GDT: Canada vs. Finland | 2/17/2025 1:00 p.m. EST, 7:00 p.m. CET, 8:00 p.m. EET | Tämä on ulkotalo!

[Divine]

The 'Finland doesn't belong' messages are just from bitter Swedes

The US hates Finland the most because them beating Sweden and losing to Canada means they have to play Canada.

They were talks on these boards about tanking against Sweden so they didn't have to play Canada.

 

[TimeZone]

Odds makers also factor in the number of bets to cover their losses.

Canadians bet a lot on hockey.

Its not that simple.

For me, I felt that the goaltending and defence discrepancy is too large to be offset by our top end talent at centre.

But it’s pretty close, so either team winning isn’t that much of a surprise.

Everyone bets a lot on sports, big tickets from winners push far more line movement than your average bettor who tosses down $50.

American bookies, Euro bookies, Canadian bookies all had approximately the same closing lines here, this wasn't a case of one country's bias outweighing the rest.

I actually don't think the gap in D is all that substantial, it's pretty slight imo. The Canadians have a decent gap at forward, the Americans a slight gap on D....the drastic difference is undeniably the goaltending, and it is absolutely huge.

Goaltending was the biggest factor Saturday, no reason to think it won't be again on Thursday providing Canada doesn't choke this one out.

 

[NyQuil]

Ron MacLean:

“McDavid was on point”

 

[FinPanda]

Nice to see some positivity when it absolutely sucks to be down.. I hoped we would have a chance

Finland always punches above their weight internationally. Counting them out in any scenario is silly. The Finns are also at a disadvantage by not being able to use players form Euro leagues, who may be better than some of their low tier NHLers. Finland's fight and never say die attitude is why they're always my second team (after Canada) internationally. This game may be over but the Finns aren't a team anyone should be sleeping on come 2026.

Yeah we got kinda screwed by not being able to add some our top European defencemen.

 

[Do or Die]

Much cleaner transition and zone entries so far....which drives the offense

 

[TimeZone]

Canada doesnt have the players to play the way it did then even if it wanted to. Canada was huge in 2010 (and 2004) and in 2014 just had a massive talent edge over every other team and decided to still play how underdogs play. It's different now, the Canadian defencemen aren't as good and the best forwards kill with speed.

That is essentially just what I said, they're playing to their stylistic strengths with the tools they have.

 

[CanadaIsIrrelevant]

The US hates Finland the most because them beating Sweden and losing to Canada means they have to play Canada.

They were talks on these boards about tanking against Sweden so they didn't have to play Canada.

What did you expect?
Finland only shows up for one game.

 

[Aashir]

Makes me feel bad to see messages like "Finland shouldn't be in the tournament". More than not having us the tournament should've included more teams. Hockey is so damn boring if its played with two teams.. there is always a chance that on a good day Finland can beat any team.

I mean yeah we have had rough time, but we can fill a full NHL lineup even if our lineup is mainly made of bottom line defenceman. No excuses with our offence not scoring as much as they should with their ability.

sweden was a shot away from upsetting canada

finland beat that same sweden team in OT

this game wasn't free going into it, and finland had a nightmare start courtesy of Hintz's turnover and Lankinen not bailing the team out at all.

 

[JackSlater]

I am curious to see what Cooper does with Crosby and Makar if Canada maintains this lead. Both could use some managed minutes. Very stupid that this event doesn't allow teams to dress 7 defencemen and 13 forwards each game.

 

[Mountlaine]

Laine is a giant liability out there and doesn't even get his shot off to try to make up for it. I wouldn't bring him back for Olympics if I were the Finnish GM.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

sweden was a shot away from upsetting canada

finland beat that same sweden team in OT

this game wasn't free going into it, and finland had a nightmare start courtesy of Hintz's turnover and Lankinen not bailing the team out at all.

Not to mention losing by far their best defenseman

 

[Avs44]

I am curious to see what Cooper does with Crosby and Makar if Canada maintains this lead. Both could use some managed minutes. Very stupid that this event doesn't allow teams to dress 7 defencemen and 13 forwards each game.

Play them throughout the second as usual and then both should be stapled to the bench by the third if Canada is up 4+

 

[Regal]

The tournament organizers are dumb for not scheduling the third games at the same time. Now Sweden/USA will be a exhibition game.

In Soccer the last group game is always the same time to not influence the results of other games.

There’s only a handful of games in the entire tournament. They can’t dilute the audience like that

 

[5 14 6 1]

Proper linemates??A player of his calibre needs to be able to make his linemates better. That's what all the greats do. Not like any of these guys are slouches btw

Some players fit better with different types. You put McDavid with linemates that fit and go to the right spots

 

[FinnLightning26]

HLaine is a giant liability out there and doesn't even get his shot off to try to make up for it. I wouldn't bring him back for Olympics if I were the Finnish GM.

He's such a waste of talent.

 

[GMR]

And Sweden stole Czechia's spot?

Team Holy Roman Empire would have been strong.

Obviously Team Russia but they would never be allowed in this tournament.

 

[I Hart Conor Garland]

Felicitations, fellow FourNations Face/Off fanatics.

Simply- if Canada defeats Finland in regulation here, the final is set as USA(home) v. Canada(away)...c'est vrai?

Merci, Merci.

 

[rielledup]

Games over boys may as well turn on a movie or something

 

[Divine]

What did you expect?
Finland only shows up for one game.

Didn't hear the US complaining much about it when they were beating them 6-1 tbh

 

[FinPanda]

The turnover are costing this game for us so far.

 

[Summer Rose]

Felicitations, fellow FourNations Face/Off fanatics.

Simply- if Canada defeats Finland in regulation here, the final is set as USA(home) v. Canada(away)...c'est vrai?

Merci, Merci.

Yes. USA vs. Sweden becomes a dead rubber.

 

[MNRube]

Whats soft about anything I said? Atleast make sense

Honestly, nothing. But I figured I’d stand up for my countryman and your sweeping generalizations.

 

[NyQuil]

Felicitations, fellow FourNations Face/Off fanatics.

Simply- if Canada defeats Finland in regulation here, the final is set as USA(home) v. Canada(away)...c'est vrai?

Merci, Merci.

Either team winning in regulation puts them in the Finals.

Either team winning in OT opens up the possibility of Sweden taking the spot by winning in regulation against the US.

 

[Regal]

I am curious to see what Cooper does with Crosby and Makar if Canada maintains this lead. Both could use some managed minutes. Very stupid that this event doesn't allow teams to dress 7 defencemen and 13 forwards each game.

Yea, I don’t understand why it was even a question for Harley to join the team after Theodore either. Bigger rosters would just help everyone with rest and maintenance. The last thing they should want are more injuries for the stretch run

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Anyone else think Finland could still find a way to make a game of this?

They're a proud group, I would expect some push back.