NHL Players World Cup Fever, Don't Let Johntv Read

[Grizzly]

Undoubtedly our good friend John will claim that if the Canes win the Cup it was due to Adams soccer exercises.

World Cup Fever: World Cup fever extends to the Stanley Cup.

"I really like the soccer," said Oilers goaltender Jussi Markkanen.

Markkanen, a Finn, is adamant he will not be cheering on rival Sweden.

"It's like you cheering for Calgary," Markkanen told an Edmonton reporter.

Markkanen had World Cup tickets to games on June 25 and 26, but had to give them away. The tournament started on Friday.

"It's a big deal back home," said Hurricanes defenceman Niclas Wallin, a native of Boden, Sweden, who has heard some World Cup chatter. "Some of the Canadian guys are actually looking forward to watching soccer games."

Alberta native Craig Adams is a fan of the world showcase and also leads the Hurricanes through soccer exercises before practice.

"Gets your mind alert, gets your feet going," said the Carolina right-winger.

Adam said, with British parents, his allegiance is set.

"I'll be cheering hard for England."

[john tv]

Detroit's secret stolen by the Hurricanes.Hey Nadal and Federer who is the better soccer player I guess the winner will tell.

[john tv]

Nadal the better soccer player won. It's well known that he is a very accomplished soccer player so here we go again.Can't beat those guys and when it gets down to the two of them, the better player wins,it's all about footwork.Comw on guys wake up and smell the roses.

[Loud Mouth Soup]

Right-tennis skills are due to football.

Wake up and smell the roses? You need to go to bed and stop sniffing the glue, john.

[john tv]

Loud mouth I have never ever seen you contribute anything possitive or exciting. Sort of makes me wonder if you belong to the organist terrorist soccer group, meaning those that are out to destroy the game. Hey lM tell what is your soccer background and give me one reason why you love and I mean really love the game of soccer.I will go after you till you give me the answer. FM

[Loud Mouth Soup]

I don't need to 'justify' myself to you, john.

And if you haven't seen me contribute, then you've got selective vision.

[sstackho]

Stanley Cup chasers keep their eye on another cup: World Cup of Soccer has some 'Canes and Oilers glued to the TV when not on the ice
Joanne Ireland
The Edmonton Journal
753 words
11 June 2006
Edmonton Journal
Early
C4
English
Copyright © 2006 Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON

EDMONTON -- Jaroslav Spacek, wrapped up in a Cup chase of his own, had had tickets to that other sporting spectacle that got underway this week.

He readily passed those off but admits he will be keeping tabs on the event -- the event that outside of Canada, and Edmonton in particular, is commanding much attention. Ditto for goaltender Jussi Markkanen who had, long ago, made plans to be in Germany in two weeks time. That trip to the World Cup has since been cancelled.

In both the Oilers and the Hurricanes locker- room, there are players with a keen interest in the soccer tournament.

Take Carolina defenceman Aaron Ward who had played soccer in his younger years in Windsor, Ont., but really got hooked during the lockout when he played in Germany. He also is one of those NHLers who kicks a ball around before every game in the recesses of the rink, as was the case on Saturday before Game 3 got underway.

It is a common site in the NHL this warm-up routine that has its roots in Europe. What varies are the number of participants and the ground rules.

"We had to an enact a judgement group," said Ward. "Originally three guys would judge who was out. Now we play rock, paper, scissors to determine that. It is an elimination game with five to seven exhibition games, then the final round. You have to win twice to be crowned the champion," he continued.

"Not to toot my own horn but I'm pretty darn good."

Ward's interest in the sport does transcend the elimination exercise. He was glued to the television on Friday for the opening matches and turned the tube on when he awoke the next morning.

"I have my German national soccer jersey that I already wore in their honour. I thought it started three days ago so I had it on prematurely, but having played in Germany I do know what it's about and how the country just shuts down. Even our practices were scheduled for early in the morning on Sundays so at

2 p.m., you could watch the Bundesliga."

Spacek, meanwhile, figures there may be some friendly side bets going on in the days to come. The Czech Republic plays the U.S. on Monday.

"I'm sure there will be some friendly bantering but from what everyone is saying, it's not a very good bet on my part," said Ty Conklin, who hails from Anchorage and confesses he's not a soccer aficionado.

"It's a fun game to watch but if I had to choose between soccer and hockey, I'd choose hockey. I just think it's going to be hard not to keep tabs on it now."

Defenceman Dick Tarnstrom did just that on Saturday afternoon, as he caught some of Sweden's game. Markkanen will too, whenever the children's channel isn't on.

"But Finland is not in so if I had to pick a team I'd pick England," said the Oilers netminder, "only because if I'm going to watch a soccer game, it's usually the English Premier League."

"In Canada, maybe they're watching the Stanley Cup but I don't think too many people in the U.S. are watching hockey," said Spacek. "The whole world watches the World Cup."

In Canada, some will watch both. Take the Pisani household which has a full slate on Monday, beginning with a match between Italy and Ghana and concluding with Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final.

"I keep my eye on it, as much as I can," said Fernando Pisani. "I mean it's once every four years, and because I grew up playing it, I have a huge interest."

"I don't play," said Todd Harvey, "there's too much running out there for me and I'm not a huge fan but I'll watch if there's a game on. It is the biggest tournament in the world."

At the very least, the biggest tournament outside of Edmonton.

jireland@thejournal.canwest.com

Photo: Reuters / Oilers goaltender Jussi Markkanen makes a save during Edmonton's 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. The Hurricanes lead the Stanley Cup final series 2-1.

[john tv]

I had some meetings with Pat Burns, Pat Quin and Freddy Shero as well as Howie Meeker and some other coaches.I recommended that they institute soccer as part of their training,during the season. It became a problem but they agreed that it was a very good idea.Oops I remember Roger Neilson and Scotty Bowman.I did provide Howie with coaches for his hockey camp in Vermont. I do know that I persuaded Daryll Sittler and the Maple Leafs to play a soccer game against a girls team. Daryll thought this to be a very good idea to promote soccer and hockey. Got the blessing from Harold as well as the Molson slow pitch guys and the media picked up on it a little.
It is imperative that hockey players play soccer without fail If you don't the chances are you will not be as skilled and some guy who is a good soccer player will get the job and in the long run the Stanley cup and others. Hockey and soccer is a very big must. Yes I got the ball rolling and yes I am responsible for some of these changes and yes it is going to take more time to get that message out.But I tried very hard and you be the judge.
It is all about Canada guys, at least that's what I believe in!

[G-Man]

quote:Originally posted by john tv

I had some meetings with Pat Burns, Pat Quin and Freddy Shero as well as Howie Meeker and some other coaches.I recommended that they institute soccer as part of their training,during the season. It became a problem but they agreed that it was a very good idea.Oops I remember Roger Neilson and Scotty Bowman.I did provide Howie with coaches for his hockey camp in Vermont. I do know that I persuaded Daryll Sittler and the Maple Leafs to play a soccer game against a girls team. Daryll thought this to be a very good idea to promote soccer and hockey. Got the blessing from Harold as well as the Molson slow pitch guys and the media picked up on it a little.
It is imperative that hockey players play soccer without fail If you don't the chances are you will not be as skilled and some guy who is a good soccer player will get the job and in the long run the Stanley cup and others. Hockey and soccer is a very big must. Yes I got the ball rolling and yes I am responsible for some of these changes and yes it is going to take more time to get that message out.But I tried very hard and you be the judge.
It is all about Canada guys, at least that's what I believe in!



so Anatoli Tarasov had nothing to do with it.

[john tv]

He was very smart. Watching a video prior to the historical 1972 series, in which the CBC showed the Russians in training and yes they also showed them playing soccer.The problem was that they appeared to be very slow and extremely ackward, uncoordinated and listless as well, while playing soccer.They looked awfull. Very smart anti soccer/hockey stuff and I think it worked as well.The Canadian media got fooled big time by these commies!
I sent him a letter once and after that I am sure my phone was bugged,Bell could not locate the problem all very weird stuff,but I was constantly being cut of.
Cold war stuff I guess.

It is now very obvious that there is a very strong connection,which believe it or not was exposed in the mid seventies by yours truly and finally it's coming to the surface.

[G-Man]

quote:Originally posted by john tv

He was very smart. Watching a video prior to the historical 1972 series, in which the CBC showed the Russians in training and yes they also showed them playing soccer.The problem was that they appeared to be very slow and extremely ackward, uncoordinated and listless as well, while playing soccer.They looked awfull. Very smart anti soccer/hockey stuff and I think it worked as well.The Canadian media got fooled big time by these commies!
I sent him a letter once and after that I am sure my phone was bugged,Bell could not locate the problem all very weird stuff,but I was constantly being cut of.
Cold war stuff I guess.

It is now very obvious that there is a very strong connection,which believe it or not was exposed in the mid seventies by yours truly and finally it's coming to the surface.


on behalf of all Canadians, I thank you.

[john tv]

Hey just came back from receiving my award,one of the other guys was the founding father of rim.black...something.The compamy located in Waterloo that really made the US Senate sweat.

Sorry Gman thanks for the compliment yes I did something good for this country. In fact this is not the only thing. One day.

[john tv]

When Chris Pronger played for the Blues it was my very good friend Peter Zezel who had him play in the Robbie's celebrity game. Chris is a good soccer player. I wonder if that very quick goal had something to do with soccer. As I said the better soccer team won.I am still working on Pat Quin!Oh Ja I managed to talk the coach from the Eskies to play soccer soe 20 or so years ago, I think his name was Jim Ferragao or something. he did listen.