GDT: May 22 • Quarterfinal • Canada 2, Finland 3

[FinPanda]

Many teams have players who easily can play in A team. Sweden, Czech republic, Russia...

Are you saying this team is Finnish A team? If it is not B, C or D, what is it?

 

[Periwinkle]

I was looking up classic Finland moments for lifting up WHC spirits and came across this gem: our legendary blue-and-white voice Antero "Mertsi" Mertaranta screaming like a hyena after Finland ties the game at 59.58 at the 1999 WHC. Who else is scoring but...Jere Karalahti! Talking about roster quality btw...Selänne and S.Koivu on that team!

 

[xxxx]

all top 6 nations are sending, c or d teams.

I don't think so.

This year, as well as each olympic year, the situation is a bit different, the rosters are weaker than in non-olympic years.

But still, Russia has definitely a B team this year with many 'A' team players. (Ovechkin, Malkin, Kuznetsov, Burmistrov, Kulemin, Anisimov, Belov, Bobrovsky + B players like Medvedev, Shirokov, Tikhonov, Orlov, Zaripov) and they are without Kovalchuk and Radulov who are injured. The Czechs have Jagr, Sobotka, Hertl, Cervenka, Novotny, Hudler, Rolinek, Polak, Kindl, and goaltender Salak, who are all 'A' or near-'A'-team material. The rest is something from B team and something from C team I believe.

Sweden has almost a complete B/C team. Finland too. Don't forget about O.Jokinen, Rask, Karalahti, Immonen, Kontiola and Komarov, who are 'A' or near-'A'-team level.

 

[Urbanskog]

Many teams have players who easily can play in A team. Sweden, Czech republic, Russia...

Are you saying this team is Finnish A team? If it is not B, C or D, what is it?

No, it's not the A team since it doesn't have the ~25 best Finnish players. It's a mix of good players and not-that-great ones which is why I dislike using the terms A/B/C/D team.

 

[FiLe]

Talking about roster quality btw...Selänne and S.Koivu on that team!

Saku Koivu. Teemu Selänne. Raipe Helminen. Kimmo Timonen. And Jere Karalahti. And Marko Tuomainen.

It's like the friggin' who's who of late 90s Finnish hockey on the ice at the same time. And this was "only" a WHC tournament.

 

[FinPanda]

No, it's not the A team since it doesn't have the ~25 best Finnish players. It's a mix of good players and not-that-great ones which is why I dislike using the terms A/B/C/D team.

I understand your point.

Only Canadian team can be said D team or whatever it is. Maybe team USA too. So much good players. Most are mix like you said.

 

[Whileee]

Everyone on this team besides MacKinnon and Rielly should be banned from ever wearing the red & white again.

Scheifele did okay (as a rookie) once he got some ice time.

 

[turkulad]

What always struck me as odd was North American teams using NHL coaches for these tournaments. At least make sure the coaching staff knows how to play the open ice and assess their players' strengths from that perspective. They're giving the EHT playing teams an upper hand on team chemistry / cohesion to begin with..

 

[Alberta tough]

Funny interview with Kontiola.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9bc_1400789642

 

[PanniniClaus]

This one was tough to swallow.

 

[psycho_dad*]

Here in Saint John, NB, watched the game in a sports bar (rockys) and it was me and 2 other finns who were actually watching the game.

No matter, our D team beat the C team of Canada, it was fun to watch and very surprising

 

[psycho_dad*]

So what exactly makes the Finnish team C or D team then? Sure, there are some weaker links but there are also guys who would have made it to an "A team" as well.

Who? Rinne yes. As a #2 goalie.

Who else? Konna as 4th line center IF Haula was convinced to play winger.

This truly is a D team, I mean, Kivisto was on a tryout to Lukko and could not make the cut.

 

[AnAceOfKidneys]

time for a hockey summit to happen in Canada. 4 or 5 mandarins from each province need to get together somewhere, drink some beer, eat some good cheese and have a good cry. We are doomed.

 

[psycho_dad*]

I was looking up classic Finland moments for lifting up WHC spirits and came across this gem: our legendary blue-and-white voice Antero "Mertsi" Mertaranta screaming like a hyena after Finland ties the game at 59.58 at the 1999 WHC. Who else is scoring but...Jere Karalahti! Talking about roster quality btw...Selänne and S.Koivu on that team!

Lauo Helminen Lauo.....OIOIOIOI!

Such a classic, along with "viisikymmentakaksineljakymmenta kolme.......viisikymmentakaksineljakymmenta kolme!!"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkkhK6Bee10#t=492

 

[xxxx]

Here in Saint John, NB, watched the game in a sports bar (rockys) and it was me and 2 other finns who were actually watching the game.

No matter, our D team beat the C team of Canada, it was fun to watch and very surprising

Don't kid yourself. This is by no means Finland's D team. Please, write down 21 better defensemen, and 36 better forwards. This could be something like a B or C team with about seven 'A' players. And our team was not the third best canadian team, I will write three best canadian teams if you want.

 

[ugrimugri*]

That is a ridiculous statement. When people are talking about C or D team, i think they are forgetting that Rinne would be on the Finland A team. He was the difference. Anyways- good luck to both Sweden and Finland. Hopefully we get to see a Sweden-Finland final. Those games are really exciting to watch.

Rinne has not been elite since the injury and he actually let in 2 pretty soft goals today... but I hope he stands on his head the next 2 games !

 

[Starbuds]

Here in Saint John, NB, watched the game in a sports bar (rockys) and it was me and 2 other finns who were actually watching the game.

No matter, our D team beat the C team of Canada, it was fun to watch and very surprising

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=78810547&postcount=64

 

[cska78]

i guess to sum it up, this was Canada's Z team, but had they brought the W-team, it would have had gold all over.

 

[Rob]

I didn't expect this team to medal but it is still disappointing. They finished out the round robin strong. I feel bad for the players.

 

[Johno]

Just because there are some A&B-level players on the roster, doesn't mean that the overall team can't be the C&D-level team. When most of the spots are filled by players that are the 4th or 5th choice for that role, it means that the is not A, B or most likely even C-level team.

 

[nonoob12]

NHL Canadiens

30 SCRIVENS Ben L 188/6'2'' 88/194 11 Sep 1986 Edmonton Oilers
34 REIMER James L 188/6'2'' 95/209 15 Mar 1988 Toronto Maple Leafs
35 PETERS Justin L 185/6'1'' 96/212 30 Aug 1986 Carolina Hurricanes
Defenders
3 BIEKSA Kevin R 185/6'1'' 90/198 16 Jun 1981 Vancouver Canucks
4 ELLIS Ryan R 178/5'10'' 80/176 3 Jan 1991 Nashville Predators
5 GARRISON Jason L 188/6'2'' 99/218 13 Nov 1984 Vancouver Canucks
24 RIELLY Morgan L 185/6'1'' 93/205 9 Mar 1994 Toronto Maple Leafs
27 COBURN Braydon L 192/6'4'' 100/220 27 Feb 1985 Philadelphia Flyers
44 GUDBRANSON Erik R 195/6'5'' 98/216 7 Jan 1992 Florida Panthers
57 MYERS Tyler R 203/6'8'' 103/227 1 Feb 1990 Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
7 TURRIS Kyle R 185/6'1'' 77/170 14 Aug 1989 Ottawa Senators
10 SCHENN Brayden L 185/6'1'' 86/190 22 Aug 1991 Philadelphia Flyers
11 HUBERDEAU Jonathan L 185/6'1'' 86/190 4 Jun 1993 Florida Panthers
14 BURROWS Alex L 185/6'1'' 86/190 11 Apr 1981 Vancouver Canucks
19 HODGSON Cody R 183/6'0'' 83/183 18 Feb 1990 Buffalo Sabres
20 BROUWER Troy R 191/6'3'' 97/214 17 Aug 1985 Washington Capitals
21 READ Matt R 183/6'0'' 85/187 14 Jun 1986 Philadelphia Flyers
23 MONAHAN Sean L 188/6'2'' 84/185 12 Oct 1994 Calgary Flames
25 CHIMERA Jason L 190/6'3'' 97/214 2 May 1979 Washington Capitals
29 MACKINNON Nathan R 183/6'0'' 83/183 1 Sep 1995 Colorado Avalanche
42 WARD Joel R 186/6'1'' 103/227 2 Dec 1980 Washington Capitals
43 KADRI Nazem L 183/6'0'' 86/190 6 Oct 1990 Toronto Maple Leafs
55 SCHEIFELE Mark R 188/6'2'' 89/196 15 Mar 1993 Winnipeg Jets

VS

NHL finns:

35 RINNE Pekka L 196/6'5'' 89/196 3 Nov 1982 Nashville Predators
56 HAULA Erik L 180/5'11'' 85/187 23 Mar 1991 Minnesota Wild
12 JOKINEN Olli L 189/6'2'' 95/209 5 Dec 1978 Winnipeg Jets

NHL is overrated these days after the sharp top point these players are not even so much better than Liiga and KHL players as many people think.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

NHL is overrated these days after the sharp top point these players are not even so much better than Liiga and KHL players as many people think.

NHL is overrated because of the results of one game?

Russia (more NHL players) beat France (fewer NHL players) today - I guess the NHL is underrated.

 

[canucksfan]

Canadians brag about their depth but when they lose continuously at a tournament that measures nations depth all they do is make excuses.

 

[psycho_dad*]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=78810547&postcount=64

Oh I'm well aware this was not canadas best team either but when you start using americans as your filler...

How is Kane canadian? Lol

 

[flames12]

To be honest this team is Canada D in terms of A/B/C/D/E/F