From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!CAD:tektronix:tekmdp!steveb Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey Title: Re: International Hockey Article-I.D.: tekmdp.1638 Posted: Wed Jan 5 11:20:22 1983 Received: Mon Jan 10 01:06:08 1983 I've been watching the Soviet - NHL series. No denying that the Soviets play beautiful hockey. I think the philosophy of "the opposition can't score while we control the puck" is smarter and more fun to watch than the NHL one of "the opposition can't score while they're in their own end". The Russians have great puck control, playmaking, and patience. BUT, I am no longer in awe of them. Five or ten years ago I thought the Russians were hockey gods. Today I assert that they don't have a single AWESOMELY talented star (as I feel the NHL has, say, maybe 3 to 6 of); rather it's their team play. Further, I claim that if we distilled the best of the NHL into 8 `all-star' teams, EVERY ONE of the eight would handle the Russians WITH EASE. Asbestos suit on, Steve Biedermann (decvax or ucbvax)!teklabs!tekmdp!steveb