WC: Quarterfinal Pre-Game Talk

[1Gold Standard]

Canadians are generally underestimating the will of the players. Still you are not playing there and neither are the players who declined. Many Canadian NHL players don't have big chance to make in Olympic team and WHC is an oppurtunity to wear Canadian shirt and win something. Players may want to win something which is meaningless to you, believe it or not.

I guess you haven't been watching WHC much if you haven't seen them blocking shots and eating pucks when it matters. Still you seem to be quite sure that these players who wanted to go there care about winning as little as you, who apparently have not been even invited.

It's hard to take seriously posters who are arrogant or overlooking. WHC isn't an invitational tournament. World Cup could be called invitational tournament. For your information, there are several divisions in world championships and the WHC tournament is just the tip of the iceberg. Maybe you should make a bit more research before posting.

players are invited based on availability...that constitutes and invitational in my book...and you may call the World Cup whatever you want...makes no difference to me...

[mod]

 

[roto]

players are invited based on availability...that constitutes and invitational in my book...and you may call the World Cup whatever you want...makes no difference to me...

Players are invited to Olympics too, so by your standards it must be an invitational tournament too. [mod]

 

[1Gold Standard]

Players are invited to Olympics too, so by your standards it must be an invitational tournament too. [mod]

No, there's a performance standard which is evaluated over months, if not years, to be named to an Olympic team. Big difference.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

No, there's a performance standard which is evaluated over months, if not years, to be named to an Olympic team. Big difference.

Agreed, it's an invitational.

This tournament is like the Spengler cup.

 

[FiLe]

It warms the heart to see Finland get some credit from Canadians, but let's be frank, it's only because it's Finland - an elite country.

If these players we have here were to suddenly all switch jerseys and play for, say, Latvia or Norway, nobody would be giving them a slightest chance to win. Those who are savvy enough wouldn't call it a cakewalk of course, since those countries have come a long way over the past decade, but no Canadian would feel uncomfortable at all.

Yes, we Finns have occasionally sort of "anti-jinxed", made us look even bigger underdogs than we are - but trust me when I say, this time it's the real deal. If this iteration of Team Finland has any hopes of winning, all its players need to find the beast mode.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Agreed, it's an invitational.

This tournament is like the Spengler cup.

And the Spengler Cup can often be more entertaining and compelling hockey. I've been to the Spengler Cup. I'd rate it as one of the best hockey experiences of my life. Davos is a blast at Christmas time.

 

[JackSlater]

It warms the heart to see Finland get some credit from Canadians, but let's be frank, it's only because it's Finland - an elite country.

If these players we have here were to suddenly all switch jerseys and play for, say, Latvia or Norway, nobody would be giving them a slightest chance to win. Those who are savvy enough wouldn't call it a cakewalk of course, since those countries have come a long way over the past decade, but no Canadian would feel uncomfortable at all.

Yes, we Finns have occasionally sort of "anti-jinxed", made us look even bigger underdogs than we are - but trust me when I say, this time it's the real deal. If this iteration of Team Finland has any hopes of winning, all its players need to find the beast mode.

You're right that the name "Finland" is what is scaring Canadians. The names on the roster are unfamiliar to 99.9% of Canadians (myself included) so all we have left is the name on the front. Hearing that Canada has a big advantage in talent isn't all that reassuring against Finland - it is basically always true in Finland vs Canada matches, but Finland is very rarely an easy game.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

And the Spengler Cup can often be more entertaining and compelling hockey. I've been to the Spengler Cup. I'd rate it as one of the best hockey experiences of my life. Davos is a blast at Christmas time.

Oh, it's great. Far superior to the skoda tournament most years.


It's been a dream of mine to go to for years.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

You're right that the name "Finland" is what is scaring Canadians. The names on the roster are unfamiliar to 99.9% of Canadians (myself included) so all we have left is the name on the front. Hearing that Canada has a big advantage in talent isn't all that reassuring against Finland - it is basically always true in Finland vs Canada matches, but Finland is very rarely an easy game.

Exactly. So what that we don't know a lot of their players, they are Finland and so we can expect a pretty tough game in all probability

And I know the drill of why they are downplaying their team so monumentally,making their team out to be some sort of scrubs,barely bantam level. They have nothing to lose and everything to win by doing that, if they lose well, they never had a chance anyway. But if they win? well, they will be here to say how lousy Canada is.

Perfect scenario for some posters.

Just another day at the office around here.

 

[Frank the Tank]

So Canada finishes first in their group and draws Finland? This will be a tough match-up as usual. The quarterfinal streak has a good chance of continuing.

 

[1Gold Standard]

So Canada finishes first in their group and draws Finland? This will be a tough match-up as usual. The quarterfinal streak has a good chance of continuing.

for that streak to end it's going to require those players who have been passengers up until now to finally start contributing...and that includes experienced veterans like Brouwer and Chimera + something more than just a little flash and dash and turnovers from Kadri would be nice... have not been impressed with his game at all.

 

[crowi]

And I know the drill of why they are downplaying their team so monumentally,making their team out to be some sort of scrubs,barely bantam level. They have nothing to lose and everything to win by doing that, if they lose well, they never had a chance anyway. But if they win? well, they will be here to say how lousy Canada is.

Clearly you haven't seen any of our games or even taken look at the roster. I would be surprised if you knew of more than maybe 5 players on that team.

This is the worst Team Finland in decades, it's a fact, not some ruse.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

Clearly you haven't seen any of our games or even taken look at the roster. I would be surprised if you knew of more than maybe 5 players on that team.

This is the worst Team Finland in decades, it's a fact, not some ruse.

I don't have to have seen either.

I don't doubt that you guys have not played well but you are still Finland and you still have a shot.

I am not naive enough to think otherwise. Maybe you have not seen any of Canadas games at this thing yet, I am here to tell you they have not exactly set the world on fire. We've lost to france(no disrespect intended) but you get what I mean.

If france can beat us, Then it is by no means impossible for Finland to beat us and you know that as well as I.

Did France have Rinne in nets? no, so enough with the "we have no chance" stuff

That is just not going to fly with any Canadian fan with half a clue.

 

[crowi]

I don't have to have seen either.

I don't doubt that you guys have not played well but you are still Finland and you still have a shot.

I am not naive enough to think otherwise. Maybe you have not seen any of Canadas games at this thing yet, I am here to tell you they have not exactly set the world on fire. We've lost to france(no disrespect intended) but you get what I mean.

If france can beat us, Then it is by no means impossible for Finland to beat us and you know that as well as I.

Did France have Rinne in nets? no, so enough with the "we have no chance" stuff

That is just not going to fly with any Canadian fan with half a clue.

Canada usually starts slowly, though.

Rinne can be a wildcard. If he is at his absolute best, sure, we can win.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

for that streak to end it's going to require those players who have been passengers up until now to finally start contributing...and that includes experienced veterans like Brouwer and Chimera + something more than just a little flash and dash and turnovers from Kadri would be nice... have not been impressed with his game at all.

Yeah, do not think Kadri has done much with his ice time at all.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Yeah, do not think Kadri has done much with his ice time at all.

I'd throw Borrows in there as well...(never really been a fan) but after the season he had + returning from injury, I have zero exceptions of him doing or contributing anything at all...I have more faith that a 19 year old Monahan can be a more effective player if only the coach would afford him the opportunity.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

I'd throw Borrows in there as well...(never really been a fan) but after the season he had + returning from injury, I have zero exceptions of him doing or contributing anything at all...I have more faith that a 19 year old Monahan can be a more effective player if only the coach would afford him the opportunity.

Agreed, think they could have afforded Monahan more of a shot when it became clear some other guys such as Burrows were not getting a lot done.

 

[Yakushev72]

It seems to me that this a no-name tournament regardless of the color of the jersey. The closest to a big name team might be Russia, because of the presence of Ovechkin and now Malkin. But the majority of players on the Russian roster would be strangers to 99% of NA fans. Sweden, Finland, the Czechs, USA and Canada are relative no-names among hockey elite. That's what gives it so much appeal. There is no way to judge how it will come out. Only time will tell.

 

[xxxx]

I don't have to have seen either.

I don't doubt that you guys have not played well but you are still Finland and you still have a shot.

I am not naive enough to think otherwise. Maybe you have not seen any of Canadas games at this thing yet, I am here to tell you they have not exactly set the world on fire. We've lost to france(no disrespect intended) but you get what I mean.

If france can beat us, Then it is by no means impossible for Finland to beat us and you know that as well as I.

Did France have Rinne in nets? no, so enough with the "we have no chance" stuff

That is just not going to fly with any Canadian fan with half a clue.

The loss against France doesn't matter. In that game, Canada was playing a bad hockey, but since then, it was only better and better. And I'm sure that we haven't seen 100% yet. I do expect the play-off mode right now. This is what matters. And the players know it.

 

[xxxx]

It seems to me that this a no-name tournament regardless of the color of the jersey. The closest to a big name team might be Russia, because of the presence of Ovechkin and now Malkin. But the majority of players on the Russian roster would be strangers to 99% of NA fans. Sweden, Finland, the Czechs, USA and Canada are relative no-names among hockey elite. That's what gives it so much appeal. There is no way to judge how it will come out. Only time will tell.

I actually like the Russian team. I hope that Tikhonov will sign a contract in the NHL soon. Very impressed with his play at this tournament.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

The loss against France doesn't matter. In that game, Canada was playing a bad hockey, but since then, it was only better and better. And I'm sure that we haven't seen 100% yet. I do expect the play-off mode right now. This is what matters. And the players know it.

I hope you are right.

I still see quite a bit of sloppiness in their play but they have gotten better. Good enough to win it all? maybe.


They need to find that extra gear yet imo. Hopefully they will find it in these elimination games like you mentioned.

 

[DethOfDragnz]

Here are my predictions,

USA defeats Czech Republic in a close game. 4 - 2.
Russia crushes France despite a impressive preliminary start for France. 5-1.
Canada just edges out Finland by 1 goal. 3-2.
Sweden pimp slaps Belarus around for 60 minutes. 6 - 2.

 

[FiLe]

And I know the drill of why they are downplaying their team so monumentally,making their team out to be some sort of scrubs,barely bantam level. They have nothing to lose and everything to win by doing that, if they lose well, they never had a chance anyway. But if they win? well, they will be here to say how lousy Canada is.

Yeah, I know what the game usually is. This is why I posted this:

Yes, we Finns have occasionally sort of "anti-jinxed", made us look even bigger underdogs than we are - but trust me when I say, this time it's the real deal. If this iteration of Team Finland has any hopes of winning, all its players need to find the beast mode.

Really. Finland has been down right bad in this tournament. Barely eking out wins out of matchups they would normally coast through. And the reason they finished fourth and drew Canada? Momentary luck. Latvia was already having a firm grasp of the final seed, but somehow choked and failed to get the necessary points out of two relatively even matchups.

And if Canada fails to win? Well, you can be sure that there will be Finns who call 'em lousy. Because that's what they have to be if they ice a full NHL roster and somehow manage to lose to this bunch of scrubs.

We're not making this up. This year's Finland. Is. Bad.

 

[Yakushev72]

I actually like the Russian team. I hope that Tikhonov will sign a contract in the NHL soon. Very impressed with his play at this tournament.

He has always had great hands, but somehow remained mired in obscurity. Hopefully, this will be his breakout!

 

[Slimmy]

I've only been able to see one game (bits of a few others) unfortunately, but a big factor is that Canada's goaltending seems to be mediocre at best so far. Right or wrong, I feel that Canada needs the big talent edge much more than Finland does. Canada wins internationally not really because of teamwork or tactics generally, but just a talent edge. That edge isn't very big with this team. Finland may have a less talented team than usual, but I am guessing that some of their structural strengths are still intact. It's all a guess from me, and maybe not even a good one since I haven't seen one second of gameplay by Finland.

That's just false. Cabadian teams has alwaya relied heavily on tactics and gameplan. I've seent plenty of swedish teams with alot more talent on the roster get beat by a Canadian team full of grinders, playing it simple and going hard for the net.