GDT: Group A • Dec. 31 • Canada vs. Sweden • Part I

[Iceman]

TV4Play Premium is for free for a month. No reason to watch streams.

I don't want to register and provide card numbers etc. Unnecessary and provides TV4 with an email to send newsletters to. I can always tune in to TV38 or whatever low rate channel they are showing it at but I rather just have it up on the computer so I can sit at HFBoards.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Virtanen = Steve Downie

 

[The Winter Soldier]

From a Swedish perspective. Alex Nylander has been the best Swede. Stepping up as a 17 year old in an Under 20 Tournament to lead the Swedes in a game against Canada. Is something you want to see. He is showing he can play in high profile big games.

 

[86Habs]

In fairness to Virtanen, it was a mixed bag. Bad PIMS and decisions early on. But his shift when he played smart and physical may have been a turning point for Canada.

No, the Konecny hits and the solid forecheck by him and Stephens resulting in the goal were the turning point. Virtanen was a negative for us that period with his stupid penalty and lack of anything resembling offensive skill.

 

[snipes]

Love the way Canada played in the final 5-10 minutes of that period.

Let's just stick to playing the Canadian way, enough trying to mimic Euro teams. We're at our best when we are flying around hitting and playing with intensity every single shift.

Konecny is playing awesome!

 

[Punn]

I thought Canada played well in the second half of the first period. However, they need to establish more time in the offensive zone. If they can stay out of the box, I am expecting a big period from Marner, Strome and Konecy. I thought Marner had a really good that period and made some good plays that were unnoticed (coming deep into the defensive zone to tie up Alex Nylander to take him off the puck).

 

[stewpac]

Virtanen has the penalty (bad) and the hits (good). Marner has ___?

Fore checking hard with a few good hits, some nice set ups in the offensive zone and a great pass in the defensive zone to break out. Nothing poor that's for sure, not a lot of ice time due to penalties.

 

[Davebo*]

Imagine losing to a team that's as soft as butter.

We already have...

 

[JustGivingEr]

Virtanen = Steve Downie

Steve Downie was effective at the WJC and is an effective NHLer

 

[Willy Stylez]

Love the way Canada played in the final 5-10 minutes of that period.

Let's just stick to playing the Canadian way, enough trying to mimic Euro teams. We're at our best when we are flying around hitting and playing with intensity every single shift.

Konecny is playing awesome!

Lindblom says that it is fun.

 

[Proust*]

Team Canada should play the 2nd period without sticks. Just to make a point. Go out and don't stop hitting until the entire boards are wallpapered in Swedes.

 

[dmacgreg37]

Virtanen reminds me of Jordin Tootoo with lower hockey IQ.

Jordan Tootoo never scored more than 11 goals in an NHL season. Virtanen will beat that by the time he's 22. Virtanen has significantly more skill than Tootoo ever dreamed of having.

 

[Semantics]

Virtanen = Steve Downie

That's a bit generous. Downie actually produced offensively at the WJC.

 

[mrpudsworth]

Basically nothing was a poor way for me to word it. But I felt Canada was controlling the 2nd half. Sweden very much so for th first half though.

More like Canada controlling the last couple of minutes, rest of the period its been pretty much all Sweden (much due to the PP of course)

 

[carlweezer*]

In fairness to Virtanen, it was a mixed bag. Bad PIMS and decisions early on. But his shift when he played smart and physical may have been a turning point for Canada.

And that's exactly JV in a nutshell inTernational Rules.

His game is meant for NHL. He will frustrate w. Penalties because he can't change his robust ways but he will change the game w. Physical hits and intimidation. Can also score.

Bertuzzi is a good comparison. He used to take the dumbest penalties. But he put fear in so many defenders.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Are people crying? Im a swede and i LOVE this. So fun to watch!

I love emotions and intensity in hockey, and physicality has a way of creating both.

 

[Alex91]

This period will say a lot about Lowry. Konecny has been best player this game hands down. Now do you reward him or play your good ol boys

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

From a Swedish perspective. Alex Nylander has been the best Swede. Stepping up as a 17 year old in an Under 20 Tournament to lead the Swedes in a game against Canada. Is something you want to see. He is showing he can play in high profile big games.

He looks just like his brother in terms of style and skill. He's going to be a damn fine player

 

[Dr Quincy]

We already have...

On pancakes, butter > maple.

 

[John Agar]

Love the way Canada played in the final 5-10 minutes of that period.

Let's just stick to playing the Canadian way, enough trying to mimic Euro teams. We're at our best when we are flying around hitting and playing with intensity every single shift.

Konecny is playing awesome!

The IFK rink is smaller than a normal European ice surface. So physical play can be rewarded.

Canada needs to be aggressive and play just like they did in the final 8 minutes of that period and good things will happen.

 

[Canucks LB]

And that's exactly JV in a nutshell inTernational Rules.

His game is meant for NHL. He will frustrate w. Penalties because he can't change his robust ways but he will change the game w. Physical hits and intimidation. Can also score.

Bertuzzi is a good comparison. He used to take the dumbest penalties. But he put fear in so many defenders.

Bertuzzi had 10x the hands jv has

 

[carlweezer*]

Alex Nylander is a better prospect and player than William Nylandet. I'm calling it now.

He is very smart ! The only thing William has on Alex is his edgework and turning.

 

[Proust*]

sanheim-dermott should be the 1st pairing. they stand out

Jordan Tootoo never scored more than 11 goals in an NHL season. Virtanen will beat that by the time he's 22. Virtanen has significantly more skill than Tootoo ever dreamed of having.

Jordan Tootoo scored 67 goals in his last 115 WHL games. That ain't bad.

 

[stewpac]

This game is going to get more and more intense and I think will end with a lot of excitement. Hoping the boys pull together and start the second the way they finished the first.

 

[covfefe]

Make a list of eligible players Canada is missing. Here I'll start it for you McDavid, Ekblad…

Bennett, McCann, Fabbri...

who cares though, we miss out on NHL players every year. This team dies on the shoulders of inept coaching and strategy; personnel losses are not a valid excuse