Does team North America have a chance to win the WCH?

[amitkedia]

I think they have a strong chance.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Their centres will have to win some key draws against Canada's centres. That's what it'll come down to.

 

[TheBigThree]

We'll see next game, if they blow out the czechs than yes.

 

[Bluesguru]

I don't see it. If they have to tangle with Canada or USA they will be asked to rough it up a little bit and I'm not sure how emotionally invested these kids will be to go all out to win this thing. The vets for the most part have made their money so laying it all out isn't a problem for them. These guys have both pride and hate when it comes to USA/Canada hitting the ice. As for the kids, a lot of them are still waiting for their big pay day. I can't see their whole team being unified enough to be a serious contender for the WC Title.

 

[BrendanGallagher11]

They will lose once they face the better teams... usa, canada, sweden, Russia etc...

 

[Nordic*]

Canada 40%
Russia 13%
Sweden 13%
USA 13%
North America 11%
Finland 7%
Czechs 3%
Europe 1%

 

[Mr Hockey*]

Not sure if they will win another game.

 

[PWiz30]

Their defense got exposed a bit tonight. Dmen usually take longer to develop so it makes sense they'd be the weak link on that team.

 

[Ryder Halak 2nd]

Underdog thing? Team NA is a heavy favorite..

i don't think you understand what heavy favourite means.

Heavy favourite means the majority of people think they are going to win it all.

 

[jason2020]

They will lose once they face the better teams... usa, canada, sweden, Russia etc...

Russia

Has trouble playing as a team the young team could very well beat them.

Usa

Will try and goon it up and give up 8 power play goals..

 

[jason2020]

I don't see it. If they have to tangle with Canada or USA they will be asked to rough it up a little bit and I'm not sure how emotionally invested these kids will be to go all out to win this thing. The vets for the most part have made their money so laying it all out isn't a problem for them. These guys have both pride and hate when it comes to USA/Canada hitting the ice. As for the kids, a lot of them are still waiting for their big pay day. I can't see their whole team being unified enough to be a serious contender for the WC Title.

I can see the young team being more unified them team Canada or Usa for the very reason the older players will say and have the mind set its not worth it to risk a injury if it costs us the season while the young guys will go all out .

 

[ORLY]

Anything can happen and these kids can easily upset a team.

The speed and ability can create an early lead. Mix that with good goaliemanship and puck luckmanship and anything can happen.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

Their defense got exposed a bit tonight. Dmen usually take longer to develop so it makes sense they'd be the weak link on that team.

You overcome suspect defense by scoring more goals

For the record I think they'll have a hard time beating Can,Sweden,USA or Czechs

 

[Boxscore]

Do they have a chance? Sure. But I think as the games get tighter and more physical, their youth and inexperience will show. I don't think they have the parts to go through a war like USA and Canada are fighting through.

For them to win... they need to frustrate their opponents with speed and need to destroy the PP. And Murray will need to be spectacular.

But, yeah, they have a shot.

 

[hirawl]

I think they're going to be a handful but their lack of real system is going to be exposed in the group stage. Probably already in the pre-game against the Swedes.

 

[BBKers]

I think they're going to be a handful but their lack of real system is going to be exposed in the group stage. Probably already in the pre-game against the Swedes.

Ahem. They play the Czech Republic in their last pre-tournament game on September 14. The Swedes and Team NA meet on September 21 for both teams last game in the round robin. I think the Swedes might have their hands full here. Steen and Zetterbergs injuries really deplete a very top heavy Swedish forward roster that does not have the depth of Canada or USA for that matter (mostly Due to Psycho Jonnycakes unfathomable omissions though).

 

[hirawl]

Ahem. They play the Czech Republic in their last pre-tournament game on September 14. The Swedes and Team NA meet on September 21 for both teams last game in the round robin. I think the Swedes might have their hands full here. Steen and Zetterbergs injuries really deplete a very top heavy Swedish forward roster that does not have the depth of Canada or USA for that matter (mostly Due to Psycho Jonnycakes unfathomable omissions though).

My bad. I picked it up from a commentator I think and didn't check. The same guy kept insisting Gaborik is a three time cup winner with the Hawks. Or I misheard and he was talking about team Europe facing Sweden. Probably that.

 

[fouba]

Some bookies alreadu have na23 as a favourite against finland in first game..

 

[Dogewow]

I just don't see them winning it all.

I'd love to see them do well but I just don't see their mental toughness and compete being able to match up against seasoned vets on teams like Canada/USA/ETC. I think they have the talent to really do some damage here, but ultimately experience proves to be a big factor once elimination games start taking place.

 

[bert]

I think they lose to Canada in the final. The speed is going to overwhelm a lot of teams. They are first on all loose pucks. The d core is
Good that won't be an issue. The physical play will be the biggest hurtle but if they stay discipline they have a real chance.

 

[bert]

Some bookies alreadu have na23 as a favourite against finland in first game..

As they should, the talent level isn't close.

 

[Slush]

I think it will be Canada vs North America in the finals. That will be a really fun game to watch.

 

[Conflicted Habs fan]

As they should, the talent level isn't close.

I don't agree with you 100% there Mr Bert. Team Laine has way more talent than you suppose

 

[Scotty B]

I don't agree with you 100% there Mr Bert. Team Laine has way more talent than you suppose

Thought the over exuberance of youth was on display last game. Everybody's so anxious to be part of that fast break attack, guys were leaving the zone too early, D men ( eg Jones ) were trying to force cross ice passes in their own end steada just making the safe play and chipping it off the boards. D ( eg Ekblad despite his two goals ) were a tad too aggressive, pinching at inopportune times and taking an interference penalty, when the game was still up for grabs

... too many turnovers in all three zones, trying to make highlight reel plays. ( Druoin looked good with the puck on his stick, McD and others, at times, tried to do too much ). They're not the Harlem flipp'in Globetrotters...They gotta clean that up, or a disciplined quick counter attacking team like Suomi, who likes to clog the neutral zone, may eat them alive...

Suomi will force everything to the outside, take away time and space, and introduce a degree of physicality which Team Euro lacked...It'll be a different game, and Team North America , despite their superior talent and speed...could be in for a rude awakening, against a tactically superior squad who'll more likely have the advantage, not only in the face-off circle, but in the greasy areas where games are so often won or lost...

I know Team NA has to take the game to their opponents and try to skate them into submission...BUT IF they play the way they did in periods 2 and 3, last night...sloppy, sloppy, sloppy...they're toast cause they're in a TOUGH GROUP, every game is pretty much do or die, and there's no margin for error !

 

[rojac]

So nationalism isn't a factor in an "international tournament."

OK then.

You do realize this kind of thing happens all the time in international sports. You have dual citizens who may identify more with country A but play for country B internationally.

Personally, I think athletes are more interested in competing in big international events to face the best in the world than they are in playing for the country.