GDT: Pre-tournament • Dec. 21 • Finland vs. Switzerland

[FiLe]

Sounds like Finland will be banishing Kapanen to some cold northern place after this tournament - like the Russian's used to do with players and Siberia.

However, that place is likely Canada. And closer to the NHL, where he will thrive as a good player!

Toronto is actually located more south than any point in Finland.

But I guess that explains it all. Kappy's gone soft among all those Canadian palm trees and hula girls.

 

[Mestaruus]

Kapanen has posted good numbers in AHL. You can't do that, if you aren't good player for WJC. That's why I'm not worried about him.

The loss will just teach them to be humble and that they have to earn every point in the tournament.

Last year's U-20 tournament couple first games didn't teach him to be humble though, but I do think we have a place for Kapanen and that's 3rd line's wing as stated by others before me. Let Kapanen be there without PP time for starters and if he feels like he has more to give he can play himself higher in the hierarchy. Just keep our other big guns in top-6 lines for now, away from Kapanen and see if Kapanen can do well in the 3rd.

 

[Mestaruus]

2 goals from the game are on youtube. One Swiss goal and Aleksi Saarela's goal:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=suomi+sveitsi&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

 

[JJTT]

This is why I take the opinions of Finnish posters on HF with a grain of salt.

It's been 1 preliminary game and some are calling Kapanen a bust

A 19 year old whose on pace for nearly 30 goals in the AHL is apparently a bust.

Not really. We've calling him a bust since he was 16.

He really needs to start bringing 100% in every game, not just when he feels like playing.

 

[Loffer]

Kapanen at it again. I just love this diva kid.
All the Finnish fans complain we have only these diligent two way grinders - and when you have a real diva it's too much to take.

Get real! Kaps will pull his act together and he has lots of potential. Which he knows only too well.

 

[JJTT]

http://www.mtv.fi/sport/jaakiekko/l...kyykytti-nuoret-leijonat-pieleen-meni/5621638

Kapanen with 3 awful defensive plays which resulted three goals.

1st goal: Loses his man in front of the net
3rd goal: Turnover on the blueline
4th goal: Can't get the puck out of the zone.

 

[Falling Snow]

 

[FiLe]

Some quotes on Kapanen's play from Finnish media

That first quote - and the entire story - from Hesari is pure gold... and I don't mean in the way that's praise.

It was one practice game, with a lineup that's far from complete, and for some it was the very first game under this system. And yet the reporter puts 'em down like they'd just choked at a critical point on the road to final. Overreacting much?

Though I suppose it gives you a whole new perspective to the reaction of some of us in this thread, if even a supposed quality paper is throwing temper tantrums.

 

[VictorLustig]

http://www.mtv.fi/sport/jaakiekko/l...kyykytti-nuoret-leijonat-pieleen-meni/5621638

Kapanen with 3 awful defensive plays which resulted three goals.

1st goal: Loses his man in front of the net
3rd goal: Turnover on the blueline
4th goal: Can't get the puck out of the zone.

If Kapanen wasn't already the scrapegoat nobody would have noticed him on those plays, maybe he'd even get some love for the goal he created? If Kapanen was awful on those goals against then so were a lot of other players, give the guy a break.

 

[Ace]

If Kapanen wasn't already the scrapegoat nobody would have noticed him on those plays, maybe he'd even get some love for the goal he created? If Kapanen was awful on those goals against then so were a lot of other players, give the guy a break.

So...don't acknowledge his mistakes because people already know he makes mistakes.

Weird.

 

[FiLe]

Another explanation for such a strong reaction could be that the loss came against Switzerland. Many people 'round here seem to be still living in a reality where the Swiss are one of the little guys, and an elite country like Finland must beat them ten times out of ten.

Since we all know that a) it was a practice game still, b) nearly half of the team's best players did not play, and c) they still have time to improve, the response is incredibly silly. Even more so, since it's not limited to simple fans, but the mainstream media gets in on the hate as well.

 

[VictorLustig]

So...don't acknowledge his mistakes because people already know he makes mistakes.

Weird.

That's not what I'm saying, at all.

 

[agent082]

Another explanation for such a strong reaction could be that the loss came against Switzerland. Many people 'round here seem to be still living in a reality where the Swiss are one of the little guys, and an elite country like Finland must beat them ten times out of ten.

Since we all know that a) it was a practice game still, b) nearly half of the team's best players did not play, and c) they still have time to improve, the response is incredibly silly. Even more so, since it's not limited to simple fans, but the mainstream media gets in on the hate as well.

That usually happens when there is more hype than ever and everybody pumps team's tyres.