Kovy274Hart
Registered User
This game was very embarrassing. First, we had to listen to these god awful announcers. They didn't give the Belarus goalie any credit for some of the key saves he made early on to keep the US off the board.
They were right to start Schnyder and give Al a rest. Al had not been steady the first two games and they probably wanted to give him a night off to compose himself for the Czechs.
That being said, Schnyder gave up two bad goals of the three he allowed. I will give him a pass on the first cause it was a horrid giveaway and a shorthanded goal. But his positioning stunk on it.
The other two, ugh. One bounced thru the wickets and the other was a flat wraparound right thru the five-hole.
Part of the problem for Schnyder was the same thing Montoya has experienced. Awful defensive coverage down low. They just let the Belarussians walk out with the puck and do whatever they wanted.
This is how it was the majority of the game. Whenever Belarus attacked, the D just stood around and watched making life more difficult on the goalies. I don't care if you're Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur. They wouldn't have had much success with this D.
And it's been brutal every game. From that aspect, it wasn't a surprise that Belarus kicked their asses. They came out with zero emotion and took them lightly. One team was much hungrier and showed it. The other thought they could just coast.
Montoya gave up that awful goal. It was very Francis-like. I seem to remember Richter recovering from that quite well. That's why I am not going to kill Al here. He's had a rough go of it.
But the 2nd goal he gave up was a direct result of Suter making a brilliant pass right to Kosititsyn. He walked in and beat Al stickside.
When they did finally show up in the 3rd, it was too late. The damage had already been done.
To his credit, Montoya played much better and gave his team a chance to comeback. He did have a couple of adventures coming out to play the puck though. That needs work.
So, who showed up tonight?
Kessel, Stafford, Fritsche and O'Sullivan. I also thought Callahan worked hard as usual when he was out there.
It's just not enough though. Kessel btw is terrific. Anyone who puts him down is kidding themselves. Nobody here is comparing him to Crosby. But I have to say he's one of the most impressive players I've seen. Great wheels and awesome moves. Good shot too and excellent offensive instincts.
What I can't figure out is what the hell the coach is doing in between these games. The U.S. had the most favorable schedule. A day off between the 2nd and 3rd games.
Why hasn't their defensive zone coverage improved? And they play a run-and-gun style. That usually results in a lot of shots and scoring chances against. Well, hello. They have been outshot in every game thus far. And it was even worse tonight against what was supposed to be an inferior opponent.
Game 1- 34 shots, 30 saves Montoya vs Russia
Game 2- 35 shots, 31 saves Montoya vs Switzerland
Game 3- 43 shots, 38 saves Schnyder and Montoya vs Belarus
That's ridiculous. Each opponent was a level down and the SOG went up along with the scoring chances.
I don't care how brutal both guys have been. The coach is not getting through to his players. Solid two-way hockey is what wins. Someone forgot to tell them.
One other point that's been lost on most- No Stuart. No Potter. No Wisniewski. They all had huge roles on last year's D and that unit was much steadier.
Big difference.
I'm not sure what to expect against the Czechs tonight. They are explosive and have Olesz and Vrana and that other hot prospect. If the U.S. doesn't respond, they could get blown out of the building.
They deserved to lose tonight and being embarrassed might actually wake them up.
Congrats to Belarus. They played great and deserved the victory. Kositisyn was terrific.
They were right to start Schnyder and give Al a rest. Al had not been steady the first two games and they probably wanted to give him a night off to compose himself for the Czechs.
That being said, Schnyder gave up two bad goals of the three he allowed. I will give him a pass on the first cause it was a horrid giveaway and a shorthanded goal. But his positioning stunk on it.
The other two, ugh. One bounced thru the wickets and the other was a flat wraparound right thru the five-hole.
Part of the problem for Schnyder was the same thing Montoya has experienced. Awful defensive coverage down low. They just let the Belarussians walk out with the puck and do whatever they wanted.
This is how it was the majority of the game. Whenever Belarus attacked, the D just stood around and watched making life more difficult on the goalies. I don't care if you're Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur. They wouldn't have had much success with this D.
And it's been brutal every game. From that aspect, it wasn't a surprise that Belarus kicked their asses. They came out with zero emotion and took them lightly. One team was much hungrier and showed it. The other thought they could just coast.
Montoya gave up that awful goal. It was very Francis-like. I seem to remember Richter recovering from that quite well. That's why I am not going to kill Al here. He's had a rough go of it.
But the 2nd goal he gave up was a direct result of Suter making a brilliant pass right to Kosititsyn. He walked in and beat Al stickside.
When they did finally show up in the 3rd, it was too late. The damage had already been done.
To his credit, Montoya played much better and gave his team a chance to comeback. He did have a couple of adventures coming out to play the puck though. That needs work.
So, who showed up tonight?
Kessel, Stafford, Fritsche and O'Sullivan. I also thought Callahan worked hard as usual when he was out there.
It's just not enough though. Kessel btw is terrific. Anyone who puts him down is kidding themselves. Nobody here is comparing him to Crosby. But I have to say he's one of the most impressive players I've seen. Great wheels and awesome moves. Good shot too and excellent offensive instincts.
What I can't figure out is what the hell the coach is doing in between these games. The U.S. had the most favorable schedule. A day off between the 2nd and 3rd games.
Why hasn't their defensive zone coverage improved? And they play a run-and-gun style. That usually results in a lot of shots and scoring chances against. Well, hello. They have been outshot in every game thus far. And it was even worse tonight against what was supposed to be an inferior opponent.
Game 1- 34 shots, 30 saves Montoya vs Russia
Game 2- 35 shots, 31 saves Montoya vs Switzerland
Game 3- 43 shots, 38 saves Schnyder and Montoya vs Belarus
That's ridiculous. Each opponent was a level down and the SOG went up along with the scoring chances.
I don't care how brutal both guys have been. The coach is not getting through to his players. Solid two-way hockey is what wins. Someone forgot to tell them.
One other point that's been lost on most- No Stuart. No Potter. No Wisniewski. They all had huge roles on last year's D and that unit was much steadier.
Big difference.
I'm not sure what to expect against the Czechs tonight. They are explosive and have Olesz and Vrana and that other hot prospect. If the U.S. doesn't respond, they could get blown out of the building.
They deserved to lose tonight and being embarrassed might actually wake them up.
Congrats to Belarus. They played great and deserved the victory. Kositisyn was terrific.
(with the exception of Hagemo) for this loss. They couldn't clear their own zone and they couldn't keep it in the opposition's zone. There was almost no offensive production from the point, and way too many bone headed cross ice passes by our blueliners, as well. 
