I think Canadian fans have a different, and in my opinion, inflated view of the perceived level of Canadian domination in the Olympics. Yes, they executed a perfect, brilliant defensive plan, and the coaching staff deserves huge accolades for using an extremely talented roster very effectively. A great defensive scheme can produce some great counterattacks, which was also reflected in Finland's 5-0 obliteration of the United States. I just don't see any real domination in SOG totals of 27-15 (it was 37-35 in the 1-0 win over the USA). 27 shots on goals for an entire game is never considered an offensive avalanche. With a great defensive game plan and shut down goaltending, you could say that Canada proved impregnable, but I saw no sign of any sort of offensive domination.
Rank the European teams...
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I think Canadian fans have a different, and in my opinion, inflated view of the perceived level of Canadian domination in the Olympics. Yes, they executed a perfect, brilliant defensive plan, and the coaching staff deserves huge accolades for using an extremely talented roster very effectively. A great defensive scheme can produce some great counterattacks, which was also reflected in Finland's 5-0 obliteration of the United States. I just don't see any real domination in SOG totals of 27-15 (it was 37-35 in the 1-0 win over the USA). 27 shots on goals for an entire game is never considered an offensive avalanche. With a great defensive game plan and shut down goaltending, you could say that Canada proved impregnable, but I saw no sign of any sort of offensive domination.
My problem with your analysis of the Finland-Canada game comes from the part in your post where you say Finland probably SHOULD have won.
Could? sure, when a game has a score with a victory that is by a single goal then yes, the losing team could have won given a bounce here or there. But anyone watching that game and saying Finland SHOULD have probably won is either not very experienced and new to the game of hockey or wants to give credit only gurdgingly to a team that controlled play for the vast majority of that game such as Canada did in that contest.
There is simply no other way one could draw the sort of conclusion you did for that contest.
And when you draw that sort of conclusion from that game that you did what are people going to think about your overall thesis of Canadas performance at Sochi?
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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They were not offensively dominant. That's a different point. Canada also was not a counterattacking team. They established and retained possession more than any team they played. The main point is just that their performances against Canada give little reason to put Finland ahead of Sweden (especially since it's just a single game for each).
Yeah really. The subtle revision will continually happen until many posters claim that Canada was barely hanging on in the 2014 Olympics and needed some lucky goals to win the most of the games. When it comes to Finland and Sweden, there is little to separate them in terms of performance at the 2014 Olympics, though I would give an edge to Sweden.
It's a twist that can be spun to try to avert the eyes that Canada did what a lot of posters from across the ocean here said they could not do..............win away from N.A and on big ice.
The fact is they could have won every game 1-0 and it would not matter because they did what no other country has been able to do, win at home and away and on both ice surfaces,contrary to all the numerous doubters and naysayers of which there was a very vocal plenty around these parts. All kudos goes to Canada, they proved they were indeed number one, offensive juggernaut or not, however you want to look at it they proved it.
The fact is was done in Russia only further hammers the point home.It was a huge exclamation point.
And I guess that in the end is what rankles some and accounts for the attempt at sowing the seeds of revisionist history..
Now back to the original thread matter.
I would rank them like this myself: 1. Sweden
2.Finland
3. Russia
4.Czech Republic
5.Slovakia
6.Swiss
I think Sweden has established themselves as the best European team from top to bottom, the gap is far from huge but there is a gap. Finland and Russia are very close and a certain plausible case could be made for Russia over Finland but while there WHC wins are nice and I take them into account the best on best results simply carry more weight, and Finland has very good WHC results also, no weak reed there. The victory against Russia with a very star depleted team against a full strength Russia in their very own backyard just seals the deal for me, by their best on best results over the last 10 years Finland has established themselves as the number 2 team in Europe right now. Might not last much longer but I can't deny that they are currently 2.
Swiss and Slovakia are toss ups at the moment in the spot I have ranked them, you could easily make the case the Swiss are as good or better, i still give the slight edge to Slovakia.
Sweden and Russia tied, there's the daily laugh of the day from our friend Yaku72.I wonder if there's one defensemen in all of Russia that would even be invited to Sweden's Olympic training camp...speaks volumes of how horrible the Russian defense is, one of the worst in generations and definitely last from all the teams that have a chance of winning an Olympics. Why don't we rank that before we go into even contemplating putting the likes of Russia at the level of Sweden. But wait, Russia has won 4 out of the last 7 wch, this means something, this might even mean Russia can challenge Canada!!!
O goodness me, our friend doesn't understand winning the next 10 out of 10 doesn't mean squat if Russia doesn't do anything at the ..OLYMPICS! Sweden has Gold from 06 and Silver from 14, that alone puts Sweden number one in Europe. Finland Number 2, and jeez lucky Czech Hockey is going downhill lately, Russia wouldn't even come third lol.
I wonder if FIFA held a tournament every year and Germany and the Dutch, and Argentines, all sent their C teams, while Brazil trying to recapture past glory keeps sending the majority of their World Cup team, and kept winning this tournament, and they win 4 out of 7. Does this mean Brazil should be ranked in the same category as the Dutch and Germany? Funny how this relates since both Brazilian Football and Russian Hockey have no defense to speak of whatsoever lol.
Have you even realized that the way how yout talk started again this nonsense discussion how important is WC, if anybody can face Canada etc. etc. etc. ???
QnebO
Wheel, snipe, celly
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One never knows what happens and what kind of development others have, but we have better generation taking over and very boosted top prospect production compared to earlier decade so it's looking good for the future. I hope we can go for undeniable #1 spot of the Europe and take some World Cup (its coming right? and Olympic golds!
Continuation of goalie production is key for Finland going forward, it evens out a lot of areas that may not be even. Like the new prospects coming out from there now, it seems a new more talented generation is on the rise but only time will tell.
A best on best win is coming some day, matter of time, my guess is not too long.They have already come as close as you can come without winning it a couple of times.
switzerland is not in the top 4 in Europe...and its not even close. No way they are better than czechs.
The Swiss still have a long way to go before they pass the Czechs, but with Slovakia getting worse and the Swiss improving they are certainly making an argument for the number 5 spot.
doug88
Registered User
Yeah I'd say Switzerland and the Czechs are tied at 4th. The Czechs are kind of getting worse, so we could pass them in a couple of years, but no way Slovakia is better than Switzerland.
At the senior level, I dont really know, at full strenght Slovakia seems stronger to me than Switzerland. Yes, I am Slovak, but when I look at the teams on paper, thats what I get. Junior and U18 levels are another story, Swiss have passed us there already. So in couple of years Swiss are definetly ahead of us. But regarding the Czechs, they seem to be improving recently, so if you ask me, Czechs are still ahead of Swiss.
switzerland doesnt have any star players, just a couple of prospects who COULD be solid NHL players one day....their international results arent very impressive besides WC 2013....I dont see any reason why should they be ahead of CZE. Actually Czechs have many solid prospects who are great already.
Yeah sure! Josi maybe? Do you even know him? He's a top defenseman in the NHL. He's better than any other Czechs defensemen. And El Nino is an established NHLer, you don't really know what a prospect is.. Anyway, the Czechs might be a tad better but it won't last.
Not so sure about that, Czechs have many really great looking prospects. And right now, their defensemen arent that great, but they have much better forwards than Swiss, IMO.
Based on what? Eight Czechs and just two Swiss were picked in the NHL draft this year.
The Swiss have been slowly improving but there is no way they are tied with the Czechs or will be anytime soon. The Swiss have never finished ahead of the czechs at a best on best, and the quality and depth of their players is not nearly as good.
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Tied?
And if we are talking about best-on-best rosters, Slovakia still has Gaborik, Hossa, Chara, Sekera, Jurcina, Meszaros, Halak, Tatar, or Handzus.
Tied?
And if we are talking about best-on-best rosters, Slovakia still has Gaborik, Hossa, Chara, Sekera, Jurcina, Meszaros, Halak, Tatar, or Handzus.
Yep, thats what I was talking about. Right now, best on best, I think we are still a tad ahead of Swiss. But sadly, we are getting worse and Swiss are improving, as you can see in the U20 and U18 categories.
Alright here it is. HF tends to hate Russia. Why? Because there are few Russians here. And probabaly because everybody knows how strong Russia's hockey really is.
Rate all you want. If it makes you smile put Russia below Sweden and Finland. We don't care really.
But I do sense a great amount of wanting Russia to be that low more than a real assesment.
People are very aware of how strong Russias hockey is, about 3rd strongest in Europe.
Wheres the hate?
JackSlater
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You see, you aren't taking Soviet success into account. We can ignore Russia's currently limited team and middling results and focus on historical significance.
Ah yes, the soviet era.
I had forgotten about that,thanks for reminding me ,can't believe what I was thinking.
Silly me.
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