GDT: Gold Medal Game | USA vs Canada | 1/5 @ 9:30PM ET| TSN/NHLN

[karhukissa]

Gold medal #19 coming up....

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After 1992 (When Soviet Union became Russia in the international hockey) it's been pretty much Canada show, damn.

Canada: 13
Finland/Russia/ USA: 4
Czech: 2

 

[FinlandPanther]

I agree. Knight has been a disappointment in this tournament and right now I'm beginning to believe that he may turn out to be no better than average when he gets to the NHL.
Knight shouldn't even be in the conversation for MVP of the tournament as he's failed to walk the talk.
Levi, on the other hand, has been outstanding and a veritable brick wall in net.

You have quite a large expectation of what constitutes good play then. Don’t worry panthers fans will be happy with mr.mediocre. Literally the best goalie statistically in the tourney with more than 2 games minus levi.

 

[ORRFForever]

This matchup always gives me anxiety.

Me, too. I won't be able to watch.

 

[NyQuil]

After 1992 (When Soviet Union became Russia in the international hockey) it's been pretty much Canada show, damn.

Canada: 13
Finland/Russia/ USA: 4
Czech: 2

It also coincides with TSN turning the WJC into the most prestigious and popular annual international hockey tournament to Canadians.

 

[Notsince67]

IMO one of the big reasons the US falls behind of expected performance in hockey is access and cost. I don't know about those other countries, but most areas in the US have few to no ice hockey rinks and those that are around are prohibitively expensive except for the top ~10-20% of income earners. It was too expensive for my family when I was young and I had an engineer and nurse for parents. Those other countries high on the list are cold weather places where you can skate outside on ponds/lakes/rivers for free for a good portion of the winter (Canada, CR. Russia, Finland, Sweden). There aren't many places in the US that it is cold enough for that, so we are stuck with $15+ each trip to the rink just to learn to skate.

Edit: I should also add that there is no good way to solve the cost issue either. Unless there is some huge technological breakthrough reducing refrigeration costs or faux/plastic ice gets significantly better, it will remain an expensive sport with limited access.

Recreational hockey shouldn't be that price prohibitive. Probably 10-11 cases of beer for fees. It the cost of the damned sticks that get me. Skates can be pretty dear if a kid grows quickly. I once had to buy 2 sets in one season for my kid.

 

[ORRFForever]

This matchup also gives me 2004 gold medal game vibes, in terms of how people are generally perceiving both teams, and I don't care for that.

I thought that, too. Oy. If Levi scores on himself, we're done.

 

[ORRFForever]

A 9:30 eastern time game? Barf

Not sure why TSN asked for this. There must be some method to their madness.

 

[Frobbo]

Maybe if you swapped the first defensive pairings the U. S. would have a chance. Never say never but...

 

[ORRFForever]

“And assholes Uzbekistan”

(2) Uzbeks - YouTube

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

Fetisov made a comment "Not a single player from the Russian squad could make it onto the Canadian team."

Made me believe this just may be the best team Canada ever has had. I know most say it was the 05 team. Nevertheless this is one of the best we have ever had.

And imagine it with Lafreniere and Dach on it.

 

[NyQuil]

It’s easy to point to the different margins of victory of both semi-finals but Canada was playing a major rival and the Finns are not really the historic nemesis of the US.

We are that rival.

So I expect the US to come out with much more than they did against the Finns - no offence to them.

As much as you tell yourself to get motivated for a game, when it is more personal, that step isn’t even required.

Yes yes, all elimination games are important, but beating Canada in their own barn in the Final?

It’s going to be compelling I think.

 

[Rubi]

You have quite a large expectation of what constitutes good play then. Don’t worry panthers fans will be happy with mr.mediocre. Literally the best goalie statistically in the tourney with more than 2 games minus levi.

I disagree with you on how good Knight is. I've only seen him play in this tournament but so far I'm not that impressed and I take NCAA stats with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, Levi has been a star this tournament.

Fortunately for you and the Panthers, someone there was smart enough to draft Levi in the 7th round... so its a win-win for you and your team.

 

[Peiskos]

The percentage of registered players per capita is the telling number, not the raw numbers.

But sheer numbers is still a very relevant number. US has more players to draw from than Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czechs combined. That should benefit them.

 

[Fisticuffer]

Run the table tonight boys.

 

[Dueling Banjos]

After 1992 (When Soviet Union became Russia in the international hockey) it's been pretty much Canada show, damn.

Canada: 13
Finland/Russia/ USA: 4
Czech: 2

Makes sense at the end of the day.

Russia & USA are big but Canadian program from the get go is something you can't compete with.

Finland is impressive...where is Sweden?

 

[ORRFForever]

TSN is doing an hour long pre game likely so they are listing the start of their pre game as the "start" time. Which is really annoying but a thing they do all the time.

I hate when they do that, too.

TSN is drooling over tonight's ratings, tho.

 

[al secord]

Forca Portugal / Hala Madrid

I threw up a little, not gonna lie.

 

[FinlandPanther]

I disagree with you on how good Knight is. I've only seen him play in this tournament but so far I'm not that impressed and I take NCAA stats with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, Levi has been a star this tournament.

Fortunately for you and the Panthers, someone there was smart enough to draft Levi in the 7th round... so its a win-win for you and your team.

You’re taking his NCAA numbers with a grain of salt? What LOL. Could Knight have been better this tournament? Sure. That being said he’s still had a good one. I’d be willing to bet my house Knight will be better than Levi.

 

[ORRFForever]

Among other wishes, I was hoping for this Final.....
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To start off, I respect the USA Roster
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That said, I’m proud of what our young Canadian men have accomplished already, but not to the point of being cocky about it
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Rather
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So what I’m hoping for is for our team to once again start out strong
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The Forwards to continue their relentless puck pursuit
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Devon to make an amazing save or two
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And then View attachment 382140

So he can earn his
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Hopefully we have a great game tonight. This probably a good place for me to
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LOL. Great post.

 

[John Agar]

I hate when they do that, too.

TSN is drooling over tonight's ratings, tho.

All geared to the Eastern Seaboard in the U.S. and Canada...

Advertising money... that's what it's all about...

7:30 eastern not so bad a start time...

8:30 Me in Winnipeg... I warned My wife I would be up late one more night (she loses sleep/light sleeper so I wake her up)

9:30 Alberta... beginning of suckage...

10:30 in B.C. ... it will keep them from rioting too vigorously ...

 

[JackSlater]

I thought that, too. Oy. If Levi scores on himself, we're done.

Yes that would be terrible, though I have confidence that at least he won't pull a Fleury. The feeling is more regarding how the 2004 team was being viewed as nearly unbeatable and an all timer, until it lost a close game to an American team that had enjoyed a tournament almost as strong up to that point.

 

[ORRFForever]

Going to be a great final for sure. Hope the Canadians can get a few quick ones in on Knight. Not sure how I’d feel with a close game late in the 3rd, Levi hasn’t faced shooters like Kaliyev or Caufield before. USA definitely has the edge in net but with Canada’s depth we got this

I don't think they have the edge in net.

 

[John Agar]

Makes sense at the end of the day.

Russia & USA are big but Canadian program from the get go is something you can't compete with.

Finland is impressive...where is Sweden?

They are Kings of the Preliminary Round... so TSN keeps highlighting with more and more vigor every unfolding year...

Thank God for Sweden they finally lost in that last Prelim game...

A great hockey nation like Sweden doesn't deserve such coverage...

 

[ORRFForever]

I agree. Knight has been a disappointment in this tournament and right now I'm beginning to believe that he may turn out to be no better than average when he gets to the NHL.
Knight shouldn't even be in the conversation for MVP of the tournament as he's failed to walk the talk.
Levi, on the other hand, has been outstanding and a veritable brick wall in net.

Yes. I don't get all the Knight > Levi talk. It's silly.

 

[Macbanan]

6-3 Canada! Lots of goals!