WC: Medal Games Pre-Game Talk

[Systemfel]

USA and CZE play for bronze at 16:45 CET/10:45 AM ET.

CAN and RUS for gold at 20:45/2:45 PM.

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[ViD]

I voted Russia because I had to, but I think it might be even a tougher task than it was in 2008 in Canada.

 

[luongo321]

This is going to be an awesome game. Bobrovsky definitely has the edge over Smith. Smith better not choke.

Hall, Eberle and Seguin will beast.

 

[BIitz]

I've never been so hyped on a WC final.

 

[tacogeoff]

Pavs vs Helly will be fun to watch as a Jets fan.

 

[Get North]

Canada's defence has to play more like the 2nd period and 3rd period against the Czechs than the 1st period.

 

[illpucks]

This is going to be an awesome game. Bobrovsky definitely has the edge over Smith. Smith better not choke.

Hall, Eberle and Seguin will beast.

Smith has back to back shutouts. Most unappreciated member of the team on here.

 

[BobDobolina]

Russia will get slaughtered.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Will be a dandy but I think the coaching will make the difference.

 

[Scotty B]

Not to toot my own horn...too much

Game Wise , went six for six in QF + Semi Predictions. So here’s what my crystal ball says for tomorrow.

A seasoned Czech side, determined to send Prague and Jagr off with a bang ( not unlike Suomi and Selanne @ OG ) are gonna spank Yanks Big Time in Bronze Game! Playing the late and then early game is tough enough. But Czechs would beat these upstarts even without that advantage. Some journeymen NHLers, who may never get a chance to wear team USA jersey again, will be anxious to bring back a medal of any color. Not so the ex-NTDP guys, a la our boyz, they're brought up with a Gold or Bust mentality. Outplaying heavily favored Russians over 40 minutes, Yanks were one period away from their goal + a chance for some actual recognition , for their heroic WC feat, stateside. Now it won’t even be a blip on the US sporting radar. Simply put, they deserved a better fate. Just wasn’t meant to be. Now once Czechs get up a couple of goals, and they will, the roof will cave in. But no Biggee, NHL Brass willing, Jones, Larkin and Eichel will have other opportunities for Gold, on the BIGGEST OG Stage, no less.


As for the Russians? Despite advance warning, seems like they underestimated team Red White Blue and GREEN , yet again. That won’t happen vs Canada obviously. Still much better focus + another heroic game by Bobrovski , won’t save their bacon. Team Maple Leaf is GOLDEN!

That is all

 

[Novak Djokovic]

Russian defense was a mess against the USA, but US couldn't convert. I hope it stays that way. Team Canada's forwards are going to have to back-check hard in this game. Smith played well today, but I'm still kind of nervous.

 

[Suxnet]

Ya Russia D was brutal against a fairly weak US forward group. The Czechs played better defensively and still Pavelec had to be amazing to keep the game close. I think don't they have a chance in hell in winning unless Bob is godlike.

 

[LucSZ]

USA and CZE play for bronze at 16:45 CET/10:45 AM ET.

CAN and RUS for gold at 20:45/2:45 PM.

TSN lists the USA/CZE game at 10:15am, so does the IIHF. Just in case ppl might miss the first 30min or so. These games miraculously start on time.

 

[KCC]

This is going to be an awesome game. Bobrovsky definitely has the edge over Smith. Smith better not choke.

Hall, Eberle and Seguin will beast.

If Smith can play even average, Canada has such a powerful offense, they should be okay. If Smith falters though... He's been pretty good, but his rebound control has been iffy. His teammates have been clearing away the second chance opportunities really well though. Question is what team are we going to get? One that comes out slow and forces Smith to hold the fort early or the team that comes out blazing and pots a couple quickly?

 

[Plural]

Rooting for Russia, but the betting man in me says Canada will win. However, these both teams possess players with abilities to decide whole games by themselves.

Russia can prevail if Malkin/Ovechkin duo gets going. Kovalchuk and Panarin (whom I've fallen in love in this tournee)can give enough offensive support for the Russian to take win. Bob playing lights out and there is no reason why Russia can't walk away with gold medals.

But, Canada has so insanely strong forward group that Russian weak defense will be in for a lot of problems.

My percentages that I completely just made up:

Canada 70% Russia 30%

 

[m4tt145]

I actually think Russia wins this. They'll eat Smith alive.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Ya Russia D was brutal against a fairly weak US forward group. The Czechs played better defensively and still Pavelec had to be amazing to keep the game close. I think don't they have a chance in hell in winning unless Bob is godlike.

Russian defense was good enough for 40 min against Sweden though. And Swedes had very good attack.

 

[MaHCK]

Russia will win!

 

[FultonReed]

they're not even showing the Bronze Medal game on national tv in the US

 

[Jussi]

Still no GDT for the Bronze game?

 

[Hemsky001]

Czech Republic 4-2 USA
Canada 5-3 Russia

 

[Cirris]

Russia will get slaughtered.

If Russia plays like the did for most of the US game, I agree with your assessment.

 

[Faterson]

Hoping for a Canadian win. The hubris on the part of either of these teams (or their fans) will be huge in case of a win, so gotta pick the lesser of two evils, I guess.

 

[luongo321]

Smith has back to back shutouts. Most unappreciated member of the team on here.

That's a good sign, but that was against Belarus and Czech Republic. The Czech Republic was just blanked by Team USA as well. Russia is an entirely different beast compared to those teams.

If Smith can play even average, Canada has such a powerful offense, they should be okay. If Smith falters though... He's been pretty good, but his rebound control has been iffy. His teammates have been clearing away the second chance opportunities really well though. Question is what team are we going to get? One that comes out slow and forces Smith to hold the fort early or the team that comes out blazing and pots a couple quickly?

I agree to an extent, but Bobrovsky has been unreal lately. He could definitely steal one and Canada only beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in the semis. That did include a lot of posts though so maybe a few more of those go in this game. Anyways, this is going to be a really exciting game.

Eberle and Crosby on the same line just screams clutch. They have both scored gigantic goals for Team Canada over the years and now they are together. I expect some heroics from them.

 

[kk87]

Both teams are loaded with superstars, but Canada has a much deeper group up front and on defense. On paper, we have a definitive edge. Smith is a wild card, as he can be either very good or very bad, but I think Bobrovsky has a bit of an edge in net, but Canada should be favoured in this game.