GDT USA vs Latvia 2-15-06 9:00 PM Torino time, 3:00 P.M. EST.

[GKJ]

Great job Latvia


Not too suprised by this, can't say I expected it, but I knew Latvia would play hard and would be in this game.



A tie is a win for Latvia. If they can get another point vs Russia...they might get in...



Arturs Irbe was outstanding

 

[DaMick]

39 saves i believe Archie got


he deserved the tie at least

 

[Lupul*]

Latvia played a heck of a game. They deserved the tie.

 

[Big Daddy]

Yes when the game's on the line i want Jason Blake out there.

I hear ya, I almost fell outta my chair when he made the squad. Now nothing surprises me.

 

[MXD]

Is it over?

 

[shawn_kemp*]

If they can get another point vs Russia...they might get in...

why Russia?

 

[acr*]

Time to trash the hotel rooms.

 

[djtino224]

This is what happens when you play one bad period.

Unfortunately, I'm all TOO familiar with that this year.

 

[g52*]

The problem with Team USA is that everyone on the team is trying to be the hero. Gomez and Gionta are the worst offenders- everytime they touch the puck they try to go end to end with it. And Jason Blake..wow...I have never seen someone dive this much.

 

[HellsBells]

Did Latvia lose to Italy?

 

[acr*]

Chelios looks like he's 60 years old...he shouldn't be playing...

 

[Pothier]

Did Latvia lose to Italy?

Yes 5-4 I believe.

 

[GKJ]

why Russia?

because they lost to Slovakia. Latvia has 1 more point than them

 

[reaper]

USA need to put their players on the diet Can't have a team with only 100+ kg's players. Some are decent on skates but many of them look painfully slow compared to Russia and Slovakia.

 

[crashlanding]

The problem with Team USA is that everyone on the team is trying to be the hero. Gomez and Gionta are the worst offenders- everytime they touch the puck they try to go end to end with it. And Jason Blake..wow...I have never seen someone dive this much.

If you've ever watched a Devils game, that's our breakout. It's actually quite effective.

 

[Matti_A]

(Latvia 3-3 USA) Let's have a Party

Nice point Latvia
My second favourite team after Finland. You gotta love a team that plays like Latvia, with so much heart.

 

[DevilsFan38]

Irbe played great. The whole Latvian team played really hard, but there's no way that would have been a tie without him. The second period killed the US, I don't know what the blueliners were doing, but they certainly weren't playing defense.

I also didn't get some of Laviolette's player choices, why on earth was Jason Blake out on the 4-on-4? Maybe it's just my homerism coming out, but I have no idea why he didn't put Gionta and Gomez out there, cause they are speedy, offensively skilled players who I thought were playing very well.

 

[jaydub*]

USA need to put their players on the diet Can't have a team with only 100+ kg's players. Some are decent on skates but many of them look painfully slow compared to Russia and Slovakia.

yah...they are fat. makes sense
the difference is team usa actually was playing defense, something neither slovakia or russia did today

 

[DaMick]

i missed the second period. did latvia get lucky, or did they actually play well then? cus in the first and third the usa has dominated.

USA's D failed horribly in the 2nd...they gave Latvia too many open chances at scoring.

Too many stupid penalties

 

[HellsBells]

Yes 5-4 I believe.

All I can say is...WOW !!

EDIT: Fluky goal or not, I wish Leopold could score for the Flames this year.

 

[David Puddy]

Perfect start for Team USA getting the comeback tie. It's just like in 1980. Moo-hoo-hahaha, just as I planned.

 

[BringBackFletcher]

cole conroy gionta and gomez were really the only ones doing anything all game.

schnieder looked brutal as did chelios

:sad:

 

[crashlanding]

Irbe played great. The whole Latvian team played really hard, but there's no way that would have been a tie without him. The second period killed the US, I don't know what the blueliners were doing, but they certainly weren't playing defense.

I also didn't get some of Laviolette's player choices, why on earth was Jason Blake out on the 4-on-4? Maybe it's just my homerism coming out, but I have no idea why he didn't put Gionta and Gomez out there, cause they are speedy, offensively skilled players who I thought were playing very well.

I'm fine with Blake being on the team, but use him in defensive situations, he's a guy that can score shorthanded and on the transition. However I was SHOCKED that he was out there for the last shift. Has Laviolette gone insane? Does he really miss coaching on the Isle that much? I don't think the Islanders would have him out there for the last shift let alone Team USA.

 

[jaydub*]

Lol!! Get to your trashing now. Tkachuk will probably eat the chairs instead of throwing them out the window. I am not anti American, in fact I am not sure why I even posted it. I am tired and think i'm funny even though I know under normal circumstances I am not.

meh, if canada loses they will probably all go out gambling with gretzky and his wife

 

[Sakaarnis]

YEEEES BABY! This is victory for us! We are small (2.3 million latvians walking on earth) but god we are prud and crazy about this beutifull game called hockey. Its a party night here, im goin out now, i just have to drink to that!