The latest place the much-debated issue cropped up was at Team USA’s training camp for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Canada’s TSN sports network first reported the news earlier in the day. “So I don’t think we’re too anxious about that”. He has absolutely, unequivocally no right whatsoever to bench any of his players who elects to exercise their first amendment rights because when you are a member of Team USA, you are proudly representing the Red White and Blue and all that is stands for.
Advertisement
One of the key competitions on Team USA will have some light shed on it Friday, when the team’s goalie rotation begins.
Team Canada and Team USA will play again Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa (7 pm ET; ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports), beginning the pretournament with back-to-back games against a heated rival.
Over the course of a handful of practices and two pre-tournament games, head coach John Tortorella and his staff will have to decide between a goaltender in Jonathan Quick, who has won two Stanley Cups and was once named playoff MVP, two-time Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop and the technically superb Cory Schneider.
Bring it on, they say. In fact I can’t think of too many players on Team Canada that can be pushed around. U.S. and Canada play again on Saturday in Ottawa. “He’s been talking about that ever since we got here (in Columbus), especially”.
Team Canada coach Mike Babcock was asked about Lombardi’s comments, and suggested that would not be a team-building approach he would necessarily endorse. What if I took a stance to promote awareness for one of the many injustices still occurring in our country and was punished despite there being no rule or law against it?
To have your best shot at beating Canada you have to send your best players. “It is probably the most disrespectful thing you can do as a United States citizen is bring that in because that is our symbol”. “These players normally play their way into playing, if that makes any sense”.
The U.S., however, does have three exhibition games leading up to the tournament. Much like the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, this global tournament is created to bring the countries of the world together in the spirit of competition.
“We are playing hockey”, Tortorella said.
“We are going to try to give everybody a look. I’m rolling them out the door”.
Tortorella has been criticized in some circles for his remarks, yet he remains resolute in his views, saying, “I don’t know what’s being written. and I don’t care”. And I’m the furthest thing away from being anything political. “For a guy who hasn’t played in nine months, it’s pretty impressive to watch him out there”.
Advertisement
“It’s a nice problem to have”, he said with a laugh, even if the goaltending conundrum has haunted him all summer. “That’s definitely part of it”. USA women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe is among a few other athletes who have joined the anthem protest.
