Quarterfinals/Semifinal seed order is set

[BMann]

Yes, I completely understand that this type of blanket ban is unfair to the Russian athletes who don't dope and would never dope. However, by enacting such a strict punishment, the World Doping Agency (or whoever enacted the ban) would show they are not effing around. Further, it might make the athletes pressure THEIR own country saying you better effing take this issue seriously because if you want us to compete under YOUR flag and possibly bring glory to the Motherland, again, you better take this seriously. And, where possible, the athletes could threaten to give up Russian citizenship and compete under another flag.

Again - this is about how seriously the various sporting organizations / countries / athletes take the issue of doping. The nuclear option would certainly get peoples' attention. A mere slap on the wrist...not so much.

There are plenty of other countries with questionable records as well, lots of use of asthma drugs and a history of covering up as well.

 

[Upmann]

based on tv ratings (number of viewers) compared to fringe sport football (soccer)

Ice Hockey World Cup Final 2018 against Sweden: 1.18 M
Football World Cup 1/8 Final against Sweden: 1.27 M
Football World Cup group match against Brazil: 1.6 M

So yes, surprisingly, ice hockey is relatively popular in Switzerland...

Surprisingly ?
Icehockey is national sport n.2 only behind Football( soccer).

 

[member 305909]

I see the USA--Slovakia as the most predictable one of the QFs. It's great for the Slovaks to make it this far first time since 2013 but this is the end of their journey.

All the other three games can go either way.

 

[stastny12]

based on tv ratings (number of viewers) compared to fringe sport football (soccer)

Ice Hockey World Cup Final 2018 against Sweden: 1.18 M
Football World Cup 1/8 Final against Sweden: 1.27 M
Football World Cup group match against Brazil: 1.6 M

So yes, surprisingly, ice hockey is relatively popular in Switzerland...

Regarding to Swiss tv ratings, I´d like to add one example from Slovakia:
UEFA Champions League final this year – 248 k
Slovakia vs Sweden – 1.3 M
(Both games were played in one day and overlapped.)

Have to say I´m really glad that WCH means a lot in other country than Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland and Latvia. It´s only good for the growth of hockey.

Hopefully, Germany will follow a similar path and eventually hockey gets more recognition there, as well. I think that success comparable to their silver run at the Olympics, would help to it massively.

 

[stastny12]

I see the USA--Slovakia as the most predictable one of the QFs. It's great for the Slovaks to make it this far first time since 2013 but this is the end of their journey.

All the other three games can go either way.

I would not see it so clearly. Slovakia won 4 games (2012, 2013, 2014, 2019) and lost only 2 (2016, 2017) in the last decade against USA at the WCH.

 

[Antiillafire]

I see the USA--Slovakia as the most predictable one of the QFs. It's great for the Slovaks to make it this far first time since 2013 but this is the end of their journey.

All the other three games can go either way.

I actually think Germany Switzerland is the most predictable. Germany seems to be getting worse over the course of the tournament and Swiss have been pretty consistent besides Sweden game.

 

[swissdude]

Regarding to Swiss tv ratings, I´d like to add one example from Slovakia:
UEFA Champions League final this year – 248 k
Slovakia vs Sweden – 1.3 M
(Both games were played in one day and overlapped.)

Have to say I´m really glad that WCH means a lot in other country than Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland and Latvia. It´s only good for the growth of hockey.

Hopefully, Germany will follow a similar path and eventually hockey gets more recognition there, as well. I think that success comparable to their silver run at the Olympics, would help to it massively.

I'm pretty sure that a game of the swiss national team at IIHF WHC would have significantly higher ratings in Switzerland too unless a swiss team reached the CL Final (which is unlikely, lol)

 

[Firsov99]

Yes, I completely understand that this type of blanket ban is unfair to the Russian athletes who don't dope and would never dope. However, by enacting such a strict punishment, the World Doping Agency (or whoever enacted the ban) would show they are not effing around.

Such a strict punishment wouldn't just be cynical but also hypocritical. Have you ever thought why some of the most ridiculous records or results in track and field were set in the late 80s and early 90s? Flo-Jo (an untouchable 100m dash record), Carl Lewis, Mike Powell, and many more were the beneficiaries who didn't even get the "slap on the wrist". The BALCO scandal should have probably led to a widespread blanket ban of American athletes, but only a handful of individuals became the scapegoats. "Heads should have been rolling" after this. So the current punishment against the Russian athletes is already unprecedented and severe enough, in my view.

Further, it might make the athletes pressure THEIR own country saying you better effing take this issue seriously because if you want us to compete under YOUR flag and possibly bring glory to the Motherland, again, you better take this seriously.

You can't count on this. It would be more practical to simply change the Russian citizenship and compete for another country.

And, where possible, the athletes could threaten to give up Russian citizenship and compete under another flag

And quite a few Russian athletes have already done so recently. But here's an interesting thing to expect: if NONE of the Russian athletes who changes citizenship gets caught doping, then I would find it extremely suspicious. Especially considering that a lot of these athletes continue training and testing at home.

Again - this is about how seriously the various sporting organizations / countries / athletes take the issue of doping. The nuclear option would certainly get peoples' attention. A mere slap on the wrist...not so much.

This type of nuclear decision wouldn't be smart either. It could kill the sport in such a big country for ages. And of course, this wouldn't make many Western companies who sell athletic gear happy Russia is such a big market after all

 

[kudla]

Slovakia at WC and OG
Last 10 matches against Finland - 0 wins
Last 10 matches against USA - 5 wins

No matter how the tomorrow game ends, we can't complain about our quarterfinal opponent

Regarding to Swiss tv ratings, I´d like to add one example from Slovakia:
UEFA Champions League final this year – 248 k
Slovakia vs Sweden – 1.3 M

1/4 of our population watched the game against Sweden... Crazy

 

[GermanNuck]

Hopefully, Germany will follow a similar path and eventually hockey gets more recognition there, as well. I think that success comparable to their silver run at the Olympics, would help to it massively.

1.5 million people watched the game against Canada, that’s actually a very solid audience for a non-football sports event. But of course, compared to Switzerland in relation to the overall population still marginal.

The game against Latvia also had 1 million+ viewers. But it’s the old German story (same as in handball): once we’re good at something people will tune in. One bad tournament and it’s back to square 1.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Slovakia 1 USA 9
Czech 3 Finland 14
Canada 1 Russia 3
Switzerland 4 Germany 3

Slovakia 2 USA 3
Czech 4 Finland 5
Canada 2 Russia 6
Switzerland 1 Germany 3

 

[NorCalhockey]

Such a strict punishment wouldn't just be cynical but also hypocritical. Have you ever thought why some of the most ridiculous records or results in track and field were set in the late 80s and early 90s? Flo-Jo (an untouchable 100m dash record), Carl Lewis, Mike Powell, and many more were the beneficiaries who didn't even get the "slap on the wrist". The BALCO scandal should have probably led to a widespread blanket ban of American athletes, but only a handful of individuals became the scapegoats. "Heads should have been rolling" after this. So the current punishment against the Russian athletes is already unprecedented and severe enough, in my view.

You can't count on this. It would be more practical to simply change the Russian citizenship and compete for another country. Yeah, but as I said, this is only allowed in certain sports. At FIFA level, I don't think a person can switch after they are locked into the senior level of football (soccer) for a certain country.

And quite a few Russian athletes have already done so recently. But here's an interesting thing to expect: if NONE of the Russian athletes who changes citizenship gets caught doping, then I would find it extremely suspicious. Especially considering that a lot of these athletes continue training and testing at home.


This type of nuclear decision wouldn't be smart either. It could kill the sport in such a big country for ages. And of course, this wouldn't make many Western companies who sell athletic gear happy Russia is such a big market after all

Yep - the sponsors for sure will make it difficult to impose any "nuclear option" punishment.

Finally, I hope my posts are not implying any anti-Russian bias. Maybe I didn't do a good job, but I was trying to say that if whatever agency is in charge of banning wants to take the doping issue seriously - no matter what country or athletes(s) involved, then they might want to consider punishment which is harsh enough to make those countries/athletes too scared to dope.

But this all started because it's Russia that is facing this punishment with "ROC" in this World Hockey tournament. I didn't know why they were called that, and now I know!

 

[A Bundy]

So basically, despite all the upsets, the end result is pretty much the same: 8 out of Top 9 made the quarterfinals.

With some very lucky outcomes [Canada saved by Norway] , Germany and Switzerland locks long before Czhecks and Slovaks, and not so lucky for Sweden. The QF set-up is hardly a confirmation that things will always be the same. More open than ever.

 

[Mestaruus]

USA-Slovakia
Russia-Canada
Finland-Czech
Switzerland-Germany

USA-SUI
RUS-FIN

Gold: USA

 

[A Bundy]

Slovakia or Finland will take it.

 

[Firsov99]

Yep - the sponsors for sure will make it difficult to impose any "nuclear option" punishment.

For real.

Finally, I hope my posts are not implying any anti-Russian bias. Maybe I didn't do a good job, but I was trying to say that if whatever agency is in charge of banning wants to take the doping issue seriously - no matter what country or athletes(s) involved, then they might want to consider punishment which is harsh enough to make those countries/athletes too scared to dope.

You are fine. I didn't get an anti-Russian vibe from you. In fact, I totally get you. You want justice for all athletes. No one likes cheaters, and cheaters should always get punished and dissuaded from future infractions. I just wasn't in favor of a blanket solution. It's just unfair for clean athletes and disciplines where doping isn't beneficial.

But this all started because it's Russia that is facing this punishment with "ROC" in this World Hockey tournament. I didn't know why they were called that, and now I know!

Yeah, the "ROC" and no anthem are just technicalities. But frankly, hockey just isn't the most common sport for doping. One doesn't get enough benefit, since this great game requires a lot of skill. On the other hand, track, weightlifting, cycling, skiing, and biathlon are typically the most doping-abused sports, where pure physical performance is at the core of getting the best results.

 

[Peiskos]

False.

The countless and easily accessible articles written all over the internet by reputable media outlets and news outlets must be lying right?

I know it must be embarrassing and tough to accept that a country was doping and cheating at the Olympics especially if it’s your country, but it is what it is.

 

[A Bundy]

There 's a pro-con in doping, where cycling is an extreme. If you are a young and talented hockey player you have all to lose by using steriods or similar, and if you are not talented it is a very limited upside.

 

[Lambo]

USA-Slovakia
Russia-Canada
Finland-Czech
Switzerland-Germany

USA-SUI
RUS-FIN

Gold: USA

That would be very unusual. It's like if Uruguay were to become world champions in football again after 1950.

 

[Pasha71]

With some very lucky outcomes [Canada saved by Norway] , Germany and Switzerland locks long before Czhecks and Slovaks, and not so lucky for Sweden. The QF set-up is hardly a confirmation that things will always be the same. More open than ever.

That was my point. A lot of near-misses for teams outside of Top 9. A lot of illogical events ("beat a good team then lost to a bad one"). Hopefully, next time luck will be on these teams' side, too.

 

[Czechboy]

Surprised Canada made it to the quarters, it's been pretty painful to watch.

Surprised? I told you that a week ago!

 

[jj cale]

Surprised? I told you that a week ago!

I'm still surprised, let's see how tomorrow goes, that might get ugly quick. They were still very lucky to make the quarters no matter how you slice it.

gotta have faith I guess.

 

[Czechboy]

I'm still surprised, let's see how tomorrow goes, that might get ugly quick. They were still very lucky to make the quarters no matter how you slice it.

gotta have faith I guess.

I actually think Canada is winning that one..

I have nothing against either country so it isn't bias
but

a: brining in ringers for playoffs rarely works (Russia has a few amazing players coming for this one)
b: Canada is on a nice little run (hasn't lost in regulation for awhile)
c: I'm a huge Kuemper fan and want him in Edmonton
d: Canada has 3 of the top 7 scorers in the tourney

It's essentially NHL vs KHL tomorrow.

I think it goes to OT or a shootout personally.

As a gripe... I HATE that they don't split the games up by 1 hour. Same time as Czechs vs Finns and you won't be able to glue me away from that contest.lol

 

[Nakawick]

Seems like anyone’s to win at this point.

 

[jj cale]

I actually think Canada is winning that one..

I have nothing against either country so it isn't bias
but

a: brining in ringers for playoffs rarely works (Russia has a few amazing players coming for this one)
b: Canada is on a nice little run (hasn't lost in regulation for awhile)
c: I'm a huge Kuemper fan and want him in Edmonton
d: Canada has 3 of the top 7 scorers in the tourney

It's essentially NHL vs KHL tomorrow.

I think it goes to OT or a shootout personally.

As a gripe... I HATE that they don't split the games up by 1 hour. Same time as Czechs vs Finns and you won't be able to glue me away from that contest.lol

Good points.

I think the Czechs go through against the Finns myself, i've liked their play to this point more then Suomi.