"I was shocked that it was this one-sided. And I was really disappointed that these guys came with their euro-trash game. It was just. No heart, no guts, no nothing there to back it up. I mean Alex Ovechkin was an average player tonight. I know they're going to bounce back, but to be that poor and to be that intimidated physically by the Canadians, that really shocked me."
- Mike Milbury, last night after the Canada win over the Russian Olympic hockey team
Encarta:
an offensive term for wealthy or fashionable European people ( slang )
Urban Dictionary: Post-modern, degenerate, trendy, or out-of-style European cultural phenomena masquerading as avant-garde High Art. Characterized by its apparent affluence, worldliness, social affectation and addiction to fashion. Males are characterized by a semi-slovenly appearance (including half-shaven faces), greasy hair, rib-hugging shirts, tight jeans and loafers worn without socks. Those who are products of a sneering, overly-socialized culture who take perverse pride in their stylized, postmodern, lazy lifestyles, and those who would choose to emulate this.
Take one brash failed GM who is looking to excite his third career, bring along a network which will have him covering hockey for them during the season, and then add the American vacuum of the hockey cult of personality and audience.
Add a pinch of extra Olympic eyeballs, and then mix something controversial so that it creates a buzz; negative is irrelevant.
Half-bake all this at a media temperature of 400F and watch it rise...
The issue to me is not that Mike Milbury called the Russian game Eurotrash. Milbury's been making stupid smarmy comments his entire career from player, to coach, to GM, and finally in the studio seat.
The issue is that blatant attempt to manufacture some controversy and create that Don Cherry-like figure for the US television.
Don Cherry, lauded as he is over the Canadian border, would not have the broad-based appeal here thanks to the very US branded politically correct atmosphere which seemed to slap into overdrive post-9/11.
Mike Milbury's crass attempt to emulate Cherry is even more misguided. For all Cherry's negatives, there is a passion, intelligence, curmudgeonness, and a sly wink, even. He also has a straight man foil to usually play off of, tempering what sometimes is overwrought, xenophobic or just poor judgment.
Milbury has been trying to hit that "edge" for a while now, focused on some sort of outrage-meter but he does not have the guile, brains or charisma to pull it off. Nor does he have the network smarts around him to offset blunders.
Nevermind Milbury's idiotic insinuation (and Roenick agreeing) that Dan Boyle's slew foot on Alexander Semin was basically acceptable because "Boyle will come after you." Dan Boyle will likely face suspension for that, hurting the Canadian team's depth for their next game versus Slovakia. (Note: per Sean Leahy of the excellent Puck Daddy blog, they will likely NOT suspend per a spokesman since The International Ice Hockey Federation normally does not review minor penalties in international play)
Announcers being none-to-sharp and apologists for illegal plays and hits are a dime a dozen.
But when you are seeking to rip a Russian team for their poor and heartless play and meltdown, using an ethnic insult is none too bright and might have serious repercussions.
Moreover, it insults Canadians and their team who really played an A game last night with their outright drubbing of the Russians.
One has to wonder if Milbury's comments will even phase the Russians since it is more an American piece of trash ripping them for being Eurotrash. With one of their worst Olympic showings, they have much bigger things to consider and mull over than this fodder.
Long Islanders, familiar with Milbury's antics and soundbites are more up in arms. The NY Islander team, stamped with Milbury's GM trash-effects, is taking years to turn the corner from his anti-King Midas touch. The hate and derision for him that emanates out of New York is substantial and well-founded. It could be found on twitter last night, as mouths went agape over his comments.
Yet it wasn't only hockey fans that were dumbfounded. NY Ranger's player Sean Avery, no stranger to controversy, suspension or criticism blurted out via twitter:
"Did Mike Milbury just say EuroTra$h on CNBC, not good!"
As the Olympics has faced some criticism for tape-delayed prime time spots and the brainless placement of the huge US vs Canada hockey game on MSNBC, choosing Ice Dancing in a clear attempt to pander to an advertising demographic, one has to wonder if Milbury's comments will be the icing on the cake to make NBC brass blink.
For hockey fans, all too familiar with Milbury's antics and poor-man attempt to be relevant, we just shake our heads and hope that the game itself gets notoriety, not the idiots who talk about it.
Read more from BD and his criticism of Milbury on HockeyIndependent.com
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