GDT: Canada Vs Finland | 12/31 @ 6PM ET | TSN/NHLN

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Finland isn't very good this year, but Canada played a great game. It's easy to look at this in astonishment at how bad Finland played, but Canada completely dominated them, so it goes both ways. Credit Canada and criticize Finland.

 

[Zub]

I think Finland will be better next year. Lambert and Raty as the 1-2 down the middle is strong. Finland should also be pretty strong in net as Blomqvist has consistently been one of the best goalies in his age group. Finland also will return a bunch of other players such as Jarventie, Hirvonen, Helenius, Simontaival, Niemela, Rafkin, Puutio, Viro that'll add depth.

Yeah Viro and Jarventie can stay home next year Tieksola is a speedy guy with lots of skill that should have been here that can replace Jarventie atleast.

 

[snowkiddin]

This is Canada’s tournament to lose. They just look so much better than all the other teams so far

 

[ViD]

Where are we on this?

Soon

 

[snipes]

Edit: wrong GDT

 

[RoadWarrior]

40 minutes absolute bullshit hockey from Finland.
Last 20 minutes something else.

Lambert's powerplay goal was nice but only a plaster for Finland's atrocious game.
If these U20 WJC's performances should be a measuring-stick for coaches career
then Pennanen doesn't look next Finnish men's national team head coach in my eyes.

And can we bench Järventie from next game
that bust hasn't done absolutely nothing in this tournament.

Finland had before the start of the game a chance to get Czech Republic in quarterfinal
but some reason our guys weren't interested of that so Canada decided use that chance.

These neutered p***ycats ( Finland ) got what they deserved.
End of story and f***ing happy new year 2021.

Canada is the best team in the tournament and the players are well rested.

Finland as a small country just doesn’t have the depth necessary to compete this year and aside from Lundell no first line forward talents. I really like Niemela and Heinola on D but when they’re your best players it’s just not enough to beat quality teams.

 

[Peiskos]

As a neutral, I agree. Don't like this Finnish team. Offense is watered down from what it could be (Kakko, Puistola, Raty, Tuomaala), the defense doesn't have any real high end defensemen aside from Heinola, and the goalies are simply not up to the standard of goalies like Askarov, Knight, Alnefelt, Wallstedt, Wolf, Parik, even probably Levi.

Why do you say "even probably Levi" ? as if he doesn't belong to be in the same group as the other goalies. Statistically he's one of the best goalies in the tournament so far.

 

[sinDer]

Why do you say "even probably Levi" ? as if he doesn't belong to be in the same group as the other goalies. Statistically he's one of the best goalies in the tournament so far.

To be fair, you can’t judge his talent by his stats during this tournament.

He’s played 4 mediocre teams and faced a total of 67 shots.

Not even sure he took showers after the games.

 

[Peiskos]

To be fair, you can’t judge his talent by his stats during this tournament.

He’s played 4 mediocre teams and faced a total of 67 shots.

Not even sure he took showers after the games.

He's faced plenty of good looks, this also isn't including his shutout against Russia in prelim. Not really sure why you're trying to nit pick that, the results speak for themselves, statistically speaking he's one of the better goalies right now. Not really interested in semantics that attempt to suggest otherwise.

 

[crowi]

Good win for Canada. Bad Finnish team this year. Piiroinen was great.

 

[1967th Heaven]

He's a late 2003, but your point clearly still stands.

Haha good call, guess I just lied to everyone

 

[ktownhockey]

lol
But...


“YOU SHOULD THIS GUY IN HIS UNDERPANTS!”

also a classic. Toast to Dion Phaneuf, lol

"Shawn Belle was in the hallway in his underpants flexing while the Russian players were walking in" lolllllll "What a physique!!"

 

[ktownhockey]

He doesn't fit this team at all.

He's been fine in my opinion. His biggest skill is intelligence and tight area quick plays. He hasn't been insane, BUT he doesn't have to be. He's a big moment player also. I'm sure he will make a huge contribution if needed in important situations. He can still play next tourney as well.

 

[NyQuil]

"Shawn Belle was in the hallway in his underpants flexing while the Russian players were walking in" lolllllll "What a physique!!"

Which means that Pierre was in the same hallway....watching.

 

[sinDer]

He's faced plenty of good looks, this also isn't including his shutout against Russia in prelim. Not really sure why you're trying to nit pick that, the results speak for themselves, statistically speaking he's one of the better goalies right now. Not really interested in semantics that attempt to suggest otherwise.

I’m not trying to nit pick anything.

I’m just putting things in perspective .

Just look at tonight’s game. Finland showed some little flashes here and there in the third period, but they literally couldn’t even touch the puck in the first 2 periods.

Any other average (or little above average if you prefer) goalies from CHL would have similar stats.

 

[Dod93Cityt]

Are we ok with the score today?

Dont need to change to rules tonight? Or...



Screw it, Canada won. Change em all!!

 

[ktownhockey]

Which means that Pierre was in the same hallway....watching.

I'll never forget that. It was around my age group and I knew a few players on the team LOL! I was in first year UNI and me and my hometown boys were in stitches laughing at Pierre and his comments. A holiday treat he was haha.

 

[NyQuil]

I'll never forget that. It was around my age group and I knew a few players on the team LOL! I was in first year UNI and me and my hometown boys were in stitches laughing at Pierre and his comments. A holiday treat he was haha.

He’s definitely a riot but he loves his hockey and provides pretty good analysis.

On the radio he tones it down quite a bit and is fun to listen to.

 

[ktownhockey]

Ab

He’s definitely a riot but he loves his hockey and provides pretty good analysis.

On the radio he tones it down quite a bit and is fun to listen to.

Absolutely correct on those points. I'm not a Pierre fan boy, but I always liked him and his wild commentary. On the radio he's totally normal. I like Ray so it's not bad at all these days. Nothing to complain about on this end.

 

[Leviathan899]

How does a team cope losing 2 first rounders to injury?

Lucky this year to have the extra roster players, now if Newhook is out, Zary gets a full spot

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Why do you say "even probably Levi" ? as if he doesn't belong to be in the same group as the other goalies. Statistically he's one of the best goalies in the tournament so far.

He's faced three traditionally bad teams, and then one of the weaker Finland teams you'll see. He was picked in the 6th round for a reason. Those other goalies are much more highly touted. Levi didn't come into this tournament near anyone's list of the top goalies. Does this tournament factor into an evaluation of him? Yes, but not so much that we should now be expecting him to be on the same level as those other goalies.

 

[ORRFForever]

Finland isn't very good this year, but Canada played a great game. It's easy to look at this in astonishment at how bad Finland played, but Canada completely dominated them, so it goes both ways. Credit Canada and criticize Finland.

I have to ask, PB...

You say Sweden is a good team but Finland isn't a good team. Most people say they are even. Are you sure you're not splitting hairs to support your U.S. team and downplay Canada's success?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I have to ask, PB...

You say Sweden is a good team but Finland isn't a good team. Most people say they are even. Are you sure you're not splitting hairs to support your U.S. team and downplay Canada's success?

I thought in both games Sweden's lost that they got out-goaltended significantly. I thought against Russia they outplayed them slightly, and against the US they didn't get outplayed to the extent that 4-0 indicates. I also think they have two good goaltenders, so I would say its just some random bad luck with that.

Finland, what's their identity? They have undrafted guys in net, they only have one real top-end defenseman in this tournament. They have 2-3 good forwards, but it doesn't seem like they have any consistently good lines. It seems like more or less a good shift here or there from Lundell and Lambert that creates all their points. I think it's a weak Finnish team. I've watched every game in this tournament, and I would say they are clearly the worst of the big five going into the knockout round games.

 

[ORRFForever]

I thought in both games Sweden's lost that they got out-goaltended significantly. I thought against Russia they outplayed them slightly, and against the US they didn't get outplayed to the extent that 4-0 indicates. I also think they have two good goaltenders, so I would say its just some random bad luck with that.

Finland, what's their identity? They have undrafted guys in net, they only have one real top-end defenseman in this tournament. They have 2-3 good forwards, but it doesn't seem like they have any consistently good lines. It seems like more or less a good shift here or there from Lundell and Lambert that creates all their points. I think it's a weak Finnish team. I've watched every game in this tournament, and I would say they are clearly the worst of the big five going into the knockout round games.

I think Sweden and Finland are even. Most agree - my quarter final poll is almost 50/50.

Canada's game tonight was one of the best games any world junior team has played in 15 years. No luck. No bad goaltending. They just absolutely smothered another Top 5 team.

Canada is the best team in this tournament. Does that mean we will win gold, no, but I think Canada wins 3 out of 4 against any other Top 5 team.

For the record, the U.S. is the more dangerous than Russia, Sweden or Finland, and if anyone wins gold besides Canada, it will be the U.S.

 

[ORRFForever]

Yeah, the story of tonight’s game will be about how Canada didn’t achieve.

Touche.