Dein erstes Forum » ry, in this individual discipline.

Im writing this having just returned from the International Broadcast Centre in Sochi after watching and broadcasting a portion of the mens final in figure skating. It would be an understatement to say that I am still stunned by what has transpired here in Russia. Yuzuru Hanyu, a 19-year-old, has just become the Olympic gold medallist, the first for his country, in this individual discipline. Meanwhile, the three-time and reigning world champion, Patrick Chan of Canada, has taken the silver medal. Neither skated perfectly, far from it, but the drama of it all was breathtaking. And although I might have forecast a different result, I find myself unable to quibble with the bottom line. Someone came first and someone came second. The only call I took when I got back here to the hotel was from an old acquaintance and colleague named Dave Campbell at CHED radio in Edmonton. I had run into him during my Hockey Night in Canada days covering the Oilers. But tonight Dave didnt even mention the score of the Canadian mens hockey game versus Austria, a 6-0 shellacking by the maple leaf men. He wanted to talk figure skating. “You know, we were discussing Chan and the result in the office, and we were disappointed,” he said. “But then again we thought that figure skating must surely be the most difficult of the Olympic sports.” I would have to agree. Personally speaking, I cannot fathom what it must be like to go onto a sheet of ice in front of 12,000 people and to perform what appears to be a series of impossible acts without an overwhelming fear of failure. There is nowhere for these young people to hide. There is no mulligan for a bad jump, or second chance to eliminate the sting of a fall on ones ass. You cannot skip a shift and survive in figure skating. It is what it is. These athletes accept that they are required to stand and deliver and when the dust settles they must live with the result. In the end, they must go it alone. The thing is, I felt completely helpless for Patrick Chan as he skated with a chance to be the Olympic champion. I have followed his career since the time he first won the national title seven years ago. Ive been there for each of his three world championships. He has never dodged a question and never given an excuse for something less than a perfect performance. He is, in my experience, a conscientious and hard-working young man who is supremely talented. Tonight, he came up short, and I know he wishes he could do it all over again … but he cant. Dave Campbell may have been right when he suggested that figure skating is the most difficult of the sports. Im convinced it is simultaneously the most beautiful and brutal. The judges reward you lavishly when you succeed, and they punish you ruthlessly when you dont. And they make you sit by yourself to await your fate on a giant-sized television screen so that everyone in the arena and around the globe knows what they think of you. Those are the facts when it comes to figure skating. And while Im disappointed for Patrick Chan and happy for Yuzuru Hanyu, Im astonished that the result has affected me the way it has. Its not like I havent witnessed something like this before. “Its just so thrilling,” Dave Campbell said. “And its causing me to lose sleep, but I cant get enough of it.” I feel the same way. Its the savage beauty of sport and the incredible attraction that the brave hearts who dare to venture onto the Olympic field of play hold for me. Jon Merrill Jersey .com) - Ben Lovejoy tallied a goal and an assist as the Anaheim Ducks cruised into the All-Star break with a 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames. Deryk Engelland Jersey . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-nick-holden-golden-knights-jersey/ . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. 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Meanwhile in the nations capital, the Senators prevailed 3-2. Sam Carrick picked up a pair of points with a goal and an assist. James Reimer and Antoine Bibeau will split time in net for the Leafs. Reimer stopped all 18 shots he faced on Wednesday night against the Senators and was met with thunderous applause upon being pulled for Christopher Gibson. a€?Ia€?ve said it a million times: The fans here are unbelievable, and I love playing in this city and I love playing in front of them. Obviously to gget a little love, ita€?s great,a€? Reimer said after the game.dddddddddddd Michal Neuvirth will start in net for the home team. First-round pick William Nylander, whos impressed thus far in camp, will dress for the Leafs. The 18-year-old Swede scored in his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenceman Stephane Robidas, signed to a three-year deal this summer, is close to returning. The 37-year-old is going for a scan on his injured right leg and looks to be cleared for contact over the weekend. He told TSN Radio 1050s Jonas Siegel that hes feeling good and a medical clearance is the final hurdle to getting his season underway. Probable Leafs lines for Friday Forwards Lupul - Bozak - Leivo Nylander - Kadri - Clarkson Komarov - Holland - Kozun Winnik - Carrick - Bodie Defence Phaneuf - Granberg Tallinder - Holzer Percy - Polak Goaltenders Reimer Bibeau ' ' '