Toggle sidebar

WJC: QF Pre-Game Discussion

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
  • We're expeting server maintenance on March 3rd starting at midnight, there may be downtime during the work.
Status
Not open for further replies.
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.
Click to expand...

I would say it's the opposite; Canada has made too many passes with a glaring refusal to shoot the puck. They might take the puck into the offensive end, but instead of shooting while they have a chance, they pass it off and hope for the best. This has led to many turnovers. It's to the point where Canadian fans have been very sarcastic in the stands - "No, it's okay, you don't have to shoot the puck. This passing thing works great!"

As for Canada v. Finland - Having seen both teams, the Finns look like the stronger team right now. Their offence was solid against Slovakia, though I realize it's Slovakia, and they seemed to gel really well on the ice. There was a distinct chemistry. Canada, on the other hand, has no chemistry on the ice and seems too content to pass it instead of shooting. They turn up the intensity when they want to, but they haven't seemed to want to for two games now.

Do I believe Canada can beat the Finns? Absolutely, IF Canada plays like they are capable of. If we see the Canadians from the Denmark or Sweden (pre-tournament) game, then they'll be alright. If we see the Swiss or Swedish game Canadians, the Finns should take the win.
 
The size of ice in Hartwall arena really plays against Canada as they played all games on narrower rink. Gonna be really tough game for Canada. Almost everything plays against Canada, I'd say.

Take a look:
- crowd,
- size of ice,
- actual form of Laine-Aho-Puljujarvi, Finland has very strong and effective PP.
- bad discipline in previous games,
- terrible coaching,
- goaltending seems to be not that strong as expected,
- terrible PP and not so good PK,
- lack of leadership (Point, Virtanen, Crouse are not playing to their expectations).

Some positives for Canada could be that Finland goaltending is also not spectacular and defense is not impressive + injuries and questionable PK. And top Finnish players are quite young and not so experienced (Rantanen should step up). Importance of QF game (and being home team) could put on them way too much pressure.

It will be very interesting to see how everything plays out. Can't wait for this game!
 
We are in Finland for the games and all of the locals feel quite confident that Canada will still win.

I'm hoping for a fin-rus final, but it will probably be usa-swe
 
Sweden vs Slovakia 4:0
Finland vs Canada 4:3
Russia vs Denmark 6:0
USA vs Czech Rep. 5:1


Finland vs Sweden 3:2 OT
USA vs Russia 3:1


Finland vs USA 4:2
 
I can't see how Canada wins unless they are playing completely different than the way they were playing in the prelims.

I just hope it's a close game where they have a shot to win.
 
Wooren said:
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.
Click to expand...

Come on. Czechs had no business being in the game and were severely outplayed for 50 minutes.
 
Pi said:
I can't see how Canada wins unless they are playing completely different than the way they were playing in the prelims.

I just hope it's a close game where they have a shot to win.
Click to expand...

did you notice how Canada had zero systems. Look at their breakouts, it was sad!. that coach better implement some sort of system so the boys are at least on the same page then we have a shot
 
Only thing I am certain of... 10+ goals in the Finland-Canada game :P

If I would guess winners...

Sweden over Slovakia
Canada over Finland
Russia over Denmark
USA over Czech Republic

Canada vs Finland could be a real gong show, it's really 50/50 for me on that game
 
vippe said:
Only thing I am certain of... 10+ goals in the Finland-Canada game :P

If I would guess winners...

Sweden over Slovakia
Canada over Finland
Russia over Denmark
USA over Czech Republic

Canada vs Finland could be a real gong show, it's really 50/50 for me on that game
Click to expand...

any news on Willie since the cancelled presser?
 
nylanderlvr said:
any news on Willie since the cancelled presser?
Click to expand...

Not on ice today, probably wont play tomorrow. We dont know much, Toronto and the Swedish federation are really hushing about it..

The Doctor still says he is hopeful about playing in the tournament. But that is it...
 
vippe said:
Not on ice today, probably wont play tomorrow. We dont know much, Toronto and the Swedish federation are really hushing about it..

The Doctor still says he is hopeful about playing in the tournament. But that is it...
Click to expand...

ugggg its making me nervous!!! I want to see him school these fools.
 
I don't know what to expect tomorrow.
And that's why i wont make any predictions in this thread.

Finland's offence is lethal but goal-tending and defense are very mediocre.
Vehviläinen hasn't been so magical than he was U18 WJC's last spring.

He really lacks very badly for basic goalie instincts.
And that's the reason why he didn't get drafted to NHL last summer.

Also Finland has took too much idiotic penalties and Finland's PK is crap.
Czechs didn't score yesterday any powerplay goals for Finland which is good but still that PK scares me a lot.

Finland's powerplay is lethal Finland has scored 8 powerplay goals for 16 powerplay attempts and Finland's powerplay % is 50 ( best in entire tournament by the way).
Thanks for that belongs to Pula-aho line ( Laine Aho Puljujärvi).

Here's my key points for tomorrows game

Canada will win
- Shutdown Pula-aho line
- No penalties
- Good goal-tending
- Solid defense in own defensive end.
- Lowry out-coach Jalonen
- Marner and Strome scores for Finland's idiotic penalties

Finland will win
- Canada is undisciplined and they took idiotic penalties.
- Blackwood / McDonald can't catch nothing
- Vehviläinen founds his god mood and stands for his head
- Excellent defensive game in own defense.
- NO IDIOTIC PENALTIES when Canada has the puck
- Pula-Aho line plays dream game.
- Jalonen out-coach Lowry
- Home crowd gives their support for Finns all the time.

I voted USA for gold medal team.
Good luck to all quarterfinal teams
 
Alexandrov said:
Come on. Czechs had no business being in the game and were severely outplayed for 50 minutes.
Click to expand...

You forgot the :sarcasm:
Finland had no business being in the game in the 3rd period. They were outplayed 5v5, and that's also the reason refs had to step up on the scene. 1st and 2nd periods were even you know that. That only time period you might argue Finland was really better was like the first ten minutes of the match where was set a huge tempo and Finns liked that better, but other than that your post is simply ridiculous.
 
Wooren said:
They were outplayed 5v5, and that's also the reason refs had to step up on the scene.
Click to expand...
Quit your whining already. The Czechs got two two-minute minors in the 3rd, and neither of them was a non-call.

Besides, if the refs were "biased", why did they (very fairly) call Kapanen 10 seconds before the end? I mean, why give the Czechs a 10-second 6-on-4 right before the final whistle, if they really wanted Finland to win?
 
Wooren said:
You forgot the :sarcasm:
Finland had no business being in the game in the 3rd period. They were outplayed 5v5, and that's also the reason refs had to step up on the scene. 1st and 2nd periods were even you know that. That only time period you might argue Finland was really better was like the first ten minutes of the match where was set a huge tempo and Finns liked that better, but other than that your post is simply ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.

Go to TSN, they have VODs up for yesterdays game. Jump to a random point in the game, finland has possession. Jump to another point in the game, finland has possession. An so on, and so on.

Finns dominated the first and were quite clearly the better team in the second. In the third you could argue Czechs were a bit better.

edit. I think the strong third period from Czechs distorted some people's views a little bit...
 
NHLN playing 3/4 QF games in USA. They are going to show Russia vs. Czechs but skip Sweden vs. Slovakia.
 
EvoLu7ioN said:
Canada versus Finland just has that feeling it might be a game for the ages.
Click to expand...

First game I've been really pumped for in this tournament.
I don't mind if Canada's lines stay relatively the same. Absolutely nothing that's been attempted has looked magical to this point so might as well roll with something.
 
Refs will call every minor stuff against Canada. Finland will be 5/12 on PP to win it 7-4.

Blackwood will be horrendous are bad again
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom