GDT: Four Nations Face-Off IV. - NO Politics!

[PlayMakers]

It was a great game, US came close but Canada was the favorite for a reason. The two best players on the planet were Player of the Game and tournament MVP. Well deserved. Win/win for Bruins fans, we either got to see Team USA win or Brad Marchand.

I can't wait for the Olympics and what a Team USA with a healthy Tkachuk, McAvoy and Quinn Hughes will look like. I think the US (both teams actually) need to evaluate some of their choices and make some minor tweaks.

Olympic USA
Hughes - Matthews - M.Tkachuk
B.Tkachuk - Eichel - Guentzel
Connor - Larkin - Thompson
Boldy - Miller - Robertson

Hughes - McAvoy
Werenski - Hanifin
Slavin - Faber

Hellebucyk, Oetinger, Swayman

OUT: Fox, Trochek

Olympic Canada
Reinhart - McDavid - Point
Crosby - MacKinnon - Marner
Marchand - Bennett - Wilson
Hagel - Cirelli - Konecny

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Parayko
Morrissey - Pietrangelo

Binnington, Thompson, Blackwood

OUT: Stone, Jarvis, Goalies

 

[Thirty Seven]

America beat them in regulation, Canada beat us in OT with spectacular goaltending. Canada won one game in regulation out of 4?

The world has caught up. The Olympics will be amazing I am already setting up to go to my wife's home.

The USA had a gutsy effort in this one, A healthy full roster wins that game.

Matt T never should have dressed it screwed them over.

Now onto blocking 6 posters for the first time in 19 years being here,

There were injuries and illnesses on both sides. It was a good game by both teams and sometimes good games go into OT not sure why people care so much about regulation wins all of a sudden. If the Bruins win a game 7 in OT does it count less? I am sure you'd still be thrilled.

 

[The National]

Hard to believe some of these guys will be playing in about 24 hours, probably a few healthy scratches.

 

[Babajingo]

This certifies that Sweeney is a genius. I mean, who would've thought to put McDavid on the team?
What a risky move.

 

[Number8]

It is Sullivan. The coaching staff will be back. The only change I can see is Guerin getting the boot.

Billy Guerin needs to go to the fat farm and get some skin treatment. The man lis just a doughy damp mound of flesh these days.

 

[The National]

America beat them in regulation, Canada beat us in OT with spectacular goaltending. Canada won one game in regulation out of 4?

The world has caught up. The Olympics will be amazing I am already setting up to go to my wife's home.

The USA had a gutsy effort in this one, A healthy full roster wins that game.

Matt T never should have dressed it screwed them over.

Now onto blocking 6 posters for the first time in 19 years being here,

I think with the style of game the US wants to play the bigger ice will be a bit of disadvantage for them. But should be a great tournament nevertheless.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Very true. The reasons hockey isn’t bigger in USA still exist no matter the results of this game. As an American hockey fan I’m perfectly okay with that, I want the players to get paid more but don’t worry too much about how many people like the sport.

There is truth and falsehoods in that statement. You better believe the hockey communities in Mass, Minnesota and Michigan care bigly about last night. How many people who grew up playing hockey in New England or Western NY in general care about the outcome? A lot do but that said it shows its still a regional sport to a degree though not as much as it use to be as evident with Matthews (Arizona)and lesser degree Slavin (Colorado). 4 Greater Boston guys, 3 Michigan and 3 Minnesota guys, so more than 50% from the old school 3M's.

He's a throwback to another era, where defenseman were more stay at home. We have heard for years about his solid defensive play, I just didn't realize how good he was, what a player.

He has played like this for years just a defensive eraser. He is old school Bill White
but better. If everyone is healthy the D Corps of both countries are closer
than upfront.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Watching Slavin play was an unexpected treat.

Slavin and Guentzal were the best players on the ice.

Big Game Binnington should have been the player of the game.

 

[The National]

There is truth and falsehoods in that statement. You better believe the hockey communities in Mass, Minnesota and Michigan care bigly about last night. How many people who grew up playing hockey in New England or Western NY in general care about the outcome? A lot do but that said it shows its still a regional sport to a degree though not as much as it use to be as evident with Matthews (Arizona)and lesser degree Slavin (Colorado). 4 Greater Boston guys, 3 Michigan and 3 Minnesota guys, so more than 50% from the old school 3M's.

The game is already big in those areas, they grew up in it, of course they care. Talking about the US as a whole, don’t think this game alone is gonna solve the reasons it’s not bigger in the US. And that doesn’t bother me too much, outside of getting more money for the players.

 

[Number8]

Arrogance doesn't stop at the border, please. Lots of arrogant Canadian posters on the main boards.

Be thankful that just the 5 biggest hockey playing states don't have the hockey culture Canada does because without a doubt it would be ad news for Canada.

Be thankful just the 3M's with the combined population less than Canada US board

That sounds a little bit like my aunt. If she had testicles she’d be my uncle. But she doesn’t, so she’s my aunt. Tough old bird though, I’ll give her that.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

There were injuries and illnesses on both sides. It was a good game by both teams and sometimes good games go into OT not sure why people care so much about regulation wins all of a sudden. If the Bruins win a game 7 in OT does it count less? I am sure you'd still be thrilled.

Thats not it ,Canada acting like this was some epic take down and saved "Canada's" game is kind of a joke that's all ,settle down. they split.

Matt T was injured in BOTH games and the us played shorthanded, If you ask me that was handed them that game last night.

The US was shorthanded all night because of it. I would love to know who gave the go ahead to allow him to dress.

Thats a big story if you ask me.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Yes, well said.
As much as I hate to admit Matthews did indeed play well. He jelled well with his teammates where the chemistry lacked between McDavid and his.

The other guy that impressed me was Sam Bennett. Played very tough, clean and he shot the puck. Nothing fancy....just sound hockey.

Binnington. My dislike for him has subsided over the years. Since his Cup win he's played on fairly lousy teams. Sure he doesn't have the Vezinas Hallebucyk has or the decent team to play for....but hes a playoff goalie. That's why I supported him He reminded everyone 2019 was not a fluke.

Marchand did not have a sparkling tourney. Some even here on this forum are writing him off.
Yet his teammates are saying saying something different after last night. Crosby praised him. Binnington as well. Perhaps we have to settle for their perspective.

Hallebucyk is a good goalie. But as I've said before....the guys playoff record is a disaster which boggled my mind as even Analysts on tv never mentioned it.
They saw Vezinas.
I saw his 18-28 playoff record.


Not sure if all saw it but Sportsnet showed the role call in the dressing room prior to the game in the dressing room given by Charles McAvoy.
As he read it he was getting more and more choked up due to not being able to play. The players saw it and acted appropriately giving him a hug...the first two was the Tkachuk boys.
A nice moment indeed.

Hellebuyck wasn't the reason they lost. Guys like Fox and Hughes were.

 

[Sheppy]

Thats not it ,Canada acting like this was some epic take down and saved "Canada's" game is kind of a joke that's all ,settle down. they split.

Matt T was injured in BOTH games and the us played shorthanded, If you ask me that was handed them that game last night.

The US was shorthanded all night because of it. I would love to know who gave the go ahead to allow him to dress.

Thats a big story if you ask me.

Hahahaha, get a load of this guy.

 

[Kate08]

Hahahaha, get a load of this guy.

It's truly remarkable

 

[Thirty Seven]

Thats not it ,Canada acting like this was some epic take down and saved "Canada's" game is kind of a joke that's all ,settle down. they split.

Matt T was injured in BOTH games and the us played shorthanded, If you ask me that was handed them that game last night.

The US was shorthanded all night because of it. I would love to know who gave the go ahead to allow him to dress.

Thats a big story if you ask me.

One team won in round robin and the other won in the finals. Do you care about regulation wins when it comes to cup finals?

I think leaving McDavid open in the slot is what won the game, maybe M Tkachuk should have yelled louder for someone to cover him.

Either way it was an entertaining game and some players stepped up for both teams.

 

[sarge88]

It was a great game, US came close but Canada was the favorite for a reason. The two best players on the planet were Player of the Game and tournament MVP. Well deserved. Win/win for Bruins fans, we either got to see Team USA win or Brad Marchand.

I can't wait for the Olympics and what a Team USA with a healthy Tkachuk, McAvoy and Quinn Hughes will look like. I think the US (both teams actually) need to evaluate some of their choices and make some minor tweaks.

Olympic USA
Hughes - Matthews - M.Tkachuk
B.Tkachuk - Eichel - Guentzel
Connor - Larkin - Thompson
Boldy - Miller - Robertson

Hughes - McAvoy
Werenski - Hanifin
Slavin - Faber

Hellebucyk, Oetinger, Swayman

OUT: Fox, Trochek

Olympic Canada
Reinhart - McDavid - Point
Crosby - MacKinnon - Marner
Marchand - Bennett - Wilson
Hagel - Cirelli - Konecny

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Parayko
Morrissey - Pietrangelo

Binnington, Thompson, Blackwood

OUT: Stone, Jarvis, Goalies

I really hope they keep things on the level and make Fox actually earn a spot.

He wasn’t good in this tourney, and I worry he’s going to be anointed a spot in the top 6.

Faber worried me a lot too with his decision making at times, but hopefully another year helps him.

Off the top of my head I can’t think of who could emerge to pressure those two right now, but I hope they keep an open mind because I think if everyone is healthy, those two are the 6/7 defensemen.

Edit…actually I think I’d play Sanderson over both, if it were today. But a year is a long time.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

America beat them in regulation, Canada beat us in OT with spectacular goaltending. Canada won one game in regulation out of 4?

The world has caught up. The Olympics will be amazing I am already setting up to go to my wife's home.

The USA had a gutsy effort in this one, A healthy full roster wins that game.

Matt T never should have dressed it screwed them over.

Now onto blocking 6 posters for the first time in 19 years being here,

Sour grapes!

Woulda, shoulda, coulda ...

Came down to one game, the True North, strong and free, prevailed.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

That sounds a little bit like my aunt. If she had testicles she’d be my uncle. But she doesn’t, so she’s my aunt. Tough old bird though, I’ll give her that.

Canadians do this all the time with the WJC and both are true. Are you trying to tell me that football, baseball and basketball don't take the majority of US athletes from USA Hockey in those 3 states? Your aunt theory to hockey is more applicable to
me trying to include Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Just think Tom Glavine and JJ Watt as examples.

 

[sarge88]

Hellebuyck wasn't the reason they lost. Guys like Fox and Hughes were.

I would have liked to see the U.S. get one PP chance. I mean, it’s actually pretty hard to play an entire game at that speed and intensity level and not commit one penalty.

Could have been the difference in such a close game.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

The game is already big in those areas, they grew up in it, of course they care. Talking about the US as a whole, don’t think this game alone is gonna solve the reasons it’s not bigger in the US. And that doesn’t bother me too much, outside of getting more money for the players.

I have said it a thousand times, Hockey is and always will be a culture sport in the US. And like you I could care less selling the game to non fans.

I think the money side has ruined the sport in some ways

Simply put the game is to fast for the non fan to follow, Baseball you can have lunch between pitches, Basketball is easy to watch the bouncing ball. Football is slow as shit that the non fan watches because of the gambling aspect of it.

Leave my favorite sport alone and don't try to appease non fans, its never going to happen in this country.

Im talking viewership now not the fans that show up at the games.

 

[PlayMakers]

I really hope they keep things on the level and make Fox actually earn a spot.

He wasn’t good in this tourney, and I worry he’s going to be anointed a spot in the top 6.

Faber worried me a lot too with his decision making at times, but hopefully another year helps him.

Off the top of my head I can’t think of who could emerge to pressure those two right now, but I hope they keep an open mind because I think if everyone is healthy, those two are the 6/7 defensemen.

Yeah, I thought Faber struggled with the speed. He made some good plays defending 1on1 but looked very slow retrieving pucks and had a lot of turnovers. The US doesn't have a lot of RH shots to choose from, like you said.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I think with the style of game the US wants to play the bigger ice will be a bit of disadvantage for them. But should be a great tournament nevertheless.

Its NHL sized ice in Olympucs .

 

[SPLBRUIN]

MacDavid and MacKinnon were beasts out there, best players on the ice.
Crosby and Doughty couple of old guys that can still deliver.
Marchand, Stone both way too old to be out there.
Love the blunder by Matthews to allow MacDavid to win it.
Also great to see the refs didn't destroy the game.

Did Marchand play? He should be well rested for Saturday. Get that trade value up Brad, love time to move on like every great player.

Yes he did, part of a very effective 4th line with Bennett and Jarvis.

 

[The National]

I have said it a thousand times, Hockey is and always will be a culture sport in the US. And like you I could care less selling the game to non fans.

I think the money side has ruined the sport in some ways

Simply put the game is to fast for the non fan to follow, Baseball you can have lunch between pitches, Basketball is easy to watch the bouncing ball. Football is slow as shit that the non fan watches because of the gambling aspect of it.

Leave my favorite sport alone and don't try to appease non fans, its never going to happen in this country.

Im talking viewership now not the fans that show up at the games.

The players deserve higher pay though. Look at the effort they put in to the product they just gave us compared to other leagues players making x20 with load management and fans buying tickets not knowing if your team’s best player is gonna take the night off.

I’m exaggerating but I think they deserve more, which really only comes from viewership.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Canadians do this all the time with the WJC and both are true. Are you trying to tell me that football, baseball and basketball don't take the majority of US athletes from USA Hockey in those 3 states? Your aunt theory to hockey is more applicable to
me trying to include Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Just think Tom Glavine and JJ Watt as examples.

Agree, Canadians just don't understand this or will never admit it. I rather enjoy all the sports and great American athletes playing across the board not in one sport.