Predict both WC Groups

[member 305909]

Today's Sweden--Czech is a make or break-game. A straight win for either of them puts the loser on the brink of being eliminated.

Canada may not even go through even if they win the rest of their games. It may come to that the last game between Germany and Latvia so that a straight win for either knocks Canada out.

 

[canswetoxic]

Yikes that would be major collapse for us to miss QF’s now based on your predictions . Šatan and Ramsay would be answering a lot of questions from Slovak media

I don't see Slovakia get passed Sweden, Switzerland, Czech and for Denmark, its 50-50 but look likely Denmark will win.

 

[Antiillafire]

I don't see Slovakia get passed Sweden, Switzerland, Czech and for Denmark, its 50-50 but look likely Denmark will win.

Yup you were right, didn’t expect the collapse, thought maybe this year was different. But boy was I ever wrong

 

[Czechboy]

My one unproven theory

When the smaller (hockey) nations beat a big one it's great. However, it usually folllows a very similar recipe.

Defend like hell
Block everything
Goalie plays outstanding
counter punch

So the smaller nation wins but gets outshot or outplayed but it's a great moment.

The problem arises when the smaller nation plays another smaller nation. Then they can't score becuase the other nation is doing the same thing. So they can't follow up the 'big win'.

Using an old example from World Jrs. Czechs are not a contender at this tournament but we sometimes beat a Big 5 team and it's a great upset (eg. Russia last 2 years in a row)! But then we lose every game after that and go out in quarters 5-0.

A lot of that is happening in this tourney.

I still think the semi's will be the usuals (with maybe one outside)
I still think there are 7 medal contenders in this particular tournament
I still think Canada makes the playoffs

Trying to predict things with 4 games remaining is very hard because of all the upsets. Eg. a few days ago a lot of people (not me) were thinking Sweden is going home and thank god no relegation. If they beat the Czechs they can still win the pool.

 

[llwyd]

Trying to predict things with 4 games remaining is very hard because of all the upsets.

I think Finland will still be pretty reliable - we will not stumble out of the play-offs and we will play our best match up to that time in the quarterfinals, win or lose Our present team is pretty identical in talent to the one that won gold so surprisingly two years ago. I'm absolutely not saying we will win this time too, margins are so small, we might well be out in the quarterfinals already, but so far we have been pretty standard, not hugely impressive but getting it slowly together and playing and skating like hell.

 

[Czechboy]

I think Finland will still be pretty reliable - we will not stumble out of the play-offs and we will play our best match up to that time in the quarterfinals, win or lose Our present team is pretty identical in talent to the one that won gold so surprisingly two years ago. I'm absolutely not saying we will win this time too, margins are so small, we might well be out in the quarterfinals already, but so far we have been pretty standard, not hugely impressive but getting it slowly together and playing and skating like hell.

I'm definitley not worried about Finland making quarters. They're doing it well. So is the US for that matter... rolling along nicely. The Canada vs Finland game will probably be a must win for Canada.. that'll be amazing to watch.

 

[canswetoxic]

OK I was wrong and need to take back my prediction.

 

[Eye of Ra]

so right now we have in qf:

Switzerland vs Germany
Russia vs Kazaksthan
Slovakia vs USA
Sweden vs Finland

 

[Namejs]

so right now we have in qf:

Switzerland vs Germany
Russia vs Kazaksthan
Slovakia vs USA
Sweden vs Finland

Latvia/Germany

 

[Eye of Ra]

Latvia/Germany

latvia getting their home crowd is gonna be huge for them. gonna make them better.

 

[Namejs]

latvia getting their home crowd is gonna be huge for them. gonna make them better.

No, I mean Latvia and Germany are tied and it's more or less a coin toss. No reason to just put Germany there.

In any case, it's a funny play-off branch. One of Kazakhstan/Germany/Latvia can realistically make the semis. All it takes is beating Switzerland.

 

[stastny12]

No, I mean Latvia and Germany are tied and it's more or less a coin toss. No reason to just put Germany there.

In any case, it's a funny play-off branch. One of Kazakhstan/Germany/Latvia can realistically make the semis. All it takes is beating Switzerland.

I don´t understand why you did not include Slovakia to the basket. If mentioned teams have a chance, Slovaks should have, too.

And especially vs USA who we beat quite regularly at the WCH. In the past decade Slovakia won 4 games (2012, 2013, 2014, 2019) and lost only 2 (2016, 2017).

 

[Namejs]

I don´t understand why you did not include Slovakia to the basket. If mentioned teams have a chance, Slovaks should have, too.

And especially vs USA who we beat quite regularly at the WCH. In the past decade Slovakia won 4 games (2012, 2013, 2014, 2019) and lost only 2 (2016, 2017).

I wasn't throwing shade on Slovakia, I was focused on Group B.

And the point is that neither Latvia, nor Kazakhstan have ever been in the semis. Kazakhstan has never been in the quarter-finals.

It wouldn't exactly be a historically groundbreaking occasion for Slovakia.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Well i dont think Germany and Russia is gonna drop their lead over Latvia and Belarus.

Russia / Canada
USA / Slovakia
Switzerland / Germany
Czech / Finland

Wins for, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Czech.

 

[Antiillafire]

Well i dont think Germany and Russia is gonna drop their lead over Latvia and Belarus.

Russia / Canada
USA / Slovakia
Switzerland / Germany
Czech / Finland

Wins for, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Czech.

That would be something. I wonder when was last time when entire 4 teams from one group made the semi finals.

 

[Czechboy]

Neat to see how no one agrees. I honestly am so excited because this tournament is so even! So many things could happen. Then, even after this, the quarters will be amazing. Looking at every single prediction... all 4 quarters are going to be close games.

I'll give it a go but I honestly have no idea because this isn't the world juniors and some of the lesser ranked nations can easily upset everyone. Eg. if Denmark beats the Czechs, I really won't be that surprised or Belarus beating the Swiss. Remember, the last tourney like this (2018 Olympics) starting with Slovakia beating Russia on Day 1.

A group is insanely tight. I expect 'upset' after 'upset' and the standings to be extremely tight. (I know nothing about GB and am putting them last because of this, apologies of I'm missing something)

A

1. Switzerland
2. Russia
3. Sweden
4. Czechs
5. Slovakia (it pains me to not have them in quarters and I do think they can get there)
6. Belarus (same thing, they are growing and starting to make some noise)
7. Denmark (I think they are missing most their top guys?)
8. GB (pure ignorance, I cant' name one guy on roster)

B is a little more straightforward

1. Canada (all NHL team moreorless with the best goalie in Kuemper)
2. Finland (similar to gold medal team and will gel and be well structured)
3. USA (mostly NHL team with 3 NHL goalies)
4. Latvia
5. Germany (normally I'd take Germany over Latvia but I think the German's are missing 4 of their best 6 players in Stutzl, Drai, Grubauer and Kahun)
6. Kazakhstan
7. Norway
8. Italy​

Did anyone come close? Here is mine... It was off.lol

 

[Old Man Jags]

Did anyone come close? Here is mine... It was off.lol

I think Omotenashi's original Group A prediction was the closest. His order was:

1. Russia
2. Switzerland
3. Czech Republic
4. Sweden

...with Slovakia in fifth, but he also said that "Slovakia could still grab a QF spot if they get things working and one of the top 4 underperform". So he got the order of the top 3 right and noted Slovakia's potential if one of the top 4 underperform, which is what Sweden did. I think this is as close a prediction to what happened as we have had, because not a single person had Sweden outside of the top 4.

I have focused on Group A because my team - the Czechs - play there, maybe there is a good Group B prediction as well (though i think many went for canada at number 1..).