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World Cup: Pre-Game Talk: Team Europe @ Team Sweden

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Team Europe is on their mission to prove everybody wrong. I think we will see them in the finals.
 
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I really don't like the way Sweden have played in the tournament. They have been responsible for the most boring matches so far. That being said, it would probably be better if Europe lost so that Canada or Russia would face a better opponent in the final. It wouldn't be that exciting to see Europe getting hammered in the Finals for two straight games.
 
Don Corleone said:
I really don't like the way Sweden have played in the tournament. They have been responsible for the most boring matches so far. That being said, it would probably be better if Europe lost so that Canada or Russia would face a better opponent in the final. It wouldn't be that exciting to see Europe getting hammered in the Finals for two straight games.
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The only boring game Sweden has been a part of was the Sweden-Finland game.
 
Don Corleone said:
I really don't like the way Sweden have played in the tournament. They have been responsible for the most boring matches so far. That being said, it would probably be better if Europe lost so that Canada or Russia would face a better opponent in the final. It wouldn't be that exciting to see Europe getting hammered in the Finals for two straight games.
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I don't think it is fair to say that the russia game was boring (obviously the NA one wasn't). But I think that's what you get when you put less than superb and kind of slow offensive capabilites with an excellent D. One loss and this group would've been an open book, which should force teams to play after their strengths. Easier to defend a lead in those situations with a team like Swedens instead of pushing relentlessly. Especially against teams like Russia and Finland who really needed those counter attacks to get space in the offensive zone without getting shut down on their way in.

OT: I think that first loss against team europe lit a fire under Swedens skates. The defense will be as solid as ever, and europe will have a very hard time getting time and space in the zone. Won't make a bold predicition, as that usually bites me in the a**. Sweden 3-2 in regulation
 
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Sweden can you lose please? We need to see the joke final. For science.
 
Huffman said:
The only boring game Sweden has been a part of was the Sweden-Finland game.
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I wouldn't call Sweden cycling down low in the Russian zone without getting much chances and then scoring a couple quickies before going completely in a defensive shell for 30 minutes and having the Russian skate right in to the Swedish defenders for the entire game that entertaining. The last minute was damn exciting though. Everyone has their preference, but I like fast paced end to end games where both teams have a bunch of quality scoring chances. Sadly those kind of games seem to be a rarity these days.
 
Don Corleone said:
I wouldn't call Sweden cycling down low in the Russian zone without getting much chances and then scoring a couple quickies before going completely in a defensive shell for 30 minutes and having the Russian skate right in to the Swedish defenders for the entire game that entertaining. The last minute was damn exciting though. Everyone has their preference, but I like fast paced end to end games where both teams have a bunch of quality scoring chances. Sadly those kind of games seem to be a rarity these days.
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Defensive shell? Sweden spent a lot more time in the offensive zone than the Russians did, outshot and outchanced them despite holding on to a lead for half the game.
 
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Team Europe is a scary opponent. Even if we regard the exhibition game between them as inconsequential.

It's likely to be a once in life time opportunity for all of these lesser hockey powers to get to a best on best finals.
 
Huffman said:
Defensive shell? Sweden spent a lot more time in the offensive zone than the Russians did, outshot and outchanced them despite holding on to a lead for half the game.
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Well give them a prize for that. The game still was a good way to prepare myself for sleep. Like I said if teams play end to end hockey and there is multiple prime time scoring chances the game will be entertaining. That was not the way the game was. The Swedes sucked the life out of the Russians because of their defensive prowess and as a result the Russians barely had any real scoring chances in the entire game. The Swedes had more stuff going on but most of that was cycling in the corners in the Russian end. Hardly a barn burner. Even watched the game with a Russian and she was getting bored with it. But everyone has their preference.
 
Don Corleone said:
I wouldn't call Sweden cycling down low in the Russian zone without getting much chances and then scoring a couple quickies before going completely in a defensive shell for 30 minutes and having the Russian skate right in to the Swedish defenders for the entire game that entertaining. The last minute was damn exciting though. Everyone has their preference, but I like fast paced end to end games where both teams have a bunch of quality scoring chances. Sadly those kind of games seem to be a rarity these days.
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you must not like canada in 2014 olympics. good D wins championships.
 
Sorey said:
you must not like canada in 2014 olympics. good D wins championships.
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I appreciate Canada for being hands down the best team of that tournament. D is the most important thing and all praise to those teams that can put up defensive clinics but that certainly is a far cry from some of the more high flying periods in hockey.
 
Don Corleone said:
I really don't like the way Sweden have played in the tournament. They have been responsible for the most boring matches so far. That being said, it would probably be better if Europe lost so that Canada or Russia would face a better opponent in the final. It wouldn't be that exciting to see Europe getting hammered in the Finals for two straight games.
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Loosing is boring, I know.

We (Sweden) adjusted ourselves to the opponents, outsmarting them like a game of chess, we are tactical. Games vs Finland and Russia are usually kind of boring defensive minded games but we won both of them.

Games vs North American teams are usually much more physical and offensive from both sides, fun games.

The game vs North America was a fantastic game, one for the ages.

One thing is for sure, Sweden can do much better than this and I believe it's important for Sweden having played the game vs the speedy increadibly talanted North American team.

Sweden as it's best play a mixed game, kind of mixing Swedish defensive minded hockey with North American style of hockey, when we do that we are difficult to handle, hopefully we can bring our best for the two final games.
 
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Don Corleone said:
I really don't like the way Sweden have played in the tournament. They have been responsible for the most boring matches so far. That being said, it would probably be better if Europe lost so that Canada or Russia would face a better opponent in the final. It wouldn't be that exciting to see Europe getting hammered in the Finals for two straight games.
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I wouldn't say they've been boring (although they kinda were against Finland), but they've been underperforming in their last two games. They were very good against Russia though and I for one enjoy watching defensive perfection.

If they play like they did against Russia in the semis I can't see them losing.
 
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Loosing is boring, I know.
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Now you are just being ridiculous :laugh: I loved every second of NA spanking Finland. Why? Because they were so damn fun to watch. Btw in my mind Sweden is the 2nd best hockey nation in the world so its not exactly about being a homer.
 
;-) I love the young talent Finland is having now and you will be back, nobody is worried.

Don Corleone said:
Now you are just being ridiculous :laugh: I loved every second of NA spanking Finland. Why? Because they were so damn fun to watch. Btw in my mind Sweden is the 2nd best hockey nation in the world so its not exactly about being a homer.
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Team Europe got into semis on the back of victories against Czechia and whatever it was that USA iced, but Sweden is going to be tougher opponent.

Europe's centers are having a really good tourney though. Kopitar is as good as ever playing 23 min a night, Nielsen is showing his skill to the world and might even end up settling into 1C role for red wings if he keeps playing like that. Draisatl is dragging his linemates around the ice and basically creating offense on his own, while Bellemare is playing like a beast out there.

I'm just worried that europes third pairing is going to **** the bed.
 
The pre-tournament game means nothing, Sweden won't be playing on their heels like last time. That said, Team Europe is a good team and I won't exactly be surprised if they win, even though it's less likely.
 
Don Corleone said:
I wouldn't call Sweden cycling down low in the Russian zone without getting much chances and then scoring a couple quickies before going completely in a defensive shell for 30 minutes and having the Russian skate right in to the Swedish defenders for the entire game that entertaining. The last minute was damn exciting though. Everyone has their preference, but I like fast paced end to end games where both teams have a bunch of quality scoring chances. Sadly those kind of games seem to be a rarity these days.
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You speak of boring. Finnish hockey usually means gritty and grindy style of play.
 
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