WJC: QF Pre-Game Discussion

[BobDobolina]

But where will the Canadian tourists get tickets for the game?

Most of them are here through some travel agency and that agency has booked the tickets for the quarters. If Canada would have played in the other rink then those tickets reserved by the agency would have been released and become available for anyone to buy.

 

[Mestaruus]

Canadians are trying to jinx it with the poll. Wouldn't surprise me if they beat Finland and beat Sweden in a rematch even with both Nylanders around, but I got enough confidence on Finland. Finland will improve their goalie work and defense and the offense will remain good.

Sweden
Finland - Russia 4:1

----

I hope I am wrong, of course

A rematch of Fin-Rus would be awesome to watch.

 

[Evolu7ion]

I like Canada's chances against Finland. Canada has played like **** so far, but my gut is telling me that comes to an end in the metal round.

 

[djf]

Canadians are trying to jinx it with the poll. Wouldn't surprise me if they beat Finland and beat Sweden in a rematch even with both Nylanders around, but I got enough confidence on Finland. Finland will improve their goalie work and defense and the offense will remain good.



A rematch of Fin-Rus would be awesome to watch.

Would not surprise me either. Sweden beating Canada twice in the same tournament, has that ever happened at any level? That said, a Finland-Sweden semi in Finland would be awesome and a real treat for the fans and the players. I'm really hoping for that match up and I think it would be an awesome game and a life long memory for most of these guys.

Make it happen Finland

 

[King 88]

USA-Sweden final Sweden will take it 3-5.

 

[QnebO]

Swedes always pull their best way to Semis.

 

[kelsier]

Voted Finland but it's a flush between Finland, USA and Sweden imo.

If the Finns had better defence and goalkeepers that would put the team into the front seat, but as it seems right now both are severely questionable and injuries are making it even worse.
Hopefully the kids will score enough to get us to the final game.

 

[DamonDRW]

I like how people in here are screaming it is Sweden's to loose after the last game. Canada is pathetic this year. A bunch of very well trained grinders. In its turn Sweden got lucky versus USA.

On the other hand, Russia looks really strong this year. Very skilled forwards and underrated defense and goaltending. A team without glaring holes in the roster and a lot of people in here are writing them off for some reason.

 

[Ville231]

I'm calling Finland for gold. Their offence will go to their favour.

Offence wins games, defence wins championships. Hope I'm wrong, but the D & goaltending is a serious issue for Finland. Nevertheless FIN-CAN will be a very exciting game.

 

[jesui]

If canada would have beat the swedes, then i would believe that we could beat them.
But because canada lost against the swedes, i think that they will beat us.

Hungry mooses vs feeling good lions. It's bad.

 

[VictorLustig]

I like how people in here are screaming it is Sweden's to loose after the last game. Canada is pathetic this year. A bunch of very well trained grinders. In its turn Sweden got lucky versus USA.

On the other hand, Russia looks really strong this year. Very skilled forwards and underrated defense and goaltending. A team without glaring holes in the roster and a lot of people in here are writing them off for some reason.

The Russians haven't been very impressive from what I've seen.

 

[Petri1981]

If Finland can get their defence and goaltending to a better level they could take it all. But as of now, Sweden is the strongest team by far. Ofcourse Russia is also there.

 

[Shrimper]

I'm going for Finland.

 

[tade]

I like how people in here are screaming it is Sweden's to loose after the last game. Canada is pathetic this year. A bunch of very well trained grinders. In its turn Sweden got lucky versus USA.

On the other hand, Russia looks really strong this year. Very skilled forwards and underrated defense and goaltending. A team without glaring holes in the roster and a lot of people in here are writing them off for some reason.

I am looking forward to see how those grinders crush your team. It will be real joy to see. The only grinder, at this point, on team Canada is behind the bench.

 

[Wooren]

I am looking forward to see how those grinders crush your team. It will be real joy to see. The only grinder, at this point, on team Canada is behind the bench.

I kinda agree, don't understand why they keep underestimating Canada. Canada has more talented team than Czechs do, and if Czechs managed to play an even game with Finland, hell, even overplay them in the 3rd, I don't see why Canada should get crushed. Whoever looses in that match it will be close.

 

[DamonDRW]

I am looking forward to see how those grinders crush your team. It will be real joy to see. The only grinder, at this point, on team Canada is behind the bench.

They need to go through Finland and Sweden first to get to the finals where they can finally meet the team I cheer for

As for the grinders... If you watched the games closely this is the worst team Canada they iced in a long time. Absolutely no creativity, no risky passes that may eventually pay off, in fact, they are not passing at all in the offensive zone. This is not how you win games at WJHC.

 

[Bakayoko Ono]

I believe the rink at Hartwall Arena is a few meters wider than the one at Jäähalli where Canada has played their games. Hopefully this gives Finland an advantage.

 

[DamonDRW]

I kinda agree, don't understand why they keep underestimating Canada. Canada has more talented team than Czechs do, and if Czechs managed to play an even game with Finland, hell, even overplay them in the 3rd, I don't see why Canada should get crushed. Whoever looses in that match it will be close.

the only reason Czechs were in the game is because of Finnish goalie who is lacking basic goalie instincts. Quite uncharacteristic of Finnish teams though.

 

[Wooren]

the only reason Czechs were in the game is because of Finnish goalie who is lacking basic goalie instincts. Quite uncharacteristic of Finnish teams though.

I see you want to play this game... The only reason Finland won were the biased referees. You chose the goalie, it's not Czechs fault it was a bad one.

 

[tade]

They need to go through Finland and Sweden first to get to the finals where they can finally meet the team I cheer for

As for the grinders... If you watched the games closely this is the worst team Canada they iced in a long time. Absolutely no creativity, no risky passes that may eventually pay off, in fact, they are not passing at all in the offensive zone. This is not how you win games at WJHC.

From the recent years, 2014 team was worse team than this. This team is talented enough to compete with everyone on the tournament. The team is terribly coached in the first place. They are not playing to their potential due to bad coaching.

Yes, it is quite possible that they will lose against you if nothing changes. But I really hope Canada will win at least against Finland. Your team is not that strong after the unreal offense, especially from your first line. Canadians are capable to shutdown Laine and Puljujarvi if they bring their top game. Canada is being really underrated now.

But it really depends on Lowry... If he is planning to play Hicketts for half of the game, then yes chances are not the best.

//And obviously the key for Canada will be to stay out of the penalty box.

 

[Statsy]

If canada would have beat the swedes, then i would believe that we could beat them.
But because canada lost against the swedes, i think that they will beat us.

Hungry mooses vs feeling good lions. It's bad.

I feel that there is some truth to that statement. Yes, we know Canada has struggled through this tournament so far, but we also know that they have some serious untapped potential. Additionally, the current state of Finland's defense, is a serious concern.

The team that doesn't seem to be getting enough attention as a championship favorite, is the US. Their offense is lethal, and their defense which was supposed to be a weakness, has been pretty solid.

 

[FiLe]

I see you want to play this game... The only reason Finland won were the biased referees. You chose the goalie, it's not Czechs fault it was a bad one.

The reason Finland won was because of better PP. Finland got four two minutes minors over the game, the Czechs got five, whopping one more. And there were bad calls and ignored whistles on both sides. Bad reffing, maybe, but where's the bias?

Now, eyes forward, something needs to happen in our back end if Finland is to walk out of the QF as the winner. Despite lowly performances thus far, there's loads of skill and potential in that Canadian lineup, far more than any other opponent our guys have faced this far, and I don't like our odds if it turns into yet another scoring contest.

 

[Jablkon]

the only reason Czechs were in the game is because of Finnish goalie who is lacking basic goalie instincts. Quite uncharacteristic of Finnish teams though.

Thats part of your roster, your bussiness...I saw just teo periods and we were constantly in the game. I havent seen Canada this year but considering that I havent seen grinders in their roster for lastcouple of years I doubt its different now

 

[DamonDRW]

From the recent years, 2014 team was worse team than this. This team is talented enough to compete with everyone on the tournament.

it depends how you judge talent. If it is by 1st round selections then yes, this is good Canadian team. Most NHL teams drafts size which is obsolete on larger ice rinks. Oh, well, not completely, they can still hit like yesterday again Sweden. The problem is that no one is offended by this tactics anymore. It is not 1960s.

I'm not Finnish but I don't like Canada's chances in that quarterfinal.

 

[jesui]

I believe the rink at Hartwall Arena is a few meters wider than the one at Jäähalli where Canada has played their games. Hopefully this gives Finland an advantage.

Few meters? Can't be that much

Edit. Apparently it is