US defeats Canada at U-18 hockey tourney

[puckhead]

congrats USA - you had a heck of a team in this tourney.

 

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Speaking of the U-18's, it may be sans Russia.

Slava Malamud
‏@SlavaMalamud
AllHockey.ru reports that the entire Russian U18 national hockey team may skip the Worlds due to positive Meldonium tests.

Slava Malamud ‏@SlavaMalamud 2h2 hours ago
The U18 coach has been fired, the roster is confirmed to be radically changed. This is the first Meldonium scandal in Russian hockey.

Slava Malamud ‏@SlavaMalamud 2h2 hours ago
In lieu of the U18 team (whose profile has been removed from Russian Hockey Federation web site), the 1999 birth year squad may go

U18 national coach has confirmed he is fired, his entire team is replaced with U17s. No further comments, but insiders say it's Meldonium.

Slava Malamud ‏@SlavaMalamud 1h1 hour ago
The ENTIRE Russian U18 roster is replaced with younger players one day before leaving for the Worlds. Biggest mass doping scandal in hockey.

 

[pixburgher66]

Experts say there's little evidence meldonium enhances performance

 

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Experts say there's little evidence meldonium enhances performance

From what I've read, it's a drug developed in Eastern Europe (Latvia specifically), and mostly used there. Some claim it's on the banned substance list because of political reasons, and it does seem that the evidence for it being performance enhancing is maybe kinda shaky. Supposedly it's purpose for athletes is protecting the heart and muscles from damage during high intensity workouts.

 

[pixburgher66]

From what I've read, it's a drug developed in Eastern Europe (Latvia specifically), and mostly used there. Some claim it's on the banned substance list because of political reasons, and it does seem that the evidence for it being performance enhancing is maybe kinda shaky. Supposedly it's purpose for athletes is protecting the heart and muscles from damage during high intensity workouts.

"The drug, which is used to primarily to treat heart and cardiovascular diseases, works by shifting cells’ metabolism from fatty acids to carbohydrates for energy, a process that requires less oxygen."

So that, in theory, certainly would have performance enhancing qualities. But doesn't only take performance enhancement to get on the banned list. If it's deemed dangerous, they'll do it too...and this is a drug there's clearly not enough research on, so banned it is.