GDT: Gold Medal Game • Jan. 5 • Canada vs. Russia • Part V (Mod warning in OP)

[CarlWinslow]

the final 30 minutes was some pathetic hockey... Russia was all over them, Canada was mis-communicating constantly, 3 bad penalties (none of which were weak calls)...

Their defense stood tall so I commend them for that, but nearly dropping a 4 goal lead, and then proceeding to play defensive shell for the last 30 minutes--thats pretty bad

Have you ever seen a hockey tournament final before? They gave up a few pp goals and then what? They played careful defensive hockey and the other team threw caution to the wind and took chances. Guess what that type of game flow always leads to??? This exact type of game. Good try though.

 

[JLP]

They grip (and hoist) the little IIHF trophy like it was the Stanley Cup, although that is not an objectively practical grip.

 

[TheTakedown]

Canada played a great defensive 3rd.

I do agree with this

Did you miss when the Russian goalie robbed them of a sure goal on a 2 on 1? If not for that it would have been 6-4.

I did see that, it was great save, but that was like... their only grade A scoring chance all period.

and for the record, I am not Russian nor Canadian, and did not care who actually won this game. I do think Canada owned the 1st half, Russia played a much better 2nd half

 

[Appleyard]

Who is that man lying on the ice

Looked like Freddy Braithwaite. I did a double take... haven't seen his mug in years!

Lying with the goalies. Makes sense.

 

[Dynamo81]

This Russian team confuses the heck out of me.

They play mediocre up until the game against Sweden and then tonight.

They easily could have won tonight. (thankfully they didn't)

Without a doubt when they're playing like the last 2 games, they are an absolute awesome team.

The question is why such a huge difference in level of play from them?

It's standard Russia, in many team sports. They can blow your mind or look atrocious. Just the culture I honestly expected them to make the final even when I knew they would be facing USA and Sweden. Some of the previous WJC teams in recent years pulled the same rubbish.

I think Churchill said it best
"Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

 

[Davebo*]

the final 30 minutes was some pathetic hockey... Russia was all over them, Canada was mis-communicating constantly, 3 bad penalties (none of which were weak calls)...

Their defense stood tall so I commend them for that, but nearly dropping a 4 goal lead, and then proceeding to play defensive shell for the last 30 minutes--thats pretty bad

Well - less pathetic than not playing for a medal - can we agree on that?

I thought we played pretty well the first part of the period, then tried tightening up the last half of the 3rd. The russians pressed then - obviously...

 

[timlap]

Russia fan here but congratulations Canada. The best team in the tournament and deserving of the Gold. People in Canada are crazy mad for this tournament and love Ice Hockey, so I am happy to see their fans have some joy from this tournament once again.

I had this Russia team projected to make the final and they played some good Hockey against Sweden and Canada. I gave them no hope as this was the first Canada side in years that I agreed with the hype they had. When Russia went down 1-5 it was great to see the fight. One thing this new generation of Russian kids (Born in the early 90's) they are true fighters and patriots of Russia. Unlike earlier generations.

A great game of Hockey

Oh and Russia for once out-shot Canada

Nice post.

Very impressed by Russia. You played great when it mattered and earned the silver medal, but could easily have won the gold medal. Both teams deserved it!

 

[Liminality]

Was sloppy but in the end they got it done. Congrats Canada, was a great tournament and loved the atmosphere.

 

[ShooterMikgaven]

What is that, a cup for ants?

The trophy needs to be at least.....3 times bigger than that

 

[DadBod]

Looking back at this game in a few years, a Canadian team that featured McDavid and a ton of tournament leading scorers (Petan, Domi, Reinhart) better have beaten a Russian team without any superstars (Tarasenko/Kuznetsov, Yakupov/Nichushkin, etc).

I still think Team Canada didn't look great and goaltending was weak as always. But gold is gold.

I'll match your missing Russian stars with a missing Ekblad, Horvat, Droin, McKinnon

 

[RoR21]

Looked like Freddy Braithwaite. I did a double take... haven't seen his mug in years!

Lying with the goalies. Makes sense.

it was, he was the goalie coach this year.

 

[nucks88]

Russia fan here but congratulations Canada. The best team in the tournament and deserving of the Gold. People in Canada are crazy mad for this tournament and love Ice Hockey, so I am happy to see their fans have some joy from this tournament once again.

I had this Russia team projected to make the final and they played some good Hockey against Sweden and Canada. I gave them no hope as this was the first Canada side in years that I agreed with the hype they had. When Russia went down 1-5 it was great to see the fight. One thing this new generation of Russian kids (Born in the early 90's) they are true fighters and patriots of Russia. Unlike earlier generations.

A great game of Hockey

Oh and Russia for once out-shot Canada

Nothing is more special than a Canada Russia game- your boys played a hard skillful game- I hope we will play many more in the years to come!

 

[Hank Plank]

The trophy needs to be at least.....3 times bigger than that

haha this time it's true!

 

[Markov4Captain]

Ryan Rishaugh has really climbed up the TSN ranks. I feel for the guy, he has to cover the Oilers on a daily basis.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Nurse with a huge game, and monstrous 3rd. Dear lord he is a beauty. I wont ever question his hockey IQ again. Terrific skater, who knows when to skate out the puck and join the rush--and who always turns back when it's the right time. Wins huge board battles and comes out with the puck more often than not. Very deserving of Player of the Game award, IMO.

 

[BobDobolina]

I'll match your missing Russian stars with a missing Ekblad, Horvat, Droin, McKinnon

Wooosh

 

[lawrence]

Well done Canada

Russia turned up the offence, thank god the refs put the whistles away,

we all knew, Russia is nothing without their fleury of consecutive power plays

That said, Well done Russia, impressed with their puck movement

the best team won tonight.

woooooo

 

[Macman]

A new Canada-Russia classic. Unbelievable game between two great teams. Congrats Russia. Way to go Canada for winning its 16th junior gold. The drought is over.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Ryan Rishaugh has really climbed up the TSN ranks. I feel for the guy, he has to cover the Oilers on a daily basis.

Do we really need constant Oiler shots like this? Stay classy...

 

[Whitesnake]

After bashing him all game long.....very good defensive 3rd by Gauthier except a few key faceoffs. Groulx played him a lot and he did a good job defensively.

 

[Crabapple]

I ****ing love this tournament. Great game Russia hats off to you!

 

[xxxx]

Just curious, why players always point with a finger at something, at every winning team photos?

 

[Get North]

Sweet. It's been 5 years and we deserve it, last year won't feel as painful as it's been the previous years because I'm just glad we got this bump out of the way.

We played really well in the 3rd period IMO, we were good through out the whole game and obviously the penalties kind of hurt us but we shut em down good in the 3rd. Played as a unit.

Canada #1.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Glad to see the respect on both sides. Peace out boys and get some sleep!

 

[syz]

Nurse looks like he needs to put on 20 pounds. Which is kind of scary.