GDT: Group A • Dec. 29 • Finland vs. Canada • Part II

[leafsfuture]

Again guys, there isnt a person on the planet who is saying "Dont stick up for your teammates".

All some of us are saying is that there is a line you have to stay within. Get in a guys face, shove him, chirp him, whatever thats fine. But the second you grab guys and start exchanging punches your walking a fine line. And thats whether fighting is allowed or not

Look at the Sweden, Russia game for example. There was some tension, some questionable hits, and while guys got in each others faces, they stayed within the line. Why? Because European teams know that if they do dumb crap, they could see a 10 + suspension.

In the last 5 years I have never heard anyone say being too soft cost Canada. Every year I have heard: "Screw _____, he shouldnt have taken that penalty"

 

[Rodzilla]

Virtanen is one hell of a player. That giant dummy wanted to take a borderline run at Lazar in a 4-1 game useless then eat some knuckles, you sensitive people need to stop, this isn't figure skating go watch soccer

As for the line, Virtanen kept his gloves and stopped when he had to

 

[Captain Bowie]

Giving it rough to opponents cage warriors makes our cage warriors have a target on their backs. Younger doesn't have the same respect towards other players as adults do. That's the way it has always been.

Then they shouldn't be on the ice of they can't take a clean hit from an opponent.

 

[Alerion]

Groulx doesn't trust him and rightfully so. Moron has been given sparing minutes this game. He was getting beat by the speedy fins. Wouldn't surprise me if he is benched the next game. No way he can keep up with the speed of the Americans.

Groulx had him right back out on the PK early in the 3rd.

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

He isn't supposed to be fine. He is supposed to be the next big thing since Crosby. Eichel was way more impressive against us. Even Puljujärvi played better than him tonight.

That saying Puljujärvi being one of our best players again along with Saros.

Also you got a heck of a first line.

McDavid is playing third line minutes on a stacked team. Eichel is the show on his. I do not see how we can really compare the two from this tourney alone.

Neither will the scouts, who will unanimously say McDavid is the runaway number 1 prospect this year, and he will go first overall.

 

[Captain Bowie]

Leehh, Jaan.... is it just me or are these Finnish sounding names?

 

[SpeedDemon]

Really disappointing showing from the Finns during this tourny. Could they actually lose to Germany as well?

Liked what I saw from Canada so far. They seem to have everything going for them.

 

[CherryToke]

WTF is Virtanen doing?

Something you never see Oiler players doing.

 

[Novak Djokovic]

I support Virtanen.

 

[Snowsii]

Guess who has had same number of points as Puljujarvi in WJC? Me. Me=Puljujarvi. My dog=Puljujarvi.

COMPLETE SARCASM

oh.. did you play in u-20 WJC, when you were 16? ;D

 

[DeflatedFootball7]

Ferraro said before the game and a lot during the first that this is supposed to be a really strong Finnish team pointing out the number of really good draft eligible players like Hintz etc.

What's going on?

 

[Crosbyfan]

Guess who has had same number of points as Puljujarvi in WJC? Me. Me=Puljujarvi. My dog=Puljujarvi.

COMPLETE SARCASM

So...you = your dog

I hope for your sake the dog can skate

 

[Zybalto]

Really disappointing showing from the Finns during this tourny. Could they actually lose to Germany as well?

Liked what I saw from Canada so far. They seem to have everything going for them.

Finland deserved much better against the Slovaks.

Awful puck luck, insane opposing goaltender and posts galore.

I'd hate to face them first in the quarters.

 

[JackSlater]

I like what I saw from Virtanen at the end... pretty surprised to see so many complaining. Yes, the risk of putting the team down a man was there (suspension seems unrealistic) but sometimes teams need a little bit of extra emotion, and Virtanen provided it. Reminded me a bit of Steve Downie, who was huge for Canada in back to back WJCs. Emotion, and by that I mean walking right up to the line, has always been a part of Canada's hockey. It's generally effective too.

 

[Mara]

Really disappointing showing from the Finns during this tourny. Could they actually lose to Germany as well?

Liked what I saw from Canada so far. They seem to have everything going for them.

What did you expect from the Finnish team? USA and Canada should on paper wipe the floor with the Finnish team, Canada did, USA had a bit of a rough time. Slovakia game was a bit unfortunate, despite dominating the play Godla and the posts were on god mode but other than that a strong showing. I'd say Finland has played exactly as expected.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Since when is a hit from behind when you can see the numbers all the way only a questionable hit?

 

[FinPanda]

Finland has played just like I expected in USA and Canada games. We would have beat Slovakia 9 times of 10. But yes, I'm worried about the Germany game.

 

[JJTT]

Ferraro said before the game and a lot during the first that this is supposed to be a really strong Finnish team pointing out the number of really good draft eligible players like Hintz etc.

What's going on?

Outside of Honka, the defense is just so bad. Guys can't give a simple first pass. Also Mustonen is just awful 1st line center.

Older forwards outside of Rantanen have horribly underperfomed. When a 16 year old kid is our best player, something is seriously wrong.

 

[Smart Dunsparce*]

Again guys, there isnt a person on the planet who is saying "Dont stick up for your teammates".

All some of us are saying is that there is a line you have to stay within. Get in a guys face, shove him, chirp him, whatever thats fine. But the second you grab guys and start exchanging punches your walking a fine line. And thats whether fighting is allowed or not

Look at the Sweden, Russia game for example. There was some tension, some questionable hits, and while guys got in each others faces, they stayed within the line. Why? Because European teams know that if they do dumb crap, they could see a 10 + suspension.

In the last 5 years I have never heard anyone say being too soft cost Canada. Every year I have heard: "Screw _____, he shouldnt have taken that penalty"

In the refs eyes Virtanen stayed in those magical lines. That's all that matters.

 

[Breakers]

Gauthier played alright tonight...

He had some solid PK minutes and blocked shots.

 

[Snowsii]

I like what I saw from Virtanen at the end... pretty surprised to see so many complaining. Yes, the risk of putting the team down a man was there (suspension seems unrealistic) but sometimes teams need a little bit of extra emotion, and Virtanen provided it. Reminded me a bit of Steve Downie, who was huge for Canada in back to back WJCs. Emotion, and by that I mean walking right up to the line, has always been a part of Canada's hockey. It's generally effective too.

Yes, i cant also understand the complains.. All though, im not totally aware of IIF rules.. If there were big risk for suspension, then it was risky move.

Canada clearly won the game. Finland still has problems with scoring.
Positive thing is that Puljujärvi looked good. Hopefully he can keep up, and we'll see how good he's in -16 WJC (He most likely wont make to -17 games)

 

[bobbyb2009]

I just can't believe that with all that there is to talk about after this game, we are all still talking about a simple altercation where a player got tough after a questionable hit. One where no penalties are called. Can we move on. It is irrelevant.

The thing I am incredibly surprised by is how much of a difference a year of age and development makes. McDavid this year- McKinnon in the past, Domi last year (Taveres the year he was cut, etc.).. Guys in their underage year, no matter how successful, so often can't really shine.

You would think a guy who is scoring at almost a 3 point per game pace in the OHL might continue to dominate at this level against the teams we have played. The standard must be higher and more organized than I think...

 

[Sharpshooter]

Chemistry isn't built on taking stupid punches, it's by making plays.

Not necessarily. Maybe you haven't seen enough international hockey games played by Canada. Chemistry is more than just making plays. It's always been us vs them...and when TC feels like they're playing for the lockerroom, they excel.

You're simply too young, or too clueless when it comes to speaking about 'chemistry' and 'Canadian hockey'.

Exactly.

The post said that because the team was sticking up for him, it makes the act ok. Which I am saying isnt true at all.

As you point out, a team sticks up for each player no matter what they do, so even if they do something stupid as Virtanen did, they will support him.

Now lets look at what Virtanen did wrong -- it wasnt getting in the Finnish guys face, but it was throwing punches. Thankfully he didn't drop the gloves, but even then, if the ref is a stickler, they can call things a lot worse

It does make the act 'ok', because not only did Virtanen stick up for his captain, he also had the mindset to not drop his gloves and subject himself to a suspension.

He knew that...you didn't. That's why it was 'ok'.

Congrats Canada. Good game. Domi was unreal and Reinhart for sure.

3 games 3 losses 3 goals for Finland. Atleast we getto dinner on Sweden in quarters if someone manages to score versus germany.

Good game to you too. I respected the effort of the Finns and thought you should feel proud of the effort and the talent that your country put on the ice.

Be proud. The Finns have a great team, and I reckon the country will only get better and better.

Hockey remains the only sport where players feel somehow compelled to go around "sending a message" when they get hit.

The NHL should be more like the NFL -- You don't like something that happened to you? Have the fortitude and skill to serve your own justice on the field of of play and the scoreboard.

Hockey is a sport...the rest are just games.

Again guys, there isnt a person on the planet who is saying "Dont stick up for your teammates".

All some of us are saying is that there is a line you have to stay within. Get in a guys face, shove him, chirp him, whatever thats fine. But the second you grab guys and start exchanging punches your walking a fine line. And thats whether fighting is allowed or not

Look at the Sweden, Russia game for example. There was some tension, some questionable hits, and while guys got in each others faces, they stayed within the line. Why? Because European teams know that if they do dumb crap, they could see a 10 + suspension.

In the last 5 years I have never heard anyone say being too soft cost Canada. Every year I have heard: "Screw _____, he shouldnt have taken that penalty"

There is a fine line...and Virtanen never crossed it. That's what you don't understand. Maybe it's because you don't like the way TC fans have commented about Gauthier or maybe it's because you're a young person who doesn't actually understand the roots of hockey in Canada. Either way, you're way off base, and need an older hockey fan to help you understand the game, and its history, and the culture of Canadian hockey, now and historically.

Something you never see Oiler players doing.

Made me laugh out loud.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Something you never see Oiler players doing.

This! Is what you call a comment.

 

[BloodOnIce]

Have a little faith that the kid knows the flow of the game and what the refs are going to let him get away with.

He got two minutes. He did it right. If we had two go down a man and PK for two, it is still worth it.

And what if he took a suspension? Still worth it?

I know you've watched the games as much as I have and know IIHF officiating is questionable, inconsistent and extremely sensitive to any form of aggression. When roughing persists the rules of fighting apply... meaning 5 and a game at minimum and suspension possible. And for what? So a bunch of internet tough-guys can puff their chest and define what 'real hockey' is and pretend that *that* is why Canada won a game they would've won (and were winning) 9 times out of 10 anyways? Lazar himself was even trying to step in and knock some sense into Virtanen.

This isn't the dub and all the Virtanen fanboys would've been crying in their milk when Gauthier plogged along while Virtanen sat in the press box.