We just won our second World Championships in a row with a 5-3 win over Sweden. Combine that with this year's Spengler Cup win and the Olympic gold and it appears we're back on top of the sport. Why? Here are my observations.
The teams are getting younger. You still need your veterans to lead by example but you need the younger legs for their speed and hunger. We also have a new generation of goalies, who like the forwards, are getting a chance to shine now that the torch has been passed to them.
Parity in the NHL is helping the World tourny become more competitive each year. Canada added Scott Niedermayer to the squad as the Devils were ousted in the first round. He may have been co-MVP with Heatley. Each year, top echelon teams are eliminated which leaves top calibre players available to be selected to the squad. Canada has more players to choose from.
Canada's skill level is starting to come to the fore. We've long been known as heart and soul players. Guys who would go in the corner, guys who'd drop the gloves, guys you'd want out in the last minutes of a close game. Now we have a fresh batch of younger, skilled players to mesh with the "down and dirty" guys who also have a bit more skill than their older predecessors.
It's our sport damn it!! I think we have had enough of other countries winning gold in our sport. As always, the original is usually better, and we're the originators of heart and soul. We'll do that little extra it takes to become champs!
Whatever the reasons are, it sure is nice to be on top of the hockey world again.
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