GDT: Group A • Dec. 26 • Finland vs. USA

[PlusMinusZero]

Ok - I just got wrongly a sort of "steal" impression from your post. You can say that after maybe 45-10 in shots and 9-2 in great scoring chances, but this game was pretty even, so it's difficult to point just to Husso as good as he was.

This was a even game,and I really really did not expect this one to be so close game.But they need to work on that PP,that was horrible to watch,even tho it got better in the later part of the game.

 

[Keke]

Lehkonen's battle level surpasses everyone. Reminds me of another Finnish Montreal-draftee. Rightful captain who I thought would be the captain right after the last WJC.

Man I love him

 

[ecemleafs]

Anyone see what prompted the scuffling behind the Finnish net between Eichel and Honka?

one player pushed the other player, who pushed back, and then the other guy pushed back the guy pushing him, which led to simultaneous pushing and facewashing.

 

[FinPanda]

Lehkonen's battle level surpasses everyone. Reminds me of another Finnish Montreal-draftee. Rightful captain who I thought would be the captain right after the last WJC.

Man I love him

Yeah. We can't have better captain than him. We all remember how he battled in the GMG last year.

 

[thomast]

Lehkonen's battle level surpasses everyone. Reminds me of another Finnish Montreal-draftee. Rightful captain who I thought would be the captain right after the last WJC.

Man I love him

I agree. He just seems to give his all in every shift. He is such a beast on PK. Habs should be happy to have player like him in the system.

Yeah. We can't have better captain than him. We all remember how he battled in the GMG.

Yeah i remember him having pretty bad injury too.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Gotta love those pesky hard working Finns.

 

[Cellee]

Canara fearing any other country give me a break. They're no.1 to beat always in hockey no matter stage, age or gender.

I would imagine Canara feels confident heading into most tournaments!

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Gotta love those pesky hard working Finns.

Yup.

 

[Brun0]

good hustle by us as always, they worked hard. they are a hard working team. they really need some finishing.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

Not sure. Being Canes property I'd like to see it happen but right now I think it's Demko's job to lose.

The US has used 2 goalies in the tournament in the past though, notably 2010 when they won the gold and rotated between Mike Lee and Jack Campbell.

They also have Brandon Halverson there this year. Not sure which of the two they'd go with between Ned and Halverson.

Well, this game Halverson was dressed on the bench and Nedeljkovic was scratched in street clothes. So right now Halverson has the leg up on Nedeljkovic. In the summer it looked like Nedeljkovic would be the #2 and could threaten Demko, but his GAA went up by .55 and save percentage went down by .21 this season compared to last.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Tougher game than I imagined, but the Finns are a tough out. This should give the coaching staff plenty to work on.

 

[stokes84]

They ought to let Matthews be a PP specialist with the odd shift and let Compher get the regular shift. It's a 19 year olds tournament and I think it showed.

 

[Mikeshane]

I thought that Finn goalie looked good, nice size and positioning and calmness.

 

[Zaddy]

I like how a lot of people judge a guy like Matthews based on a single tournament game. It's incredibly ridiculous to try and base anything off one game. Especially when it's the first game. People are nervous, these kids are very young. And to expect the undrafted guys to be dominant just because they are hyped is stupid. They are playing against the best junior players in the world who are 1-3 years older than them. That's not easy no matter how hyped you are. How good was McDavid last year? He wasn't particularly good and yet he is the biggest talent out there since Crosby. If even a generational talent like him struggle I think people should cut these guys some slack.

 

[van22]

Highlights from IIHF:

 

[Anything]

Didn't watch all of it but man, Husso looks like a future NHL goaltender. Not an expert by any means but his technique looks excellent, such effortless movement. Combine that with his size and I see a vezina candidacy in his future.

 

[Connor McSaviour]

Can't believe you guys weren't impressed with Eichel. Guy looked unbelievable.

 

[seatsy]

Can't believe you guys weren't impressed with Eichel. Guy looked unbelievable.

agreed. as a canadian i thought he was great. especially for a draft eligible

 

[zharkenby]

Can anyone tell me how Wood looked? Did he get singled out and benched or was US rolling 3 lines? How did he play when he actually got minutes

 

[Ranger Angst]

Can't believe you guys weren't impressed with Eichel. Guy looked unbelievable.

I was at the game & Eichel's skill was very impressive. Loved how he shut up the haters during the shootout. Tuch also stood out for me. The building should have been full. The hockey is amazing.

 

[The Sweetness]

Can't believe you guys weren't impressed with Eichel. Guy looked unbelievable.

Agree. He didn't have his best game as he tried to do too much by himself and wasn't helped by a poorly structured pp with teammates deferring to him way too much. But that being said his skill level is of the charts. His skating, strength on the puck, shot and hands are all amazing. Hard to imagine he is one of the younger guys in the tourney.

I think the biggest risk for Eichel is if he starts playing to be drafted #1 as opposed to playing for his team.

 

[Bullseyes]

Can't believe you guys weren't impressed with Eichel. Guy looked unbelievable.

I agree. I think he can play better, but he was impressive today. I don't know how anyone can deny that.

 

[thomast]

Eichel was pretty poor at the dot but other than that he was amazing.

 

[arsmaster*]

Matthews made two poor mistakes and had the puck bounce off him for a goal.

But other than those moments I thought he showed a presence with the puck that few others in the game could.

Was quite impressed and think a lot of the "hate" in here is fairly unwarranted.

----

Larkin is awesome. Smart. Fast. Tenacious. Hockey sense. Really liked him.

Thought the young defenseman were nervous early. Werenski especially had some puck bobbles.

Carlo is a really intriguing prospect for the draft. Sort of seems the sky is the limit. I need more exposure on him.

Deangelo was very good at both ends today.

 

[kelsier]

Typical Finish ending - you got an empty net ahead you and still manage to hit the only obstacle on the way. Husso didn't deserve to lose that one atleast.