T1B

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:33 am**

Boo fucking hoo. You complain as much as Brett Hull.

By IRA PODELL, AP Sports Writer 32 minutes ago

TURIN, Italy - Mike Modano took no shots in the loss that bounced the U.S. men's hockey team from the Olympics. He saved his best one for afterward. The three-time Olympian was benched for most of the third period in the Americans' 4-3 loss Wednesday night to Finland in the quarterfinals. Then he took aim at the people who put the disappointing squad together.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that.

"Normally we wouldn't have to worry about stuff like that."

The Americans came out flat in the opening period Wednesday, allowing Sami Salo's short-handed goal that gave Finland a 2-0 lead. Modano scored two goals in the tournament, yet was a non-factor in the finale, when he didn't so much as put a puck on the net.

"It's very disappointing, because the people at USA Hockey do a tremendous job," general manager Don Waddell said of Modano's comments. "There is a lot of pressure on people. The top people at USA Hockey are volunteers."

U.S. coach Peter Laviolette didn't think enough of Modano's performance to have him on the ice during crunch time.

He certainly was less pleased with the forward's Olympic exit interview.

"We were down looking for goals and looking for offense, and it wasn't about Mike Modano," he said. "The third period was clearly our best period. ... I think some players in general didn't seem to have the jump, and you do your best to get the players out there that have the jump."

Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain why the team he built was bounced out of the games with just one win and no medals.

"We came here with higher expectations, and it's disappointing. But you have to move on," the
Atlanta Thrashers general manager said.

But difficult travel plans and just two days from the time the NHL broke for the Olympics until the first game were hardly the reasons Laviolette was forced to call timeout before 11 minutes elapsed against Finland. His club was behind 1-0 and in danger of being swept off the ice by an undefeated team.

"I don't know if we were nervous, but we came out flat," said New Jersey forward Brian Gionta, who scored a team-high four goals.

That made this the latest Olympic disappointment for the U.S. The women's hockey team seemed a lock for at least a silver medal, but had to settle for bronze after falling to Sweden in the semis.

The men didn't even get that far.

"We're out of the tournament, but it's not like we have to blow it up and start over," Waddell said.

Olli Jokinen scored two power-play goals in the second period for Finland, which recovered after blowing an early two-goal lead. The Finns will play in the semifinals on Friday against Russia, while the Americans (1-4-1) will try to figure out why they managed only one win after capturing the silver medal four years ago in Salt Lake City.

"We never seemed to get it on track throughout the tournament," Laviolette said. "From the start tonight, I thought we were standing instead of skating."

It didn't help that goalie Rick DiPietro wasn't at the top of his game. After making three consecutive starts in the preliminary round, he had two days off before facing Finland.

He said he didn't lose his edge, but he also didn't reclaim the form he showed earlier when he allowed only five goals in three games. That was only good enough to earn the Americans one win and a fourth-place finish in their pool.

All four U.S. losses were by one goal.

"When you lose and don't get a chance to play for a medal, it's the most disappointing thing that could happen in hockey right now for me," the
New York Islanders goalie said.

The Americans pulled DiPietro in the last 90 seconds, and Finnish goalie Antero Niittymaki made 15 of his 25 saves in the third period to hold off the United States' final push.

Gionta closed the gap to 4-3 with 4:27 left. But Finland (6-0), which came in with a 19-2 scoring edge, closed down on defense in the final period and recorded only three shots.

Ville Peltonen gave Finland its first lead when he rolled a puck between DiPietro's pads, and Salo made it 2-0.

The Americans rallied, however, on goals by Mike Knuble and Mathieu Schneider. But Jokinen netted his first goal at 5:06 of the second period and then made it 4-2 with 2:50 remaining in the frame.

United States penalties throughout the third period — including a 4-minute, high-sticking call against Derian Hatcher, who knocked out two of Teemu Selanne's teeth and bloodied his mouth — cut off any chance of a comeback. That left Waddell hunched over in his seat and staring at the floor.

Laviolette tried to shake life into his team early by calling his timeout. He yelled curses as he face turned red, and finished the tirade with an emphatic, "Let's Go!"

And go they did, right out of the tournament.

"I felt like it was not going anywhere," Laviolette said. "They were clearly on top of their game, and we were clearly sitting back on our heels. We needed to get going before this got too far out of hand."

The United States, 6-3-2 against Finland in the Olympics, got within 2-1 when Knuble deflected in Schneider's drive at 13:14 of the first. The Americans tied it when Schneider scored just 1:29 into the second period.

Finland, which eliminated the United States during the semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey in 2004, then got the deciding offense from Jokinen. It was the Finns' first victory in these Olympics decided by fewer than two goals.

"We know we can beat anybody when we play on our level, and we didn't even didn't have to play that well tonight," Selanne said.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:00 am**

He shouldn't have come out in the media in the heat of the moment and after being pissed about being benched, but if it's true that USA Hockey didn't even provide their way over there and arranging accomodation, that does sound questionable.

At any rate, hopefully he's not in such a sour mood that any hotel furniture need be concerned.. :D

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:41 am**

You guys brought Derian Hatcher with you?

Serves ya right.

Modano was just pissed that 12 days in Italy was 12 days less he could been home shopping for shoes.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:33 am**

I can't stand that lumbering idiot. Too bad Aaron Miller wasn't 100%, he would have done a MUCH better job.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:36 am**

Cross Traffic wrote:I can't stand that lumbering idiot. Too bad Aaron Miller wasn't 100%, he would have done a MUCH better job.

RACK that.

I don't blame Modano. I was asking myself why he wasn't out there on PP's and for the extra attacker at the end of the game. Laviolette has some explaining to do because he made some boneheaded decisions.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:54 am**

who the fuck decided laviolette was the best american coach available? jesus, i'd rather have walt kyle or ron wilson instead of laviolette, what the fuck has he proven over the years? and when you're the islanders head coach, you're going to be known for some boneheaded decisions.

derian hatcher was absolutely pathetic during the tournament. didn't watch the finland game, but the game against the russians, he looked like a god damn traffic cone out there.

USA hockey is in a huge funk right now. they need to blow up the veteran roster and just go with the fucking kids. waddell probably shouldn't put the 2010 team together either.

EDIT: clearly the smartest thing the NHL could have done in the offseason instead of a bunch of superficial rules changes was to go to the olympic sheet. yeah, i know it'll never happen and it's a pipe dream, but create some more open ice for the guys and the game gets better exponentially.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:13 am**

i'd also like to mention someone should kick the shit out of dipietro for having kid rock on his usa hockey helmet. does rickey think he's an "american badass" for having that loser on his helmet, or maybe he thinks kid rock is sweet because he proclaims to be an "american bad ass" ?

kid rock is nothing to be proud of rickey, just like how roberto luongo and brodeur don't have fucking bryan adams on their helmets. you fucking loser. i'm sure rickey gets fired up listening to "cowboy" before the isles lose 6-0 to the ranjerks at home. you fucking idiot.

just on that alone dipietro should never wear the red white and blue ever again.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:23 pm**

Hatcher was a dog in the game against the Finns as well.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:51 pm**

I'll look forward when the old guard for Team USA are gone in 2010 and the players they were happy to be in Torino come back for the games in Vancouver with a fire in their belly. I don't know what any of these guys are complaining about...I don't know what goes on behind the scenes. Maybe they need a shake up in the front office at USA Hockey. That's the stuff we don't see...only I can judge the on-ice product and this year's team lacked scoring punch and the blueline, with the exception of Chelios and Schneider, brought their A-game. Rafalski was banged up, he gets a pass for that. Hatcher was very physical but he looked a lot like he did during the playoffs last season with the Wings. He was a liability with the puck and didn't shut anyone down.

We all knew this team wasn't going to medal but I would've at least hoped they'd play with passion and pride for their country and not make fools of themselves. The younger guys represented well and Chelios was a decent captain once again but he shouldn't be anchoring any team's defense at his age. He's in a perfect position with the Wings right now being a defensive specialist and playing limited minutes. This team will need to be worked over for the Vancouver games. They'll be young and inexperienced but hopefully they'll give us a good chance to medal in 2010. I can't kill this team that much. I'm definitely less embarrassed about these guys than I was in 1998 with their behavior and poor performance in Nagano. This team just wasn't as good as the other clubs.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:06 pm**

Fuck Modano and any other whiny little bitch who complains about "accomodations" and any other such shit. These lazy, spoiled millionaires could charter their own planes over there if they wanted to without making a dent in their checkbooks. Give me players who want it, players who don't think about themselves first, players who cherish the opportunity to represent their country. Now you know why I don't give a shit if USA wins a gold or not in hockey, because deep down it just doesn't matter that much to these guys. It's all about themselves. I hope the NHL pulls out before 2010 so we can get to watch hungry college players go at it. The US and Canada players should be ashamed of themselves, fuck how long ago was it when Canada actually scored a goal? With that talent?

<rant over>

Posted: **Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:52 am**

Screw_Michigan wrote:who the fuck decided laviolette was the best american coach available? jesus, i'd rather have walt kyle or ron wilson instead of laviolette, what the fuck has he proven over the years? and when you're the islanders head coach, you're going to be known for some boneheaded decisions.

Tortorella would have been a better choice.

Posted: **Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:17 am**

MuchoBulls wrote:
Cross Traffic wrote:I can't stand that lumbering idiot. Too bad Aaron Miller wasn't 100%, he would have done a MUCH better job.
RACK that.

I don't blame Modano. I was asking myself why he wasn't out there on PP's and for the extra attacker at the end of the game.

Because he was playing like shit, that's why. Because he had a shitty attitude, that's why.

The only guys that gave a tinker's damn out there were the young guys--Gionta, Cole, Liles, et. al. The holdovers from Nagano should have been left off the team in favor of younger (and hungrier) blood.

Posted: **Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:51 pm**

MuchoBulls wrote:
Screw_Michigan wrote:who the fuck decided laviolette was the best american coach available? jesus, i'd rather have walt kyle or ron wilson instead of laviolette, what the fuck has he proven over the years? and when you're the islanders head coach, you're going to be known for some boneheaded decisions.
Tortorella would have been a better choice.

I was a little disappointed in Laviolette considering he's probably the leading candidate for the Jack Adams right now. He had three of his players in Carolina on the team and a few guys from the Islanders...it's not like he's walking into a situation with players he was unfamiliar with. Plus, the guy was a former Olympian. I give him points for his timeout in the Finland game that seemed to turn the fortunes around for the team. Tortorella would've been a good choice but you wonder how he would've handled the goaltending with Grahame being on the team. I wouldn't have chosen Wilson because wasn't he the coach in 1998? He did coach the '96 World Cup team but that was 10 long years ago.

Posted: **Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:23 pm**

Tortorella was definately the choice for head coach. A fiery guy and reigning Stanley Cup champion coach. I can only guess his maverick, 'I give a phukk what you think' style didn't play with the establishment at USA hockey.

And CaughtinTraffic.....you complaining about somebody complaining is laughable. How many times didn't you bitch about the refs this tournament?

not many.

As for Michael:

Madonna.......bitch......coincidence......
I think not.

Posted: **Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:27 am**

So Mike (Prima)dona is complaining. Well if you don't like it stay at home. As far as the team goes....it's downright embarassing. I'd much rather see college kids go out and give it their all and come home with no medal than a bunch of over paid crybaby assholes who don't give it their all and still come home with nothing.

Posted: **Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:57 am**

Shoalzie wrote:
MuchoBulls wrote:
Screw_Michigan wrote:who the fuck decided laviolette was the best american coach available? jesus, i'd rather have walt kyle or ron wilson instead of laviolette, what the fuck has he proven over the years? and when you're the islanders head coach, you're going to be known for some boneheaded decisions.
Tortorella would have been a better choice.

I was a little disappointed in Laviolette considering he's probably the leading candidate for the Jack Adams right now. He had three of his players in Carolina on the team and a few guys from the Islanders...it's not like he's walking into a situation with players he was unfamiliar with. Plus, the guy was a former Olympian. I give him points for his timeout in the Finland game that seemed to turn the fortunes around for the team. Tortorella would've been a good choice but you wonder how he would've handled the goaltending with Grahame being on the team. I wouldn't have chosen Wilson because wasn't he the coach in 1998? He did coach the '96 World Cup team but that was 10 long years ago.

touche. i didn't know that about him.

Posted: **Sat Feb 25, 2006 11:45 am**

Modano wisely repents...

http://www.sportsline.com/olympics/winter/story/9265253

I was disappointed to see him say this in the first place. It doesn't take away from the fact that he said what he said. Just like Thumper always says 'if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all'.

Unwar quoting a cartoon rabbit not named Bugs

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:51 pm**

I was just glad to see Teemu Selane lose some chicklets.

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:20 pm**

Cuda wrote:I was just glad to see Teemu Selane lose some chicklets.

What did he ever do to you?

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:00 pm**

AcidQueen wrote:Because he was playing like shit, that's why. Because he had a shitty attitude, that's why.

I don't blame him for the shitty attitude. If what they were saying about Rafalski was true, then you'd expect the team and coach would know. Sorry, but the U.S. had numerous PP opportunities where Modano could have played the point, so his shot could be utilized.

I do agree with you about Cole and Gionta. Liles will get better for the next Olympics. I think you'll see a good number of new faces in 2010 such as Kessel and Miller

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:45 pm**

MuchoBulls wrote:
AcidQueen wrote:Because he was playing like shit, that's why. Because he had a shitty attitude, that's why.
I don't blame him for the shitty attitude.

Please--if it was Tortorella he was whining about, you'd be all over him like white on rice.

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:56 pm**

AcidQueen wrote:
MuchoBulls wrote:
AcidQueen wrote:Because he was playing like shit, that's why. Because he had a shitty attitude, that's why.
I don't blame him for the shitty attitude.
Please--if it was Tortorella he was whining about, you'd be all over him like white on rice.

Nice try. Just because I think Tortorella would have been a better choice as coach doesn't mean I would have sided with him in this instance. Also, I think Tortorella would have put a guy on the ice who is a proven goal scorer in the time when the team is trailing and a goal is needed (PP's and extra attacker).

T1B

Modano bitches about how USA hockey treated him

Modano bitches about how USA hockey treated him