Hockey at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games
As the Winter Olympics wind down, the hockey finals loom as one of the few remaining major events. I'm not a huge hockey fan -- just someone who likes to follow the major events. And the hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics is as big as it gets.
For years, professional players were banned from competing in the Olympics. This always ticked off Canada, the US and Western Europe. The rule itself wasn't so bad as was its interpretation behind the Iron Curtain. The Soviets had an "amateur" team that played together constantly. Since the premier Soviet players could not travel or sign lucrative contracts with the NHL or other professional leagues, these "amateurs" had no choice but to play on the Soviet team. There was a professional league within Russia, but the best players were always kept on the military payroll where they could play nonstop for the national team. The "Miracle on Ice" in 1980 was truly a miracle when the American team of true amateurs beat the Soviets and went on to win the gold medal.
The rules finally changed in the 1990s, and the NHL agreed to take a 2-week vacation and allow professional players to represent their countries in the Olympics. By now, most of the world's best players were in the NHL -- including former Soviet players. The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan were the first where NHL & other pros played in the Olympic games.
The world waited with anticipation for a match-up of the two favorites, Canada and the US. Both were expected to breeze through the tournament and play for the gold medal. Some commentators mentioned Russia and Sweden as potential threats. A few spoke positively of Finland and the Czech Republic. But everyone knew it would be Canada and the US.
Julie and I were living in Prague at the time. We had blended in quite well. We lived in a modest apartment of 700 square feet 5 or 6 subway stops from the city center. My Czech was fluent, and we were pulling for the Czechs along with most other people.
The American team made few friends during the tournament. After they lost in the quarterfinals, some players destroyed their hotel rooms and threw things from their balconies. Not the most honorable representation.
The Czechs played Canada in the semifinals. Goaltender Dominik Hašek was outstanding, turning back shot after shot. The game ended in a draw and went to a shootout. The Czechs won on penalty shots and advanced to the finals. Canada went into national mourning.
Then the Czechs advanced to the finals against Russia. The Czechs saw incredible symbolism in this match-up. First, it was the Russians, and they had grown to hate the Russians over the long years of Communist oppression. Second, it was 1998, 30 years since Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops stormed into Czechoslovakia and ended the Prague Spring reforms.
I woke up at 5:00 am along with the entire Czech nation to watch the live broadcast from Japan. It was a tense game where neither team wanted to risk. Both defenses were tough. Neither side capitulated until the 49th minute when Petr Svoboda of the Tampa Bay Lightning slapped a one-timer from the blue line past the Russian goaltender. The Czechs held on for a 1-0 victory.
I remember hearing our neighbors in all the surrounding apartments cheering and shouting. The Czechs truly believed this victory was justice after the events of 1968. Czech NHL players flew all the way back to Prague to celebrate, even though they had to be back at their clubs within 48 hours of the final game. It was crazy but a celebration similar to none I have never experienced either before or after.
For years, professional players were banned from competing in the Olympics. This always ticked off Canada, the US and Western Europe. The rule itself wasn't so bad as was its interpretation behind the Iron Curtain. The Soviets had an "amateur" team that played together constantly. Since the premier Soviet players could not travel or sign lucrative contracts with the NHL or other professional leagues, these "amateurs" had no choice but to play on the Soviet team. There was a professional league within Russia, but the best players were always kept on the military payroll where they could play nonstop for the national team. The "Miracle on Ice" in 1980 was truly a miracle when the American team of true amateurs beat the Soviets and went on to win the gold medal.
The rules finally changed in the 1990s, and the NHL agreed to take a 2-week vacation and allow professional players to represent their countries in the Olympics. By now, most of the world's best players were in the NHL -- including former Soviet players. The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan were the first where NHL & other pros played in the Olympic games.
The world waited with anticipation for a match-up of the two favorites, Canada and the US. Both were expected to breeze through the tournament and play for the gold medal. Some commentators mentioned Russia and Sweden as potential threats. A few spoke positively of Finland and the Czech Republic. But everyone knew it would be Canada and the US.
Julie and I were living in Prague at the time. We had blended in quite well. We lived in a modest apartment of 700 square feet 5 or 6 subway stops from the city center. My Czech was fluent, and we were pulling for the Czechs along with most other people.
The American team made few friends during the tournament. After they lost in the quarterfinals, some players destroyed their hotel rooms and threw things from their balconies. Not the most honorable representation.
The Czechs played Canada in the semifinals. Goaltender Dominik Hašek was outstanding, turning back shot after shot. The game ended in a draw and went to a shootout. The Czechs won on penalty shots and advanced to the finals. Canada went into national mourning.
Then the Czechs advanced to the finals against Russia. The Czechs saw incredible symbolism in this match-up. First, it was the Russians, and they had grown to hate the Russians over the long years of Communist oppression. Second, it was 1998, 30 years since Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops stormed into Czechoslovakia and ended the Prague Spring reforms.
I woke up at 5:00 am along with the entire Czech nation to watch the live broadcast from Japan. It was a tense game where neither team wanted to risk. Both defenses were tough. Neither side capitulated until the 49th minute when Petr Svoboda of the Tampa Bay Lightning slapped a one-timer from the blue line past the Russian goaltender. The Czechs held on for a 1-0 victory.
I remember hearing our neighbors in all the surrounding apartments cheering and shouting. The Czechs truly believed this victory was justice after the events of 1968. Czech NHL players flew all the way back to Prague to celebrate, even though they had to be back at their clubs within 48 hours of the final game. It was crazy but a celebration similar to none I have never experienced either before or after.
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