It is still a joke how the IIHF has shootouts in elimination games. It is like MLB having a Home Run hitting contest, the NFL having a Field Goal contest, and the NBA having a 3 point contest to determine the outcome of a team sport. I have said it for a number of years, but shootouts have no place in elimination hockey games. You play until one team scores. Not sure why the IIHF has a skills contest to determine a winner in an elimination game. A farce. Finland was the better team, and they lose a skills contest.
GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 21 • QF1: CZE (4) - FIN (3) F/SO
- Thread starter Woodhouse
- Start date
Kaos Kommando
Registered User
In a way he's right. Sure Finland "had" more talent and was better, but it was like Ahokas was coaching men's national team. Spreading talent to many lines. I think you should have your top players as your top line from the beginning. It's still junior games where one line more than often decides games. Heponiemi-?-Tolvanen. Vesalainen at second.
Unfortunately I could watch games only sporadically and what I saw is what I base this opinion. What you think? Actually really interested.
Honestly, I believe if Finland would dare to play more offensively in the OT, they would score the goal. Czechs were clearly waiting for the SO, having only one or two dangerous counterattacks. But good for us that the Finns were more or less waiting for it too.
Regarding the game as a whole: Finns had much more shots and scoring chances, that's for sure. Czech defenders weren't supporting the offense much and moreover were often unconfident in their own zone. But, on the other hand: Czechs had very fast and dangerous counterattacks, stellar goaltending (for the fist time) and they were simply effective. From the 60 Finnish shots (with the OT), so many just hit the goalie's chest. Plus, the Czechs dared to play with empty net with some 3 minutes to the end, which certainly surprised the Finns and demonstrated that the Czechs are not afraid to risk.
I am happy for the Czech team to win, of course, and don't understand the Finnish fans criticizing their team so much. The Finns played a skilful, high quality game, they were the more active team, hit the post twice etc. Their possession and rotation in the offensive zone was just terrific. They simply didn't score more goals, because the opponent goaltender had his day. This happens pretty normally in hockey.
Regarding the game as a whole: Finns had much more shots and scoring chances, that's for sure. Czech defenders weren't supporting the offense much and moreover were often unconfident in their own zone. But, on the other hand: Czechs had very fast and dangerous counterattacks, stellar goaltending (for the fist time) and they were simply effective. From the 60 Finnish shots (with the OT), so many just hit the goalie's chest. Plus, the Czechs dared to play with empty net with some 3 minutes to the end, which certainly surprised the Finns and demonstrated that the Czechs are not afraid to risk.
I am happy for the Czech team to win, of course, and don't understand the Finnish fans criticizing their team so much. The Finns played a skilful, high quality game, they were the more active team, hit the post twice etc. Their possession and rotation in the offensive zone was just terrific. They simply didn't score more goals, because the opponent goaltender had his day. This happens pretty normally in hockey.
JustaFinnishGuy
Joonas Donskoi avi but not a SEA fan ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I meant the 2015 outing where he had 0 goals. It was the under 18's but still stands as an example of hyped Finns not having the best WJC tournament they could have had.
What I said! Wow! That was incredible win.
We had no business winning this game though. Poor Finns. They dominated through all game. Korenar had his game of the life. Very good move by Pesan in the 3rd period to go all-in and pull the goalie so early. Still can't believe we won this, feels dirty as hell. That was Korenar, Zadina, Necas against Finland... Michnac had some good looks, too. Expected more from Chytil. Terrible defense from us. Finns were always quicker, one step ahead, their passes were precise and so many high scoring chances from them, can't believe we really did this!
But anyway, great win boys and lets go!!
ChicagoBullsFan
Registered User
No we didn't. Dahlin is superior to all Finnish dmans.
Maybe Heiskanen could get close on him but i don't know can he better than Dahlin.
thrillhous
Registered User
- Jan 5, 2006
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I feel bad for the Finns, they were the better team for the vast majority of the game. But that's hockey I guess.
As for this debate regarding Finn defenders, from my point of view it was a tale of two tournaments for Valimaki and Juolevi. Valimaki was much better at the start while Juolevi was underwhelming. Then Juolevi changed gears in the last 2 games while Valimaki declined and made a number of errors. Heiskanen to me was consistently blah/underwhelming while Jokiharju was consistently quite good.
As for this debate regarding Finn defenders, from my point of view it was a tale of two tournaments for Valimaki and Juolevi. Valimaki was much better at the start while Juolevi was underwhelming. Then Juolevi changed gears in the last 2 games while Valimaki declined and made a number of errors. Heiskanen to me was consistently blah/underwhelming while Jokiharju was consistently quite good.
Indeed. Would've loved a 20 min 4on4 OT. Either way I was pretty glad about how it was because I thought it's 3on3 for 5 mins before OT started. Was great entertainment and drama. Finland needed to end it before SO and I knew CZE would be the favorite if it would go to SO.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
I have to say, Vesalainen really impressed me in this tournament. Solid pick by the Jets. He looked dominant at times.
SoundAndFury
Registered User
- May 28, 2012
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I don't really get all the whine about the shootout. You have 70 mins to win it, if you can't, oh well, sucks for you. It's coin toss time. I for one hate seeing gassed guys playing 40+ minutes of as simple as possible, chip and chase OT just to score some lucky bounce goal.
This was in the air, almost every game Finland played was like this.
Defence should have been more dominant? Sure, they could have, but offensively they did just about everything you could expect from them. They were excellent in giving the forwards the puck, keeping possession in the opposing end and generating shots toward the goal. It's strange of you to make this comment since you seem to have managed to figure out (at least partially) the real reason we lost this game and had problems in the tournament.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Scheduling issues. They need to finish a certain amount of games in a certain amount of time, they can't afford to have some 3+ OT games or something ridiculous. For example, in today's schedule there are 5 games in two different venues, they need to make these games end in a reasonable amount of time. Sure, it might be possible to extend the OT to 20 min, but after that they're looking at shootouts anyway.
In the semifinals and the medal games though, I think an endless OT instead of the shootout could be doable.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
It's good for hockey to have the Czech's producing top talent again. It's been a few years.
Chytil, Necas and Zadina look like the real deal.
Safin and Kaut look decent as well.
Chytil, Necas and Zadina look like the real deal.
Safin and Kaut look decent as well.
Critical13
Fear is the mind-killer.
JustaFinnishGuy
Joonas Donskoi avi but not a SEA fan ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
More or less I agree with you, but it is flawed. Shootouts aren't the best way to end a game for sure, but the schedule is the way it is and they have to end the games some way.
It's a part of the game and a skill to have, until it is taken away from the game.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
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Artist formerly known as Eagle Peninsula
JustaFinnishGuy
Joonas Donskoi avi but not a SEA fan ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
He didn't. Kuokkanen and Juolevi did though.
Ahokas didn't do his homework.
But we still aren't doing jack shit in the WJC when on NA ice.
SoundAndFury
Registered User
- May 28, 2012
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| Reichel K. (Penalty) | 2 - 1 |
| 1'(Penalty missed) Rasanen A. | |
| 2'Zadina F. (Penalty missed) | |
| 2'(Penalty missed) Tolvanen E. | |
| 3'Necas M. (Penalty) | |
| 3'(Penalty missed) Kuokkanen J. | |
| 4'Kaut M. (Penalty missed) | |
| 4'(Penalty) Vesalainen K. | |
| 5'Zachar M. (Penalty missed) | |
| 5'(Penalty missed) Juolevi O |
Fonzieleaf
Registered User
Past Considerations
Registered User
I agree in principle and I particularly can't stand 4vs4 OTs (should be always 5vs5 and at least one full 20 mins), but endless OT just isn't possible when there are multiple games played successively in the same arena.
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LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
I liked what I saw from Valimaki more than what I saw from Heiskanen. I understand Heiskanen is having an incredible season in the Finnish league. Playing on the NA ice all season may have been Valimaki's advantage. Valimaki looks like a beast in the making.
