sleddy2008
01-07-2011, 02:46 AM
C/P from TSN.ca
While hockey fans across the country have now had the chance to let Canada's third period collapse to Russia in the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship sink in, it's clear the wounds remain quite fresh.
Nowhere is this more evident than on Twitter, where fans have flocked to the social media site to celebrate Russia's victory and lament Canada's loss.
Praise for the Russian squad came from on high as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev tweeted the following from his verified account @MedvedevRussiaE:
"Congratulations to our national hockey team on winning the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. Well done!"
While Russian fans (and apparently team members) partied into the night, some very high profile Canadians were left to wonder what went wrong.
Despite the fact that they're in the public eye and earning millions of dollars, many current and former NHL players remain fans first and foremost. And when a big game is on, the eyes of the hockey world are watching.
That became apparent Wednesday night as many notable Canadian-born players took to the internet to exorcise their demons in 140 characters or less.
Atlanta Thrashers' forward Evander Kane, who captured gold for Canada in the tournament in 2009 and could have participated in this tournament if not for his professional responsibilities, appeared to have his night all planned out of watching the game and celebrating a Canadian victory afterwards. But following the loss, Kane posted the following message on his personal Twitter account (@EKaneATL9):
"This is a National Travesty," he texted.
After catching heat for his tweet, Kane followed it up with the following post, stating that it was all in jest with, "Wow, some people need a sense of humor check. Haha. Why so serious?! Lol!"
New York Islanders forward and North York, Ontario native Matt Moulson never got the chance to represent his country at the World Juniors, but his linemate John Tavares starred for Canada, capturing gold in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009. According to Moulson's account (@MMoulson) the 2009 Most Valuable player of the tournament took the loss particularly hard.
"Tough loss for Canada...I sent a box of tissues to 91's room...he's going to be heart broken."
Prior to the gold medal game, Toronto Maple Leafs forward and Regina native Tyler Bozak (@Bozie42) tweeted that he was watching the game with Russian teammates Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski, but said he didn't like their chances.
"Kuly and Grabo are cheering for Russia but I think its gonna be a sad night for them," he wrote.
Some three hours later, his tone had changed considerably with,"Wow, how did that just happen!"
As his night drew to a close, Bozak was diplomatic in his assessment of the game.
"Feel sorry for those kids," he tweeted. "That's the game of hockey. Anything can happen."
While Bozak kept up an ongoing commentary on the game all night, many others lamented the loss in simple one-liners, including San Jose Sharks rookie Logan Couture (@Logancouture) with "Wow, that hurts, tough one for the Canadians," and Washington Capitals forward Andrew Gordon (@AndrewGordon10) who tweeted, "That one stings.."
If anyone can relate to the pain being felt by the Canadian juniors today it would be Phoenix Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall (@ScottieUpshall).
He too lost out on gold in the tournament in back-to-back years (2002-03). The loss he endured in the 2002 final in Pardubice, Czech Republic was eerily similar to Wednesday night's tilt as Canada took an early lead, only to see the Russians switch goaltenders and storm back to claim the gold. For the 2003 Tournament All-Star, this edition of the WJC final was déjà vu all over again.
"There could be nothing worse...Heartbreaking," he wrote.
It was not just active NHLers having their say either, as recently-retired forward Wes Walz (@walz3737), who won gold for Canada in the 1990 tournament in Finland, offered this view:
"Flags at half staff today in Canada! Molsons and Labatts may have to double production!!!"
While he never played in the tournament, and is a healthy scratch most nights for the Phoenix Coyotes, no player is more in touch with the Twitter-verse than Paul Bissonnette.
His personal account @BizNasty2point0 is the go to location on Twitter for hockey fans to follow his always-interesting points of view on the game and life in general.
Having used the social media tool to blast New Jersey Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk on his initial contract issues, 'Biz Nasty' was a little more gracious this time, but he did use the opportunity to get in a shot at the Russians' victory celebration.
"Big win for the Russians, sick come back," he wrote. "As for their teeth, they can chew corn on the cob through a tennis racket. #NoDental?"
While hockey fans across the country have now had the chance to let Canada's third period collapse to Russia in the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship sink in, it's clear the wounds remain quite fresh.
Nowhere is this more evident than on Twitter, where fans have flocked to the social media site to celebrate Russia's victory and lament Canada's loss.
Praise for the Russian squad came from on high as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev tweeted the following from his verified account @MedvedevRussiaE:
"Congratulations to our national hockey team on winning the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. Well done!"
While Russian fans (and apparently team members) partied into the night, some very high profile Canadians were left to wonder what went wrong.
Despite the fact that they're in the public eye and earning millions of dollars, many current and former NHL players remain fans first and foremost. And when a big game is on, the eyes of the hockey world are watching.
That became apparent Wednesday night as many notable Canadian-born players took to the internet to exorcise their demons in 140 characters or less.
Atlanta Thrashers' forward Evander Kane, who captured gold for Canada in the tournament in 2009 and could have participated in this tournament if not for his professional responsibilities, appeared to have his night all planned out of watching the game and celebrating a Canadian victory afterwards. But following the loss, Kane posted the following message on his personal Twitter account (@EKaneATL9):
"This is a National Travesty," he texted.
After catching heat for his tweet, Kane followed it up with the following post, stating that it was all in jest with, "Wow, some people need a sense of humor check. Haha. Why so serious?! Lol!"
New York Islanders forward and North York, Ontario native Matt Moulson never got the chance to represent his country at the World Juniors, but his linemate John Tavares starred for Canada, capturing gold in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009. According to Moulson's account (@MMoulson) the 2009 Most Valuable player of the tournament took the loss particularly hard.
"Tough loss for Canada...I sent a box of tissues to 91's room...he's going to be heart broken."
Prior to the gold medal game, Toronto Maple Leafs forward and Regina native Tyler Bozak (@Bozie42) tweeted that he was watching the game with Russian teammates Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski, but said he didn't like their chances.
"Kuly and Grabo are cheering for Russia but I think its gonna be a sad night for them," he wrote.
Some three hours later, his tone had changed considerably with,"Wow, how did that just happen!"
As his night drew to a close, Bozak was diplomatic in his assessment of the game.
"Feel sorry for those kids," he tweeted. "That's the game of hockey. Anything can happen."
While Bozak kept up an ongoing commentary on the game all night, many others lamented the loss in simple one-liners, including San Jose Sharks rookie Logan Couture (@Logancouture) with "Wow, that hurts, tough one for the Canadians," and Washington Capitals forward Andrew Gordon (@AndrewGordon10) who tweeted, "That one stings.."
If anyone can relate to the pain being felt by the Canadian juniors today it would be Phoenix Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall (@ScottieUpshall).
He too lost out on gold in the tournament in back-to-back years (2002-03). The loss he endured in the 2002 final in Pardubice, Czech Republic was eerily similar to Wednesday night's tilt as Canada took an early lead, only to see the Russians switch goaltenders and storm back to claim the gold. For the 2003 Tournament All-Star, this edition of the WJC final was déjà vu all over again.
"There could be nothing worse...Heartbreaking," he wrote.
It was not just active NHLers having their say either, as recently-retired forward Wes Walz (@walz3737), who won gold for Canada in the 1990 tournament in Finland, offered this view:
"Flags at half staff today in Canada! Molsons and Labatts may have to double production!!!"
While he never played in the tournament, and is a healthy scratch most nights for the Phoenix Coyotes, no player is more in touch with the Twitter-verse than Paul Bissonnette.
His personal account @BizNasty2point0 is the go to location on Twitter for hockey fans to follow his always-interesting points of view on the game and life in general.
Having used the social media tool to blast New Jersey Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk on his initial contract issues, 'Biz Nasty' was a little more gracious this time, but he did use the opportunity to get in a shot at the Russians' victory celebration.
"Big win for the Russians, sick come back," he wrote. "As for their teeth, they can chew corn on the cob through a tennis racket. #NoDental?"