Australia Win Gold With Perfect 1-0 Win

[gator3535]

No longer is ice hockey a novelty in Australia. A magic tournament ended with a fairy-tale ending, as the Mighty Roos Australian Senior Men’s Ice Hockey team closed down the Chinese national team 1 goal to nil in Newcastle, New South Wales Australia. The Aussies were perfect through the tournament, winning each of their five games in regulation time; their last two games in shut-outs, denying their opposition a single goal. Australian goalie Matt Ezzy was awarded ‘Best Goalie of Tournament’ for his feat in winning four games from four played, and allowing only four goals by him throughout the tournament.

The Australian win means many thing, but the significance of happening on the Centenary of ice hockey in Australia, and the Centenary of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and on home soil made it a very special occasion for the capacity crowd. With volunteers and players included, rink management estimated an unprecedented 1200 people in the rink to witness the victory. http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb114/gator3535/20080424_fox.jpg

[ss_11000]

your kidding. that wasnt very well advertised!!!!i would have liked to go see that:(

good news anyway:)

[MovieHeretic]

Not to rain on anyone's parade but did this competition include any of Russia, USA, or Canada? - or is this more like the Kiwis winning the International Cup in AFL? Great result regardless I think :2tsup:

[switt775]

Not to rain on anyone's parade but did this competition include any of Russia, USA, or Canada? - or is this more like the Kiwis winning the International Cup in AFL? Great result regardless I think :2tsup:

Just watched the special. I really liked the comment about "now they get to play against the big boys" in Division 1.

That group includes such ice hockey powers as... Great Britain, Japan, and the Netherlands....:?:?

The real hockey powers (Canada, Russia, USA, Sweden, etc) play at the World Championship level. What Australia won was a tournament 2 levels below that, and included such teams as Mexico, Spain, and New Zealand.

Yeah, given the numbers of players who have a chance to try hockey in this country, this was a very good result. But let's not pretend it was more than what it was. There would be dozens of junior (under 20) teams in Canada who would rip the Australian national team to shreds.

Notice I don't call it "ice hockey" because for those who know hockey the word "ice" is unnecessary.

That other game with the silly curved sticks and long socks is "field hockey".

[gator3535]

I am sure many readers of this thought things like "good on ya" and "wow that is great to hear !" but there is alway people out there who want to cut down the Poppies! These people are always the one who themselves have self esteem issues .. (I wont bring up body part sizes)

You guys have no idea how hard this team has worked over the years (over 100 years ) to get to where they are. Why not spend some effort for good rather than negative comments about how "they arenot better than so and so" and give a pat on the back for representing this Country with pride and skill. Geeze !! they won Gold ! For Hockey ! Australia! Won Gold ! That is like Canada winning a Test match!

If I knew there would be such a idiotic response I would not have shared this good new with you guys.

Cheers all Bruce

[Ivan in Oz]

Thank you for sharing.

There will be many out there who appreciate it;
even though they do not reply.

Thanks,
Ivan......:-)

[switt775]

Geeze !! they won Gold ! For Hockey ! Australia! Won Gold ! That is like Canada winning a Test match!

If I knew there would be such a idiotic response I would not have shared this good new with you guys.

Cheers all Bruce

Yes, as I said given the number of players in Australia, and the availability of quality facilities and coaching, the Australian team did extremely well. No one will dispute that.:2tsup:



All I did was point out that what they won was a Division 2 regional title.
Not a world championship, which is how some in the media have tried to portray it.

I think that on a per capita basis Australia is the most successful sporting nation in the world, and if hockey ever really took off here, they would one day be capable of competing on the highest level. It's highly unlikely that will ever happen, but you never know.

As for being like Canada winning a test match (whether cricket or rugby), that might be a valid analogy. But the fact is that the major powers in those sports wouldn't suddenly think of Canada as being a legitimate force in those sports, just because they won a test match, or even a Divsion 2 title.

If you think it's idiotic to speak the truth, I can live with that.

Check out the official website for international hockey at http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/championships/world-championships.html

[gator3535]

once again .. wasted time and effort with a negative reply ...

I would rather waste my effort on .. Auzzie Auzzie Auzzie oi oi oi !!!

The "truth" actually is that these guys worked hard to win this championship for themselves and Australia and no one should try to diminish their accomplishments like you are. Who cares what you think it compares to?

I raise my Pint to the boys in gold and green! Cheers Boys ! Good on ya!

[switt775]

once again .. wasted time and effort with a negative reply ...

I would rather waste my effort on .. Auzzie Auzzie Auzzie oi oi oi !!!

The "truth" actually is that these guys worked hard to win this championship for themselves and Australia and no one should try to diminish their accomplishments like you are. Who cares what you think it compares to?

I raise my Pint to the boys in gold and green! Cheers Boys ! Good on ya!
whatever

[sumu]

:2tsup:



I raise my Pint to the boys in gold and green! Cheers Boys ! Good on ya!

(I happen to have only some Speyburn in my glass, may I still join the toast? )

My Sincerest Congratulations to the Aussie Hockey team from Finland. Well done! :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

Kippis,

sumu

[gator3535]

you are very welcome to join the toast ! Cheers