Perhaps I should have been more careful in my word choices, because I can see how some inconsistencies could be read into it. However, when I say, “Russia’s hockey mentality switched from a nationalistic mentality to one of individual success and freedom,” I am referring to the idea that “nationalism” or “devotion-to-country” (which might have been the better term) was less forced upon them and they could focus on pursuing individual goals. The ability to pursue individual goals, of course, would likely increase Russian nationalism – because they would take pride in this new sense of independency. So, I can see how the argument might cycle.

When I refer to a “revamped sense of nationalism” at the end, I am trying to imply that the idea of individual success will no longer take priority over the more holistic team success. But yes, I do agree that Russians have always taken pride in their hockey – as seen with Alexey’s comment. However, I feel that recently that sense of pride has translated itself into individual efforts as opposed to team efforts.

Hope this clears things up.

I agree that Datsyuk is one of the best two-way players and it appeared that he was given the role of playing a lot of defence in that game. However, there were some instances when I had him in mind holding onto the puck too long. I recall one where he got knocked off the puck in his own zone in what should have been a routine chip up the boards. Perhaps he put too much pressure on himself as an individual, which led to those little mistakes – the classic, “he tried to do too much” thing. I just felt they could have played a better team-game and that individual egos prevented them from doing this – so I thought I might try and explore where the individuality in their hockey style came from.

And yes, goaltending sucked, but I still think Canada would have won that game easily, regardless.

Thanks for reading and for the comment! It’s truly appreciated. It’s great that we can get a perspective from someone living in Russia and I think I agree with your terms, “Big-headedness” and “no team…”

Thanks again,

Kevin

I, too, can’t wait for the next game.

Blaine, I vaguely touch on this issue in the article: “The fact that Russia is a smaller region than the Soviet Union and that international hockey competitions weren’t always consistent in terms of the quality of players (some years have lacked NHL-quality players), it is possible that there is a correlation between Russia’s lack of success in Olympic hockey and these factors.”

I agree that this might have had a lot to do with it, but for the sake of the article I chose not to focus too much on it in order to focus on ideological changes. It’s just a theory and if someone wants to dispose of it as “bullshit,” so be it. It’s their call.

Of course, I am way too young to have been able to truly analyze the Soviet games in terms of team play, but I did some research on the Soviet coach from 1946-1975, Anatoli Tarasov, in order to figure out the Soviet’s strategies. Unfortunately, I could only find information from Wikipedia, but it had this to say:

“When hockey was introduced in the USSR, Tarasov, like the rest of the nation, fell in love with the game. It was his ideals and philosophies that shaped the Russian game into what it is today- fast, graceful, non-individualistic, and patriotic. To him, real teamwork was based on a common aim- comradeship and caring for each team member. This is why he introduced a rule that in order to make the line-up the team had to approve of each player”

I just thought that this was very convenient considering the article

Due to modern strict doping testing Russians cannot cheat and hence cannot as many medals. Added to it the emergence of Asian countries like China, korea japan who have systematically taken over winning in all the sports that the russians were good at.
Now it takes grassroots performance in an individualistic society. With the closed society Russia can safely kiss goodbye of having ever dominating sports again. They are at the best a middle sports power.