January 29, 2004
More Miracle Buzz
More on Miracle:
Today, Mark Herrmann of Newsday talked to the American players on the New York Islanders and asked them how they felt about the 1980 team. Ken Morrow, a defenseman for Team USA in 1980, is now director of pro scouting for the Islanders:
"It's nice to hear that from a new generation, and it has been a whole generation. For 10 or 15 years after it happened, I'd go to schools and get the same reaction. But after that, it was different. I realized that they didn't even know the Russians were ever our enemies."
If nothing else, he said, it's great to see another hockey movie come out. "Although," Morrow added, "I don't think it's just hockey people who are interested in this."
Off Wing's official pal at ESPN (since John Buccigross doesn't answer my email anymore), Reemer, got to see a sneak preview, and has posted a mildly positive review. Then again, Reemer reminds his readers that he's Canadian, and it can't have the same impact on him as others.
Chuck Finder at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wonders what Herb Brooks would have thought about the film:
He would've enjoyed how Russell captured him putting together a team of players, rather than a pack of all-stars. How Russell invoked Herbie-isms like "the legs feed the wolf" and "'ere we go." How Russell got the Minnesota and Herbie accent just right, down to the "goaled mettle."
He might have hid his face and elbowed Patrick at the postgame practice session in a darkened rink, the one where he skated the players until they hurled. He might have cringed at the Hollywood literary license, as when the team walked en masse to paparazzi down the tunnel to the U.S.S.R medal-round game or the embellished celebrations of the goals. He might have snickered at the Disney renditions of "candy ass" and "Commie bastards."
Looks like we'll be getting a sanitized Brooks, which is a shame. The movie has a special "sneak preview" on Saturday night, before opening across North America on February 6, in time for NHL All-Star Weekend in St. Paul, Brooks' hometown.
Former Conn Smythe winner Bill Ranford worked as the stunt double for Eddie Cahill, the actor who plays Team USA goalie Jim Craig in the film. He talked to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about his experience.
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07:45 AM