Speaking out: The puck stops with IOC President Rogge if women's hockey is to grow

I am an enormous fan of women's sports. And that includes non-Olympic women's sports, such as the Northwestern women's lacrosse team, whose success has turned into my favorite story of the last five years.

I have railed at the International Olympic Committee for not allowing female ski jumpers to compete at the 2010 Olympics, for allowing women's softball to be dumped from the Olympic program, for its staggeringly poor representation of women among its own membership (barely 15%), for having just one woman on its 15-member executive board, for allowing international sports federations to have an even more dismal record on women in leadership positions.

Having established, I hope, my bona fides as a relentless backer of more opportunities for women as athletes and sports leaders, I am going to take what may seem an incongruous position.

I agree with IOC President Jacques Rogge's feeling that unless the level of women's hockey outside Canada and the United States improves, the sport has no future in the Olympics.

Where Rogge and I differ, though, is he would put all the burden for that improvement on individual nations and the International Ice Hockey Federation, while I say the burden is on the IOC. Otherwise, the IOC's professed goal of gender equity in the Olympics will ring hollow.

That IOC posture of fobbing off responsibility led to its shameful failure to prevent the International Luge Federation from issuing a half-baked report blaming Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili's "driver error" for the accident that led to his death.

Bobby Ryan: A bittersweet finish to the Winter Olympics

Hello Times readers!

Well, the Olympics are now over, but I had a great time in Vancouver. I was really able to soak up every moment of it and make it a trip worth remembering. It’s something that I won’t forget; how cool it was to represent my country and play in some pretty big games.

The gold-medal game was actually at 12:20 p.m. local time, 20 minutes later than when we normally played in Vancouver. I think that had us extra anxious to get started, it was quiet in the locker room. Guys were trying to get focused and really just wanting to get the game going because we knew what it was going to be like.

It was a heck of a day and I had a blast. It was unlike any other game that I have played, that’s for sure. The Canadian fans were rowdy, and the U.S. fans were rowdy, too. We could hear the U.S. chants quite a bit. It would have been nicer had we come out with a win, but it was still pretty cool to be able to play in a game that went into overtime and really make a push for a gold medal.

Being awarded an Olympic silver medal is a very bittersweet experience. That’s the best way I can put it. You want to soak it up and enjoy the moment when you receive the medal, hang onto it and cherish it. But at the same time, you’ve just lost a game that meant quite a bit to you. It’s tough. That being said, after spending 30 minutes doing interviews and getting back to our rooms, we were able to enjoy the moment amongst ourselves. We had one hell of a group. I still think we were a team that was thrown together hoping to go in and try to medal. To be a team that almost ran the table, it meant a lot. We had a good night after the game, but we had to part ways Monday and that was tough. Standing on the ice with those 20 guys collecting their medals is a feeling I will never forget.

USA-Canada hockey sets TV viewing records for NBC

Canada's 3-2 win over the U.S. in the Olympic gold medal hockey game Sunday was seen by an average of 27.6 million, the most-viewed hockey game in any setting since the 1980 Lake Placid Gold Medal game in the year where the U.S. capped off its "Do you believe in miracles," semifinal win over the Soviet Union by beating Finland in the final game.

The tape-delayed Feb. 24, 1980, U.S.-Finland game had 32.8 million viewers, and the semifinal game against Russia (also tape-delayed) averaged 34.2 million viewers. The 2002 Salt Lake City gold medal game, also between the U.S. and Canada, was seen by 17.1 million in comparison.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat to observe a nation of fans that appreciates winter sports, is proud of their winter sport heritage and celebrates success, no matter which country wins. So it was only fitting yesterday when Sidney Crosby scored the goal to give Canadians the gold that meant so much to this country,” said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.  “ ‘O Canada’ will never be the same.”

According to the Nielsen Co., the viewing audience peaked at 34.8 million viewers between 2:30 and 3:06 PST, when Team USA's Zach Parise sent the game to overtime with 24.4 seconds left in regulation. 

Dmitry Medvedev demands resignations over Russia's disappointing Olympics performance

One of the most-anticipated reactions of the Vancouver Games appears to have taken off.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has demanded the country's sports officials resign following Russia's disappointing performance in the Winter Olympics. In a televised statement, Medvedev told officials to resign before the government would force them out.

"Those who bear the responsibility for Olympics preparations should carry that responsibility. It's totally clear," Medvedev said. "I think that the individuals responsible, or several of them, who answer for these preparations, should take the courageous decision to hand in their notice. If we don't see such decisiveness, we will help them."

Medvedev's reaction was somewhat expected considering Russia's reputation as a Winter Olympics power. Russian officials were hoping to win 30 medals at the Vancouver Games. Instead, the country took home 15, including three gold medals, to finish sixth in the medal count -- its lowest ranking in post-Soviet history.

The Russian president also was directly affected by the country's poor play. Medvedev had hinted before the Olympics he wanted to see Russia men's hockey team play for the gold medal. His hopes were dashed by Russia's embarrassing loss to Canada in the quarterfinals.

U.S. goalie Ryan Miller voted MVP of men's hockey tournament

U.S. goaltender Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres was voted the most valuable player of the men's Olympic hockey tournament after leading his team to the gold-medal game.

Miller had a 1.35 goals-against average and .946 save percentage in six games, spanning 355 minutes and seven seconds.

The tournament all-star team, as selected by the media,  had Miller in goal, Brian Rafalski of the U.S. and Shea Weber of Canada on defense, and at forward Pavol Demitra of Slovakia, Jonathan Toews of Canada and Zach Parise of the U.S.

 

The tournament directorate's best player awards were won by Miller, Rafalski and Toews.

 

--Helene Elliott in Vancouver, Canada

U.S. vs. Canada: Live updates from the gold-medal hockey game

Canada 3, U.S. 2 (final)

Sidney Crosby scores to give Canada the 3-2 victory. It is also Canada's 14th gold medal of the Games, setting a Winter Olympics record.

Crosby first knocked the puck free from Brian Rafalski on the left boards and it rolled to Jerome Iginla, who was being knocked down when he got it across to Crosby, who slipped a 15-footer between Miller’s legs, setting off wild celebrations across the country,

Crosby actually had been struggling much of the game, with more turnovers than shots

Canada out shot the U.S. 7-4 in the overtime.

Overtime has begun.

 

U.S. 2, Canada 2 (end of regulation)

Parise’s goal sent the game into a 20-minute, sudden-death overtime with the teams playing 4 on 4.  A  shootout would follow if it remains tied. The shots were also tied at 32 going into overtime.

U.S. 2, Canada 2 (24 seconds remaining)

Zach Parise scores. It's all tied folks!

 

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (1:30 remaining)

U.S. has pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (2:00 remaining, third period)

Canada's Sidney Crosby had a breakaway but lost control of the puck and didn't get off a real shot.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (6:00 remaining, third period)

Canada's defense is tightening, U.S. can't seem to get off a clean shot.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (8:00 remaining, third period)

You can feel the anticipation in the crowd building.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (10:00 remaining, third period)

A lot of back and forth action. Luongo and Miller have both had standout nights. Really, it's a shame that either team has to lose. Kane’s turnover with 10:20 to go led to a great chance for Dany Heatley that Miller flashed a pad to stop.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (16:20 remaining, third period)

First minute of second period, Toews stole puck behind net, got it back to Weber, who hit the post.  A minute later, Chris Pronger hit the other post, underscoring why the iron can be a goalie’s best friend. U.S. seems a little impatient early on, with many early shots before anyone is even in position for a rebound.

 

As the third period begins, a note about Kesler's goal: Kesler and Canada goalie Roberto Luongo are teammates on the Vancouver Canucks.   Kesler had said before the game he knew what Luongo’s weaknesses were and wouldn’t be afraid to share them with his U.S. teammates, no matter how that might impact future NHL matchups.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (end of second period)

U.S. dictated the pace of play the last 10 minutes, and really stepped up their level of aggressiveness. Luongo made several outstanding saves in what has been a great hockey game so far.

The intensity of the game ratcheted up exponentially after the goal energized the U.S.

With Kane leading the way, cruising in circles with the puck in the Canada zone, working shots from the side of the circle, the U.S. suddenly began to control the play for lengthier stretches as the second period ended with Canada ahead 2-1.

Canada missed a great chance to put a stake in the U.S. back when Dan Boyle’s brilliant pass sent Eric Staal in alone with 53 seconds left in the period, but Stahl’s shot went high and wide.

The shots were even in the second period, with Canada holding a 25-23 advantage after two.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (4:23 remaining, second period)

Miller somehow got a glove on Shea Weber’s drive from the blue line, even though the goalie was entirely screened.  His glove may just have been in right place.

Canada 2, U.S. 1 (7:16 remaining, second period)

Ryan Kesler deflects a Patrick Kane shot past Luongo and into the net. Game on!

Canada 2, U.S. 0 (9:35 remaining, second period)

Canada kills off the power play. U.S. has a couple of chances to score but Canada goalie Roberto Luongo stands tall in the net.

Canada 2, U.S. 0 (11:35 remaining, second period)

Another power-play opportunity for the U.S. after Toews is sent off for tripping. They really need to score here to quiet the crowd a little.

Canada 2, U.S. 0 (13:24 remaining, second period)

Corey Perry scores off a rebound, putting the puck past Miller and sending the crowd into a sustained frenzy. Canada had just successfully killed off a power play.

Canada 1, U.S. 0  (15:25 remaining, second period)

U.S. kills the power play, then gets one of their own when Eric Staal is sent to the penalty box.

Canada 1, U.S. 0  (17:27 remaining, second period)

Power play for Canada. Ryan Malone sent off for high-sticking.

Second period is underway

Canada 1, U.S. 0  (end of first period)

At the end of a very physical first period, Canada led 1-0 with a 10-8 advantage in shots.

The U.S. had pressed the action early but was on its heels through the middle 10 minutes of the period before a flurry in the last 30 seconds.

Canada 1, U.S. 0  (5:38 remaining first period)

Bobby Ryan called for trip with 6 min to go, first penalty of game, but Canada got only one dangerous chance as US killed it.

Canada 1, U.S. 0  (7:09 remaining first period)

Bad pass, shot, Jonathan Toews scores on the rebound.

U.S. 0, Canada 0 (10:25 remaining first period)

U.S. comes an inch from a goal when the puck slides along the goal line during a scrum in front of the net. Duncan Keith of Canada pushed the puck off the line and under goalie Roberto Luongo.

U.S. 0, Canada 0 (11:09 remaining first period)

U.S. turnover deep in their own zone. Ryan Miller stops a point-blank shot.

U.S. 0, Canada 0 (13:45 remaining, first period)

End-to-end action at a frantic pace so far. Canada is dictating the pace of play right now. U.S. needs to weather these first few minutes.

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Team USA was greeted with a smattering of boos as it came out for warm-up at Canada Hockey Palace.

Canada didn't come out until four minutes later, and the crowd made a similar sound with an "ooooh" in it, except this was preceded by an "l," for "Lou," the nickname of Canada's goalie Roberto Luongo, who was first onto the ice.

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During warm-ups, USA's Ryan Malone flicked several pucks at the feet of his former NHL teammate, Canadian star Sidney Crosby. And each time Ryan Kesler skated along the red line, he held his stick high when passing a Canadian player.

People were lining up at the doors of sports bars three hours before the start of the U.S. vs. Canada gold-medal men's hockey game Sunday.

The crowds on the streets made it seem like an Ohio State-Michigan game in Columbus, with only a handful of Michigan fans in attendance.

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It's a sea of Canada red -- hockey jerseys, red toques, red mittens, red scarves.

And it has been that way since Canada held off Slovakia in Friday's semifinal.

Older Canadians are saying this is the biggest game since the 1972 Summit Series against the Big Red Machine, the eight-game series between Canada and the Soviet Union that inspired Canadian nationalism at a level that had not been seen since -- until these Vancouver Olympics.

In 1972, a Canadian team everyone figured would rout the Soviets had shockingly gone 1-2-1 in the first four games, played in Canada, then lost the first game in the Soviet Union.  Just as stunningly, they won the next three games in the Soviet Union, including the decisive one by 6-5 on Paul Henderson's goal at 19:28 of the third period.

For younger Canadians, this is the game of their lives.

-- Philip Hersh and Houston Mitchell

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A look at how the gold-medal finalists match up

Photo: Canada celebrates winning the gold medal. Credit: Harry How, Getty Images.

Team USA has had to change its travel plans [updated]

Defenseman Jack Johnson of the Kings said he and his U.S. teammates have been scrambling to reschedule their flights out of Vancouver because they were booked to leave town before Sunday's gold- medal game against Canada.

"They scheduled all the Americans to fly out Sunday morning. Whoever is in charge of this scheduled us to fly out tomorrow morning and I think the Russians and Swedes are supposed to fly out on Monday," Johnson said. "I'm glad we get to change that."

The NHL Players Assn. handles players' travel arrangements for the Olympics, per the collective bargaining agreement. NHLPA spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon responded via email (the IIHF is the International Ice Hockey Federation):

"The NHLPA booked the traveling for hundreds of individuals, including players and their families and guests. Due to the significant amount of flights that needed to be booked, we proactively booked departing and returning flights for all players – with the return flights based on last year’s IIHF World Championships results and their national team’s IIHF ranking. It simply was not practical for us to wait on booking these return flights because of the large quantity of players and guests involved. NHLPA members from all nations were all made aware of this prior to the Olympics when they received their flight confirmation correspondence."

Johnson, who chartered a flight to Vancouver to participate in the Olympic opening ceremony, said he would not charter a flight back to Los Angeles. "I'll walk before I have to do that," he said.

After the Olympic break the Kings resume play Tuesday at Dallas, and Johnson said he's not sure whether he will go to Los Angeles or directly to Dallas. "I don't know. We're all up in the air as far as schedules.

"Quite frankly, if we win a gold medal I think we'll walk to wherever we have to go."

-- Helene Elliott, in Vancouver, Canada

Lubomir Visnovsky has 'great memory' after Slovakia challenges Canada in hockey semifinals

Slovakia defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, a former King, took his country's semifinal loss to Canada on Friday stoically.

Visnovsky and his teammates cut Canada's 3-0 lead to one goal and nearly pulled even with a late push but fell just short.

"The first 40 minutes we play not bad; just we play with big respect for Canada," said Visnovsky, who scored Slovakia's first goal, at 11:35 of the third period.

"But the last 10 minutes, after we score the goal, we start to play our style. I don’t know how many chances there were in that last minute. It was very close to tying the game.

"This is great memory for me and I was here with the best team in the world, the Canadian team, and we play good."

Playing Finland for the bronze medal Saturday, he said, "is a big day for Slovakia."

-- Helene Elliott in Vancouver, Canada

Canada defeats Slovakia in men's hockey, setting up gold-medal game rematch with U.S.

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, Canada held on in a frantic third period to defeat Slovakia, 3-2, and advance to the gold-medal game in men's hockey, where it will face the U.S.

The U.S. and Canada have faced off once already in the Vancouver Games, with the U.S. defeating Canada, 5-3. It seems all of Canada has been hoping for a rematch and a chance to show the Americans how to really play the game that Canada invented. 

Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow and the Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf scored for Canada. Slovakia had several chances to tie the score in the final two minutes, but Canada goalie Roberto Luongo made several nice saves to preserve the victory.

Slovakia plays Finland for the bronze medal Saturday, and the U.S. and Canada will have their rematch Sunday at 12:15 in a game that will be televised live on NBC.

-- Houston Mitchell in Vancouver, Canada 

Photo: Brenden Morrow celebrates a goal. Credit: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images.

Ducks and U.S. winger Bobby Ryan okay after taking a puck on the ear

Team USA and Ducks winger Bobby Ryan, a scorer, grinder, blogger and general all-around good guy, suffered a cut on his ear when he was hit by a puck Friday during the late stages of Team USA's 6-1 semifinal victory over Finland, but team officials said he was fine.

Ryan was awaiting medical attention after the game but a team spokesman said the damage was minor and that Ryan was alert and showing no ill effects from the mishap. Ryan was struck on the side of his head during the third period.

Team USA is scheduled to practice Saturday in advance of Sunday's game, which NBC announced will be shown live on the West Coast starting at noon.

Helene Elliott in Vancouver