games by scores of 2-0 and 6-3 respectively as opposed to a hard fought 5-4 shootout win over Canada...

That's not even what he said. That's your own interpretation. And he explained exactly what he meant in a followup interview. Looking at quality scoring chances, the game pictures in these games were different from the scores.

... It almost seemed as of the Swedes were going out of their way to get under team Canada's skin throughout the entire tournament and although it was rendered meaningless in the end, hopefully it is something the Canadians will remember.

If we're going to generalize... Annoying being on the other side of the fence, isn't it? This is exactly what Hockey Canada has been up to in the last decades and hasn't stopped even after winning, which especially is a cultural taboo. The line has to be drawn in the sand somewhere. That's not hard to understand. It took 20 years, but it has been drawn. You have to show that you find another partys' behaviour untolerable.

Sure, it could be handled in another way... but it's not like other - official - ways haven't been tried.

You get the respect you deserve.

 

[Minister of Offence]

The line has to be drawn in the sand somewhere. That's not hard to understand.

What's that very specific reason?

Does it bother Sweden that Canada looks to Russia and the US as bigger rivals?

 

[Christ]

Where did Sweden finish again? Fourth?

While Sweden is an excellent hockey nation, this year's world juniors made one of the biggest mistakes in sports...showing no respect for their opponents. Nothing good can come out of this kind of mentality in sports. No one likes it and everyone will be hoping to see you fail. This can motovate opponents and make play harder than they normally would, maybe even leading some players to attempt to injure your players. Officials are more prone to giving your opposition the benifit of the doubt on calls as well.

If Sweden wants to become a hockey power viewed in the same light as Canada or Russia, they need to learn to keep these kinds of unsportsmanlike comments to themselves.

 

[Humphrey*]

this sounds like whining by the OP to be honest. those awful, awful Swedes. sigh.

 

[Chimpradamus]

Where did Sweden finish again? Fourth?

While Sweden is an excellent hockey nation, this year's world juniors made one of the biggest mistakes in sports...showing no respect for their opponents. Nothing good can come out of this kind of mentality in sports. No one likes it and everyone will be hoping to see you fail. This can motovate opponents and make play harder than they normally would, maybe even leading some players to attempt to injure your players. Officials are more prone to giving your opposition the benifit of the doubt on calls as well.

If Sweden wants to become a hockey power viewed in the same light as Canada or Russia, they need to learn to keep these kinds of unsportsmanlike comments to themselves.

This has nothing to do with sports results. It has everything to do with the attitude. I don't think Hockey Sweden could care less if they are the worst hockey team or not when it comes to this issue.

It's that Canadian hockey attitude (the biggest, the baddest, the best and we expect to be treated that way, even when we constantly boast) that Swedish journalists, coaches, players and fans have grown sick and tired of after, yes I say it again, 20 years of disrespect towards others that you are so desperate to receive respect from yourselves. That's the issue. Swedish culture detests a behaviour that strays away from humility, to the extreme (Jante Law), especially if it is a winner that strays. Respect is something that works as a mirror, so it's not favourable that things are starting to turn out like this. But it takes two to tango.

What's that very specific reason?

Does it bother Sweden that Canada looks to Russia and the US as bigger rivals?

That Hockey Canada needs to come back to earth after too many years of binge boasting.

I don't agree with their methods, but this is more of individuals protesting in their own way, there is no plan. You can call it disobedience if you want. Don't get me wrong here. Sweden love Canada, because the two countries are very similar, both in culture, political climate and in actual climate. But when it comes to hockey, Swedes have started to find the Canadian way, in attitude, obnoxious and intolerable. Official correspondence regarding the matter hasn't worked at all. This is why this is happening. It's a cultural sports clash and seems to be an ongoing protest.

I would call it a cold war of disrespect. Is it childish, immature? Probably. But every human being draws a line, even if it sometimes is with irrational behaviour.

 

[Hivemind]

Canada's biggest rival is anything but the gold medal. Everytime Canada loses, their insecurity bubbles over like this. It happened with the USA win last year, and the Russian win this year. It happened after the loss to the US in the Olympics last year, and only a Crosby OT goal in the gold medal game saved Canada from complete mental self-destruction. It happened in 2006 at the Olympics as well.

Why wouldn't Russia be equally offended that the Swedish team called the USA the favorites? If you want to try to interpret that as a barb (which it wasn't), then it applies to everyone other than the US and Sweden, not just Canada.

And to say that congratulating the winners is a shot at the Canadians?

Their coach saying that their games against Russia and the Czechs were tougher even though they won those games handely but beat Canada in a shootout? Come on. And then having a note made up to congratulate the Russians immediately after they won? I'm pretty sure they never did that whenever Canada has won. They did it to rub it in to the Canadians, especially in which the way the game was lost.

If you watched the Sweden-Russia game, you could easily see that Russia ouplayed Sweden for most of the game, and it was basically Lehner who bailed them out. I'll actually agree that they were a bigger test of the Swedes than the Canadians (despite the scoreboard). I didn't watch the Czech-Sweden game, so I cannot comment on that one.

And you have aboslutely no way of proving they wouldn't congratulate the Canadians, that's your own insecurity boiling over a projecting your anger and frustration onto someone else.

 

[crashman]

I pretty sure Canada is every country's rival in all international tournaments, they are historically the best and everyone wants to be the ones to knock them off the pedestal.

 

[Neely2005]

Stephen Brunt was talking about this yesterday with Bob McCowan on Prime Time Sports and he basically said that the Russians were polite, well mannered, respectful young men while the Swedish players were the exact opposite and always swearing, trash talking and down right boorish.

If you want to listen to the segment you may be able to find it on the FAN 590 website.

 

[Chimpradamus]

Stephen Brunt was talking about this yesterday with Bob McCowan on Prime Time Sports and he basically said that the Russians were polite, well mannered, respectful young men while the Swedish players were the exact opposite and always swearing and trash talking.

If you want to listen to the segment you may be able to find it on the FAN 590 website.

It's a cold war of disrespect, so that you heard this is not that strange. I think it has gotten out of hand and is getting ridiculous, but it's sports.

A disarmament of disrespect from both parties is how you cool this thing off. But it's hockey we're talking about.

 

[Dosing]

Stephen Brunt was talking about this yesterday with Bob McCowan on Prime Time Sports and he basically said that the Russians were polite, well mannered, respectful young men while the Swedish players were the exact opposite and always swearing and trash talking.

If you want to listen to the segment you may be able to find it on the FAN 590 website.

2 canadians assuring eachother once more it was trolling? omg
How insecure are you people what the xD

 

[Nordic*]

Did they really now? If you are referring to the comments by Anton Lander I don't see how you can see it disrespectful to Canada in any way (unless you are paid to spin stuff like the boys over TSN)
He said they consider the US as their biggest competition in the tournament, how is that disrespectful to Canada?

Canada has a huge ego when it comes to hockey. They don't allow anyone to say that another country poses a bigger threat, that's disrespecful. They did, after all, invent hockey.

What's that very specific reason?

Does it bother Sweden that Canada looks to Russia and the US as bigger rivals?

We don't cry about it or see it as disrespectful if that's what you mean.

If Sweden wants to become a hockey power viewed in the same light as Canada or Russia, they need to learn to keep these kinds of unsportsmanlike comments to themselves.

We are.

4 of the top-9 in points in the NHL are Swedes.

2 out of the top-4 in points for defencemen are Swedes.

We've had some of the best hockey players in the world the last 20 years, won the Olympics etc. You're kidding yourselves if you think that Canada are heads and shoulders above us, Swedish hockey players are highly respected. And also take into account that our players usually develop slowly. When we've had juniors fighting for the gold the last few years, that means that these players will develop a lot in the coming years and grow to be amazing players.

Just look at Alfredsson, Naslund, Lidstrom, Zetterberg etc.. There were many Canadians viewed as clearly better than they were when they were 15-19 - but then their real development started, just a few years later than their Canadian counterparts.

You have 8.5 times as many hockey players than Sweden, and still only at about the same level. Imagine the players we'd have if we had 8.5 times as many players in our talent pool. Get over yourselves and try to show some humility. I know it's hard for you, but at least try.