WJC: 2015 — Canada Roster Talk (Part IV)
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donghabs98
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It makes sense. Fucale and Comrie will have experience against top competition. I take it a decision regarding who's the starter for the medal rounds won't be made until after the USA game. I like this approach compared to previous ones of just going with one guy and then falling back on someone if the first choice doesn't work out.
1Gold Standard
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- Jun 13, 2012
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well, I'm a little surprised. I figured the dumb dumbs at Hockey Canada had Fucale as their guy and they'd be prepared to sink or swim with him...
maybe they are not the dumb dumbs I imagine... just dumb.
I support the decision to give Comrie another look. I'd be happier if they had an open competition at selection camp...but that ship has sailed.
maybe they are not the dumb dumbs I imagine... just dumb.
I support the decision to give Comrie another look. I'd be happier if they had an open competition at selection camp...but that ship has sailed.
Mattilaus
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It also surprised me until i really thought about it. But best case scenario Comrie performs even better than Fucale and we run with him. Worst case scenario Fucale got a rest before elimination games.
I would imagine this was the plan before the Finn game. If Fucale did well against the Finns they have enough points to put comrie in against USA and give Fucale a rest. If Fucale did poorly they would have wanted to play Comrie against USA anyways.
Pretty much.
How Comrie does determines who the goalie will be for likely the rest of the tournament.
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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Nice to see that they will play Comrie. Judge his performance against Fucale's (very good) performance against Finland, and go from there.
This is unusual for Canada lately, but I'm liking Groulx's coaching decisions since the tournament has started. His line mixing looks solid and is based on what actually happens on the ice, and he clearly doesn't want to just anoint one starter. Good stuff. There are issues with roster selection, but he seems like a good enough coach.
This is unusual for Canada lately, but I'm liking Groulx's coaching decisions since the tournament has started. His line mixing looks solid and is based on what actually happens on the ice, and he clearly doesn't want to just anoint one starter. Good stuff. There are issues with roster selection, but he seems like a good enough coach.
Mostly Canada assumes they have a goalie who can make saves and stick with him. Goalie sucks and they don't even try another one.
He realized that Canada isn't what it was at producing goalies. Took 2 and only 2 as that's easier to determine which one is better.
JackSlater
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Sure it's easier to figure out who is best between two goaltenders, but it's lazy and not the best strategy. They should have taken four to camp and let them compete, but it's too late for that. At least Groulx seems flexible now that the games have started.
kris
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What are you really able to tell about a goalie's performance in two weeks of practises and meaningless exhibition games against random CIS players?
It's not like TC brass don't have a huge sample size of consistent CHL play, previous experience, summer camp, under 18s, etc...
It makes way more sense to pick two guys (Is Jarry really that much better than Comrie that it makes a difference?) I get that it is close, but what does two weeks really show from a goaltender's perspective, in minimal game action.
I like the two and two strategy, a little surprised, but it seems like a pretty fair way to do things.
y2kcanucks
Better than you
Interesting that we don't see anyone say Virtanen should still be on the 4th line anymore. Perhaps those of us who wanted him up with McDavid before the tournament started weren't just "Canuck homers" and actually knew a little bit about what we were talking about?
Virtanen has looked great this tournament, and I'm excited to see what he can do in our first real big test tomorrow against the Americans.
Virtanen has looked great this tournament, and I'm excited to see what he can do in our first real big test tomorrow against the Americans.
Steveorama
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I don't understand how Ritchie is still in the top 6 and not Virtanen.
Maybe Groulx is spreading things around so he can roll 4 lines (as he has been)...but against teams like USA, Russia and Sweden, I would rather see him shorten the bench and load up the top 2 lines.
DJ Breadman
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Stupid move by the coach, Fucale was playing well so now if comrie doesn't play well/they lose the game tomorrow night the media is going to open a can of whoop as on him. Stupid stupid move.
Snippit
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- Dec 5, 2012
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THE Green Man
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Domi was absolutely flying last night. If that's the way he continues to play, a lot of teams will be kicking themselves that they passed on him in hisdraft year. I agree with those blocked shots, that was amazing to watch- he had a few more in the game too- was easily the best player for us last night.
Virtanen will be on the 2nd line with McDavid and Lazar tomorrow. I loved his game with Connor- it almost looked like he froze at times because the passes from CMD were just too perfect. Plus with him mixing it up near the end of the game after the bad hit along the boards- clearly he's buying into the team and will stick up for the boys.
Bowey last night looked extremely good to me too. Was very calm and precise with the puck. Watching him he is such a smooth skater, it's a joy just to watch him stride. Same with Petan- that kid is so calm with the puck, is so good at bringing the puck into open space to create passing lanes for himself. Sure he is forcing some passes still but overall he did have a good game still.
Called them going back to Comrie when they announced the first game starter.
The tournament truly starts tomorrow (sorry Finland, Germany and Slovakia).
I think the coach will run the table with Comrie if he wins. Fucale will get to run the table if Comrie loses.
Pretty excited for this game.
The tournament truly starts tomorrow (sorry Finland, Germany and Slovakia).
I think the coach will run the table with Comrie if he wins. Fucale will get to run the table if Comrie loses.
Pretty excited for this game.
A bit surprised that Comrie starts. My takeaway from this would be that the coaching staff likes Comrie more and they want to see him in a crucial non-elimination game first. Otherwise, they would go with Fucale if they believed he was the better goalie.
Now if Comrie plays well, they go with him rest of the way. If he doesn't, they go back to Fucale who has been solid.
Now if Comrie plays well, they go with him rest of the way. If he doesn't, they go back to Fucale who has been solid.
I like the idea. If Comrie shines against the Americans, then we ride the hot goalie into the medal rounds. If he doesn't, we fall back to the guy whose only goal against in two games came off a brutal turnover. And he'll be rested as well.
Mattilaus
Registered User
I agree with this. It's a no lose situation this way.
If they played Fucale against USA and he got lit up then we would be going into the elimination games with a goalie whose only victory was against Germany. Playing Comrie tomorrow is the best move.
CaptainChef
Registered User
Superb strategy. Really wanted them to give Comrie a chance as I believe him to be the better of the two goalies. So if Comrie and the team can't hold the fort tomorrow against the US, go with Fucale -- he's earned that for sure.
Otherwise, unless Conrie looks shakey but they win anyways, I can see it being Comrie going forward into the medal rounds.
GCG
Agreed.
Also, I predicted it would be this way (Fucale-Comrie-Fucale-Comrie) before the start of the first game, when almost everyone thought Fucale against Slovakia = Fucale against the States. Even the ridiculous opinion that Fucale was their #1 guy from start of the camp is debunked. Otherwise Fucale would've definitely started against the States after a shutout against SVK and very good performance against Finland.
Fabbri has done nothing outside of one game. Reinhart should be second. He kills penalties and takes key faceoffs. Complete 200 ft game.
Anyway, i think rating dmen and forwards together is complicated.
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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You could pretty much say the same thing about the skaters. Having a competitive camp is a good thing. There is a reason that other countries (USA in particular) copied the Canadian camp model in the 2000s. The problems are numerous. You miss out on players who may be going through a particularly hot stretch (Justin Pogge) because you were too lazy to actually evaluate goaltenders. Conversely, you risk taking a goaltender who might be going through a rough stretch or who just doesn't mesh well with the team. You also risk an injury leaving the team with only a single goaltender.
What you're saying is basically that Canada doesn't NEED to have a goaltending competition and a third goaltender. I agree that it is not an absolute requirement, but it is helpful. There is literally no downside. You mitigate risk at the very least.
Nice list, I think I'd have Petan higher and McD lower personally. Think everyone else is generally in the right spots though I'll admit I tend to watch the forwards more closely than the D so I could be off on where they are slotted. Also think Point should get an HM for being very impressive in the tiny minutes he has gotten so far.
You mean the vast majority of Vancouver posters didnt want him on the 4th. Most other posters didnt really care as long as the team wins
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