WC: General Talk '14 — Switzerland

[stv11]

So, what should we be more worried about? The 10 period without scoring, or the terrible defensive zone play? Not that there is any shame in losing to Russia, but you can't give so much space to any team and expect to win the game, only the 4th goal didn't come straight from poor defensive zone coverage. And the play in the neutral zone still needs improvements, at some point I wasn't even sure if Switzerland played 1-3-1 or 1-2-2.

Sven Bärtschi with an upper-body in the hospital, doesn't look too good.

The guy is really unlucky, he got injured playing a worthless game right before the tournament last year, and now he can't even finish the first one.

If he can't make it, I'd like to see Rüfenacht play with i, he could play the same role he had with Metropolit those last two seasons. Froidevaux could play on the fourth line.

 

[stv11]

Bärtschi out of the tournament with a broken rib, Plüss will replace him. That's a huge downgrade, time to hope Minnesota loses quickly.

 

[swisdan]

At least one bright side is than Brunner was brilliant vs Russia.

 

[The Noot]

At least one bright side is than Brunner was brilliant vs Russia.

He was good. But definitely not "brilliant"

 

[jonas2244]

Yeah, Brunner was good, he just needs to score.

I liked Kukan, Schlumpf was also ok.

 

[stv11]

Schlumpf did ok, but I thought Kukan missed too many coverages. Most of the forwards did well too, they used speed in the neutral zone and battled for the puck well in the offensive zone. There were enough opportunities to score 1 or 2 goals.

The big problems are finishing and defensive play, and it's been the case for the last three games. But the good news is that Belarus, Germany and Kazakhstan haven't looked impressive either so far.

 

[doug88]

Our defense is really bad except Josi and we really lack offensive skills. We'll be lucky if we don't have to face relegation..

 

[The Noot]

Our defense is really bad except Josi and we really lack offensive skills. We'll be lucky if we don't have to face relegation..

If they really manage to get relegated after the silver medal last year...

 

[Richi]

Our defense is really bad except Josi and we really lack offensive skills. We'll be lucky if we don't have to face relegation..

I thought Josi has had a terrible game 1 and that Weber has played very decent in both ends. Or are you refering to the general potential of our defense?

 

[jonas2244]

You can't blame Josi, he played solid as always.

And of course it's a huge difference if you play next to Von Gunten/Diaz or a rookie like Dominik Schlumpf.

And I hope that some people finally see that it is a huge difference between a solid NLA-defender like Grossmann and a solid NHL-defender like Yannick Weber.

 

[Richi]

And I hope that some people finally see that it is a huge difference between a solid NLA-defender like Grossmann and a solid NHL-defender like Yannick Weber.

But...but...but...I´ve heard that he isn´t good enough for the NLA

 

[stv11]

And I hope that some people finally see that it is a huge difference between a solid NLA-defender like Grossmann and a solid NHL-defender like Yannick Weber.

I don't think anyone ever claimed the opposite, however there isn't a huge difference between a borderline NHL defenseman and a dominant NLA defenseman (and Grossmann isn't one).

 

[doug88]

I thought Josi has had a terrible game 1 and that Weber has played very decent in both ends. Or are you refering to the general potential of our defense?

I mean in general, aside from Josi, our defensemen for this World Championship are terrible! Schlumpf isn't even decent in the NLA and Weber should only be given PP duties cause from a defensive standpoint he ain't good.. But obviously we're missing key guys like Streit or Diaz but you can't compete at an international level with the defense we have right now.

 

[stv11]

Schlumpf had a strong season and probably was on Simpson's radar for a few months already, and Weber, even with his shortcoming, is ok as a depth player. Just having Streit and Vauclair would have made the defense as good as last year.

The problem is definitely not with the players available, there's enough talent to do a lot better than what we saw yesterday.

 

[jonas2244]

I don't think anyone ever claimed the opposite, however there isn't a huge difference between a borderline NHL defenseman and a dominant NLA defenseman (and Grossmann isn't one).

I read that a lot (especially in front of the olympics) and doug88 just confirms this.

Yes, players like Von Gunten or Blindenbacher or Furrer are near Weber, but there is a huge difference between those and Grossmann or even Blum. In every aspect of the game.

Schlumpf shouldn't play Top-6 minutes if we'd have a good roster on D. But Weber is surley not the problem.

 

[stv11]

I read that a lot (especially in front of the olympics) and doug88 just confirms this.

Yes, players like Von Gunten or Blindenbacher or Furrer are near Weber, but there is a huge difference between those and Grossmann or even Blum. In every aspect of the game.

Schlumpf shouldn't play Top-6 minutes if we'd have a good roster on D. But Weber is surley not the problem.

Blum and Grossmann should be depth players at best, as well as Schlumpf, although unlike the other two he can still develop into Blindenbacher caliber defenseman, and I'd be fine with him playing third pair with an experienced player. Without Vauclair's injury and with one less player declinig, this defense would be fine:

Josi-Streit
Seger-Vauclair
Weber-Schlumpf
Blum-Grossmann

 

[XiTnA]

does anyone have a highlight package that shows the goal set up by fiala today? tsn only shows the last goal

 

[The Noot]

does anyone have a highlight package that shows the goal set up by fiala today? tsn only shows the last goal

http://www.srf.ch/player/tv/sportlive/video/eishockey-highlights-schweiz-usa?id=75b02a2d-20ca-4b64-bde1-82f937651bf3

You might need a swiss proxy to view it. It's the first play they show, Fiala has the number 13.

 

[XiTnA]

http://www.srf.ch/player/tv/sportlive/video/eishockey-highlights-schweiz-usa?id=75b02a2d-20ca-4b64-bde1-82f937651bf3

You might need a swiss proxy to view it. It's the first play they show, Fiala has the number 13.

thanks, cant view though

 

[Woodhouse]

does anyone have a highlight package that shows the goal set up by fiala today? tsn only shows the last goal

Here's Fiala with the takeaway and assist in Saturday's game vs Team USA:

 

[doug88]

Here's Fiala with the takeaway and assist in Saturday's game vs Team USA:

This kid is a stud!

 

[stv11]

Froidevaux registred. Unless there's an injury, I'm not sure what the point is.

 

[Richi]

Froidevaux registred. Unless there's an injury, I'm not sure what the point is.

Move Schäppi to the wing of the i-Hollenstein line?

 

[jonas2244]

Better i to the wing so Schäppi can be ready for i's giveaways.

 

[Exarz]

If they really manage to get relegated after the silver medal last year...

If so, call Guinness World Records, we have the longest hangover here