WC: GOLD: Finland vs Canada

[Svedu]

I mean you haven't won one.... Ever... Right now Finland is quite clearly number 5 when you look at the rosters. There is only one best on best.... U18's/U20's are a specific age group where even in those not all the best players are available to participate. I admire how proud of a group of people you are and the passion behind hockey. It's great for the sport to have another country other than Sweden Canada Russia and USA pushing. But claiming you're the best when you've never won a best on best is a stretch.

Imagine getting so triggered by Finnish fans claiming that they are best in the world 2022? After winning both the OG´s and WC´s? I mean how can you even get provoked to behave this childish when fans are only stating facts?
I believe Julien chose the best roster he could, just like Jalonen. Simple as that. Your never ending excuses are lame as hell.

Maybe i missed something? Canadians claiming we had our A-team and Canada their Z? You still had Barzal?
Did we have Barkov? Aho? Teräväinen? Hintz? Haula? Rantanen? Laine? Puljujärvi? Lundell? Luostarinen? Kapanen? Lehkonen? Kakko? Heinola? Määttä?
Oh, or did we have the great Saros in net? Oh no, don´t think we had him either.

So... My point? You are one sour grape sonny and there is no substance in your comments.

 

[Hiukafen]

Yeah WJC is pretty big here. But like you said yeah, I agree, Canadians prefer best on best tournaments or else they just don't hold the same weight. Probably why the olympics and WJC tournaments are the only ones really on the radar here

For us that just doesn’t kind of make sense. I really can find how Canadians looks down players who plays in Europe. Just like Manninen or Björninen. And the reason is: they have never seen them playing. And at the same time I am paying 29€ (I am not sure how much that is in CAD, but more than 29USD) per month to watch NHL… just like waking up 3am to watch Canes vs Rangers. And at the same time I am watching all those I mentioned. Even U18 and WJC which I forgot to add.

And then we get comments from Canadians like ’you don’t know about hockey’.

There are best Canadians and Americans playing in the NHL but not necessarily best Russians, Swedes and Finns. That’s why Jalonen rather selects some KHL or Liiga players over NHL players. Specially those who have bloomed when they are around 25-30 and not aiming to NHL anymore. But of course when there would be best on best tournament at this time we would most probably have only NHL players.

But anyway. That happens not just in hockey but everything else as well. Europe is kind of Africa or Asia for you guys… like one big country. People doesn’t really care. It was very said from you.

 

[TBF1972]

Sad that the gold medal game was determined by the refs. It does happen though.

canada tied the game after the obvious wrong call on sillinger.

they also got a good goal call after heiskanen was cross-checked into the goal, the goal got dislocated and went back into its original position.

in ot chabot clearly tripped his opponent.

i agree finland might never score without the 5 vs. 3 pp. but canada had all the chances to win in ot and didn't.

 

[karhukissa]

Yeah WJC is pretty big here. But like you said yeah, I agree, Canadians prefer best on best tournaments or else they just don't hold the same weight. Probably why the olympics and WJC tournaments are the only ones really on the radar here

We know this. It's been obvious since the fall of Roman Empire that Canadian fans doesn't give this tournament much value, players are interested though. We've seen guys from McDavid to Crosby playing in these tournaments.

Canadian fans don't need to come and repeat it after every loss, that's the point. Czechia got their first medal in 10 years and it's a big thing there, it used to be huge tournament for Russia and also for Finnish and Swedish fans, based on our teams NHL players aren't that interested.

Finnish, Swedish or Czech fans won't downplay Denmark or Latvia if we lose, even though we have superior amount of players. This is only what Canadians do. Americans are better than you in every sport so they just probably don't bother, they'll let you have hockey.

 

[FrankieJ]

Some interesting numbers regarding Finland and the rest of the world:

Finland has a population of 5.5 million people vs. others in the 'Bix Six'
Canada 38 million,
USA 330 million,
Russia 144 million,
Sweden 10.3 million,
Czech Republic 10.8 million,

Switzerland 8.6 million, Germany 83 million, Denmark 5.8 million, Slovakia 5.46 million - SVK and DK are the only comparable ones and are far far behind Finland in terms of success - obviously SVK is a traditional hockey country and DK is not) - also, Latvia has a population of 1.9 million people, but FAR behind Finland in success. Finland has by far the smallest population of the 'Big Six'.

The only countries in the world where ice hockey is the most popular spectator sport:
Canada, Finland, Latvia

Active NHL Players per Capita as of 2022 (per 1 million people)

1. Canada - 485 players - 12.76 players per 1 million people
2. Finland - 61 players - 11.09 players per 1 million people
3. Sweden - 106 players - 10.29 players per 1 million people
4. Czechia - 39 players - 3.64 players per 1 million people
5. Latvia - 5 players - 2.63 players per 1 million people
6. Slovakia - 11 players - 2.01 players per 1 million people
7. Switzerland - 13 players - 1.51 players per 1 million people
8. Denmark - 7 players - 1.21 players per 1 million people
9. USA - 319 players - 0.97 players per 1 million people
10. Russia - 57 players - 0.4 players per 1 million people
11. Germany - 8 players - 0.1 players per 1 million people

Finland's tournament highlights in the last 12 years - since 2010:

2010 Vancouver Olympics - best-on-best - Bronze
2011 WC - Gold
2014 WJC - junior best-on-best - Gold
2014 Sochi Olympics - best-on-best - Bronze
2014 WC - Silver
2016 WJC - junior best-on-best - Gold
2016 WC - Silver
2019 WJC - junior best-on-best - Gold
2019 WC - Gold
2021 WC - Silver
2022 Beijing Olympics - Gold
2022 WC - Gold

Finland's tournament record in best-on-best since the introduction of NHL in the Olympics:
1998 Nagano Olympics - Bronze
2002 Salt Lake City Olympics - 6th
2004 World Cup of Hockey - Silver
2006 Turin Olympics - Silver
2010 Vancouver Olympics - Bronze
2014 Sochi Olympics - Bronze
2016 World Cup of Hockey - 8th

What is remarkable here is that Finland has been a stellar performer even before
its golden generation. A proper ice hockey powerhouse in best-on-best tournaments for almost 3 decades.


Registered Ice Hockey Players Per Capita - (2020/2021):
1. Czech Republic - 131,006 players - 12 130 registered players per 1 million people
2. Finland - 65,469 players - 11 903 registered players per 1 million people
3. Canada - 345,481 players - 9092 registered players per 1 million people
4. Sweden - 61,547 players - 5975 registered players per 1 million people
5. Latvia - 7,532 players - 3964 registered players per 1 million people
6. Switzerland - 32,206 - 3745 registered players per 1 million people
7. Slovakia - 10,822 players - 1982 registered players per 1 million people
8. USA - 453,826 players - 1375 registered players per 1 million people
9. Russia - 112,786 players - 783 registered players per 1 million people
10. Germany - 21,336 players - 257 registered players per 1 million people


Bix Six - Best-on-Best Comparison since NHL introduction to the Olympics in 1998:

Medal positions in bold

1. Canada (38 million) (Nagano 4th, Salt Lake 1st, World Cup 1st, Turin 7th, Vancouver 1st, Sochi 1st, World Cup 1st)

2 Finland (5.5 million) (Nagano 3rd, Salt Lake 6th, World Cup 2nd, Turin 2nd, Vancouver 3rd, Sochi 3rd, World Cup 8th)

3. Sweden (10.3 million) (Nagano 5th, Salt Lake 5th, World Cup 5th, Turin 1st, Vancouver 5th, Sochi 2nd, World Cup 3rd)

4. Czechia (10.8 million) (Nagano 1st, Salt Lake 7th, World Cup 3rd, Turin 3rd, Vancouver 7th, Sochi 6th, World Cup 6th)

5. Russia 8144 million) (Nagano 2nd, Salt Lake 3rd, World Cup 5th, Turin 4th, Vancouver 6th, Sochi 5th, World Cup 4th)

6. USA (330 million) (Nagano 6th, Salt Lake 2nd, World Cup 4th, Turin 8th, Vancouver 2nd, Sochi 4th, World Cup 7th)


All I can say after looking at these numbers is that - Finland is very close to being the no 1. ice hockey nation in the world.

 

[tapi]

Canadians claiming we had our A-team and Canada their Z? Did we have Barkov? Aho? Teräväinen? Hintz? Haula? Rantanen? Laine? Puljujärvi? Lundell? Luostarinen? Kapanen? Lehkonen? Kakko? Heinola? Määttä?
Oh, or did we have the great Saros in net? Oh no, don´t think we had him either.

Most of these dudes would not sniff even the Z-team of Team Canada. This, I believe, demonstrates the difference aptly.

 

[Hiukafen]

Couldn't help but notice you left out Puljujärvi and Koskinen. How dare you call them "the others"?

Honestly tho, it seems you actually know very little about Canadian nor Pro hockey and I can only guess never played any respectable level yourself. Seems you have some deep seeded resentment, which is clear from the ranty and accusatory comments. You're mixing up fan comments, your own bias, and projecting that on the players. Shame.

Thanks. That can be true that I have some own bias like you might also have? It’s also challenging to argue in my third language which makes me to use some not-so-correct vocabulary sometimes. Sorry for that.

And yes, you are right I haven’t played hockey in high level.

 

[Svedu]

The thing here is, i really don´t understand the point when SOME canadians in here are trying to claim that they had a bad roster and they don´t give a sh*t, and so on and so on...

Barzal had 59 points in the NHL this year. Dubois had 60 points.

My point in all this? What makes you believe you guys would be "Even more" superior in a best-on-best when we get Aho, Barkov, Lundell, Saros? They are just as good as your stars besides McDavid? Together with Jalonens system and our super D Heiskanen i wouldn´t be that surprised if we would win a best-on-best. Would anyone?
Of course Canada would be favorites but i still wouldn´t be that surprised.

Again, just compare Chabot to Heiskanen. Two really good players but there is no question who i would pick in my roster.
For those narrow-minded Canadians here, i honestly believe you can go really far with focusing on team play and the system and if anything, Finland has shown just that for these last years.
So, imagine if Jalonen would get his hands on Barkov, Lundell and Aho as our first three centers? What makes fans like "Bert" think we wouldn´t stand a chance? If anything i would see us as top three contenders behind Canada with either Sweden, Russia and the US. But we would be the clear pick out of these four countries outside of Canada, make no mistake about it.
The f*cking results shows that and this is just getting silly. I´m actually starting to wonder if some of you guys are only trolling.

 

[Ryder Halak 2nd]

Finland has proven to be the best multiple times.

You don't truly believe this. You aren't this naive.

 

[Hiukafen]

Most of these dudes would not sniff even the Z-team of Team Canada. This, I believe, demonstrates the difference aptly.

This shows the attitude. You must be proud?

 

[Dr Pepper]

Didn't catch this one but congrats to Finland on picking up the big W!

Also, please disregard the bitterness from some of my fellow Canadians on how this tourney isn't a "best on best" and doesn't really mean as much.....as if there wouldn't be some serious chest-thumping going on if Team Canada had won yesterday.

Come on.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Didn't catch this one but congrats to Finland on picking up the big W!

Also, please disregard the bitterness from some of my fellow Canadians on how this tourney isn't a "best on best" and doesn't really mean as much.....as if there wouldn't be some serious chest-thumping going on if Team Canada had won yesterday.

Come on.

I was salty when Canada won in 2016 and many Canadiens were posting and saying 'gold' and they are the best.

 

[Fighter]

The butthurt of some canadians are strong in this one.

 

[R We A Team]

Am I pissed at the reffing in this game? You bet I am... BUT sh*t happens in hockey, been like that forever. Bad calls happen often enough that using that as an excuse just reeks of poor sportsmanship. Diving and hitting yourself in the face to draw a penalty is not something that hasn't happened before, Canada is no angel when it comes to that sort of "advantage" Like some say... "All Is Fair In Love, War, and Hockey."

So with that thought in mind CONGRATULATIONS FINLAND!!! WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!

See you next year I hope!!

 

[Hiukafen]

And when ever you watch the Stanley Cup finals: It’s never best on best game as McDavid and Matthews are not playing there.

 

[karhukissa]

Some interesting numbers regarding Finland and the rest of the world:

Finland has a population of 5.5 million people vs. others in the 'Bix Six'
Canada 38 million,
USA 330 million,
Russia 144 million,
Sweden 10.3 million,
Czech Republic 10.8 million,

Switzerland 8.6 million, Germany 83 million, Denmark 5.8 million, Slovakia 5.46 million - SVK and DK are the only comparable ones and are far far behind Finland in terms of success - obviously SVK is a traditional hockey country and DK is not) - also, Latvia has a population of 1.9 million people, but FAR behind Finland in success. Finland has by far the smallest population of the 'Big Six'.

The only countries in the world where ice hockey is the most popular spectator sport:
Canada, Finland, Latvia

Active NHL Players per Capita as of 2022 (per 1 million people)

1. Canada - 485 players - 12.76 players per 1 million people
2. Finland - 61 players - 11.09 players per 1 million people
3. Sweden - 106 players - 10.29 players per 1 million people
4. Czechia - 39 players - 3.64 players per 1 million people
5. Latvia - 5 players - 2.63 players per 1 million people
6. Slovakia - 11 players - 2.01 players per 1 million people
7. Switzerland - 13 players - 1.51 players per 1 million people
8. Denmark - 7 players - 1.21 players per 1 million people
9. USA - 319 players - 0.97 players per 1 million people
10. Russia - 57 players - 0.4 players per 1 million people
11. Germany - 8 players - 0.1 players per 1 million people

Finland's tournament highlights in the last 12 years - since 2010:

2010 Vancouver Olympics - best-on-best - Bronze
2011 WC - Gold
2014 WJC - junior best-on-best - Gold
2014 Sochi Olympics - best-on-best - Bronze
2014 WC - Silver
2016 WJC - junior best-on-best - Gold
2016 WC - Silver
2019 WJC - junior best-on-best - Gold
2019 WC - Gold
2021 WC - Silver
2022 Beijing Olympics - Gold
2022 WC - Gold

Finland's tournament record in best-on-best since the introduction of NHL in the Olympics:
1998 Nagano Olympics - Bronze
2002 Salt Lake City Olympics - 6th
2004 World Cup of Hockey - Silver
2006 Turin Olympics - Silver
2010 Vancouver Olympics - Bronze
2014 Sochi Olympics - Bronze
2016 World Cup of Hockey - 8th

What is remarkable here is that Finland has been a stellar performer even before
its golden generation. A proper ice hockey powerhouse in best-on-best tournaments for almost 3 decades.


Registered Ice Hockey Players Per Capita - (2020/2021):
1. Czech Republic - 131,006 players - 12 130 registered players per 1 million people
2. Finland - 65,469 players - 11 903 registered players per 1 million people
3. Canada - 345,481 players - 9092 registered players per 1 million people
4. Sweden - 61,547 players - 5975 registered players per 1 million people
5. Latvia - 7,532 players - 3964 registered players per 1 million people
6. Switzerland - 32,206 - 3745 registered players per 1 million people
7. Slovakia - 10,822 players - 1982 registered players per 1 million people
8. USA - 453,826 players - 1375 registered players per 1 million people
9. Russia - 112,786 players - 783 registered players per 1 million people
10. Germany - 21,336 players - 257 registered players per 1 million people


Bix Six - Best-on-Best Comparison since NHL introduction to the Olympics in 1998:

Medal positions in bold

1. Canada (38 million) (Nagano 4th, Salt Lake 1st, World Cup 1st, Turin 7th, Vancouver 1st, Sochi 1st, World Cup 1st)

2 Finland (5.5 million) (Nagano 3rd, Salt Lake 6th, World Cup 2nd, Turin 2nd, Vancouver 3rd, Sochi 3rd, World Cup 8th)

3. Sweden (10.3 million) (Nagano 5th, Salt Lake 5th, World Cup 5th, Turin 1st, Vancouver 5th, Sochi 2nd, World Cup 3rd)

4. Czechia (10.8 million) (Nagano 1st, Salt Lake 7th, World Cup 3rd, Turin 3rd, Vancouver 7th, Sochi 6th, World Cup 6th)

5. Russia 8144 million) (Nagano 2nd, Salt Lake 3rd, World Cup 5th, Turin 4th, Vancouver 6th, Sochi 5th, World Cup 4th)

6. USA (330 million) (Nagano 6th, Salt Lake 2nd, World Cup 4th, Turin 8th, Vancouver 2nd, Sochi 4th, World Cup 7th)


All I can say after looking at these numbers is that - Finland is very close to being the no 1. ice hockey nation in the world.

That's what i've tried to say. Is India richer than Canada or Sweden for example because of higher GDP? Technically yes, but still most of the people live in poverty there.

That's why you should look at these things per capita. It's impossible for any country to have more NHL players than Canada. The fact that Sweden, Finland and Czechs are even challenging Canada is remarkable.

If i was the head of Canadian hockey, i'd book a flight to Sweden asap and see what they do with their defenders. If Canada was able to produce defenders on par with Sweden, they wouldn't lose any U20 tournament ever.

 

[Jarvinen]

Wow the discussion....

I've said it multiple times this tournament. I've found most swedish and finish fans being classier than ever against each other and I've found myself cheering for Sweden a few times.

I think the same goes for Canadians. There are very, very few Canadian fans downplaying anything. I find most posters are showing great sportsmanship.

Yet there is a discussion.

On topic though: Got so drunk celebrating last night that I forgot there had been a final when I woke up today. So once my memory started coming back after a while I got to go through the fuzz of winning again. Yay.

Also, apparently while celebrating I have hugged someone in a way that triggered my ex enough to send me angry texts.

Thanks guys for letting me experience this. Hoping for a rematch next year again.

 

[FinPanda]

I'm still certain Ohtamaa saved us the gold. His save with his leg.. 2-0 Canada and it could've been so much more diffucult to come back.

 

[Jarvinen]

I'm still certain Ohtamaa saved us the gold. His save with his leg.. 2-0 Canada and it could've been so much more diffucult to come back.

Perhaps, but you never know. Hockey is so unpredictable. Perhaps it would have given Canada enough momentum to stem roll us, but it could also have been something that would spark the team earlier so it got lopsided the other way.

 

[FinPanda]

Perhaps, but you never know. Hockey is so unpredictable. Perhaps it would have given Canada enough momentum to stem roll us, but it could also have been something that would spark the team earlier so it got lopsided the other way.

Yeah, we don't know. But it was a huge save at that port of the game.

 

[Incognito]

You don't truly believe this. You aren't this naive.

He doesn’t believe that. Nobody does. Anyone who says Finland is a better hockey country than Canada is simply trolling.

 

[Incognito]

Double post. Stupid internet connection.

 

[AKQJ]

He doesn’t believe that. Nobody does. Anyone who says Finland is a better hockey country than Canada is simply trolling.

Actually not. If that somebody would be right? Maybe, maybe not. Been in Canada and lived in Finland now for 9 years. In here hockey is religion. Matter of heart and soul. In Canada too. I agree. But nowhere else I have ever been to. There are great fans in Latvia, passionate atmosphere in Suisse and German leagues. Big money in hockey in Russia. Fantastic atmosphere I have seen in Czech youth hockey camps. Very good work done in hockey in Sweden. But the only other place beside hockey is religion is Finland. So by no way I would call it simply trolling. Right or wrong - matter of discussion at least!

 

[therealdeal]

Finns as a hockey nation should still hold their heads up and be proud, they didn’t do anything wrong, and were clearly a top team in this tournament, and every tournament.

Just sucks that the game went that way.

 

[therealdeal]

Just wanted to add I apologize for my string of comments on page 68 or something like that. I was upset about how it all went and acted childish.

Congrats to the Finns, it was an awesome tournament, again, and the fans were unreal and the games were all exciting and fun.

See y’all again next year.