The Skinny on the Fans Reaction to Okposo Snub

Just before 5pm tonight, we learned that Kyle Okposo had not been selected to the US Olympic team, setting my twitter stream into chaos.

As this outstanding piece from Scott Burnside of ESPN details, Kyle never was under serious consideration:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/10195703/how-us-hockey-team-bound-sochi-olympics-was-named

I later asked this simple question:

OK #isles twitterverse -- Yes or No -- will you root against the US because of Okposo snub?

I got hundreds of responses -- ranging from absolutely yes to absolutely no. 

Here's a sample:

g0osemahh

@ehornick that maybe the dumbest question ever..

Larry @mrlbem

@ehornick the crest is more important than the Country .  Go JT.  Go Canada, which for these Olympics is now my home and native land.

 

james cangemi @cheenyc

@ehornick kyle okposo  has only played 6 playoff games Team USA need guys with more depth then that. Bottom line The ranger guys bring more

 

faceman802

@NYRblogneill @BRGNYRFan @ehornick maybe Isles fans should root against the Isles because they have no one from Long Island on the team?

donalddoukas

.@FutureHckeyWife @Princess_in_NY okie has more points then Callahan and Stepan combined (as per @ehornick) #sochi #unacceptable

czar0406

@ehornick oooooh Caaaaaanadaaaaa!

lanehalli

@ehornick I probably will not watch much of it to be honest.

nyrgoal99

@ehornick give me a break

jonybksi

@NYRblogneill @ehornick that's a ridiculous

 

ecallahan5

@ehornick #isles If it comes down to #JT91 against some #NYR bum, hard to imagine national loyalty taking over...

 

RichOnTheLI

@ehornick I'm an American first! Team USA! Maybe an injury will open up a spot for KO.

 

gazaroog

@ehornick YES    

PTracey1940

@PeterBotte @ehornick Islanders before Country. Good thing is that @bookerT2116 will be rested for the stretch run...Go @HockeyCanada

PeteCaputo

@ehornick no, I'm still an American, but I wish the fate of the Nordiques onto Nashville and Poile    

lweiss77

@ehornick no    

islanderfan66

@ehornick I will not root for the USA

cbuckser

@ehornick Of course not. But I'm pissed.

NYRblogneill

seriously? RT @ehornick: OK #isles twitterverse -- Yes or No -- will you root against the US because of Okposo snub?

travisgstephens

@ehornick YES....LETS GO TAVERES......with that team full of undeserving rangers and others...I am looking to defect....;) go Canada

LBeach14

@ehornick Yes

ReinaDeLaIsla

@ehornick I'll put it this way: let's go, USA ladies.

geduffer

@ehornick @NYIFans4Change Proof of David Poile's incompetence.

 

dallasisles

Yes. Let's go jt. Bring the gold home @ehornick: OK #isles twitterverse -- Yes or No -- will you root against the US because of Okposo snub?

mtrico

@ehornick Root against? Maybe a little harsh, but won't root for.

BPMorris92

@ehornick rooting for JT and Canada

thebrownjesus

@ehornick I'm rooting Canada now, because they aren't crazy enough to snub JT...right?

goisles29

@ehornick Against? No. But I won't be watching as intently because of many poor decisions, not just the KO snub.

JAcquistaTrat

@ehornick no #merica

TylerGildin

@ehornick Tavares > USA Hockey. Go Canada! 1 minute ago

SKaplan13

@ehornick no way! I will always root for my country no matter who is on the team #USA #usahockey

ronmatti

@ehornick Screw team USA.    

jlentin39

@ehornick yes but more pissed about Bobby Ryan and Keith Yandle    

therealjoelupo

"@ehornick: OK #isles twitterverse -- Yes or No -- will you root against the US because of Okposo snub?" > #TeamCanada ✋😤    

littlejimmy9

@ehornick god no, and anyone that will should be deported. I'm mad but that's absurd.    

Shooter_Young

"@ehornick: #USAHockey snubs Kyle Okposo (15-25-40 this ssn); takes Callahan & Stepan (14-24-38 COMBINED) #isles #NYR" let's go canada.

Kevin_Corey

@ehornick no, I'm still American. Just not as confident in this team as I thought I would be. With or without Okposo.    

BabyCastle75

@ehornick you're an idiot    

ShaneBNHL

@ehornick No that's silly but Ryan and Okposo should be on the team that's a joke    

Ryan_Wombat91

@ehornick yes    

RealMikeSalerno

You stooge. RT @ehornick OK #isles twitterverse -- Yes or No -- will you root against the US because of Okposo snub?

MrDeeJayWatts

"@ehornick: OK #isles twitterverse -- Yes or No -- will you root against the US because of Okposo snub?" Yes. JT in Canada > 3 rags in USA    

norf06

@ehornick like yes    

Kevin27nyi

@ehornick Kinda hard. Don't like that they aren't putting best possible team out there.    

RyanStromesego

@ehornick absolutely #isles fans will not root for USA! I for one will root that they get shut out EVERY game!    

brentconklin

@ehornick no    

KennyConrade

@IslesCrew @ehornick yes

Sean6899

@ehornick That would just be dumb. USA all day, however theres no stopping Canada    

BornNYI

@ehornick NO.    

MarcOchs13

@ehornick yes    

 

 The Isles will be back on Coliseum ice tomorrow -- I would expect the fans to give Kyle a warm welcome home.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick