Of course NBC thinks ice dancing would do better in ratings. They’ve basically already dubbed the Winter Olympics the “women’s Olympics” choosing puff pieces and figure skating in key timespots. NBC’s mismanagement of hockey broadcasts is nothing new and will continue long after the Olympic flame is extinguished in Vancouver.

Also, I’m 99.9% sure it was commentator Ed Olczyk that gave us the quotable quote of “tremendously tremendous.”

USA USA USA!

Thanks, updated.

Epic fail by the brilliant minds at NBC- considering they are the NHL’s main channel with VS and show the Stanley Cup Finals + NHL Game of the Week. Best Sporting event of the Yr thus far.

Its not over Americans.You have a pass to the quarter finals thats all.Congrats though on your first olympic victory over us since 1960.Your still 6-1 against us since then,soon to be 7-1.Babcock out stupid coach will play the worlds best goalie next time,Roberto Luongo and then we shall see who is smiling,afterwards.Enjoy the feeling tonight,you deserve it.Just dont get to cocky, never count Canada out,remember we invented Hockey.

…That is probably the angriest comment any Canadian has ever left. What happened to what the beat poet said in the Opening Ceremonies?

USA USA USA!

@ Steve K. When it comes to hockey Canadians get angry.Baseball Football even Basketball has no real anger affect.Hockey is different it can cause extream anger.Why do you think there are so many fights on ice but even more in the stands? Like I said enjoy your victory party tonight.Just remember the fat gal still has not started singing.It was one of the best games I have watched in years though.I gotta give your goalie credit he sure was hot tonight.Our guy not so much,he is getting older now.He was the best in his day,not now.Luongo is the best.Just wait till you watch him play your team.Oh by the way I have so many American relatives all calling me saying na na na na na na!!! Pay backs a you know what, when your being paid back.I guess I shouldnt of called them so many times saying those words over the years.Oh and screw that poet, he has no idea when it comes to hockey in Canada its all out warfare.I hope we see you Americans in the final.

Widdle David B.’s shoulder is sore under the weight of the that giant chip. Your country’s national inferiority complex just got a little deeper and wider. Hockey isn’t your country’s obsession, antiAmericanism is. And you’re so good at it. Which makes your bitter whiny tears tonight all the sweeter. Thanks for that.

That was an amazing game that managed to exceed the hype. It was essentially an all-star game with both sides actually playing, and hitting. I wonder how the rest of the world regarded all the hard, physical play that they do not normally see.

Ha… David B’s words remind me of some of the stuff I’ve heard from Mexicans when the USA national soccer started regularly beating them.

Sorry, we’re not going to resume sucking at soccer and hockey just for the sake of keeping the NAFTA peace.

And Babcock only gets so much blame. Yzerman did a “tremendously tremendous” crappy job of picking players… for instance, where the hell are St. Louis and Lecavalier? Does he believe the Frenchies only belong in net? Speaking of, Marty Brodeur is a mediocre goalie at best who only has the splendid stats he does because he plays on a team (NJ Devils) intensely focused on defense. Stick that sucker with the Maple Leafs and see how quickly his GAA goes through the roof.

On another note, all this talk about this being the “biggest upset since the Miracle on Ice” is horses–t. These were two NHL all-star teams, and after Canada nearly lost to Switzerland, my money was on Team USA. To compare this to Miracle on Ice is an insult to both the 1980 achievement and to the 2010 team. The New Orleans Saints were bigger underdogs than they were…

Congratulations, Team USA! An epic win!

I’m still scratching my head over the NBC ice dancing selection. I do think the observation that NBC views this as the women’s Olympics is true. But that’s actually been building for some time. So much Olympics coverage has to do with human interest stories which NBC apparently believes appeals to women viewers that the competition itself is lost in a muddy mire of banality.

Of course, I’m not sure it’s all that different when a network is appealing to a male audience. Look at this year’s Tebow worship service. I’ve gotten to the point that I can scarcely stand sports on television.

It’s all about the $$$$$. NBC would not be able to show as many commercials and sell as much ad space during a hockey game as they can during ice dancing or bobsledding. I’m pretty sure hockey fans would be very angry if their game was filled with commercials, fluff and cuts to ice dancing during the game. At least on MSNBC, NBC could air the game with “limited commercial interruptions”.

NBC did the best they could with this one.

I actually agree that MSNBC is the right place for the hockey – there you can watch the game as it’s meant to be seen.

And this Canadian reacts a little differently than David B. – I was flying during the game, and was pretty bummed to hear that Canada had lost, but then my next reaction was, “Well, if that’s what it takes to get some attention in the U.S. for hockey, then good.” And voila this article (Dan, you need not feel shame: Hockey is awesome). Also, this feels sort of familiar, the Team Canada loss midway just as they’re at their cockiest. The best way to lose a game is when there are still a few more to go – and now the best team in the world wants it even more.

@ Rachel S. : Way to go Rachel.Maybe you agree Babcock should just walk into the dressing room and say:Its OK our loss is good for American hockey fans.Perhaps Babcock should just bend over then say :Go for it, just to promote hockey in America,plant your boot here.Its OK guys,we dont need victory,if we lose it will promote hockey worldwide.So its all just for fun,just go have fun out there,do not worry guys,winning isnt everything.You cant be serious are you?Babcock should step aside (join the American team)and let Sutter enter that dressing room and bust a few noses!Sutter would send a beat up,jerseys torn, toothless sqaud of young guns out there,who can skate,with Luongo in goal.They would be covered in blood from him smacking their heads together.Their ears deaf from him screaming WAKE UP in them!You say they are the best team in the world.You cant be serious are you?These guys almost lost to Switzerland of all teams!SWITZERLAND!!!! RACHEL SAY IT!!! SWITZERLAND!!!!!So far they look like a bunch of spoiled rich brats,who have no desire or heart to win.They look like they are just going through the motions,expecting the medal is automaticaly theres.Wake up team Canada!