GDT: Group A • Dec. 29 • Switzerland vs. Canada • Part 2

[Auston Marlander]

He's probably been the best dmen of the group through three games and was player of the game today. He has certainly not been horrible and is deserving of top pairing minutes, just not the excessive minutes he got in the final 25 minutes today.

The best of this group of dmen isn't saying much, still been lacklustre.

 

[Alerion]

The best of this group of dmen isn't saying much, still been lacklustre.

He's been a leader on the back end and scored the game tying goal today on a nice pinch, he has not been horrible.

 

[Tripod]

The thing is, it's using guys to their and team strengths.

Use Hickey and a Fleury for PK....and Hicketts and Chabot too for the 2nd pairing. But then use Sanheim and Dermott as the PP guys.

It keeps the other guys more rested, and keeps those 2 warm and in the game.
Again, Sanheim led the WHL in D scoring last year, 2nd in the playoff, and led this year before getting hurt. He is not some dud.

Would anyone see that Samheim shift where he dominated the shift, then bench him for the rest of the game? Not likely.

And IknowI am focussing on Hicketts usage and Sanheim but the same issues go for the forwards. Seriously....2 minute shifts at this level??? Dumb coaching.

 

[Auston Marlander]

He's been a leader on the back end and scored the game tying goal today on a nice pinch, he has not been horrible.

I guess we just have to disagree, outside of the goal, I think he has played poorly, as has the entire D core.

 

[Tripod]

He's been a leader on the back end and scored the game tying goal today on a nice pinch, he has not been horrible.

He is the leader because his Jr coach is head coach and he is being fed all the minutes.

Also, how many goals against has Hicketts been on for? Sanheim has not been on for any yet.

 

[Alerion]

He is the leader because his Jr coach is head coach and he is being fed all the minutes.

Also, how many goals against has Hicketts been on for? Sanheim has not been on for any yet.

Why does everything have to be so black and white? Hicketts is being overplayed by Lowry, but his play has also not been horrible. McKenzie called him a leader on the broadcast today and that isn't because he's Lowry's favourite.

 

[covfefe]

You mean the shot that was going wide and went off his leg?

Hicketts was very clearly beat by his man on the 1st Swiss goal. You really can't argue against it, the Swiss player snuck from behind Hicketts to a position immediately in front of Blackwood. Hicketts was set on watching the Swiss shooter, who he should have left to Blackwood, when he had a man to cover...

http://www.tsn.ca/canada-beats-swiss-in-shootout-clinch-playoff-spot-at-wjc-1.415293

0:07

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Do guys take long shifts in the OHL? The Team Canada forwards were taking two minute long shifts. Made no sense. The Swiss could only roll about 2 lines and 2 pairs, you would think the coach would want a constant stream of fresh legs out there.

I watch the Knights a lot and Marner will take long shifts (including staying out for all 2:00 of a PP). I'm surprised that you're seeing it at a tournament like this, though.

 

[Tripod]

Why does everything have to be so black and white? Hicketts is being overplayed by Lowry, but his play has also not been horrible. McKenzie called him a leader on the broadcast today and that isn't because he's Lowry's favourite.

When you play over half the game, you better be a leader.

Sanheim had 2 shifts in the 3rd period and OT combined. Did he have a chance to be leader? Nope.

Seriously, Hicketts had 1 SHIFT THAT WAS LONGER THAN WHAT SANHEIM GOT OVER 35 MINUTES OF GAME TIME. And one of those shifts, Sanheim dominated the play like none of our D have yet. Then never saw the ice again. Mind boggling.

I'm from Canada. I want to win. If Lowry uses the players like he is, we have no chance. Our strength as a nation is our depth. USE IT! Role 4 lines and 3 pairings and have quick shifts to try and wear down opponents. Coach Lowry felt that Hicketts, after a 2 minute shift, would still be better than another D option. Stupid, stupid man. Lowry is Hicketts Jr coach and clearly is clouded by this. It is causing him to make dumb mistakes.

Can you really defend playing someone for a 3 minute shift...or 4:15 of a 5 minute OT when there are no whistles?

 

[Auston Marlander]

Hicketts was very clearly beat by his man on the 1st Swiss goal. You really can't argue against it, the Swiss player snuck from behind Hicketts to a position immediately in front of Blackwood. Hicketts was set on watching the Swiss shooter, who he should have left to Blackwood, when he had a man to cover...

http://www.tsn.ca/canada-beats-swiss-in-shootout-clinch-playoff-spot-at-wjc-1.415293

0:07

Sure I guess you can call it being beaten, but it's not like he was standing alone and taped it in. A shot going wide hit his knee and by pure luck went in. Lucky goals still count, but it was pure luck.

 

[Alerion]

When you play over half the game, you better be a leader.

Sanheim had 2 shifts in the 3rd period and OT combined. Did he have a chance to be leader? Nope.

Seriously, Hicketts had 1 SHIFT THAT WAS LONGER THAN WHAT SANHEIM GOT OVER 35 MINUTES OF GAME TIME. And one of those shifts, Sanheim dominated the play like none of our D have yet. Then never saw the ice again. Mind boggling.

I'm from Canada. I want to win. If Lowry uses the players like he is, we have no chance. Our strength as a nation is our depth. USE IT! Role 4 lines and 3 pairings and have quick shifts to try and wear down opponents. Coach Lowry felt that Hicketts, after a 2 minute shift, would still be better than another D option. Stupid, stupid man.

Can you really defend playing someone for a 3 minute shift...or 4:15 of a 5 minute OT when three are no whistles?

I'm really not arguing any of that, I just don't think Hicketts has been horrible

 

[Leafs at Knight]

I watch the Knights a lot and Marner will take long shifts (including staying out for all 2:00 of a PP). I'm surprised that you're seeing it at a tournament like this, though.

Usually it's the entire line that stays out though. It's the coaches making the decisions on it, including this tournament.

 

[Auston Marlander]

I'm really not arguing any of that, I just don't think Hicketts has been horrible

Bad, disappointing, horrible, lacklustre.... Call it what you will, he has not been as good as he is capable of.

 

[Tripod]

I'm really not arguing any of that, I just don't think Hicketts has been horrible

Horrible is a strong word...I agree. He has done nothing to warrant near the icetime he is being rewarded. He and Chabot are often pinned in their zone. Yet it gets ignored.

A more well rested Hicketts and Chabot would be much more effective. All the D are talented. There is no reason to lean on any pairing so much. The coach is going to cost us. He already has.

 

[Get North]

Can't complain about Hicketts, only his ice-time. He scored the tying goal, made a couple big hits, played well defensively, and played a ton of minutes. The ice-time was too much and some other players should get some more but he got the ice-time unfortunately but didn't make himself look bad either.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Canada is not impressing me at all. We may not get a medal at this rate.

 

[Peasy]

Canada is not impressing me at all. We may not get a medal at this rate.

We may not even have the chance to play for a medal.

 

[rt]

They should replace Virtanen with Konecny.

Crouse-Strome-Konecny

Virtanen is a puck hog with no hockey sense and can't finish the chances Strome serves up on silver platters for him. He's a waste of Strome's ability. Crouse is a good fit, though. No more finish than Virtanen, but he's unselfish, he's smart, and he's an effective straight line player. Konecny has got the hustle, the heart, and the skill to make that line really click. That should be the number one line.

 

[SabresSharks]

It was me...I went back and re watched it. He played:

1:15 to start the OT
:45 break
Then went on with 3:00 left in OT and never came off the ice.

Played 4:15 of the 5 minute OT.....and there were no whistles.

Only an idiot coach things this is ok to do.

Sanheim created 3 scoring chances on 1 shift in the 3rd. He never saw the ice again in the game.

If that was only during OT, I suppose he considered that gamble to secure 2 points less of a risk than getting them in a shoot-out. That's flawed logic. A player deployed like that in a 4-on-4 situation creates a huge risk of getting caught gassed, and unable to chase down an opponent's rush.

Isn't all of this obvious? Jeez.

Was this going on during regulation time as well?

 

[Scorevat53]

They should replace Virtanen with Konecny.

Crouse-Strome-Konecny

Virtanen is a puck hog with no hockey sense and can't finish the chances Strome serves up on silver platters for him. He's a waste of Strome's ability. Crouse is a good fit, though. No more finish than Virtanen, but he's unselfish, he's smart, and he's an effective straight line player. Konecny has got the hustle, the heart, and the skill to make that line really click. That should be the number one line.

As bad as Virtanen has been they showed something in that 3rd period together. Lets see what he does against Sweden because last time i remember he played quite well against sweden. I think he just needs some confidence. As a Canucks fan i dont think he deserves the NHL yet because hes forsure not ready and yes he has a brick for a brain but he is a skilled player. He has the ability to make a game changing rush. If he saves it for the Elimination games fine by me but as much hate as virtanen gets he isnt a absolute terrible player. Theres a reason hes a powerforward.

 

[Tripod]

If that was only during OT, I suppose he considered that gamble to secure 2 points less of a risk than getting them in a shoot-out. That's flawed logic. A player deployed like that in a 4-on-4 situation creates a huge risk of getting caught gassed, and unable to chase down an opponent's rush.

Isn't all of this obvious? Jeez.

Was this going on during regulation time as well?

Yes it was. Sanheim controlled an entire shift and created 3 scoring chances, and never saw the ice again. Sanheim only had 2 shifts in the 3rd period fwiw.

 

[SabresSharks]

Yes it was. Sanheim controlled an entire shift and created 3 scoring chances, and never saw the ice again. Sanheim only had 2 shifts in the 3rd period fwiw.

Yes, his player selection doesn't make much sense either, but was Lowry allowing players to take ridiculously long shifts in regulation as well?

Would you have been okay with Sanhein taking 3 minute shifts, BTW?

 

[phil162888]

Lots of people seem to disagree with you :/

He was terrible considering the amount of ice time he had. He made some good plays and some bad plays but he did not in any shape or form deserve to be on the ice for what seemed to be half the game and for 1:30-2 minutes at a time. That's my issue with the kid (issue probably is with Lowry) but watching him play you can see he's never wanting to come off (players standing on the bench and he just skates by for another 30 seconds to a minute). Absolute joke that Lowry allows this to happen.

 

[phil162888]

Overall it was a disappointing effort by Canada. They were tired and appeared unprepared, but they found a way to win. Regarding Marner the expectations are so high as he is a Leaf draft choice and is constantly being portrayed by TSN as a superstar. Marner's game has been inconsistent. He's shown flashes of brilliance but needs to do so more than just a couple of times a game. Up against bigger and stronger players is not easy when you're only 160 lbs. Marner just needs time to physically mature, then watch out. Next year will be his turn to shine. For me the most talented player so far has been Barzal.

This is a fair assessment. He does a great job controlling the puck and generates opportunities but he is on the ice 40-80% more then Barzal, Beauvellier, Konecny, Gauthier. This doesn't make sense especially when he's not producing

 

[Tripod]

Yes, his player selection doesn't make much sense either, but was Lowry allowing players to take ridiculously long shifts in regulation as well?

Would you have been okay with Sanhein taking 3 minute shifts, BTW?

Yes...all thru the game certain guys played for 2 minute shifts...forwards and defense.

And no, Sanheim should not be taking 3 minute shifts either. No one should. I am Canadian and want to win. Yet Lowry felt Hicketts, after playing for 2 straight minutes is a better option for the last minute than Sanheim, Dermott, etc... That's just dumb. So a fresh Sanheim is not as good as a gassed Hicketts in our coaches mind. Dumb. But Sanheim absolutely should be getting PP time. No other D on the team has won a scoring title for D in their league but him.

At times, watching today's game was like watching a faster Allstar game just with hitting. Players were puck hogs, trying to do it themselves, 2 minute shifts, coasting, etc... It was sad to watch.

As I said before, Canada has the talent to run 4 lines and 3 pairings. There is no McDavid on this team. There is little separating all the guys. Having a fresh team that runs 4 lines all game can wear out other teams. Yet by taking these long shifts, we slowed down the play and lose that ability.

At times, it's as if certain guys get punished for playing well, and others can do no wrong. And yeah, Hicketts is a target because he has not done anything great. He just gets on the ice 4 times as much as some other Dmen so of course is noticed more. Plus, if he played less and had shorter shifts, he would be fresher and likely better himself.

I would like to know how many goals against each a Dman has been in for. As I said before, Sanheim has been on for 0 against in this tourney and for any of the pre-tourney games.