GDT: Exhibition: Czech Republic vs. Team North America - 3:30 PM Eastern

[Scotty B]

Czechs owned the greasy area around NA goal...had a guy parked right in front of the net on the pp, and NA D men, aside from Ekblad, simply refused to engage them...D gave up the puck way too easy when a guy came in with the body on the forecheck ... that simply WON'T DO...but it was something I predicted and something I was afraid of...

You look at the difference around the Czech goal and the difference was NIGHT AND DAY! Hey Kiddies, THAT'S HOW THE BIG BOYZ PLAY! You gotta make them fight for every inch of space in the greasy areas not play friggen patty-cake

YG's got out-muscled down low, gave up the puck behind their own goal way too easy...and it cost them a game THEY HAD NO BUSINESS LOSING...

Hopefully their coaches give them Holy-Hell!

 

[91Stammer*]

Ghost is awful on PPs I don't know why they put him instead of Rielly, did we all already forget that Rielly was considered one of the top offensive defenseman taken in the draft? He is absolute wizard with the puck and can carry it if forwards can't. Ghost doesn't even have that kind of pedigree.

 

[hamzarocks]

As a jets fan, i would like to warn everyone that finland vs NA will be a matthews vs laine slugfest and the threads will probably be full of aids, wear protection.

"It is known"

 

[Zamuz]

Good game by Czechs, well deserved win. Also quite happy they won, that team needed a confidence boost

 

[Draw Me a McElephant]

Gaudreau was completely invisible for the first 35 minutes, then he got that breakaway at the end of the second and was very good after that.

Scheifele and Matthews had good solid games.

McDavid was buzzing all game and generally looked good, but the hands aren't sharp yet. He had lots of slight mishandles, missed passes/shots. Not surprising at this time of year though.

Most of team NA D-men struggled a bit today.

Team NA struggled with the size and discipline of the Czechs though and lost the majority of the board battles.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Yeah, good call on Whiskey's part for predicting that line too. I'd like to see them go with that vs Finland.

Thanks for the shout out man. Those 3 will create a lot of chances if allowed to stay together.

On another note - why did they give Ghost an assist on Matthews goal? That was obviously from Parayko and Gaudreau . . .

 

[McFlyingV]

McDavid has been invisible since the first ten minutes of the first exhibition game. #generational

I'll quote you on this half way through the season. Another great post by you. Can you explain that whole primary and secondary assists thing to me again. Gaudreau would have had how many points on Edmonton last year, 96?

 

[snipes]

Yeah, good call on Whiskey's part for predicting that line too. I'd like to see them go with that vs Finland.

Those 3 were creating chance after chance when they were put on the same line together. Hopefully they stay together.

I think Trouba needs to be in over Jones. We need more physicality on the back end.

 

[robertocarlos]

It would have been sold out in Winnipeg.

 

[Festinator]

"It is known"

I look forward to it and don't at the same time

 

[Divine]

Gaudreau had an assist, 6 SOG, and drew a penalty despite playing most of the game on the 2nd PP unit and 2nd line.

What game were you watching? Gaudreau was second to McDavid in ice time (for forwards). Him, McDavid, and Eichel (first line) had the most ice time among forwards.

 

[Liminality]

As a jets fan, i would like to warn everyone that finland vs NA will be a matthews vs laine slugfest and the threads will probably be full of aids, wear protection.

Yeah that game might be better in our own team's forums if it comes to that.

 

[DJJones]

Gaudreau has been assertive, but he doesn't share well. Eichel has been too passive.

That's why Monahan would have been so sweet to have on this team. He just gets open and keeps his stick on the ice. He can one time/snap shock anything.

Just no chemistry even close to that in three games.

 

[heretik27]

So do we think A d-man gets switched out for trouba against Finland? If so who and why?

Murray, imo. He got scared to go into the corner on a tiny chip in to his side 1on1, then went to the far post and watched as the guy fed an open man short side for a goal. You can't play soft like that in the tournament and expect to keep your job. Trouba plays positionally well and is no stranger to the physical side of hockey. He can contribute offense as well, but much like the Jets this team has enough of that type of dman and they could use someone who's suited to a stay at home defensive role.

 

[Paradoc]

They'll be fine. This was the perfect game for them. Can't run and gun your way to victory, hopefully they learn from this game.

The bullets are live now. It gets real from here on in.

For sure. Better make mistakes now than latter, when games matter the most.

 

[Divine]

It would have been sold out in Winnipeg.

The game was in Pittsburgh.

 

[ijuka]

Top 2 of both teams in no specific order IMO:

Team NA: Matthews, Scheifele

Czechia: Neuvirth, Palat

 

[McFlyingV]

Murray, imo. He got scared to go into the corner on a tiny chip in to his side 1on1, then went to the far post and watched as the guy fed an open man short side for a goal. You can't play soft like that in the tournament and expect to keep your job. Trouba plays positionally well and is no stranger to the physical side of hockey. He can contribute offense as well, but much like the Jets this team has enough of that type of dman and they could use someone who's suited to a stay at home defensive role.

Yeah I'd probably swap Murray too. Ghost wasn't very good either imo, but he's capable of much more than he's shown and his shot on the PP is always an asset so I'd rather Murray come out.

 

[Liminality]

Ghost is awful on PPs I don't know why they put him instead of Rielly, did we all already forget that Rielly was considered one of the top offensive defenseman taken in the draft? He is absolute wizard with the puck and can carry it if forwards can't. Ghost doesn't even have that kind of pedigree.

Ghost did just get 22 PPP's in 64 games in the NHL.

 

[snipes]

For sure. Better make mistakes now then latter, when games matter the most.

I'm glad they've got 3 exhibition games, good to learn now. This was a good thing to face a tough Czech opponent.

The Czechs played a good system, some time in the classroom studying film could do wonders for this team. Lots of lessons to be learned.

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

Ghost is awful on PPs I don't know why they put him instead of Rielly, did we all already forget that Rielly was considered one of the top offensive defenseman taken in the draft? He is absolute wizard with the puck and can carry it if forwards can't. Ghost doesn't even have that kind of pedigree.

Is this for real? Reilly has a better offensive pedigree than Ghost?

 

[snipes]

So Parayko is a lock to be on the opening day roster? What's the thoughts here?

I think he's a no brainer, we need his size and physicality. Plus he's a good PKer.

 

[satbank]

Scheifele best player for NA in my view.

Dude can play with anyone.

 

[ijuka]

Oh damn, Scheifele just annihilated the corsi charts despite 28.57% zone starts. 69.23%.

Matthews was #2 in Corsi too. 42.86% zone starts with 63.64% corsi.

 

[HanSolo]

So Parayko is a lock to be on the opening day roster? What's the thoughts here?

I think he's a no brainer, we need his size and physicality. Plus he's a good PKer.

I don't know about lock necessarily but he'd be one of my picks.