GDT: 9/22 - Finland vs. Russia - 3 PM ET

[TheFinnishTrap]

What a weird tournament. Also scary. I was already hoping we were coming out of the goal scoring void, but here we are again... So many wasted chances. At least the youth showed some promise. Overall this tournament was kind of like Pulju's WJC 2 years ago: all the chances but still nothing to show for it. The first period looked like we would surely take this game, but then Russia happened. It's especially painful when Russia scored shortly after Granlund hit the post. It really seemed to change the pace.

And since every post has to mention Laine, I actually thought he was overall very good. He had turnovers, like everyone, but he was actually VERY responsible and effective defensively. He also set up numerous plays, like that quick pass to Aho. I don't get why everyone is dissing him based on this game. He made good plays to set up chances and keep possession, and was overall just very reliable. I bet if it was Matthews dumping that puck or putting the puck on net instead of just trying to go through a team yourself, he'd get praised for being so smart. So often you hear about those "small plays", but apparently they go unnoticed with Laine.

It's also confounding how important Finland is to some Leafs' fans. Can't you cheer Matthews for singlehandedly dragging team NA to semi... Oh.

 

[Jussi]

Maybe you're joking but I've read this notion a couple of other times as well. Are a lot of finns under the belief that the Worlds are a better and more meaningful tournament than this one?

For the Finnish general population and hockey fans: Olympics>>>Worlds>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>WJC(depends if we have a good team)/World Cup

Few people gave two ***** about this tournament as soon as the two all-star teams were annnounced.

 

[LoveNHL]

I just want to drop a spontaneous comment about Finland. The biggest issue is the coach. It is hard to understand how Korpikoski most of the games had more time on ice than Barkov. The coach seems to Believe in socialism is a great thing in hockey. All shall have equal amount of time on ice.

Unfortunatelly ALL coaches in NHL disagree with Marjamaki because they have a first line, second line and so on. You simply play the best players as much as possible. It is how games are won. Finland did only one single goal in Three games. It is horrible to Believe Korpikoski will score. He have never done it and will never do it. Still he played more than the most skilled finns. The end result was very obvious.

Another issue is Vatanen. He is great in looking flashy when he carries the puck, but it is ineffective. He slows down every attack to such degree that opponents will have at least 6 opponents blocking every attempt to do any play possible. It is just a big "sigh".

I Think a lot of those finns did their last game at international level. I realy hope that is the case so we can get decent players for the next Olympics. A massive major change in the tactics must be done. Finnish trap-hockey does not work. It is too slow at this level of competition.

 

[LoveNHL]

LOL at people who blame coaching. Finland played pretty good puck possession against Sweden and Russia. Had chances but did not score. Small marginals. Also when you look at the roster for example our defense it is not very good.

Finland plays the slowest hockey in the World. Great result at the end.

 

[Jussi]

Finland plays the slowest hockey in the World. Great result at the end.

We don't exactly have fast players these days...

 

[Rebels57]

I just want to drop a spontaneous comment about Finland. The biggest issue is the coach. It is hard to understand how Korpikoski most of the games had more time on ice than Barkov. The coach seems to Believe in socialism is a great thing in hockey. All shall have equal amount of time on ice.

Unfortunatelly ALL coaches in NHL disagree with Marjamaki because they have a first line, second line and so on. You simply play the best players as much as possible. It is how games are won. Finland did only one single goal in Three games. It is horrible to Believe Korpikoski will score. He have never done it and will never do it. Still he played more than the most skilled finns. The end result was very obvious.

Another issue is Vatanen. He is great in looking flashy when he carries the puck, but it is ineffective. He slows down every attack to such degree that opponents will have at least 6 opponents blocking every attempt to do any play possible. It is just a big "sigh".

I Think a lot of those finns did their last game at international level. I realy hope that is the case so we can get decent players for the next Olympics. A massive major change in the tactics must be done. Finnish trap-hockey does not work. It is too slow at this level of competition.

That is unforgiveable. Finland's coach was terrible. Even Darren Pang called him out for coming out with one of their bottom lines for an offensive zone faceoff after an icing in a game they were trailing but still in. Awful coaching.

 

[Dris]

We don't exactly have fast players these days...

We have Pillu...always there is fast pillu in Finland

Haula is fast
Donskoi or Granlund are not slow
Filppula used to be OK

 

[Harry22]

Gimmick teams are a one off anyway. This tournament will get better and better and have more prestige once it happens on a regular 4 year cycle.

My idea stays the same, have the top 6 teams per the IIHF rankings (or an NHL created ranking) as of a certain date (say after the Olympics or a year before) qualify automatically. After that have the next 4 or 6 teams battle it out a week or 2 before the actual tournament to see who has the final 2 spots. Then it would really be a true world cup as more countries and no "made up" teams participate.

Also, make the qualification process part of the world Cup and stage it in Europe a week or 2 before. Also, have the tournament alternate between NA and Europe every 4 years. (Though I doubt NHL goes that route)

 

[Jussi]

We have Pillu...always there is fast pillu in Finland

Haula is fast
Donskoi or Granlund are not slow
Filppula used to be OK

Only Haula's speed is comparable to top NHL players. But that's pretty much all he has. Sligthly upgraded version of Pillu.

 

[Make]

We don't exactly have fast players these days...

This is true. I watched the Leijonat Inside-documentary and was shaking my head at the GM-staff who said speed is our main strength. All our vets are slow compared to the rivals. NA-team exposed us brutally in that department. This needs to be a focus for the junior development - the North Americans have improved greatly in this in the past 10-15 years.

 

[EMeduza]

I want to see a top six tournament where every team play each other once and then a best of 3 final. Best format.

 

[Karma_]

I Think a lot of those finns did their last game at international level. I realy hope that is the case so we can get decent players for the next Olympics. A massive major change in the tactics must be done. Finnish trap-hockey does not work. It is too slow at this level of competition.

You are not really seeing the main reason team Finland is sucking today.
Last decade was awful in regards to developing talent in Finland, and its these generations that should be the core.

Painful examples:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/draft.php?year=2006&sort=nation&nation=2
http://www.eliteprospects.com/draft.php?year=2007&sort=nation&nation=2 The absolutely rock bottom
http://www.eliteprospects.com/draft.php?year=2008&sort=nation&nation=2

No tactical or coaching changes can make up the simply missing talent combined with experience, and it will take few years more for the new talent to completely take over.

 

[Brock Radunske]

For the Finnish general population and hockey fans: Olympics>>>Worlds>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>WJC(depends if we have a good team)/World Cup

Few people gave two ***** about this tournament as soon as the two all-star teams were annnounced.

So Finland cares more about a tournament that no hockey nations care about and most stars would rather golf than participate in?
Wow, that's sad dude.

 

[Dris]

This is true. I watched the Leijonat Inside-documentary and was shaking my head at the GM-staff who said speed is our main strength. All our vets are slow compared to the rivals. NA-team exposed us brutally in that department. This needs to be a focus for the junior development - the North Americans have improved greatly in this in the past 10-15 years.

The NT U20 were not slow in comparison with their opponents.

I think the skating is a key part, but the one really worries me is the fact that we don't have any top D-man in comparison to top teams..perhaps only Ristolainen.

The development of guys like Juolevi or Lindell will be key for the future of this team

 

[ijuka]

LOL at people who blame coaching. Finland played pretty good puck possession against Sweden and Russia. Had chances but did not score. Small marginals. Also when you look at the roster for example our defense it is not very good.

You probably haven't watched Team Finland play a whole lot if you don't think that that coaching was awful.

 

[Make]

^Yep, we have almost no international talent from players born 1984-1991. Could have used some of those prime aged players...

 

[Maplebeasts]

God dammit Finland

Well if nothing else, at least Matthews and Rielly are out of the tournament without an injury ready to go for pre-season.

 

[leaflover]

This sets up a classic Canada vs Russia semi.
It works for me.

 

[Jussi]

So Finland cares more about a tournament that no hockey nations care about and most stars would rather golf than participate in?
Wow, that's sad dude.

All the Europeans care, stop lying. It's completely irrelevant if North Americans don't care. What WJC are to Canadians, Worlds are to all the European hockey nations.

 

[ViD]

Trying to understand how this team Finland beat Canada with Sid 4-0 and Russia 3-1 this year...

 

[Make]

The NT U20 were not slow in comparison with their opponents.

Yeah, the young ones are ok, but the older core who should have carried the load for scoring are slow. I just thought it was a weird assesment of our strengths, as if they hadn't seen what the trend has been in the past 10-15 years. Speed used to be our strength against NA-teams for example, but the best skaters nowadays are almost always Canadian or American.

 

[Brock Radunske]

All the Europeans care, stop lying. It's completely irrelevant if North Americans don't care. What WJC are to Canadians, Worlds are to all the European hockey nations.

The relative quality of competition at the worlds is significantly less than even the WJC.
Is it a popular thing because the best players don't participate and euro teams have a chance to win?
Seems hollow, no?

 

[Dris]

Yeah, the young ones are ok, but the older core who should have carried the load for scoring are slow. I just thought it was a weird assesment of our strengths, as if they hadn't seen what the trend has been in the past 10-15 years. Speed used to be our strength against NA-teams for example, but the best skaters nowadays are almost always Canadian or American.

Agreed...perhaps the best player from the 84 promotion was Kontiola, who never made it in the NHL cause his lack of speed/sloppy skating

I think the lack of speed trend will reverse...however, defense?...the guys a time struggle to give two passes out of the defensive zone

 

[ViD]

The relative quality of competition at the worlds is significantly less than even the WJC.
Is it a popular thing because the best players don't participate and euro teams have a chance to win?
Seems hollow, no?

if team USA doesn't bring a good team, it's their problem. Canada has been bringing top teams last few years.

 

[EMeduza]

The relative quality of competition at the worlds is significantly less than even the WJC.
Is it a popular thing because the best players don't participate and euro teams have a chance to win?
Seems hollow, no?

You are deluded if you think the quality of the competition is better in WJC than in the World Championship.