WJC: Predictions and team ranking
- Thread starter Slimmy
- Start date
I've seen most of the games.
Group B is weaker both at the top and the bottom so it's hard to compare Sweden with, say, Canada, as the former has not faced a lot of adversity, barring parts of the Swiss game.
Sweden has been a bit soft and round around the edges, but all of Sweden, Finland and Czechia can challenge US and Canada for a place in the finals.
The whole thing is more open than people thought before the tournament. The rankings have not changed all that much by my book, but the gap between teams has narrowed down, apart from Kazakhstan, which has been abysmal
Group B is weaker both at the top and the bottom so it's hard to compare Sweden with, say, Canada, as the former has not faced a lot of adversity, barring parts of the Swiss game.
Sweden has been a bit soft and round around the edges, but all of Sweden, Finland and Czechia can challenge US and Canada for a place in the finals.
The whole thing is more open than people thought before the tournament. The rankings have not changed all that much by my book, but the gap between teams has narrowed down, apart from Kazakhstan, which has been abysmal
I'm curious what team Czechia can accomplish. From what I can gather they have a stronger team this year than usual. Brain says Canada will win. They are very strong on home ice but struggle when playing on international sized ice. At least, that's my impression. USA the main challenger. But, Finland near always sends a pesky team with solid structure, a fair bit of talent and loves to ruin the fun for home teams. Sweden might make it to the finals but lacks the mental toughness to beat Canada on home ice.
Eye of Ra
Grandmaster General of the International boards
Canada wont win. Cant even beat Latvia. Gonna be between usa, Finland, Czechs and Sweden.
Wait, you are predicting Sweden to be a contender?
Czechboy
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Agree with Namejs above. Pool B is weaker and has the only 2 undefeated teams left in the tournament. Latvia and Germany have estalished themselves as nightmare opponents. Finn's are always a nightmare and then you have the double gold threats. So standings and stats are inflated in Pool B.
Also agree that 9 to 1 is not that wildy different and it's more open. Canada and US both losing games before NYE.. that's a competitive pool! I could see the final 4 having all of Canada/US/Finland in it and wouldn't be surprised.
I actually haven't really changed my ranking but do think the quarters won't have a blowout (I thought for sure there would be 2 before). 1 vs 4 could be very competitive.
Gold Tier - Canada/US/Sweden
Pain in the ass tier - Czechs/Finlands
Don't sleep on us tier - Slovaks, Latvias, Germans and Swiss
It's either really deep this year or really shallow. That part I'm not certain of. Also Finn's can still finish 2nd in between the double Gold threats. Impressive work from them!
Also agree that 9 to 1 is not that wildy different and it's more open. Canada and US both losing games before NYE.. that's a competitive pool! I could see the final 4 having all of Canada/US/Finland in it and wouldn't be surprised.
I actually haven't really changed my ranking but do think the quarters won't have a blowout (I thought for sure there would be 2 before). 1 vs 4 could be very competitive.
Gold Tier - Canada/US/Sweden
Pain in the ass tier - Czechs/Finlands
Don't sleep on us tier - Slovaks, Latvias, Germans and Swiss
It's either really deep this year or really shallow. That part I'm not certain of. Also Finn's can still finish 2nd in between the double Gold threats. Impressive work from them!
I think this is pretty accurate, though I believe Sweden is a bit behind the North Americans and us bit stronger than the Czechs.
Czechboy
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It's on par with the last 2 that medalled. We're starting to be a 4.5 in hockey.lol Eg. we're not Top 4 but we may be better than 5th. We are 4 and a half.lol
Picking Canada is smart money. They've now faced adversity. They are backed by a great goalie. They will hit Quarters hard but may not have that easy path. Very little chance of Sweden though so they should hit Semi quite comfortably. Then it's a gong show.lol
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
You can say USA, Canada, and Sweden are all together in one flawed tier.
Czechia for me is next in their own tier.
Finland might’ve entered the picture yesterday with a win, but I am much more doubtful. I think that was their one-off result. They played a near perfect game and needed OT against an awful American performance. I think they are just 3 goals worse than the top 3 on average. Czechia I would give an advantage over them too pretty concretely.
Czechia for me is next in their own tier.
Finland might’ve entered the picture yesterday with a win, but I am much more doubtful. I think that was their one-off result. They played a near perfect game and needed OT against an awful American performance. I think they are just 3 goals worse than the top 3 on average. Czechia I would give an advantage over them too pretty concretely.
Czechboy
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Czechs have yet to play a Canada/US/Sweden
Finn's have played Canada and US
Coincidentally.. Canada and US have played Canada/US/FInland
Put another way.. put Canada/US/Finland in Pool B instead of Czechs and they are all likely undefeated heading into Sweden game tomorrrow.
Time will tell and don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the hell out of all of this.lol
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
1-2. Canada/US
3. Sweden
4. Czechia
5. Finland
Then Slovakia/Switzerland/Latvia/Germany in some order, Kaz at the bottom.
3. Sweden
4. Czechia
5. Finland
Then Slovakia/Switzerland/Latvia/Germany in some order, Kaz at the bottom.
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
Didn't count Russia since they are not playing in this tournament. I thought it was meant to be countries participating..
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
Czechboy
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I'm sure you know this but you didn't read it wrong. Russia is as likely an answer to the question as Jamaica is.
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
Yeah, I thought so. Russia will be on the list once they are back participating in this tournament.
It’s kind of wide open for anyone to make a run. Every team has clear weaknesses. Czechia and Sweden look the best on the ice so far. Sure it’s the “weak group”… but how weak is it really? I firmly believe Switzerland is a decent team yet they’re 4th
Here’s my stab at it:
1. Czechia - idk it just feels like things are falling into place for them and it’s like a buildup of the last 4 years… the knock on this team is they don’t really take control of the game, but the skill and finishing ability is undeniable, defense is good, and Hrabal is capable of leading the way. I wasn’t that high on them coming into the tournament but they’ve won me over
2. Sweden - very reliant on the PP, but that’s a valid way to win. No one comes close to them on the PP as of now. Solid team all around but doesn’t stand out aside from the PP
3. USA - good finishing ability, but doesn’t really dominate possession and has lots of question marks defensively. Augustine is capable of better though and if he steps up things are suddenly looking good again
4. Canada - probably the least efficient team in the tournament, very unthreatening. Possession, defense, and goaltending are all strengths but you need goals to win
5. Finland - capable of playing a very well-rounded game at times but it only comes in spurts. They spend a large chunk of the game relying on goaltending, which has been very good
6. Switzerland - capable of going toe to toe with top teams at even strength. Bad special teams, inconsistent goaltending and finishing ability. It’s like an underdog that looks exactly the opposite of most underdogs
7. Latvia - Here’s a more typical underdog: a team with good defensive structure, good goaltending, some talented shooters, and lots of heart
8. Slovakia - excellent top line could cause an upset with some luck, but really this team just hasn’t looked that great. Feels wrong to put them below Switzerland when they’ve finished above but yeah this is just how I see it
Shoutout to Germany for being a really solid #9 team, tough result for them
Here’s my stab at it:
1. Czechia - idk it just feels like things are falling into place for them and it’s like a buildup of the last 4 years… the knock on this team is they don’t really take control of the game, but the skill and finishing ability is undeniable, defense is good, and Hrabal is capable of leading the way. I wasn’t that high on them coming into the tournament but they’ve won me over
2. Sweden - very reliant on the PP, but that’s a valid way to win. No one comes close to them on the PP as of now. Solid team all around but doesn’t stand out aside from the PP
3. USA - good finishing ability, but doesn’t really dominate possession and has lots of question marks defensively. Augustine is capable of better though and if he steps up things are suddenly looking good again
4. Canada - probably the least efficient team in the tournament, very unthreatening. Possession, defense, and goaltending are all strengths but you need goals to win
5. Finland - capable of playing a very well-rounded game at times but it only comes in spurts. They spend a large chunk of the game relying on goaltending, which has been very good
6. Switzerland - capable of going toe to toe with top teams at even strength. Bad special teams, inconsistent goaltending and finishing ability. It’s like an underdog that looks exactly the opposite of most underdogs
7. Latvia - Here’s a more typical underdog: a team with good defensive structure, good goaltending, some talented shooters, and lots of heart
8. Slovakia - excellent top line could cause an upset with some luck, but really this team just hasn’t looked that great. Feels wrong to put them below Switzerland when they’ve finished above but yeah this is just how I see it
Shoutout to Germany for being a really solid #9 team, tough result for them
Czechboy
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- Apr 15, 2018
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