PGT: 9/19 - Russia vs North America - Russia 4 North America 3 F

[Whileee]

Not trying to start an arguement here. But if this is how Matthews plays regularly. I don't see why there's any debate that hes worse than Eichel

Matthews is very impressive. He looks better than Eichel to me. Seems to have better hockey sense and better hands. Going to be a beast. Too bad he can't play with McDavid all the time. They are awesome.

 

[RipsADrive]

Eichel didn't have the best game but he didn't deserve to get raked over the coals like he was in the GDT.

Hope he'll have a bounceback against Sweden.

 

[Draw Me a McElephant]

What a game. Bobrovsky was the difference. Mack, Nuge, Reilly, McDavid and Matthews were really good. Murray...not so much.

 

[hitmen19]

The Swedish quarter (Karlsson, OEL, Hedman, Stralman) are too much for them to handle.

yeah, I think they will be in tough. That's a good thing in my opinion. The semi finals will be better with Sweden, Russia or Finland imo.

 

[Plub]

Really wish NA could have pulled off the come back. Kudos to Russia for forcing low % shots and protecting the front.

 

[Scotty B]

Congrats Russians good game...

PS: sportsnet guys saying Murray appeared to hurt his thumb...let in four goals on four shots thereafter...

Not an excuse, just a possible explanation for sudden drop off in Murray's play..didn't look good on couple of those goals

 

[Oberyn]

The 2nd PP unit of RNH/Gaudreau/Mackinnon/Rielly/Parayko should be the 1st unit.

 

[KCC]

What? I liked Eichel. He could have finished on some plays but I had zero complaints from his game. Only mistake I can think of was the 2 on 1 that he wasn't quick on but he had a long shift so it's understandable.

He was terrible tonight. Forcing passes through, not getting back fast enough and then of course having his head down and getting wallpapered. He had a bad game and he'd probably be the first to tell you.

 

[Paxton Fettel]

Inexperienced team with no defense is the best opponent for Russia. Znarok is still the worst.

True.

I really like Russia's poweplay as they're constantly getting outplayed by the PKers

 

[LeafsNation149]

Ready set go!

 

[VainGretzky]

Eichel had a bad game but many good ones last year . I would not base his career on tonifght.

 

[Sam Spade]

Good job Russia.

Telegin going to be black and blue tomorrow.

That dude deserves some serious love from his teammates after this game.

 

[Oak]

Would rather Ekblad was out there, but trouba didn't do too bad, only one goal was his fault and that was flukey af.

Trouba looked really solid.

 

[WillNyeTheHockeyGuy]

Eichel didn't have the best game but he didn't deserve to get raked over the coals like he was in the GDT.

Hope he'll have a bounceback against Sweden.

He doesn't, but he's the easiest target in a group of standouts. I mean having quite a bad game today also doesn't help, but the excessive "he'll never amount to anything" type posts were dumb af. HF wouldn't be HF without the knee-jerk reactions though.

 

[Divine]

Final shots:

Team NA: 46, Russia: 25.

I think we can say Team NA held their own.

 

[Sentinel]

Russia had all the breaks.

 

[snipes]

Awesome game. Congrats Russia.

 

[flaneur]

fun game! the matchup was fascinating to watch.

 

[48g90a138pts]

Talking Heads on tv were saying Ekblad is most likely done for the tournament.

 

[TMLeafer]

That was so much fun .

You could see the elation from the Russians after the final buzzer too. Glad to see the players and crowd into it.

 

[Ropesman]

WOOOO!! Hockey is back isn't it haha. Awesome game all around, this tournament is exceeding my expectations by far. Tomorrow should be even better if you ask me.

On another note, Philly you guys have a beauty in Ghost. I mean I know the kid was an up and comer but he is lights out. If your blue line keeps developing with the other blue chips you have then the east better look out.

 

[RipsADrive]

Said it in the GDT but man McLennan is BRUTAL. Why shorten the bench like that on the second game of a back to back? I seriously think NA could have competed that come back if it wasn't for the god awful lineup choices.

They were dominant the entire 3rd period.

The biggest problem in deployment was the 5-3.

 

[syz]

He was terrible tonight. Forcing passes through, not getting back fast enough and then of course having his head down and getting wallpapered. He had a bad game and he'd probably be the first to tell you.

And just straight up falling over out of nowhere on an odd man rush. Rough night tonight.

Gaudreau picked it up after being moved up with RNH and Mac, but I have a feeling anybody would benefit from playing on a line with those two right now.

 

[Mitchy]

Just an amazingly entertaining game. Imagine if regular season games were like this.

 

[hitmen19]

Matthews is very impressive. He looks better than Eichel to me. Seems to have better hockey sense and better hands. Going to be a beast. Too bad he can't play with McDavid all the time. They are awesome.

I think that is a pretty popular opinion one can make after this tournament so far. Matthews has looked great, Eichel still has some growing into his body to do