Culture  Sports
Ice Jews
Idan Avni
Published: 16.07.07, 15:02
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16 Talkbacks for this article
1. Was Idan Avni at the game?
Paul ,   Efrat   (07.16.07)
From the article, it sounds like Idan Avni showed up for a few minutes in the afternoon, then left. The USA beat France 8-4 in a very exciting, high calibre game. In the evening game, Israel beat Canada 2-1 with lots of action, good playmaking, and top notch goaltending. Metulla seats exactly 1000 people, and there were about 650 to 700 people present. Avni apparently didn't bother to interview some of the people in the crowd next time to find out where they came from. Many, like me, came from the merkaz and Jerusalem areas to watch. As well, Avni didn't interview either the coach of the Israeli team (former NHL top coach Jean Peron) or any of the players, and it's a pity he didn't bother to watch the game, because he is totally wrong to say the team has little ambition. They played to win and they intend to take the gold medal, nothing less. It's also questionable that he was actually there, because had he picked up a program and actually counted the players on Team Israel, he would have found that a large number of players are sabras. Yes, there are still olim from the former USSR, but maybe he should actually to to the next Israel game and interview Oren Zamir, Tal Avneri, Avishai Geller or one of the other sabra players. All in all, a very poorly written and factually incorrect story.
2. Why so negative?
steve kirshner ,   jerusalem   (07.16.07)
It sounds like Idan Avni doesn't like hockey and didn't want to cover this event at all, but since he was forced to he showed that he doesn't care about it by putting a negative spin on it wherever he could. It's a shame. Not only is he missing out, but he's causing others to miss out on the excitement as well.
3. Come see great hockey
Paul ,   Efrat   (07.16.07)
Don't believe what this article says, the tournament is very high calibre and great entertainment for sports fans. And you can have a great time at the Canada Center. The schedule for the rest of the tournament is: 17.07.2007 CANADA V USA 15:00-17:45 ISRAEL V FRANCE 19:00-21:45 18.07.2007 ISRAEL V USA 15:00-17:45 CANADA V FRANCE 19:00-21:45 20.07.2007 BRONZE MEDAL GAME 9:00 GOLD MEDAL GAME 12:00 Closing ceremonies to follow For more information contact the Canada Center at 04-695-0370.
4. I agree with steve...
gedaliah   (07.16.07)
He sounds like he knows what he is talking about. Perhaps he should be prime minister...
5. Poor reporting
Paul Ogden ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (07.16.07)
The score of the U.S.-France game was 9-4, and not as published. The stands were more than half-full for the Canada-Israel game. The story would have been a lot more interesting had the reporter interviewed participants. Get with it, Ynet!
6. Hockey is the sport of the 1'st world
Al   (07.16.07)
Soccor is the "sport" of the 3'rd. Take you pick! The author should be reporting from Darfur...he makes as much sense.
7. 2 minutes for high shticking
Irv ,   Ottawa, Canada   (07.16.07)
This article does a great diservice to the fans, players and organizers of the very first World Jewish Hockey tournament. From the information I have been able to get from the IIHF Bulletin Board and from fellow hockey affecionados who attended the game, the piece is far removed from reality. I can only surmise that the author was looking for a few Yellow Cards. Israel defeating Canada in a 2-1 game is a huge morale boost for Israeli hockey. It must have been a terrific game. Paul from Efrat’s comments are spot on! Please — for the sake of hockey fans all over the world who read this internet column and support Israel's hockey efforts nationally and internationally, review how you are going to cover this event — and look for some positive things to spin. Interview a few players .... The French National team have the Rozenthal twins who have competed for France in the Olympic Games ... The Britstone brothers play for Canada ... The US team’s goalie Dov Grument Morris just signed an NHL contract with the Nashville Predators. Find out why these players thought it was so important to come to Israel and play. Interview the fans - find out their reaction - and even if there are a lot of family members in the crowd, many of these people are probably making their first trip to Israel. This is a terrific event and will only serve to improve Israel's position in the hockey world. With luck the sport will return to the Maccabi Games and perhaps with a new rink in central Israel, the country will host Junior and National IIHF Championships.
8. sloppy, negative reporting
david ,   modiin   (07.16.07)
a wonderful initiative, with great energy and excitment, sponsored by wonderful jews from abroad -- and dumped upon by a crabby Ynet reporter! Shame.
9. Arabs invented ice-skating!
(07.17.07)
10. Latest results from the world champs
Paul ,   Efrat   (07.17.07)
I don't know about Ynet, but I'm sure getting feedback from people who want more info. Today's results: Israel defeated France 7-5, but the bigger news is the USA downing Canada in the afternoon game. This means that the best Canada can do is a bronze medal. Stay tuned for more results. And hey, Ynet... send Avni back to Metulla with the mission to write a real story about the tournament.
11. Corrected scores from today
Paul ,   Efrat   (07.18.07)
Sorry about that, today's results were: USA defeated Canada 7-5 Israel beat France 7-4
12. Has Noah Ruden Played for the US?
JoeyB ,   Chicago, USA   (07.18.07)
He's a goalie, any info?
13. re: Ice Hockey and the heart of the matter
Barbara ,   Yesud HaMaala   (07.19.07)
I fully agree about the negative attitude of the article writer. I was asked to cover for the Jerusalem Post. I spent the first afternoon there with the people - met with enthusiam and love for Israel, excitement at being here and a hope that if another sport can take hold here in Israel there is some hope for behaviour and attitudes - which are lacking. The article I sent in was re-edited - they did not get the score right either - which shows how much it interested them!! Also suddenly the turned the sex of the Chief Coach for Canada - a charming, enthusistic Jewish gentleman into a "SHE" - which was not in my article - just his name - Sherry Bassin. Young American players told me "This is a once in a lifetime experience!" I hope it will happen again and I hope that coverage will be correct and help to build enthusiasm for what sport can bring.
14. USA takes gold in final
Paul ,   Efrat   (07.21.07)
Results: USA 2 Israel 1 in the final Canada 4 France 1 in the bronze medal game. All in all, a great tournament. You can search google news for "israel hockey" to find more extensive reports of the tournament. Idan Avni if you're reading this, send me an e-mail (Ynet has the address from this talkback) and we'll be happy to invite you to a game and introduce you to some players, so you can find out why Team Israel really does have lots of ambition.
15. Bad reporting
Steve ,   USA   (07.25.07)
in 1980 USA won a gold medal at the lake placid games in Ice hockey. It was an event that helped unite a nation during turbulent times, and inspired millions around the globe to never give up on a dream. The 1980 Olympic team did not just spring up over night. It developed over decades. Shame on you for putting down your fellow country-men for trying to host an event such as this. And shame on your editors for allowing your reporting to run on this site.
16. Israeli Hockey Team
Steve F. ,   N.Y. N.Y. U.S.A.   (07.25.07)
I must agree with all the comments so far. Ironicly, I will be hosting the Israeli Junior National Ice team in a private skybox at New Yorks Madison Square Garden. The Israeli Junior team was invited to witness history as for the first time ever the New York Knicks will face a foriegn team in Madison Square Garden. That foriegn team, is the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Team. I'm sure you would have ridiculed their founding efforts as well. Getting Special mention at the game.....the Israeli Junior Hockey team members who will be traveling North America on a goodwill tour. An expected 18,000 will be applauding the efforts of these israeli Boys and the work of the entire israeli Hockey Federation. Proud of their representation of Israel and Jews around the world. The Israeli Ice Hockey Federation will also be participating in a Charity Exhibition Ice Hockey game soley beniffiting two international recognized Israeli based charities. You should be proud of the efforts made by all the players and coaches who participate for the betterment of Israel world wide. It is a damn shame the only negetive press on the entire world wide web is an israeli's citizens article. Yours. Steve F.
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