GDT: Quarter Finals: Canada vs Czechia; Jan. 2, 2025; 19:30 EST

[Ciao]

Probably the least likely occurrence imaginable outside of an asteroid colliding with us.

Ice hockey participation is on the decline. It's at about 550,000 registered participants, down from over 700,000 eight or nine years ago.

The barriers to entry are high, and it's becoming an elitist sport that a lot of families just can't afford.

 

[Chainshot]

Do you think these guys have that kind of math skill!?

It certainly doesn't seem like they have team building skills. Maybe they can fall back on being an actuary or something.

Interviews with the players is a bit much jeez

I fully expect someone like Cowan to be part of an anti-bullying ad campaign in 10-12 years. Thinking like the Eberle PSA's. That kid is taking way too much flak for this tournament.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Interviews with the players is a bit much jeez

It's really pissing me off. Leave them alone ffs.

 

[trilobyte]

Cool. Still, they proved they're good enough. They dominated Czechia once they started playing. The problem was that they started playing too late. Czechia came prepared, Canada did not.

Yeah, there was enough skill to get it done. Too much variation in their intensity, too many stretches of missing passes, forgetting where your linemate is , etc. put them on their heels.
"A full 60 minutes" is just a cliche and almost never happens, but this team wasn't medal worthy, really.

 

[Ciao]

Enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for asking.

Then it's too bad you missed the outcome. I'm surprised you had to ask.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

I honestly have not watched a second of this tournament, but was surprised that they bright back Dave Cameron. They had to recycle a guy back from over a decade ago... and an uninspired recycle at that?

Exactly the same, hated that cyborg last time around, maybe next year Spott gets another shot.

 

[MOGlLNY]

singing our goal song in your dressing room ? i really am gonna enjoy the usa dismantleing them in the semis lol

How far has Canada fallen to be cheering for their rivals to beat the powerhouse Czechs because they couldn’t get it done.

 

[DackellDuck]

Ice hockey participation is on the decline. It's at about 550,000 registered participants, down from over 700,000 eight or nine years ago.

The barriers to entry are high, and it's becoming an elitist sport that a lot of families just can't afford.

The “elite” levels are even worse. If it looks like your kid has talent at age 9 or 10, be prepared to spend 10-15k+ per year if you want to give them a shot.

 

[NyQuil]

singing our goal song in your dressing room ? i really am gonna enjoy the usa dismantleing them in the semis lol

To the victors go the spoils.

 

[Forsbergaura21]

Anyone have video of the Stancl goal from todays game?

Thanks in advance!

 

[canucksfan]

Ice hockey participation is on the decline. It's at about 550,000 registered participants, down from over 700,000 eight or nine years ago.

The barriers to entry are high, and it's becoming an elitist sport that a lot of families just can't afford.

Yup. I see it a lot as a teacher, soccer and basketball are much more popular than hockey.

 

[flin flon bombers]

How'd that work out?

Seeing as it was typed well after the game was over I will let you surmise. It doesn't change what I said,I have a hard time believing that players put on the Canada jersey and not want to win,whether all individuals have the lay it on the line will to win and take their game to another level,nope. I remember a quote from a coach in the 70's saying during the playoffs every shift must be like your cutting a chord of wood to keep you Warm,by the time you reach the end of playoffs you can relax with enough wood to keep warm untill next year,splitting wood is quite the chore.

 

[Smif]

Pretty obvious there was a major coaching issue. We weren't ready for any game with the exception of our first one. We didn't practice in the last week?? Canadian players usually end this tourney with 10+ points, our top scorer had 3 points??

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Ice hockey participation is on the decline. It's at about 550,000 registered participants, down from over 700,000 eight or nine years ago.

The barriers to entry are high, and it's becoming an elitist sport that a lot of families just can't afford.

Agreed. That's a different conversation though.

Tonight's game will probably be one of the highest rated sporting events in Canada in 2025. That's what I was referring to.

 

[tempest186]

Volleyball is growing significantly as well

 

[S E P H]

I have watched this tournament religiously since 2008-ish and Cowan has to be one of the top 3 worst players I have ever watched in my life.

 

[OttersFan]

The “elite” levels are even worse. If it looks like your kid has talent at age 9 or 10, be prepared to spend 10-15k+ per year if you want to give them a shot.

Which is crazy. On the flip side if you do make it to the NHL you recoup that money invested eventually?

 

[NyQuil]

How far has Canada fallen to be cheering for their rivals to beat the powerhouse Czechs because they couldn’t get it done.

You’re right.

Usually we don’t have to cheer for anyone because we’re in the Final of virtually every hockey competition.

 

[Reality Czech]

Ice hockey participation is on the decline. It's at about 550,000 registered participants, down from over 700,000 eight or nine years ago.

The barriers to entry are high, and it's becoming an elitist sport that a lot of families just can't afford.

That's becoming more true everywhere but perhaps it's felt more in Canada than anywhere else

 

[End on a Hinote]

Ok, now that my anxiety has settled....

Congrats, Czechia. Well deserved victory and best of luck the rest of the way.

 

[Chainshot]

By their own words this year, they wanted to build a team with a Canadian identity, and that doesn't mean just picking the highest scorers or highest drafted players they said. Essentially it means Team Canada thinks they are smarter than the consensus of NHL scouts and the most reliable predictor of success for prospects which is plain ol counting stats like goals and assists. It points directly at an attempt to be the smartest in the room.

And on Pinelli I would agree, I didn't know much about this kid coming into this tourney but at times it looked like he couldn't even keep his balance skating. There had to be better choices out there, like you mentioned Yakemchuck.

Canada used to be adaptable in hockey terms because their best would adapt to being solid in other areas - subsume scoring roles to be checkers, to be shot blockers, while still having skill guys. Canada taught to the test if I can borrow a US educational adage and didn't take their best skilled people. They tried to achieve an outcome without the proper skills.

And the lack of practice time blows my mind. Lack of discipline and then tonight looking like half the game was just a disjointed warm up? What the hell. That's embarrassing for Hockey Canada.

 

[TheNumber4]

You think Hockey Canada would have learned that from getting beat by the Czechs exactly one year ago in the QF. Yet these Hockey Canada Dinosaurs starting with our Clown GM and Clown Coach, felt we still needed players with "Grit" over "Goals". Hockey Canada should be embarrassed, and they need to clean house from top to bottom.

It's so obvious you go for "goals". The "grit" will come anyways cause this is Team Canada and these kids are pumped to make a difference any way they can. The moment can bring the grit. The moment can't make you all of a sudden more talented than you are.

 

[NMacrules]

Cameron got out coached every game. Selfish undisciplined penalties from the first game on. Gibson single handedly lost 2 games all by himself. I'm disgusted.

 

[dirtydanglez]

well they got what they deserved

 

[McDrailers]

Dallas Eakins for Team Canada 2025