GDT: Group A - May 10 - Finland vs Canada

[Ippenator]

Congratulation to Finland! A very surprising win, almost nobody gave them a chance. And the very young Kakko played very well according to the comments here.
I didn't see the game, how were the "Swiss" Finns, Rajala, Pesonen, Lindbohm. Did they show a strong performance too?

I think they were pretty good. Rajala even mostly very good. Filthy pass to Kakko’s goal by him.

NLA is definitely a pretty good European league nowadays. At least comparable to Liiga nowadays. Maybe even better. Although Liiga’s class has lowered year by year because we lose most of the very talented young players nowadays too soon and there are too many of them leaving after their 1st Liiga breakthrough season. Also most of the skilled more mature players whom just can’t make it to the NHL go usually to play in KHL, SHL, NLA or even DEL, because all those leagues have clearly better salaries.

Still Liiga is a pretty tough league with hard play and mostly very good coaching and team play. Just lacking some of the skill that there used to be in the past, as the young very talented players are still quite raw when they breakthrough and then they leave already.

In general the top European leagues are much, much better than most North Americans and fanatic European NHL fans are willing to admit. We see it over and over again in the WHC. Sure there is some skill advantage for the NHL, but it isn’t close to being massive, like some completely delusional people seem to want to think over and over again.

 

[FiLe]

Only one game but doesn't seem like Liiga players are worse than SHL or KHL players.

Overall depth is debatable, but I think it's no sensation to say that Liiga's best could easily compete in both the SHL and the KHL.

 

[Slap]

On paper really doesnt mean much in this tournament especially for Canada. The players get tossed together a week before the tournament have one exhibition game and go at it. If they dont significantly out talent most of the other teams in the tournament it's a wrap. This team doesnt have it in the least.

I suppose there would be another excuse if Finland had their NHL players.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I suppose there would be another excuse if Finland had their NHL players.

It really has nothing to do with Finland lol they might go on to win the tournament....I don't know. This Canadian team is not good though there is no arguing otherwise.

 

[Slap]

It really has nothing to do with Finland lol they might go on to win the tournament....I don't know. This Canadian team is not good though there is no arguing otherwise.

This Canadian team has about 50 times more NHL games than the ragtag team they faced. It's a joke that Vigneault gets to chew bubblegum behind the bench and the players should be ashamed for the lack of effort they showed today.

 

[CashMash]

Canadian fans complaining about the roster... How many stars, let alone NHL players, does team Finland ice this time around? On paper, this should have gone Canada's way.

 

[NinjaKick]

ughhhh 5 beers later and 3 hours of fishing.... still very disappointed in the effort... hopefully Canada can bounce back from this
congrats to the Finns, they are fueled on heart... always a tough opponent

 

[Goldmember]

This Canadian team has about 50 times more NHL games than the ragtag team they faced. It's a joke that Vigneault gets to chew bubblegum behind the bench and the players should be ashamed for the lack of effort they showed today.

Lol

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Without Lankinen this game would have been 5-1 to Canada.
Canada nearly dominated 2nd period but Lankinen was awesome when it was needed.

Actually, I agree, and was quite surprised how well Canada played for only their second game on the larger ice surface. It's obviously not Canada's strongest team (nor was it Finland's). All you have to ask is: how many of the players on this roster would be playing in a best on best format. For Canada, very few. For Finland, probably the same. This is a tournament where teams can and will improve incrementally as they play additional games. With a few reinforcements, and some acclimatization to both the venue and their teammates, Team Canada may do better than many observers are now predicting. As for the U.S. team, anyone who doesn't think that a team with their level of talent will ultimately compete for the gold, is being willfully blind.

 

[Rob]

Quarterfinals at best.

 

[ijuka]

Without Lankinen this game would have been 5-1 to Canada.
Canada nearly dominated 2nd period but Lankinen was awesome when it was needed.

Nonsense. Finland outshot Canada 27-21. Naturally, goalies need to make saves, that's why they're there. But I don't think Lankinen was super special and I don't think he's the biggest reason Finland won.

The goal he allowed wasn't a softie, but it wasn't impossible either. But well, a good performance anyway.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Actually, I agree, and was quite surprised how well Canada played for only their second game on the larger ice surface. It's obviously not Canada's strongest team (nor was it Finland's). All you have to ask is: how many of the players on this roster would be playing in a best on best format. For Canada, very few. For Finland, probably the same. This is a tournament where teams can and will improve incrementally as they play additional games. With a few reinforcements, and some acclimatization to both the venue and their teammates, Team Canada may do better than many observers are now predicting. As for the U.S. team, anyone who doesn't think that a team with their level of talent will ultimately compete for the gold, is being willfully blind.

As a HIFK ( Lankinen's SM liiga team before AHL) fan i wasn't surprised on that how good Lankinen was. He was one of the top goalies in SM liiga during season 2017-2018 so he's that good when he plays well.

Finland's team is owe for Lankinen he was that key player who stole this game to Finland.
But also Finland's defence did good job too Canada should have win the game very easily with that roster but they didn't. I don't know what's the main reason why Canada lose maybe it was just bad day or something else.

Or then Canada really underestimated Finland which is worst mistake what any team can do when they are playing against clear underdog.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

As a HIFK ( Lankinen's SM liiga team before AHL) fan i wasn't surprised on that how good Lankinen was. He was one of the top goalies in SM liiga during season 2017-2018 so he's that good when he plays well.

Finland's team is owe for Lankinen he was that key player who stole this game to Finland.
But also Finland's defence did good job too Canada should have win the game very easily with that roster but they didn't. I don't know what's the main reason why Canada lose maybe it was just bad day or something else.

Or then Canada really underestimated Finland which is worst mistake what any team can do when they are playing against clear underdog.

Only a fool will underestimate a team from any of the major hockey powers today. Hockey is now a 'universal' sport and no country can claim dominance to the game as a national right. That includes Canada. The days of when Canadian hockey fans could smugly claim that Canada could send any number of teams to a world championship and win have long gone. With so many countries now producing elite players, you better take each opponent seriously or you will be embarrassed. The Finnish team that played Canada today had mobility, adequate size and skill to compete with anyone. When you add timely goaltending and a touch of puck luck, you have a 3 to 1 victory. The greater surprise to this observer, is that a quickly assembled Team Canada, with limited high end skill, actually played the Finnish side so evenly.

 

[MMANumminen]

Keep your head up Canada. There's no shame in losing to Finland. Anyone who has the honor to wear national team jersey of Finland is good at hockey, no matter the league. In the 2nd period we barely touched the puck. When Canucks get the rust off they will be back in business.

Anthony "Mäntä" (=piston) is really good...I barely get to to watch him during the season. Marchassault played well and Matt "Mörri" (=boogeyman) too.

 

[MMANumminen]

ughhhh 5 beers later and 3 hours of fishing.... still very disappointed in the effort... hopefully Canada can bounce back from this
congrats to the Finns, they are fueled on heart... always a tough opponent

What are you fishing? Here waiting for the salmon river fishing season like a raising moon. 3 weeks to go. Sry for ot

 

[FinPanda]

1.7 million saw the game against Canada here in Finland. About 1 million was the average audience. Who said no one cares about international hockey?

 

[NinjaKick]

What are you fishing? Here waiting for the salmon river fishing season like a raising moon. 3 weeks to go. Sry for ot

mainly catfish... BBQ catfish with onions and peppers... amazing
love perch as well but they arn't in yet

 

[MoeTheHobo]

1.7 million saw the game against Canada here in Finland. About 1 million was the average audience. Who said no one cares about international hockey?

(Out of 5.4 million people)

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

(Out of 5.4 million people)

That makes max 31.48% of the entire population of Finland, including newborns, toddlers, every adult who could not be less interested about hockey (or sports generally), every Matti and Maija in retirement homes (senile or not), old drunkards...

I'm sure everyone who were in principle interested couldn't attend match on TV either. When you think such percentage level of audience in terms of entire population of the nation, it's absurdly high. We are talking now IIHF hockey championship tournament's 1st game, not about olympic final match.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Just like Mathews and Laine right......

Yes like eichel mcdavid

I remember the comparison

Mathews is a great player , but you know who's going to be greater ? Marner

 

[jj cale]

on a empty net goal? a foot out? why didnt they play him on the PP, but put him in when canada pull their goalie.

Its all good, The Devils coach has a first person view of both players, and we get the first pick, and the better pick. Just remember that.

well, it looks like I was bang on and game two from kakko has really got it going gangbusters, just check out the prospects board.