GDT: Gold Medal Game • Jan. 5 • 8:00 PM ET • 02:00 CET • II (Mod warning in OP)

[Richter915]

Canada letting russia enter the zone too easily

they're definitely respecting the Russian offense...even Canada's rushes are being countered more effectively (assuming Canada doesn't score on said rush).

On that note, did Canada have any solid cycling at all that period? Barely anything on the PP and largely invisible at ES.

 

[29dryden29]

I'm scared.

Fucale pls.

Fucale makes me nervous every time the puck crosses our blue line FFS.

 

[KPower]

Amazing start by Canada but Russia responded and was the better team in the last 10 minutes.

This has the chance to be an epic game.

 

[CodyTheHuman]

What's the score

2-1 Canada

 

[Emerz]

He hasn't been that bad at all though. Russia has had some really good chances. Clear looks and he's answered. The one goal was a perfect shot.

I know, he just makes me nervous.

Hoping he closes the door the rest of the way.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Fucale is making me very nervous. He is fighting the puck out there. He needs to calm down and keep doing what he had be doing up to that point.

We are not giving them many "A" chances so far, even if we are sloppy with the puck. Hopefully Groulx can calm and refocus thr boys during the intermission.

 

[HeyMattyB]

He hasn't been great but it doesn't really mean much to be honest. Don't get too caught up on how prospects look in the WJC.

Thank you!

 

[BlitzSnipe]

I don't think I've ever seen a game this intense.

 

[Canucks LB]

Virtanen is a BEAST physically, but his offensive game just isnt there. i was hoping he would be a huge factor in this tourny offensively.

Isent he ppg? They stole two assists from him earlier.

He always shows up when it matters. Big game player

 

[DyerMaker66*]

What? He has great speed and is a great skater, what player are you watching

Best player on the team, right?

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Gotto love russian game.

I found the taunting by the bench especially lovely.

 

[JoeyBeans]

nerved up

 

[Merla]

Wow. Enough about the crowd already. The game is being played in Canada, should the crowd just sit on their hands? Do you think any other nation would cheer their team differently if they were in a gold medal game?

Cant be the crowd as they have been dead quiet, except for when Canada scored or made a nice hit.

 

[JayKing]

Virtanen is a BEAST physically, but his offensive game just isnt there. i was hoping he would be a huge factor in this tourny offensively.

He has poor IQ.

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

You have to give it to Bragin. The goalie change was the right move, although Shestyorkin had no chance to save in both goals.

It was a way to call a timeout without actually using his timeout. Definitely a smart move so far.

 

[DakrSnooze]

That first period was epic. Hope to see the same kind of pace continue in the second

 

[Sharpshooter]

That was insane. Amazing first period. Stomach was in knots for the full 20. Russia has made it one heck of a game.

Go Canada go

Amazing hockey!!!!

It saddens me that most of the world will never see the glory and insanity that is this tournament. That period was just nuts!

Agree with you guys. Great period, great rivalry, great game!

Can't wait for the second.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Respect to Canada from a Russian fan. You guys are extremely tough. But I hope Russia can make this game even more interesting.

Cheers mate, it's been a great exhibition of what hockey should be.

 

[PBandJ]

Time to calm down a bit and put the foot back on the gas. You CAN'T sit back on these guys, they'll ruin you every time.

 

[Rebuilt]

Virtanen is a BEAST physically, but his offensive game just isnt there. i was hoping he would be a huge factor in this tourny offensively.

He is Raffi Torres. He was drafted 5th overall by the Islanders . You cant teach hockey IQ

 

[Davebo*]

Canada letting russia enter the zone too easily

Big time. The D needs to step up on this group - they're not as skilled as past russians teams, so I doubt the D will be beat often if they try.

 

[Richter915]

Cant be the crowd as they have been dead quiet, except for when Canada scored or made a nice hit.

I'll say this crowd seems "quieter" compared to previous Canadian crowds. This is not a knock at the fans, more a compliment to the opponent who are keeping the crowd on their toes.

 

[Adanac]

I wonder if the refs would have let Canada get away with acting how the Russians were the first few minutes. Doubt it and I know this board would have exploded if they had

How were they...Russia as a rule try not to be physical and just play the game. Just look at the Sweden-Russia game, pretty much no stops and just pure high speed hockey. It's Canadian style of game, where you don't even care where the puck is and just try to hit as many bodies as possible.

Half the hit are on guys who don't even have the puck. Crowd is reacting to every hit like it's 10-point goal, so yeah, Russians are taunting and ****. Big deal.

 

[CupInSIX]

He hasn't been that bad at all though. Russia has had some really good chances. Clear looks and he's answered. The one goal was a perfect shot.

Yeah but he's a Habs prospect so some people will have an irrational bias against him.

 

[Scotty B]

Bit of an adventure with Hicketts that period. Point's looking MUCH better 2nite, set up Paul nicely. Duclair got it going on. Alas, he had an open net just after Sorokin came in , and missed. Gauthier parked right in front of Sorokin, gloriously set up... as per usual it came to nothing. Nice push back by RUS, after our Boyz furious start. Great , Great game thus far...

OH CANADA BAByyyyyyyyy