2005 IIHF World U18 Championship

[Jason MacIsaac]

I was really impressed by Neal this game. I see alot of untapped potential in this kid.

Bertram plays like Upshall

 

[Le Golie]

What's the international high sticking rule? Crossbar level, or shoulder?

Cross bar.

Not that it matters, it was well below the cross bar.

 

[Macman]

Nice fans. They jeered the Canadian player of the game and the anthem.

 

[policegopher]

Nice fans. They jeered the Canadian player of the game and the anthem.

They did the same thing when the U.S. beat them the other day.

 

[Geese_Howard*]

damn that was a disgrace of a game, GO CANADA, never EVER turn into **** like that.

 

[Le Golie]

I have only seen bits and pieces but others have also said he's playing well.
How about Gragnani-he was pegged as a 3rd round pick.Will his play in this tourney
hurt or help him?

Neither. He was solid, didn't stand out good or bad. Third round sounds right. Letang was really good today too. Bourdon owned.

 

[therealdeal]

At least the Czechs have a hell of a goalie. Oh, and a talented 6'3 who cowers at the thought of taking a hit.

I would be very suprised if the US did not win on Sunday.

 

[Macman]

After watching this dive-fest for a week, I'm thrilled to see an all-North American final. It should be great.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

USA may really lay a beating on Canada. This is one strong USA team.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Did Frolik even play in late 3rd/Overtime ? I certainly didn't notice him or was he being benched?

 

[SPARTAKUS*]

Great win by our boys. Ref sucks. Czech fans are awsome. Pierre Mcguire sucks. GO CANADA GO.

 

[Macman]

USA may really lay a beating on Canada. This is one strong USA team.

Yup, they might, but it's all going to come down to how well they contain Kessel. He's clearly the best player on either team. Aside from him, the teams are evenly matched. The other factor is health. Canada got banged up pretty badly in that game while the U.S. barely broke a sweat.

 

[Le Golie]

Well I must say, excellent showing by the Canadian team. The US team will not be denied a gold medal so to me this is Canada's victory.

Kessel has seperated himself from the Frolik in the '06 rankings. He is the clear cut top guy now. He will probably light Canada up a couple times tomorrow.

 

[dawgbone]

Anyone notice Price get in trouble on several occassions out there today?

Anyone else notice it happened everytime the puck went from one side of the net to the other and back a few times?

That boy has to learn to stand up. On the first Czech goal he was down on his knees 4 times before the shot was even taken (or the puck came out front). He slid across on his knees, and then the pass went cross crease and he couldn't get up in time and the puck went in the net. Now that goal wasn't entirely his fault, but by no means did he even come close to putting himself in a good position to stop the puck.

This happened several times throughout the game... and each time he forces himself to make an akward save which usually ends up in a big rebound.

 

[Riggins]

USA may really lay a beating on Canada. This is one strong USA team.

Yeah I expect the Americans to win this tournament. They have a strong team and have some serious chemistry since they have been playing together for a long time.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Did Frolik even play in late 3rd/Overtime ? I certainly didn't notice him or was he being benched?

He didn't meet the quota of dives set forth by their coach.

 

[chicpea*]

Letang was really good today too. Bourdon owned.

Couldn't agree more. What really impressed about Letang was that he put the puck on net with power three or four times today in high pressure situations from the point or half-boards. Just good vision and accuracy.

Bourdon....well, yes - even better than last game. That move with his right skate, cutting out the back door...I'm so glad they caught that on tape. Little things like that. Solid and dependable, just like Sopel

 

[CH Wizard]

USA may really lay a beating on Canada. This is one strong USA team.

Agreed.I watched the usa vs sweden game and oh boy this Kessel , Mueller , Stoa line is dangerous.Their attack is dynamis and actually their defence is strong.Frazee has been almost always good under pressure!

It's gonna be interesting nonetheless.

As for the Can vs Cze game , it was an exciting game.The ref sucked *** , he even elbowed Clutterbuck.Was it a diving contest? Oh boy , it wasn't funny.Scouts were right while saying Bourdon is a great two way dman.

Hanzal looked good on the second goal plus he's HUGE.I think , his stock will raise. Letang stock will also raise , no doubt.Frolik has a so so game.This O'Marra , Setoguchi made a dynamic duo.

 

[dawgbone]

What's going to help Canada against the US is that they both play a North American game, so Canada shouldn't be making a parade to the box while the US sits there and watches and garners PP chance after chance.

 

[Rogalo]

It got Croatia to the World Cup semis one time....

Is booing the Canadian anthem necessary? It takes even less skill to do that than it does to dive everytime someone opens the window to let in a breeze.

Diving got Croatia to the semis of the World Cup? What?!
And if the booing is necessary...Well what kind of a dumb question is that? Of course not.

 

[Macman]

Agreed.I watched the usa vs sweden game and oh boy this Kessel , Mueller , Stoa line is dangerous.Their attack is dynamis and actually their defence is strong.Frazee has been almost always good under pressure!

True, but you have to keep one thing in mind. The Swedes were totally passive against the U.S., something the Canadians won't be. We'll see how well the U.S. defence responds to being pressured.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

True, but you have to keep one thing in mind. The Swedes were totally passive against the U.S., something the Canadians won't be. We'll see how well the U.S. defence responds to being pressured.

Probably with Jack Johnson getting a couple dozen minutes in penalties. I think he teeters on the edge to keep the opponent honest....or something. Seriously though, the U.S. will have to be disciplined and continue to get stellar play from Kessel and a rather unsung member of the team: Jeff Frazee.

 

[HF2002]

Diving got Croatia to the semis of the World Cup? What?!
And if the booing is necessary...Well what kind of a dumb question is that? Of course not.

France '98. Maybe you didn't see it.

It wasn't a dumb question. See, if the fans weren't booing, then it would be a dumb question. Since they were booing it's quite appropriate.

 

[policegopher]

Should be a good game, for sure. Hopefully the future of Gopher Hockey (Kessel, Stoa, Mueller, and Frazee) can come through for the US.

Hey Rabid, whos a better pro prospect in your opinion? Parise or Kessel.

I go Kessel all the way. But that may be cause he decided to don the "M". I have drank plenty of beers since Zach was 17 , but I don't remember any American dominate the way Kessel does.

 

[Garp]

I think the only way canada could win on sunday is by playing a strong forcheking game one the USA D and finishing there hits.

The only time team USA was in trouble this morning vs Sweden was when they were forechecked and hit. I don't think it will affect Kessel, but I saw Stoa being afraid to go in the corner in the 2nd period this morning and that could be a factor.