GDT: Game 10: Canada Vs Russia | 1PM EST 7PM CET | RUS 6 - 0 CAN

[Fantomas]

It factored into the big Canadian re-think about our hockey coupled with what happened in Nagano.

That was a crazy result and I think Finland's first WJC gold medal.

 

[NyQuil]

This poster has to be Russian.

What, because I’m not a brainless chest-thumper?

Not only am I a proud Canadian, but I’ve been to the WJC and the WHC in Europe numerous times.

I just don’t buy into the knuckle-dragging stereotyping that goes on around here.

 

[GreatGordie9]

I honestly think if Canada does not Lafreniere in their line up they will not medal.

 

[Firsov99]

So, Russia might dodge a relegation round after all. Let’s see how Russia looks tomorrow against another elite team.

 

[NyQuil]

I honestly think if Canada does not Lafreniere in their line up they will not medal.

It’s really sad that we don’t have enough depth in our system to adapt to one guy going down to injury.

 

[NyQuil]

So, Russia might dodge a relegation round after all. Let’s see how Russia looks tomorrow against another elite team.

Would they have played like this if they had beaten the Czechs?

Interesting thought.

 

[Snippit]

Classic quotes from a dinosaur coach who has been completely left behind as hockey has changed. “We have to play bigger than that” is not the answer. “We need to hold onto the puck in the offensive zone, get tonnes of east-west movement, and not settle for low quality shots” IS the answer for a super skilled team like Canada. Hunter is coaching team Canada just like he coached the Caps - terribly, making a horrible waste of all his skilled players by getting them to play an unskilled grinder style.

Wasn't that Caps team in 11th place in the East when Hunter took over, and ended up knocking out the defending champs and taking the top seed Rangers to Game 7?

 

[NyQuil]

Not sure if I agree with Jeff O’Neill.

“It’s not about Xs and Os. Just everyone has to elevate their game.”

When you get beaten all over the ice, something is wrong with the Xs and Os.

 

[tntkid]

Canada has awful goaltending period.

Where did they find their beer league goalies.

 

[heynowbababooey]

This game has me nervous for tomorrow. USA better be ready.

 

[JackSlater]

Well, not much good you can say about that. Russia played well, Canada played poorly, the score reflects it. Canada's goaltending situation is now muddled and the Lafreniere situation is very unfortunate. What was truly pathetic though was the lack of pushback. Very uncharacteristic and again pathetic.

 

[Wintersun]

It’s really sad that we don’t have enough depth in our system to adapt to one guy going down to injury.

It's not a depth issue here, it's actually a lack of elite talent on the team. All the players on the team are WJC level, no doubt, even good players on most teams. But outside Lafreniere, there is actually no one to take over offensively.

 

[NyQuil]

So it was Hayton who didn’t take his helmet off during the anthem.

As Captain, that’s a pretty stupid move.

Good on the Russian Captain to call him on it.

 

[NyQuil]

It's not a depth issue here, it's actually a lack of elite talent on the team. All the players on the team are WJC level, no doubt, even good players on most teams. But outside Lafreniere, there is actually no one to take over offensively.

I still say we’ve won WJC tournaments with less talent than this roster.

I don’t want to see this injury as the excuse.

 

[hockey20000]

jeff oneil annoys the hell out of me bad enough we lose plus we got to listen to this baffoon.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

I think the days of a team winning 5 straight WJCs are over.

They ended years ago when Germany and the Swiss started challenging. Canada won a lot of tournies early because most of the other countries way back in the 80s and into the 90s did not send the best or even have junior programs geared towards this. They really did not care about it that much. It was the big Canada hype machine, which continues at the cost of the kids with only gold expectations.

 

[hockey20000]

So it was Hayton who didn’t take his helmet off during the anthem.

As Captain, that’s a pretty stupid move.

Good on the Russian Captain to call him on it.

move 2 Russia already would you jesus lol.

 

[Nedved]

I still say we’ve won WJC tournaments with less talent than this roster.

I don’t want to see this injury as the excuse.

Ya, but not with this goaltending and other teams just simply being better. It’s too competitive now, not to be at our best, and I just hope they show up ready to play Germany.

 

[Wintersun]

I still say we’ve won WJC tournaments with less talent than this roster.

I don’t want to see this injury as the excuse.

I don't think it should be used as an excuse, but the reality is that even the top-end draft picks on the team aren't game breakers. Guys like Hayton are supposed to be complete two-way players with decent skill, they're not high-end play drivers who generate a lot of offense on an international level.

Canada will struggle scoring against good defensive teams, so they need to fix their goaltending and play much tighter defense if they want to medal.

 

[Firsov99]

Would they have played like this if they had beaten the Czechs?

Interesting thought.

Probably not. But it’s not like Russia pulled itself up by its bootstraps today. A quality performance by a quality team with a bit of mustard added due to the first game loss.

 

[NyQuil]

move 2 Russia already would you jesus lol.

Well, here we are talking about Russians being classless in here and meanwhile our guy isn’t taking his helmet off.

“There’s no forgetting that, you know that.” , says Jeff O’Neill.

Hey, it’s not like the Russians haven’t had their moments, like when Kovalchuk and some of his guys left the ice rather than stand for Canada’s anthem.

Russia fined $85,000 for leaving ice before Canada's anthem at hockey worlds ceremony

Doesn’t mean I can’t call it like I see it when it’s our guy.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Not sure if I agree with Jeff O’Neill.

“It’s not about Xs and Os. Just everyone has to elevate their game.”

When you get beaten all over the ice, something is wrong with the Xs and Os.

I actually agree with him for the most part. They have to play mano a mano a lot harder. They have to win more battles. Move the puck quicker. Put more pucks on net. Be harder to play against. You can be in the right position but if you are not willing to compete it won't do you much good. I don't think its something you fix on the whiteboard.

 

[Porvari]

That was a crazy result and I think Finland's first WJC gold medal.

Finland won their first WJC gold medal after the punch-up in Piešťany in 1987.

 

[NyQuil]

I actually agree with him for the most part. They have to play mano a mano a lot harder. They have to win more battles. Move the puck quicker. Put more pucks on net. Be harder to play against. You can be in the right position but if you are not willing to compete it won't do you much good. I don't think its something you fix on the whiteboard.

I agree, but there is also something fundamentally off beyond just one-on-one puck battles IMO.

 

[ponder]

Wasn't that Caps team in 11th place in the East when Hunter took over, and ended up knocking out the defending champs and taking the top seed Rangers to Game 7?

He put up 30 wins and 30 losses in the regular season with a hugely talented team, and then lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Wasn’t brought back for a second season, as he was making very poor use of his talent. I’d say it was a far from successful coaching stint.