WJC: 2020 Canada Roster Talk Part II

[ORRFForever]

Amen!

Even without L., we should be able to beat Germany and the Czechs. Then, perhaps, the team has gelled and he's back for the playoffs - if we finish first in the pool, the quarters might be another chance for him to rest.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

If Lafreniere is out then I think McMichael is the player that should be given more opportunity, with Byfield getting some extra chances as well. Byfield hasn't shown much, and short of Lindros 17 year olds always perform below their level for Canada, but he at least has the offensive talent to make a difference if something clicks for him.

Then again, there is always the option to tighten up defensively, win most of the puck battles, and win a game 2-1 rather than 6-4.

Agreed on McMichael being promoted from line 4. Byfield has been bad in a top 6 role, he does not need or deserve more top 6 icetime.

 

[NyQuil]

You just don't understand the nature of the tournament. With that "push back" they could easily do something stupid, got thrown out of the tournament and made the situation even worse, while now they just lost a game. They still need to win another one to get into the playoffs, where the tournament will really start.

I think he means more of an emotional push-back than committing suspendable offences.

I agree with him that it's not in character for Canada to roll over like that against a big rival for the remainder of the game.

The Russians were perfectly happy with some of the post-whistle physicality. The refs weren't calling it, so it was a good tactic for the Russians. Canada should have done the same.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Hunter has some big decisions to make on the forward lines, especially if Lafreniere misses the next game. My lines would be:

McMichael - Hayton - Thomas
Foote - Veleno - Mercer
Byfield - Cozens - Lavoie
Foudy - Dellandrea - Dudas

 

[Kshahdoo]

I think he means more of an emotional push-back than committing suspendable offences.

I agree with him that it's not in character for Canada to roll over like that against a big rival for the remainder of the game.

The Russians were perfectly happy with some of the post-whistle physicality. The refs weren't calling it, so it was a good tactic for the Russians. Canada should have done the same.

Emotional push-back on junior level often leads to some reckless plays. If the game is lost and nothing goes right on this stage, you just should understand, it means almost notthing, as long as there is still a very good chance to go to the next stage, where real hockey starts. Yeah, it's probably against Canadian mentality in hockey, but they used to play this way. I remember, when Canada was destroyed by Soviet team at Canada Cup 84 on the round robin stage and still won the tournament.

 

[Rob]

If Canada wins their next two games they will finish at least second. I doubt they can finish first because of the goal differential though.

 

[ORRFForever]

If Canada wins their next two games they will finish at least second. I doubt they can finish first because of the goal differential though.

Not sure that is true, Rob.

There are 4 scenarios for tomorrow's U.S./ Russia game....

With 3 of the scenarios, Canada wins the pool if we win our final 2 games in regulation. The only one that haunts us is Russia winning in regulation.

Goal Diff will likely not play into this since Russia lost to the Czechs.

 

[NyQuil]

Emotional push-back on junior level often leads to some reckless plays. If the game is lost and nothing goes right on this stage, you just should understand, it means almost notthing, as long as there is still a very good chance to go to the next stage, where real hockey starts. Yeah, it's probably against Canadian mentality in hockey, but they used to play this way. I remember, when Canada was destroyed by Soviet team at Canada Cup 84 on the round robin stage and still won the tournament.

We've certainly lost games in the round robin before (many times in fact), but rarely in such a one-sided fashion.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

If Canada wins their next two games they will finish at least second. I doubt they can finish first because of the goal differential though.

Goal differential may or may not play into the final group rankings. All the more reason for Hunter to finally come up with some lines that work.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Not sure that is true, Rob.

There are 4 scenarios for tomorrow's U.S./ Russia game....

With 3 of the scenarios, Canada wins the pool if we win our final 2 games in regulation. The only one that haunts us is Russia winning in regulation.

Goal Diff will likely not play into this since Russia lost to the Czechs.

If Russia beats the Americans and finishes 3-1 they more then likely finish 1st in the group with the tie breaker over Canada. Canada has the tie breaker over the States so a US win over Russia and Canada has a easy laid out path to first in the group at that point.

 

[ORRFForever]

If Russia beats the Americans and finishes 3-1 they more then likely finish 1st in the group with the tie breaker over Canada. Canada has the tie breaker over the States so a US win over Russia and Canada has a easy laid out path to first in the group at that point.

Yup. However, Russia needs to beat the U.S. in Regulation. If not, Canada's wins the pool with 2 regulation wins over Germany and the Czechs.

 

[ORRFForever]

We've certainly lost games in the round robin before (many times in fact), but rarely in such a one-sided fashion.

It is was a slaughter.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

If this group has any pride/competitive bone in their body every second they have should be dedicated to getting another crack at the Russians. Could either be the ultimate wake up call or they go out with a whimper and they are known as the Canadian team that got abused by the Russians. Lots of time for them to flip this on it's head.

 

[ORRFForever]

If this group has any pride/competitive bone in their body every second they have should be dedicated to getting another crack at the Russians. Could either be the ultimate wake up call or they go out with a whimper and they are known as the Canadian team that got abused by the Russians. Lots of time for them to flip this on it's head.

Amen.

We've seen in before... One team gets dominated during the Round Robin and then loses in the playoff rounds.

In the big scheme of things, today's loss, as bad as it was, mean nothing.

 

[snipes]

Amen.

We've seen in before... One team gets dominated during the Round Robin and then loses in the playoff rounds.

In the big scheme of things, today's loss, as bad as it was, mean nothing.

Exhibit A - Sweden the last 12 years.

 

[ORRFForever]

Exhibit A - Sweden the last 12 years.

Yes.

Sweden has dominated the Round Robin for a decade and has 1(?) Gold medal in all that time?

Round Robin, especially when 80% of the teams make the playoffs, is to gel, establish lines and work out the kinks.

If you're clicking on January 2nd, none of the rest matters.

 

[JackSlater]

If this group has any pride/competitive bone in their body every second they have should be dedicated to getting another crack at the Russians. Could either be the ultimate wake up call or they go out with a whimper and they are known as the Canadian team that got abused by the Russians. Lots of time for them to flip this on it's head.

Another game against Russia would be great, especially now that Hayton has added some fuel to the fire. Of course, showing some backbone would go a long way toward avoiding the "whimper" described above.

 

[Jacksonbobson]

Byfield should be getting top line mins. Him and connor mcmichael would be nasty

 

[ORRFForever]

I have watched this tournament forever and it never ceases to amaze me.

 

[BigRangy]

I for one really hope Lafreniere can come back simply so I can continue watching him on the biggest stage while cheering for him on a team that I don’t hate. Once he’s drafted, I won’t get the chance to cheer for him anymore, and he’s such a fun player to support.

 

[ORRFForever]

I for one really hope Lafreniere can come back simply so I can continue watching him on the biggest stage while cheering for him on a team that I don’t hate. Once he’s drafted, I won’t get the chance to cheer for him anymore, and he’s such a fun player to support.

From an optics point of view, it didn't look that bad. I was surprised when he needed help off the ice

 

[Heldig]

Byfield should be getting top line mins. Him and connor mcmichael would be nasty

Really? Byfield has been mostly invisible in 2 games. I was thinking he should be moved down the lineup.

 

[Get North]

Tallest and 3rd heaviest team in the tournament and they played like it against the Americans. For some reason they didn't play like it against Russia, but Russia's defence is one of the best in the tournament. They play in the KHL regularly, so WJC competition is quite easier than what they are used to. Our forwards have to adjust and therefore play more physical which they didn't.

Goaltending didn't help, they took too many penalties and Lafreniere injury was the finisher. We beat Switzerland and Finland in pre-tournament as well as USA, this team can perform much better.

 

[ORRFForever]

Tallest and 3rd heaviest team in the tournament and they played like it against the Americans. For some reason they didn't play like it against Russia, but Russia's defence is one of the best in the tournament. They play in the KHL regularly, so WJC competition is quite easier than what they are used to. Our forwards have to adjust and therefore play more physical which they didn't.

Goaltending didn't help, they took too many penalties and Lafreniere injury was the finisher. We beat Switzerland and Finland in pre-tournament as well as USA, this team can perform much better.

Agree.

There is a 90% chance we finish either 1st (60%) or 2nd (30%) in our pool - likely playing either the Swiss or Slovakia in the Quarters. There are no sure things but, my guess, we should make it to the Semi's.

At that point, hopefully we have Lafreniere back.

 

[Startseva]

I do not understand those fans who starting to hate own team in bad moments. I do not care about Canada's team but you are forcing me to say a word to put some fair here. Just stop crying. Reminds me of some our fans after the lost to the CZ (fire Bragin, change the hockey head, our team should go home!). WJC is WJC, you should remember that. It's a lot about psychology.

In 2011 Russia lost to Canada 3:6 on the group game, then lost the game against Sweden. The final result is well-known with 5 goals in the third period.
In 2012 in semis Russia was leading 6:1 and in the 10 mins Canada made 6:5. Who knows maybe in the other day you would be more sucessful.
In 2013 Russia lost in group game to Canada on home ice 1:4. But won in the bronze medal game 6:5.

You have f*ck*ng everything to repeat something like that. Absolutely. Even aftrer today's game. It might be unpleasant for someone's ego to lose 6:0 but the score means nothing. Your team played well in the game with the USA and spent all emotions there, as one of the reasons you lost today.

Our team used chanses, somewhere got lucky, played fine in defence and overall disciplined (which was not enough with the Czechs). I wouldn't make big conclusions at all. As well as Canadian team spent a lot of emotions in the previous game — our team spent all they had today and in this sense I am expecting hard game with the USA. I hope Bragin will explain them well who they are and will put them on the ground in the best Russian traditions with a man-to-man talk.