GDT: Gold Medal Game | Canada vs. Russia

[Bakayoko Ono]

Should be a good one.

 

[voxel]

Russia has the edge in goaltending with Bobrovsky.

Nothing Eberle's backhand can't beat.

Unfortunately, if Mike Smith poops the bed he could singlehandedly lose the game for the Canadians.

 

[systemsgo]

I feel dirty rooting for Giroux over Geno, but let's go TC!

 

[JackSlater]

You're right to say that Russia has a very weak defense. Unfortunately, all of the best defensemen were injured before the tournament, and then 3 additional D men were lost to injury in the prelim round. But a couple of observations about Team USA: (1) they were a huge and powerful team physically, and yet they were as fast as any team I've seen in this tournament, and (2) their Soviet-style (NTDP) system allows them to play at full speed knowing that they can make rink-long passes without looking, and the guy who is supposed to be there will be at the exact spot he was supposed to be.

They played at an unbelievable level of synchronization and organization, which no other team that I have seen could match. Every man was the right man in the right place, and they could do it without having to be careful, or even look. While Canada has some Edmonton teammates playing together, they haven't played with the kind of fully synchronized system that you saw in Team USA. And their ability to win every loose puck in the Russian zone accounts for why the USA had a lot of good opportunities.

This is nonsense. I believe a whopping 7 players on this team played on the US national development team, including the backup goaltender and Charlie Coyle (who played 4 games total before leaving the program). They had nothing approaching a Soviet level of preparation or cohesion. It was a very weak team talent wise, and their cohesion was nothing special. Russia struggled with a weak team - that's a fact. It doesn't preclude them from beating Canada in any way, but to pretend otherwise is foolish.

 

[Sentinel]

Russia has no defense or coherent strategy. 4-1 Canada.

 

[Scotty B]

You're right to say that Russia has a very weak defense. Unfortunately, all of the best defensemen were injured before the tournament, and then 3 additional D men were lost to injury in the prelim round. But a couple of observations about Team USA: (1) they were a huge and powerful team physically, and yet they were as fast as any team I've seen in this tournament, and (2) their Soviet-style (NTDP) system allows them to play at full speed knowing that they can make rink-long passes without looking, and the guy who is supposed to be there will be at the exact spot he was supposed to be.

.

It's not as if the entire Team USA roster were part of the same US NTDP, in the same years. Many hadn't played together before WC and most never were NTDP...

They played at an unbelievable level of synchronization and organization, which no other team that I have seen could match. Every man was the right man in the right place, and they could do it without having to be careful, or even look. While Canada has some Edmonton teammates playing together, they haven't played with the kind of fully synchronized system that you saw in Team USA. And their ability to win every loose puck in the Russian zone accounts for why the USA had a lot of good opportunities

Nope, the real problem was Russia's propensity to leave guys like Vesey repeatedly uncovered 3 feet in front of Bobrovsky ! Brutal Defensive zone coverage...Total KEYSTONE COPS

 

[Acallabeth]

LOL, a very easy win for Canada, expect something like 5-1 at least.

 

[Crosbyfan]

3-2 Canada

Should be a good one.

Did I hear Ovie guaranteed a win for Russia? (just kidding)

 

[illpucks]

LOL, a very easy win for Canada, expect something like 5-1 at least.

Agreed. However the Oilers (Good F very bad D) beat the Rangers (Good F Elite D) this year.

Though Maybe Russia's D are so bad they make Shane O'Brien look like Bobby Orr.

 

[illpucks]

Russia could have really used Voynov...

Too bad...would have been on the first pairing.

 

[GWNR]

Russia could have really used Voynov...

Too bad...would have been on the first pairing.

Every team in this tournament could have used somebody.

Same thing every year, no excuses should be made about players not being there. That's why this tournament doesn't have that much merit. Sure it matters, but we all know the only best on best is the olympics.

That being said, Canda 5-3 with an empty netter. Russia will do well, but Canada's offence has been lights out

 

[Roof Daddy]

I'll say 6-3 Canada, with the game never in doubt. I get that the Russians have some dynamic talent up front, but so does Canada - and to a deeper extent. To have Duchene, Spezza and MacKinnon as a 3rd line is pretty freaking impressive.

I could definitely see Couturier playing a big role as well.

 

[Canuck21t]

I am already happy with this tournament for Canada, seeing as so many younger players played well. While I generally don't care much about the result of this tournament, I would like to see Spezza get rewarded. The vast majority of Canadian players in his situation refuse to play. Past his best, knows that he will never play in the Olympics or a World Cup (and having been arguably snubbed in 2010) and even having been turned down by Canada to play in this tournament a few years ago when he asked to play. Big respect for Spezza for showing up this year and being one of the best forwards in the tournament.

Yes, I too want to see Spezza get rewarded. He's been shafted a few times and still he's here representing his country. He deserve a championship.

 

[lawrence]

I'm happy Ovechkin is playing.

If he wasn't there, Canada wouldn't have taken them as seriously as they would without him.

 

[illpucks]

The biggest troll would be this game going to OT and Ovechkin scoring the golden goal, or Crosby doing it again.

 

[Yakushev72]

This is nonsense. I believe a whopping 7 players on this team played on the US national development team, including the backup goaltender and Charlie Coyle (who played 4 games total before leaving the program). They had nothing approaching a Soviet level of preparation or cohesion. It was a very weak team talent wise, and their cohesion was nothing special. Russia struggled with a weak team - that's a fact. It doesn't preclude them from beating Canada in any way, but to pretend otherwise is foolish.

You're wrong! I'm only speculating on the NTDP experience as being part of the reason for it, but the fact is that the USA had the best team game that I saw this year in the tournament. They looked eerily Soviet at times, which is the best analogy that I could come up with. But I have repeatedly also said that Russia's defensive team was horrible, mainly because of the number of injuries before and during the preliminary round of the tournament, which forced them to settle for 20-year old neophytes like Mironov and Antipin.

What is amazing is that we made it to the Gold Medal game with those guys on the ice. That's a tremendous accomplishment for those guys, regardless of what happens tomorrow. For the first time this tournament, the pressure is off of Russia, and squarely on the shoulders of Canada, who is expected to show a dominant style.

 

[Oilerglory]

yeah.but we have a good recent history against Canada at the WC. Hopefully Canadians know about that too

How about those last 2 Olympics?

 

[LiveeviL]

Canada got the best D, Russia an edge come forwards & Bob is better than mr. Smith.

It is all up to the goalies, I don't think any of the teams got what it takes to stop a massive bunch of scoring opportunities.

 

[Botta]

It can go either way. Yea, Canada has great defense but when you're playing against Malkin/Ovi/Tarasenko/etc.. anything can happen on any play.

The canadiens have played great as a team, the russians have not. If the russians are going to win this They need to tighten up their defense and move around as a unit. Great to see that the days of the goons are gone. Nice to see so many skilled young players on Canada. Hope for the russians, but the canadiens are the favorites

 

[MotorMaster]

I think Russia is going to win this game....Because everyone else is picking Canada.

Kovalchuck will come alive tomorrow and score a hat trick.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Pitty Mozyakin has never played in the NHL. He isn't the fastest skater, but pretty agile which can be even more important on the small ice. And his shot and IQ are elite.

 

[m4tt145]

Pitty Mozyakin has never played in the NHL. He isn't the fastest skater, but pretty agile which can be even more important on the small ice. And his shot and IQ are elite.

And he uses a huge visor, I noticed.

 

[Saitama]

I think Russia is going to win this game....Because everyone else is picking Canada.

Kovalchuck will come alive tomorrow and score a hat trick.

Vegas would love you!

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

RUS/CAN is never "easy" for either side.

4-3 (OT) final score. Not sure yet who wins.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Pitty Mozyakin has never played in the NHL. He isn't the fastest skater, but pretty agile which can be even more important on the small ice. And his shot and IQ are elite.

Not physically strong enough to play at high level in NHL. Also too old to make the transition now.