PGT: 9/21 North America vs Sweden - North America wins 4-3 in OT but Sweden advances

[Scotty B]

I see your point so I was wrong about them being eliminated today, but it would have still meant that Russia would only need 1 point from an OTL in order to advance. At least now, Russia needs to win. So it's not as simple as saying that it would go to a three way tie breaker. Even with the tie breaker, losing in regulation would give NA a +2 goal differential total, so Russia would advance just by getting +2 goal win against Finland, which isn't a stretch.

And again, pulling the goalie is a low percentage play, even on a team as loaded as NA in offensive skill. I get the logic of forcing a regulation win, but I'm not sure it's worth the downside of losing in reg.

Man it was the best shot they had...cause Russia's gonna beat Suomi...anyway there was NOT nearly enough urgency in that 3rd period, prior to this, cause clearly neither the Kidz ( as MacK Admitted ) nor the coaching staff understood how things worked

Team NA had precious little to lose by pulling their nettie, when its still tied, cause if they win in regulation they're in, if they take it to OT , win or lose, they still needed Suomi to win tomorrow ( in regulation, if Swedes win it in OT ), but even if they lost in regulation, they still needed Finns to win tomorrow in regulation for a 3 way tie which ( barring a miracle margin of victory by Suomi ) would still put them in on goal differential...

Indeed the stupidest thing was thinking that NOT pulling their nettie and taking it to OT was OK

IT WASN'T !!!

 

[TLeafsFan]

So Team NA dominates the Finns, loses by a goal to Russia after severely outplaying them and beats Sweden in OT, but possibly won't advance?

Sweden got a point, securing 1st. No chance for three way tie now.

H2H is the tiebreak for a 2 way.

So yeah, GO SUOMI!

 

[Phil McKraken]

They all played 3 in 4. Team NA had less rest than Russia in their game (Team NA played the late game).

Sweden was the only team in the group which played its second back-to-back game against a team not in a back-to-back.

 

[spacemunky]

Sweden got a point, securing 1st. No chance for three way tie now.

H2H is the tiebreak for a 2 way.

So yeah, GO SUOMI!

Okay. I get it now, but man that would suck the life out of this tourney for me if TNA exits.

 

[Clark4Ever]

It is going to be a travesty if North America doesn't advance. The kids have earned it.

Finland has nothing but pride and a hatred of Russia to play for...hopefully that will be enough to motivate them tomorrow.

 

[Sorey*]

So Team NA dominates the Finns, loses by a goal to Russia after severely outplaying them and beats Sweden in OT, but possibly won't advance?

Sweden beat russia and got more points. Team gimmick has themselves to blame.

 

[Plub]

Hull and Chelios said the same thing.

 

[TLeafsFan]

Okay. I get it now, but man that would suck the life out of this tourney for me if TNA exits.

Really? As much as it would suck, I think you'll get along just fine cheering for Canada to beat Russia or Sweden.

 

[Sorey*]

It is going to be a travesty if North America doesn't advance. The kids have earned it.

Finland has nothing but pride and a hatred of Russia to play for...hopefully that will be enough to motivate them tomorrow.

Whaaa who cares about team gimmick. There were so many angry over this format.

 

[EK47]

OEL never manages to do what he does in the NHL, on the national team. Seems like he loses all confidence as soon as he puts on the jersey.

Hedman was the worst D today though. Not sure if he's playing through an injury after Komarov going after his knees, but something didn't look right in the way he skated and moved.

Hedman is playing a lot of minutes he plays the kind of game that takes a lot of energy, b2b games, maybe still a bit sore from that Komarov cheapshot (may he get the emelin treatment tonight). I would say with all those factors it's not completely outrageous

 

[Clark4Ever]

It's tough to argue with that...

 

[Sureves]

lol, people arguing over Karlsson in a mickey mouse pre-season tournament

cute seeing the haters coming out of the woodwork for this one. especially when he was easily the best defenseman out there tonight (2 A's, +1 on the losing team).

Karlsson has played 9 games internationally and his been on the ice for exactly 1 goal against in those games, and it happened today...3 on 3, when his teammate failed to win a race to a free puck that would have sent Karlsson in a 2 on 1, and Karlsson had already begun to leave the zone.

...and we have people discussing that 1 goal in 9 games as an incitement on his abilities as a defender.

The good news is the vast vast majority of hockey fans have come around with Karlsson nowadays, so it's like 1% of the population that still likes to jump at him every chance they get; but that's just part of being a great player.

 

[TLeafsFan]

It is going to be a travesty if North America doesn't advance. The kids have earned it.

Finland has nothing but pride and a hatred of Russia to play for...hopefully that will be enough to motivate them tomorrow.

They get to potentially say they took Russia down with them by beating them. They will play hard.

 

[spacemunky]

Really? As much as it would suck, I think you'll get along just fine cheering for Canada to beat Russia or Sweden.

I'm sure I will. Just that I was dying to see Canada vs TNA.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Whaaa who cares about team gimmick. There were so many angry over this format.

I was one of them, but the fact remains that these kids have been the life of the tournament for entertainment value. It would be a shame if they didn't advance.

 

[TLeafsFan]

I'm sure I will. Just that I was dying to see Canada vs TNA.

You still might. In Finland's hands now.

 

[Kritaren]

It's tough to argue with that...

I feel so bad for the guys after watching that celebration. They really thought they were through.

 

[Ainec]

I thought Eichel had a good game for once

 

[leafsfan1234]

It's tough to argue with that...

It was quite hard for me to enjoy that overtime due to the fact that the outcome was completely irrelevant.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I thought Eichel had a good game for once

He had a better game. He was more of a force. Has a heavy shot.

 

[TedLundy]

It was quite hard for me to enjoy that overtime due to the fact that the outcome was completely irrelevant.

Well, i think everyone enjoyed that overtime. Crazy hockey!

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

It was quite hard for me to enjoy that overtime due to the fact that the outcome was completely irrelevant.

Gotta hope Finland wins

 

[Yakushev72]

Regardless of who wins tomorrow, 3 of the 4 best European nations will be eliminated by tomorrow night. This only goes to illustrate the massive disadvantage that European teams play under in this tournament. Hostile crowds, hostile refs, all games on the road. The hybrid teams like NA and Europe can cherry pick players and have obvious advantages in talent and depth over national team programs in countries that are either small of lack resources. That has to frustrating for the Czechs, Finns, Swedes ands Russians who participate in this tournament. It is an unfair competitive balance.

 

[Sorey*]

I was one of them, but the fact remains that these kids have been the life of the tournament for entertainment value. It would be a shame if they didn't advance.

They only have themselves to blame.

 

[Mr Positive]

Man it was the best shot they had...cause Russia's gonna beat Suomi...anyway there was NOT nearly enough urgency in that 3rd period, prior to this, cause clearly neither the Kidz ( as MacK Admitted ) nor the coaching staff understood how things worked

I have to say that in my heart I agree that we should have went for it.

But at the same time, it's a low percentage play, and as bad as Finland has been in the tournament, they didn't get blown out in every game, and against Russia they will play for pride. If all Russia has to do is play for a tie after 60, that's putting a big handicap on Finland. And at least now they can be focused on winning and not so much having to win in a certain way. It would be deflating for them in a way if they beat Russia but Russia didn't care because they still advance