GDT: USA-Switzerland, 8:00 p.m Local Time

[Reilly311]

Nothing short of a complete thrashing will suffice IMO.

I don't care how many goals the US scores. I want to see solid defense. I mean SOLID defense.

 

[Boilers*]

Refs screwed Vancouver in 1994? What close Game 7 did you watch?

And no. I don't think it is a "breath of fresh air". I don't like floods of goals like there has been in this game. Games like this makes would-be important goals essentially meaningless, and I don't find that exciting.

Van was screwed over by the refs in that series BIGTIME or maybe you don't remember the white towel surrender. There's no way it should've gone to 7 games.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

No, I think they expected a hard game, they just didn't come out with the passion they did against russia. I think the Swiss played a lot like Finland does where they basically trap the other team for a long time to keep themselves in the game and strike really quick after the other team gets mentally tired.

The problems the defense are experiencing are all correctable. I thought Brian Lee looked useless. I'm guessing Kessel and Montoya won't play tomorrow so Schremp will get more time. I'd rather have Montoya let in those kinds of goals now to prepare himself unlike what happend to Fleury last year where he basically didn't have to do anything until it was too late.

The defense certainly is capable of much better than what they've shown thus far. They need to do a better job of sticking their man. One thing that's evident is you can easily tell what forwards are defensively responsible. Chris Bourque isn't one of them! Brian Lee was a non-factor. He didn't embaress himself, but didn't do alot to distinguish himself either. I'm wondering if the U.S. brass is kicking themselves for not taking another defensive D-man?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't care how many goals the US scores. I want to see solid defense. I mean SOLID defense.

IMO a complete thrashing would involve dominant defense. I wish Sandelin could sit some guys, but he doesn't really have that luxury.

 

[em1ss]

Well I'd say Kessel has moved up the 06 draft list. That kid has some moves. I hope that slash to the laces at end of the third was just a stinger, no broken bones or damaged tendons. I want to see him some more in this tournament.

USA defense was horrid in the third. Borer and Hagemmo seemed to be the only Dman awake, Suter was not a factor. The high school kid Lee is not ready for prime time. Poor kid looked nervous as heck everytime someone came near him when he tried to play the puck. Likens was poor for the second game.

Montoya was good thru 2. Then the flood gates opened due to the poor D. He reminded me of the goalie in Slapshot. Seemed to come apart some with the two quick stuff ins. Neither were his fault. I expected the US coaches to call time out but they didn't.

US goals by Callahan (1-2), Porter (1-0), Stafford (1-0), Hensick (1-0), O'Sullivan (1-0). Game winner Schremp (1-0)

Biggest positive was the USA coaches rolled all the players, could be a factor later in the tournament. They have plenty of fire power and skill. Need alot of work on defense. Close on their man and finish the checks. Swiss players had way too much space to operate.

 

[VOB]

The brain farts that some of the U.S. Dmen have really doesn't concern me all that much since as Reilly put it, they are correctable. What does worry me is how they lose many of the battles down low and in front of their net. They cannot expect to have the forwards come and bail them out time after time.

 

[dafranchz]

Third Period
60.00 GK out Switzerland 20. TOBLER, Michael
60.00 GK out USA 29. MONTOYA, Al
50.31 2 min USA 2. LEE, Brian Holding the stick
47.06 6 - 4 EQ USA 12. O'SULLIVAN, Patrick (24. CALLAHAN, Ryan) (5. LIKENS, Jeff)
45.20 5 - 4 EQ Switzerland 22. STANCESCU, Victor
44.44 5 - 3 EQ Switzerland 13. HURLIMANN, Stefan
44.07 5 - 2 EQ USA 17. SCHREMP, Robbie Game Winning Goal (16. DOWELL, Jacob)
42.25 4 - 2 EQ USA 11. HENSICK, Tim
41.34 3 - 2 PP1 USA 19. STAFFORD, Drew (27. BOURQUE, Chris) (9. FRITSCHE, Dan)
41.18 2 min Switzerland 12. BENOIT, Yvan Highsticking
41.04 2 - 2 EQ Switzerland 27. WICK, Roman (22. STANCESCU, Victor) (3. EHRENSPERGER, Gianni)
40.45 2 - 1 EQ Switzerland 12. BENOIT, Yvan (19. KASER, Marco) (21. ROMY, Kevin)
Second Period
36.51 2 min USA 18. HAGEMO, Nathan Roughing
31.16 2 min Switzerland TEAM PENALTY Too many players on the ice
28.18 2 - 0 EQ USA 21. PORTER, Kevin (26. KESSEL, Phil) (7. SUTER, Ryan)
25.01 2 min USA 8. PINEAULT, Adam Hooking
25.01 2 min Switzerland 23. KPARGHAI, Clarence Unsportsmanlike Conduct

First Period
16.51 2 min Switzerland 7. FURRER, Philippe Roughing
11.47 2 min USA 6. BORER, Casey Hooking
9.36 1 - 0 EQ USA 24. CALLAHAN, Ryan (13. BROWN, Mike) (16. DOWELL, Jacob)
4.53 2 min USA 24. CALLAHAN, Ryan Roughing
00.00 GK in Switzerland 20. TOBLER, Michael
00.00 GK in USA 29. MONTOYA, Al

Thank you!

 

[Reilly311]

I'm wondering if the U.S. brass is kicking themselves for not taking another defensive D-man?

As long as they don't turn it over in their own zone and get the puck out when they're suppose to, they'll be fine. Once they start running around is when they're in trouble. A lot of the US scoring has come from those long, up the middle passes created by the defensemen.

What I like about this team so far is that even if Montoya gives up a goal, they've responded. Quite well actually. This team, as sad as it may sound, seems to play better as the other team scores more.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The brain farts that some of the U.S. Dmen have really doesn't concern me all that much since as Reilly put it, they are correctable. What does worry me is how they lose many of the battles down low and in front of their net. They cannot expect to have the forwards come and bail them out time after time.

I'll agree with nomorekids and say that Likens is the one guy most guilty of that. He's been horrible and he's bringing Suter down. The U.S. might start relying on three or four guys pretty heavily like they did last year. Borer and Hagemo looked good tonight. Those two and Suter are going to have to bear a heavy load I'm afraid.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

As long as they don't turn it over in their own zone and get the puck out when they're suppose to, they'll be fine. Once they start running around is when they're in trouble. A lot of the US scoring has come from those long, up the middle passes created by the defensemen.

What I like about this team so far is that even if Montoya gives up a goal, they've responded. Quite well actually. This team, as sad as it may sound, seems to play better as the other team scores more.

There's no doubt that the defense is an important part of the offense, I'd just wish it wasn't the other team's so often..... Bad joke aside, the U.S. team has been resilient, and it was almost eerie how Stafford scored while Rick and Brickley were making that point. Montoya needs to get it together and play a full 60 minutes. The good news is the U.S, is 2-0 going into a game against Belarus where they have a great chance to pull together and develop some nice habits for the game against the Czechs.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

One other thing. IMO Schremp has earned a place on the top three lines and Pineault needs to take a seat. He's been a complete non-factor. Kessel looks stronger on his skates than he does! Where's that cannon of a shot and all that?

 

[VOB]

What I like about this team so far is that even if Montoya gives up a goal, they've responded. Quite well actually. This team, as sad as it may sound, seems to play better as the other team scores more.

I am not sure if they will be able to continue to bounce back like that. Lets face it, they were able to do it against both the Swiss and the Russians because of horrid turn overs and defensive miscues. I can assure you that the Russians will be far better the next time around while the Swiss will most likely not advance to the medal round. Its one thing to do it against a non contender and quite another thing to do it when the games really matter against quality oppostion.

The U.S had better get their defensive game in order or they will not even medal let alone have a chance to defend their crown.

 

[leafaholix*]

The American defense is a downgrade from last season and Montoya's not as sharp so far.

And you said I was wrong...

But, we still have 4 games left.

 

[nomorekids]

The American defense is a downgrade from last season and Montoya's not as sharp so far.

And you said I was wrong...

But, we still have 4 games left.

on the other hand, the offense looks even better than it did, last year.

 

[Reilly311]

One other thing. IMO Schremp has earned a place on the top three lines and Pineault needs to take a seat. He's been a complete non-factor. Kessel looks stronger on his skates than he does! Where's that cannon of a shot and all that?

Well I bet Kessel won't play regardless of the extent of his injury. Schremp will probably get his mins. Bourque better step up tomorrow as well. He had a nice 1st period but was invisible after that.

I suppose that since it's Belerus that the US will be able to get away with some line juggling. I assume Schnieder will be starting.

 

[Crossroads*]

on the other hand, the offense looks even better than it did, last year.

Well, it HAS to be. Without a great offense the U.S. would probably be 1-1 now or even 0-2 due to the horrid D and goaltending.

 

[nomorekids]

Well, it HAS to be. Without a great offense the U.S. would probably be 1-1 now or even 0-2 due to the horrid D and goaltending.

:lol :lol

just keep going. it gets funnier and funnier every time.

 

[William H Bonney]

He reminds me of a buddy I play hockey with. Great moves, but get's in too tight when he should use his wrist-shot. I look for Kessel to do that as the tourney progresses. Interesting to see him out there with two minutes to go in the 3rd.

I don't think it's really a problem, I just think he's trying to hard to prove he belongs. He's just overthinking the situation, instead of just letting his talent do the work.

 

[Crossroads*]

:lol :lol

just keep going. it gets funnier and funnier every time.

Without the great offense it would've been 4-1 or 4-2 against Russia, in favour of Russia. Next, against the Swiss, it most likely would've been 4-3 in favour of either team. Just be thankful that the offense is gunning right now because even if it was average, the U.S. would be nothing.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't think it's really a problem, I just think he's trying to hard to prove he belongs. He's just overthinking the situation, instead of just letting his talent do the work.

True enough. He's looked great though.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Well, it HAS to be. Without a great offense the U.S. would probably be 1-1 now or even 0-2 due to the horrid D and goaltending.

But we're not. We're 2-0, and the defensive mistakes and goaltender lapses are correctable going into the game against Belarus. It's not a bad a situation as some are making it.

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

I was hoping Montoya would play a little better as well as the d in front of him. I pray they can get some of this worked out.

 

[leafaholix*]

But we're not. We're 2-0, and the defensive mistakes and goaltender lapses are correctable going into the game against Belarus. It's not a bad a situation as some are making it.

I don't think a game against Belarus will do much for the long term improvement of the defense.

If the Maple Leafs struggle against Colorado and Montreal, I'm not looking forward to a game against Washington to correct the mistakes... since the competition will be basically non-existant and the forwards will be doing a lot of the work.

 

[Lupul15]

how did Sprunger look?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The American defense is a downgrade from last season and Montoya's not as sharp so far.

And you said I was wrong...

But, we still have 4 games left.

I'm more concerned about the defense than Montoya. In retrospect, he can really only be faulted on one of the Swiss goals, which means that the defense fell down on the rest. We'll see if the team can tighten up.