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Howe says North American teams unprepared

News Wire Reports

Published February 27, 2006 at midnight

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TORONTO - Don't tell Gordie Howe that the American and Canadian Olympic hockey flops had anything to do with age.

The legendary former Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers forward said the two national squads just didn't have enough preparatory time before the Turin Olympics.

"When I played in Detroit on a line with Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay, we got used to each other, but it took time," Howe told the Toronto Sun. "And the more we played together the better we knew where each of us was on the ice. Also, the players must have enough time to interact with each other."

Howe, who many agree is one of the game's four greatest players with Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, said the older players shouldn't be blamed for the setbacks.

"Age has nothing to do with it," Howe said. "Heck, I played until I was 52 so I could play with my sons, Mark and Marty. In fact, at 52, I was the leading scorer on the team until Christmas before they benched me."

Howe argued future squads should be selected according to scouting reports. And he said coaches need to know their players better.

"Some players may have had a drink too many the night before the game," Howe said. "I didn't have that problem because I was either too cheap, or didn't like the stuff."

Former Toronto Maple Leafs star Ron Ellis said the Europeans had an advantage in Turin.

"I'm not surprised that the Europeans did so well in Turin. In the past, they may have been intimidated by the aggressive style of North American NHL players, but that no longer prevails," he said. "I also feel that players such as Mats Sundin, Saku Koivu, Teemu Selanne and others who grew up playing on a large ice surface have no trouble returning to that style of play."

ETC.: The Calgary Flames recalled defenseman Mark Giordano from the American Hockey League affiliate Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. Giordano led the Knights with 12 goals and 46 points. He played in two games with the Flames earlier this season.