GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 21 • QF1: CZE (4) - FIN (3) F/SO

[Loffer]

Betting is easy in this kind of live situations. There were no odds favouring the Finns in reality after the late tying easy goal by the Czechs. Actually they lost the game just and already then.

 

[chauron]

Well this is just hockey, it's gold or nothing.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

There were justified complaints about the Czech goaltending, and Kořenář just stole the game from Finland. QF is a specific game indeed. Don't understand why the Finnish fans criticize their team so harshly. I think Finland played great, they had many scoring chances, it was just about the Czech goalie having even greater day. With an average Czech goaltending, Finland would surely go through.

If playing great consecutively doesn't warrant wins, then it's not playing great. It's playing to look great.

 

[Baxterman]

Good competitive game. Finland obviously the better team but just couldn't finnish.

I think Canada beats either of the teams but the Czechs are a better match-up so a good result for us.

 

[Urbanskog]

Finland got what they ultimately deserved. A very stacked team but lacked quality scoring and defence. Don't know who to blame this time.

"Lacked defense"? Defense was the strong suit of the team.

 

[FinPanda]

Feels really bad. We totally dominated and lost. I feel absolutely crushed.

I knew before the shootout we'll lose this. Congrats Czechs...

 

[Loffer]

Arcade NHL Giant Goalie mode Luukkonen: Everything goes in five hole magic.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Finland deserved to win today but was definitely the most over rated team pre-tournament. They have to figure something out in North America lol

 

[Mestaruus]

Czech goalie was better than Luukkonen and that decision by the coach to pull off goalie when there was 3 minutes left was amazing and won the game for them. Expected them to pull the goalie at 2 minutes. Amazing decision by their coach.

Alot of people seem to be very glad every time finland loses, wierd.

Finland was 1 of the favorites and that is not normal of Finland and people cheer for the underdogs and against the favorites so understandable. I don't think it's any more than that. Also people are tired of Finland being so dominant in juniors the recent years.

 

[Snippit]

Juolevi and Valimaki were just very disappointing in this tournament.

Totally agree about Valimaki.

But you must have had the wrong number for Juolevi - cause he was excellent. Especially today.

 

[Matte99]

Swedes arent suppose to be happy?

No

 

[ijuka]

Finland deserved to win today but was definitely the most over rated team pre-tournament. They have to figure something out in North America lol

Passable goaltending and finishing ability should have been enough.

If we look at stuff like scoring chances, corsi etc. Finland crushed in those. But having the worst goalie in recent u20 history and zero ability to finish isn't a great combination.

In usual Finnish fashion, Finland had to work much harder for every goal.

 

[Mestaruus]

Congratz to Czechs, I'll be rooting for you to win the gold.

Positive news are, no more Dirlandaa.

Better than that other song by Amanda Harkimo at least. Anything beats that.

 

[Macbanan]

Goalie is part of the team==>better team won.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Czechs have some big wins over Russia and Finland. Definitely the dark horse of the group

 

[Jablkon]

Worse team won, but good it became after 12 years.

 

[chauron]

On the positive side, we can get Heiskanen and Tolvanen back earlier and they can take part of the club activities sooner and get prepared for Olympic tournament.

 

[Binister]

"Lacked defense"? Defense was the strong suit of the team.

Still GA was bad. And in defence I include our goalie who played below average easily.

 

[Jakk123]

Congratulations

 

[Saablic]

1st time our team played very defensively in comparison to round robin games, tactic mode, but also 1st time our GK saved us, Finns had many scoring opportunities. It is quite a satisfaction after our comeback from 1-5 to 5-5 at WC18, we had momentum, but we lost. Today we received what we missed at that match at WC18. Zadina is a sniper, Kořenář saved us, now we can enjoy the match against (probably) Canada, well done guys, Czech hockey is rising up again !

 

[Make]

Oh well, shit happens. Should have scored more in regulation or ot. The chances were there. Weak attempts vs. a hot goalie in a shootout and the result was kind of predictable.

Kind of off putting how seriously some people take these junior tournamets. Nothing but bashing and gloating.

 

[Critical13]

Jets got another good one in Vesalainen - mold him into the next Wheeler. 6'3, 209lbs and silky smooth hands.

Can't comment on the speed, hard to tell in these games, but doesn't seem to be bad, especially east west oddly enough for a big boy.

 

[joey16]

Mixed feelings.. I am happy that we are in semis after so many years.. but it had to be after this embarrassing performance...
Feel bad for the Finns, the better team lost today
At least I hope the Czechs won't be afraid of playing good hockey which they can when the pressure should be all gone in semis

 

[kabidjan18]

Were you wondering? Yes, you were wondering.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi has scored 3 points in the last 3 games in Liiga.

Good thing we left that loser behind.

 

[ijuka]

Eeli Tolvanen 3.33 shooting % this tournament. Sustainable?

 

[Narwian]

Well that was it then, Finland has taken back to reality. Our offensive "quality" is to shoot a lot, always over and wide and of course hands made of wood when got an wide open net. What i'm most worried about is that we won't produce top end goaltenders anymore. This doesn't look good....