GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 20 • Group B: RUS (3) - SWE (4) F/SO

[cc]

Liljegren was my pick for pog for Sweden as well.

Should have picked the Russian goalie

I hope Andersson is ok

 

[Mestaruus]

CZE-FIN and USA-RUS gonna be good.

 

[Fantomas]

I don't know if he was gassed at times, but Samorukov was a complete floater in overtime. It was embarrassing. Compete level was very low.

I'm okay with the Russia-US QF. But I'm not happy with what I am seeing from this team (as I've made clear).

 

[Yakushev72]

Odds are that Bragin's medal streak will be broken on Tuesday, but I will say that the situation isn't as hopeless as I originally thought for 2 reasons: (1) the USA hasn't played nearly as well as they were hyped before the tournament; and (2) I thought that frenzied crowds would beset the Russians if they played the Americans, but so far, the USA has played to an empty arena (against Finland, the seats around the boards were mostly empty). Still, the skill level of this team is so low, and the defense is so thoroughly incompetent, that it will most likely be the end of the tournament for us. Also, this team seems demoralized and lacking confidence, and Bragin has done a poor job of giving them the tools to win.

It seems obvious that the RHF could learn a lot from Sweden about how to play the game of hockey. Russia looks far behind Sweden in skills like stickhandling, skating, passing, and obviously, shooting. Also, the Swedes are so much bigger and more physical. They just mauled everyone tonight and pushed them around. If they don't choke against Canada or the United States, no reason why they shouldn't win a Gold Medal.

 

[Ori]

Russian goalie should have got their player of the game.

I agree, I was surprised by that - he had an amazing game and kept Russia to OT hockey.

 

[Yakushev72]

I don't know if he was gassed at times, but Samorukov was a complete floater in overtime. It was embarrassing. Compete level was very low.

I'm okay with the Russia-US QF. But I'm not happy with what I am seeing from this team (as I've made clear).

Great talent, but selfish, lacks concentration, and a mental mosquito.

 

[joe89]

I think Russia got tired from all the penalties they took

I don't know if he was gassed at times, but Samorukov was a complete floater in overtime. It was embarrassing. Compete level was very low.

I'm okay with the Russia-US QF. But I'm not happy with what I am seeing from this team (as I've made clear).

I think you have the chance tho. USA has leaked quite some goals, and you have some opportunistic players. Pressure is on them.

 

[Passionis]

This Russian team just sucks. End of story.

Boring robotic hockey. Not a single memorable creative play.

That's what happens when the most talented players leave to Na. Their creative game is gone. Bragin doesn't help much either with his coaching style, although I respect it overall

 

[Healthy DiPietro]

Thought both teams were pretty bad tbh, no edge to this game. When Lilgagran is awarded PoG you know you played badly.

 

[mjlee]

Huh, why would they need to lose? Would have been understandable if the USA finished 4th in their pool. But they absolutely want to win now that it would mean facing Slovakia.

Just to get that streak off their back? Sacrificing a QF against Slovakia for that would be dumb.

Nah, it was earlier when it seemed there was a chance that losing would get them Slovakia instead of the US in the QF. A hint of, if it means playing Slovakia in the QF should you not make the effort to win. There was also mentions of the Olympics 2006 in Torino

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Nice goal by Oscar Steen to win it in the shoot out. A tireless workhouse as are most of the Swedes. Kid has come a long way from being a 6th round draft pick of the Bruins in 2016. He impressed at the Rookie camp this year with his speed and tenacity. Sweden seems to be able to rotate line after line and they all ramp up the tempo, pretty impressive.

 

[Yakushev72]

Russian goalie should have got their player of the game.

He was just average. He made some really good saves, as has been the standard for Russian goalies in the WJC in recent years, but he also let in some easy goals, especially the last one. For the most part, Russia played very evenly with Sweden, and if Sukhachyov could have made some big saves, they had a good chance to win. He didn't, and we didn't!

 

[Mr Hockey]

I only have seen a bit of the game, Canada will be waiting for you guys in the Gold medal game

 

[firstemperor]

Welp nice game to watch after that dreadful Leafs performance earlier. Liljegren looking real good all tourney to me, finally had got on the score-sheet and minutes are increasing every game.

Also nice that Russia is probably the first team on paper, besides perhaps the Czech's (might be a darkhorse at best) who are a consistent heavyweight.

 

[Wings4Life]

Liljegren with a monster game, Leafs got a good one. Hope Lias is OK, without him Sweden is done.

Thought both teams were pretty bad tbh, no edge to this game. When Lilgagran is awarded PoG you know you played badly.

Sooo bitter.

 

[Stizzle]

Rubtsov... again with a below average game.

Really? Call me a Flyers homer, but I thought he played well.

 

[thrillhous]

He was just average. He made some really good saves, as has been the standard for Russian goalies in the WJC in recent years, but he also let in some easy goals, especially the last one. For the most part, Russia played very evenly with Sweden, and if Sukhachyov could have made some big saves, they had a good chance to win. He didn't, and we didn't!

I don't think anyone will agree with you on this. He was definitely not "just average" and he did in fact give the Russian team a chance to win. They just weren't good enough to get him the win.

 

[EK47]

How'd the game look Lindström and Moverare still not good?

 

[Scott Malkinson]

Aside from the goal and assist, how did Liljegren play?

 

[Atas2000]

I don't think anyone will agree with you on this. He was definitely not "just average" and he did in fact give the Russian team a chance to win. They just weren't good enough to get him the win.

He was below average for this level. Period.

 

[thrillhous]

He was below average for this level. Period.

I just watched all three of the Swedish goals again and the goalie can't be blamed for any of them. The third goal you would hope that he would be able to hold on to the puck after the first shot so that one he could have done better but the big picture is that it was the D that blew it on that goal with brutal scrambling coverage. The D was absolutely putrid on goals 1 and 2; not the goalie's fault at all. Then there were the numerous saves he did make, stopping high quality chances. There are a number of reasons why Russia didn't get the job done last night but goaltending is not on that list.

 

[Atas2000]

I just watched all three of the Swedish goals again and the goalie can't be blamed for any of them. The third goal you would hope that he would be able to hold on to the puck after the first shot so that one he could have done better but the big picture is that it was the D that blew it on that goal with brutal scrambling coverage. The D was absolutely putrid on goals 1 and 2; not the goalie's fault at all. Then there were the numerous saves he did make, stopping high quality chances. There are a number of reasons why Russia didn't get the job done last night but goaltending is not on that list.

So you watched only the goals?

 

[thrillhous]

So you watched only the goals?

Of course not. I watched the whole game last night, then shared my opinion this morning in response to Yakushev72's post. Then when you replied to my post I thought I'd better make sure I wasn't missing anything about the Swedish goals so I watched them all again before responding to your post.

 

[Yakushev72]

I don't know if he was gassed at times, but Samorukov was a complete floater in overtime. It was embarrassing. Compete level was very low.

I'm okay with the Russia-US QF. But I'm not happy with what I am seeing from this team (as I've made clear).

Agreed. There was little or no difference between Finland and the USA in yesterday's game - at times the Finns looked better. The USA has not looked in any way unbeatable so far. They should be favored, but taking Sweden to an SO shows that they can possibly upset a better team.

Samorukov has a lot of talent, but he is a case in point of how poorly trained and unready Russian youth players are. He is famous for selfish plays and obliviousness in the D zone, and yesterday illustrated it perfectly. He hasn't learned anything from the CHL, that is for certain.

 

[MR4]

Anywhere to rewatch the game? PM if it breaks site rules