PGT: 9/24 Canada vs Russia - Canada advances to final with a 5-3 win over Russia

[Ainec]

I don't think it's heart.

Canada just does everything right. All of our players are on the same page and we execute whatever scheme to perfection (I've never been a coach so IDK). It starts from the coaches and training camp imho

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Hockey is Canada's game, just like basketball and football, America's. The vast majority of their youth play hockey, therefore they're growing the most talent.

It's really not rocket science. No country on earth plays hockey to near the degree as Canada. Of course they have the best players, and the deepest team.

 

[Tmu84]

The Russian team is just if not more skilled than Canada._What they really lack is HEART. Theres no herat on that team exepct Malkin. Couldnt be more happy that the Canada won [mod]

You are being way to harsh. Russia did give their best effort this one and in this tournament. But let's face it, with that D it is not easy to win Canada. Nor for any other team, for that matter...

 

[Halla]

How can canadians celebrate so much when they win at hockey? I mean, if Sweden wins at floorball, nobody cares.

yeah who cares right? they are only the best in the world in a major league sport SMH

 

[Saku11]

You are being way to harsh. Russia did give their best effort this one and in this tournament. But let's face it, with that D it is not easy to win Canada. Nor for any other team, for that matter...

Theres no way that group of players gave their 100% on their 5-2 loss. Ovechkin sleeping again.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This is why I don't rate Russia as a top 5 hockey power anymore, they can't get it done when it counts

 

[Tomas W]

A game of floor hockey where the goalie forgot to pack his blocker and glove is a big draw in Sweden?

Its more of a big recreational sport, but sure in Swedish context its big. People in Sweden do tend to forget how small Sweden is, of course indoorbandy isnt comparable to ice hockey in size or importance internatonally, which is a major sport in huge countries like the US and Canada. Thats almost a continent.

 

[Hictor Vedman*]

Great job Kucherov, you made it awkward for me to not cheer for you with your presence tonight.

 

[c9777666]

With all due respect to Carey Price, Holtby or Crawford could've won tonight.

With that roster, you can get by with any of those goalies.

 

[Bgav]

Theres no way that group of players gave their 100% on their 5-2 loss. Ovechkin sleeping again.

That's not true. Canada is so much better. They tried there hardest but it's hard to go against such a juggernaut

 

[Saku11]

That's not true. Canada is so much better. They tried there hardest but it's hard to go against such a juggernaut

Nah the skill is the same, character made the difference, with Sidney Crosby leading the way its hard to go wrong.

 

[Regal]

Nah the skill is the same, character made the difference, with Sidney Crosby leading the way its hard to go wrong.

The defense really isn't close to the same

 

[PensPlz]

If only Crosby were Russian....

 

[Jablkon]

I know the tournament is not ever yet but if I were Canadian I'd be worried about the state of the game of hockey. To be the best at the game you create and that you are pretty much the only ones to actually play is pretty disturbing. Some other countries do have some good players, but this game is played so much more in Canada that it doesn't make much sense to have any international tournaments. Some countries such as the Czech Republic don't even produce top end players anymore, to some etent the same can be said about other countries, for instance Russia, which stopped producing defensemen 10 years ago. What's left? Canada A vs. Canada B. The NHL should look into it for the next World Cup. Or let each province ice its own team and add Russia and Sweden to the mix.

When you didnt decide during the hockey summit to melt yourself into team world after Nagano, why would the rest should do the same? So far you are in position of CCCP team in some period of time. It would be nice from NHL to look at the state of hockey but in the good way. I am not saying that hockey Canada should start helping to other developments program. But replacing teams with artificial ones just because they are not close enough to Canada is jsut the worst way for hockey.

We should also go bit back to the roots of hockey imo. I was watching NHL comentators speaking about WC yesterday. They constantly repeating that mantra about fun and entertainment. Since when these are the most important aspects in hockey or even in sport? If Latvia is the team that can challenge Canada with parked bus, let it be. If other team beat you with 10 shots and dirty game, be it. Does anybody ask how McCregor wins in UFC, in what way teams beat Spain in soccer? Why it should be different in hockey?

I am still saying that NHL gives fans the worst tool with that artificial teams. People just going to be more and more picky...

 

[Daniels45]

With all due respect to Carey Price, Holtby or Crawford could've won tonight.

With that roster, you can get by with any of those goalies.

I agree, but having said that I cant really blame Carey on any of those 3 goals. 2 of them were dirty goals and one was a hell of a shot that bounced off the post into the net. Carey didnt give any bad goals in this game. The only reason why people are questioning his game is because Bob was a brick wall for the first 2 periods and Cary didnt see any action for long stretches of the game. Hardest thing for a goaltender is to stay at his best when you dont get that many shots.

 

[Tomas W]

It's not really comparable to football in America, since literally no other countries really play football.

US football is played in several european countries, although on an amateurish level.

 

[Maelmoor]

That's floorball? Same thing exactly as floor hockey.

You would be surprised to know that there are actually more people playing floorball than hockey in Sweden, difference is even bigger among kids/youth.

Hockey is still more popular to watch (live/TV) by a big margin though.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Canada played hockey and Russia fought against them. There was a time when it was just on the contrary, but nowdays it goes this way.

 

[ruunto71*]

You can't beat Canada if you have worst defence and coaching in the tournament

 

[Don Corleone]

Only Sweden can challenge Canada because of their marvelous D. Right now there is a massive difference between the top countries when it comes to the quality of their D. Canada and Sweden are just on another level in that department.

 

[Acallabeth]

If only Crosby were Russian....

...Russia would still have the worst defense among major hockey powers.

 

[Tomas W]

If Doughty had switched teams would have Russia won?

 

[daver]

I don't understand why Ovechkin is getting the blame for Russia losing. Russia simply isn't as good as Canada, if Ovechkin were Canadian, he wouldn't be dealing with all this BS.

Because he didn't do anything. If he played for Canada, he would be evaluated the same way.

 

[daver]

no i don't think you should bring the Great one into this. Sid is playing great but Gretzky was in a class of his own . As far as a different level than anyone in this tournament well remember he is also playing on the best and deepest team so he also has good teammates to make him look good too. But he has had a very good tournament so far and i hope it continues.

At this point, Crosby is comparable to Wayne in '81 and '84, who I believe had some pretty good talent on his team too.

Let's give credit where credit is due.

 

[Regal]

It's not really comparable to football in America, since literally no other countries really play football.

Since we're talking about Canada, we play football too