IIHF WOMANS UNDER 18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

[vlady]

btw, Swiss forward Ivana Wey tried the Michigan move, but was stopped by Debnarova who probably saw a lot of that in practice with Nela.

Is it just me or are Sweden back? Felt like it was japan, Finland and the Swiss in those 3 to 5 slots. Now it feels like Slovaks, Czechs and Swedes are pushing in.
.it is getting much more competitive for bronze.

I think you got that wrong. Sweden was never worse than Japan and Czech girls have been very good ever since the U18 was first implemented.

 

[MeHateHe]

Slovakia's win means we won't see a head-to-head matchup between Lopusanova and Primerano. Too bad.

 

[vlady]

Slovakia's win means we won't see a head-to-head matchup between Lopusanova and Primerano. Too bad.

it would have been a slaughter... you don't wanna see that

 

[MeHateHe]

it would have been a slaughter... you don't wanna see that

I don't think the Canada/Switzerland game is likely to be a nailbiter.

 

[vlady]

I don't think the Canada/Switzerland game is likely to be a nailbiter.

of course not, I'm just saying the Primerano - Lopusanova duel would not live up to the hype in this configuration.

 

[MeHateHe]

of course not, I'm just saying the Primerano - Lopusanova duel would not live up to the hype in this configuration.

I dunno. With one being a forward and the other a defender, we could have at least seen them go 1-on-1. I'm sure some would have boiled it down to the results on the scoreboard, but I'm genuniely curious about the relative skill levels. And it's not adequate to watch Lopusanova dangle against the Swiss: only way to really assess her skill level is against the top competition. Canadian fans especially would have benefited from seeing her play.

 

[Lambo]

I saw the tournament for the first time today. Are there no relegations or what?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I dunno. With one being a forward and the other a defender, we could have at least seen them go 1-on-1. I'm sure some would have boiled it down to the results on the scoreboard, but I'm genuniely curious about the relative skill levels. And it's not adequate to watch Lopusanova dangle against the Swiss: only way to really assess her skill level is against the top competition. Canadian fans especially would have benefited from seeing her play.

It would even be tough then, because she's not really playing on a great team. You have to wonder what she would look like playing for Canada or USA.

 

[Statsy]

It would even be tough then, because she's not really playing on a great team. You have to wonder what she would look like playing for Canada or USA.

Exactly. That Slovakian team is quite raw.

 

[hockey20000]

5am my time for the 1st qf... ugh i think imight miss that one LOL

 

[Statsy]

5am my time for the 1st qf... ugh i think imight miss that one LOL

1:00 AM for me, so probably 4 for you. Yeah, I'll take a pass, but looking forward to the Finland/Slovakia match-up. Might have to tape delay it.

As for Canada/Switzerland, I'm calling the upset!
Nah, what the Swiss are really trying to do is to hold Canada to single digits. Not sure they can though.

 

[erikhamren]

2 nice goals by Czechia

 

[erikhamren]

Ok a loss for us. I started watching yesterday so i really wanted to see more from this Swedish team but Czechias goalie was good and their 2 last goals were unsaveable imo.

 

[Luolis]

I have no idea how they managed to roll the dice to get Czechia on a PK here at the end. Didn't matter, luckily for Czechs.

 

[hockey20000]

finland 2-0 win lol gonna get crushed in semis though

 

[vlady]

Not a bad game by the Slovak girls. They kept it close, but couldn't buy a goal. Nela's best game of the tournament despite not getting on the scoreboard.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

finland 2-0 win lol gonna get crushed in semis though

I thought that last year too when they had an abysmal round robin then somehow took Canada to OT and even held a 2-1 at one point. The US has looked good but there's dents in the armour that can turn into holes if they're not careful. Finland always steps up it's game in the medal rounds somehow.

Not a bad game by the Slovak girls. They kept it close, but couldn't buy a goal. Nela's best game of the tournament despite not getting on the scoreboard.

Not a bad tournament especially considering how they played last tournament where it was Nela and a bunch of gals. This time around they really focused on playing team defense which yielded great results for them. This should be a building block tournament that continues into future success. They didn't even have Nela at 100% in the quarterfinal game either. Focus for next tournament should be squeezing some offence out of these players. They didn't look good offensively and even Nela got caught multiple times trying to do too much. Would be great seeing this turn into the rise of Slovakian women's hockey to match what Czechia has been doing.

 

[wetcoast]

It would even be tough then, because she's not really playing on a great team. You have to wonder what she would look like playing for Canada or USA.

I find this funny considering how you downplay the Black Hawks and Bedard most of the time eh?

 

[hockey20000]

2-0 thru 31 mins is alot lower then iexpected lol

 

[Statsy]

Canada not looking as sharp today. Halfway through the game and just a couple goals, and not that many clear chances.

 

[Statsy]

Gotta give the Swiss credit, they are defending quite well. They are collapsing down low and just not giving many open looks,

 

[hockey20000]

feel sorry for these teams even 4 vs 5 canada just turns it up for 2mins and they get dominated even though have a extra player

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I find this funny considering how you downplay the Black Hawks and Bedard most of the time eh?

The difference between NHL team quality, even the worst and the best, is nowhere even remotely close to the difference between Slovakia and Canada in this tournament lol.

Chicago has beaten Winnipeg, Vegas, and Toronto (twice) this year. They can be competitive in any game vs any NHL team. They've actually played really well in their recent games without Bedard

Slovakia would probably lose 82 out of 82 games against Canada in this tournament and would likely never be competitive.

 

[MeHateHe]

Gotta give the Swiss credit, they are defending quite well. They are collapsing down low and just not giving many open looks,

Canada might try a novel thought experience of staying out of the damn box.

 

[wetcoast]

The difference between NHL team quality, even the worst and the best, is nowhere even remotely close to the difference between Slovakia and Canada in this tournament lol.

Chicago has beaten Winnipeg, Vegas, and Toronto (twice) this year. They can be competitive in any game vs any NHL team. They've actually played really well in their recent games without Bedard

Slovakia would probably lose 82 out of 82 games against Canada in this tournament and would likely never be competitive.

My point still stands as Bedard 5 on 5 has excellent stats and lacks the PP advantage that other all time generational prospects had.

Nela had a bit of a disappointing tournament given expectations and if it's a team thing then the irony is that Bedard is very much in the same situation.

It will still be fascinating to watch Nela, Chloe and other young female stars emerge.