Canada4Gold
Registered User
- Dec 22, 2010
- 43,235
- 9,426
WJC: 2018 Groups
- Thread starter Canada4Gold
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
I don't think they should bend the rules to foster a rivalry that has been the creation of TSN over the years with the New Year's Eve classic. Russia and Sweden have been bigger rivals over many years the past decade plus vs Canada.
That outdoor game should be USA vs SWE/RUS, whatever combination of 1/4 or 2/3 finishers that end up in the same group.
That outdoor game should be USA vs SWE/RUS, whatever combination of 1/4 or 2/3 finishers that end up in the same group.
With 'New Era Stadium' being less than 30 minutes from the Canadian border, the organizers are banking on a LOT of Canadians making the trip to watch that game. USA vs CAN almost guarantees a big crowd (maybe a sellout). Where as USA vs SWE/RUS would not draw nearly as many (less than half as many I would guess).
Ticket sales will depend on how USA Hockey market it I guess. I am sure the Sabres will be involved too somehow along with all the other local minor teams.
I am okay with the 1/2 in the same group. We saw this year how FIN was the 1 and how bad they were, with the age type tournaments nothing is for sure (regarding team performance).
Dude lets be real. Unless they pay people to go a USA Russia or USA Sweden outdoor game is going to have like 8000 people there.
Are you sure you're from Canada? I wouldn't expect a European to understand the bitter hatred Canada and the US have for one another in hockey, but I think you should know better. It isn't just the WJC either, it's every damn tournament!
The outdoor game is going to be a big financial risk and it would be suicidal to have any other match-up in the US than for them to be playing against Canada. Pretty sure they're going to need more than half the fans to be crossing the border to get them the kind of crowd they are looking for.
Group for next year:
Group A:
Canada
USA
Denmark (5th)
Slovakia (8th)
Finland (9th)
Group B
Sweden
Russia
Czech Rep. (6th)
Switzerland (7th)
Belarus
I'm pretty sure IIHF will make an exception for next year and put Canada and USA on the same group.
Group A:
Canada
USA
Denmark (5th)
Slovakia (8th)
Finland (9th)
Group B
Sweden
Russia
Czech Rep. (6th)
Switzerland (7th)
Belarus
I'm pretty sure IIHF will make an exception for next year and put Canada and USA on the same group.
And, there is justification for a change, since, looking only at Pool play, Sweden would get the Number 1. By goal difference over USA
And, since SWE would be#1, then you have the natural Scandinavian pool of SWE, RUS, DEN, AND FIN together.
And, since SWE would be#1, then you have the natural Scandinavian pool of SWE, RUS, DEN, AND FIN together.
JackSlater
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2010
- 19,790
- 15,438
I concur with this.
If you're going to screw with the integrity of the tournament in the first place, may as well go all out and basically handpick the groups for optimal rivalries.
Right. And, Canada and USA are always in the same group. Or, almost always. Always when the tourney is in No America, anyway. So, once you put USA/CAN and RUS/SWE together, which you have to, because this year's semi-finalists have to split 2/2. And, once you have DEN/FIN and CZECH/BELARUS together, which are the appropriate splits according the results of this year.....
Then it sure looks like the better thing to do to put the Swedes with the Finns and Danes.
Easy peasy.
tony d
New poll series coming from me in June
Meh should have kept things the same. They want an outdoor game for this do it before the tourney starts.
If you're going to do an outdoor game, it's sure as hell not going to be an exhibition game. Just think of how it would look to have 50,000 empty seats.
Canada4Gold
Registered User
- Dec 22, 2010
- 43,235
- 9,426
For the World Championships they did. I don't recall it ever happening before at the World Juniors.
Not a big deal for me, the top 4 are all relatively equal, so 1/2 3/4 this year you don't know if it will even be lopsided or not last year. Likely less so than this year regardless as the 3 medalists have all come from the same group this year.
I was just curious if there was an official report on exactly which group of 3 Canada/USA would be with.
clevelandcane
Registered User
I hate this outdoor game. I'm all set to attend my first tourney and was so excited for the US/CAN game in particular. Now? I'm not paying to freeze my ass off sit, 1/2 a mile away, and not even see what's going on. So stupid and an obvious money grab. Very disappointing.
Rob
Registered User
Jaykay
Registered User
Group stage isn't all that meaningful anyways so who cares if they manipulate the groups a little bit?
Though I understand why they are doing this outdoor game, I'm with you on this. For actual enjoyment of the game, I think they are better off with the standard indoor New Year's Eve Classic.
The IIHF sport regulations allow the host to make changes to the group formations if the teams in question agree, there is no bending of the rules. It has happened a few times in the men's, but has never happened before in the juniors.
I went to my first outdoor game a few years back for a college hockey game. It was kind of cool, but after doing it once and freezing my ass off at Soldier field, I am content to never do it again. Depending on ticket prices I might do this one, but I'd much prefer it indoors.
Past Considerations
Registered User
So this is an actual rule? Anyone got a rulebook.pdf reference? At least there's that then, and not just something pulled out of a hat a la NHL & World Cup groups.
And this certainly wouldn't be the first time this supposed rule has been used. I remember at least once one team being moved to a group that was closer to its country border. This team may have been Men's tournmanet, team being Finland and the host Russia (groups in St Peterburg & Moscow or something).
I don't like this though.
Past Considerations
Registered User
In a way it does affect, actually everything. If the balance of the group changes considerably, some are going to have it easier and some are going to have it harder, either the start of the tournament or the road to the final games (QFs mainly). However, if the groups are based on lottery or ranking or both, then that's it and no one has reasons to question "what if".
