When Canadian Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal defeated Team USA in the Olympic gold medal game, he broke the heart of one nation while igniting the hockey-crazed people of another. There was no miracle on ice this time, but the Americans certainly came close. No more than 20 minutes earlier, the Americans stunned the world by tying the game with 24 seconds left in regulation.
For most people, it was most dramatic hockey game they had ever seen. That’s because it might have been the only hockey game they had ever seen. Our country is different than Canada in many ways, the most obvious being that America isn’t exactly full of hockey diehards. Even so, the Olympics have a funny way of turning people into diehard followers of something.
Without the Olympics, we would never have that incredible urge to cheer for athletes we’ve never heard of. And what’s better than debating between curling and ice dancing?
The same goes for hockey, which is easily the least popular of America’s four major sports. But every four years, Canada’s game attracts the world’s attention during a dull period in the American sports calendar. Sometimes, the excitement carries beyond the two-week tournament and creates just the kind of buzz that the National Hocley League needs.
So it should be shock that the league is debating whether to send its players to the games in 2014. This would mean that college and other amateur players would be forced to take their place. Considering that both teams in the gold medal game consisted entirely of NHL talent, the policy would create an incredible drop off in quality of play.
The reasoning behind this change is that it costs money for the NHL to suspend league play during the games.
What a surprise.
Even during a recession, the NHL is a money-making machine just like the other four major professional sports leagues. Here’s a rule of thumb, any company that can afford to pay six figure salaries is doing just fine. Team owners should be happy to increase the game’s exposure, even if it means owning four houses instead of five.
And doesn’t national pride matter anymore? America should want to send its best just for the sake of sticking it to Canada and beating our neighbors in their own game. Especially after coming so close to gold, revenge should be the only motivation that the NHL needs. But players seem to be afraid to stand up to the league when they should be outraged. It shows what really matters to them.
The league also claims that an internationally televised tournament doesn’t create any extra buzz for hockey.
Really? Want proof?
Facebook statuses don’t lie. When several of my friends, many of whom never watch hockey, were sharing their geniune interest during Sunday’s game, it was pretty apparent that the Olympics caught their interest more than the NHL ever could. And I know there’s a reason why I’m suddenly excited for the Blues making a run to the playoffs.
The league needs to capitalize on this popularity instead of taking the heartless buisness approach. Russia will host the 2014 games and there’s no reason why America shouldn’t be there in full force. Team USA’s nail-biting loss to rival Canada was painful. But not having a game to put our hearts into at all?
Now that would be heartbreaking.
