GDT: RUS-CZE,GER-ITA @ 09:15AM EST ,BLR-SVK,CAN-LAT @ 1:15 PM EST

[filip85]

Smejkal reminds me a lot of Slephyshev .. big dude who can skate! I heard he has NHL interest.. he'll never be a goal scorer in the NHL but I could see him being an effective 3 or 4C like Nosek.

I am very happy that he is on WC team. He played for Medvescak back in the KHL and he was just fine, considering he jumped out of WHL.

 

[Czechboy]

Czech Republic with a bit cold legs. The Russians have been considerably better. The Czechs look like they are aware of that they haven't got good legs today and try to keep the game not extremely demanding in terms of skating and energy. It is basically what you have to do when your feel this is not your day. Hrubec has been excellent in the net so far.

You would think our 8 exhibition games and month long training camp would've helped this. I feel like we had more time to prep than anyone. FTR.. I'm happy with the game.

 

[jonas2244]

I wish IIHF had more relaxed rules and regulations about national team representation like football does. Canadian and American kids who are not good enough to represent Canada or USA could have option to represent Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, etc through grandparents citizenship.

Doesn't help the sport when a group of Canadians/Americans with italian roots play for Italy at the WC. Those rules were changed for a reason and I think they are not that bad.

 

[Antiillafire]

Doesn't help the sport when a group of Canadians/Americans with italian roots play for Italy at the WC. Those rules were changed for a reason and I think they are not that bad.

I mean it doesn’t help the sport either when Italy gets blown away by a non top 5 nation missing its star players. And I’m not saying a whole team but a couple players. Us slovaks could use Jack studnicka if Boston loses

 

[SoundAndFury]

I wish IIHF had more relaxed rules and regulations about national team representation like football does. Canadian and American kids who are not good enough to represent Canada or USA could have option to represent Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, etc through grandparents citizenship.

I'd say the rules are ridiculously loose as it is, pretty much anyone can play for you if they want in 2 years. How much more relaxed can they get.

I mean it doesn’t help the sport either when Italy gets blown away by a non top 5 nation missing its stet players

Would it help if Canadians in Italian jerseys were getting blown out? Would it? Really?

 

[Czechboy]

another turnover.. another Russian goal. Every mistake ends up in our net... good for Russia. Smejkal and Flek had a nice chance earlier. Radil not looking good there.. we had control.

 

[jj cale]

Just not intense enough in their own end.

 

[ViD]

In general, I think Russia looks good defensively which is expected, but offensively it’s a mess right now

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Germany playing Italy at this point looks like one of those joke games where they had like a pro player play like a 100 small children.

 

[Czechboy]

I mean it doesn’t help the sport either when Italy gets blown away by a non top 5 nation missing its star players. And I’m not saying a whole team but a couple players. Us slovaks could use Jack studnicka if Boston loses

I actually don't even like when we use international coaches. I prefer all the benches to be entirely of players and coaches from that nation and playing in that nation.

 

[Czechboy]

Russia with a lead and a PP.. it's all falling apart.lol

 

[GermanNuck]

Germany getting super lazy now.

 

[Antiillafire]

I actually don't even like when we use international coaches. I prefer all the benches to be entirely of players and coaches from that nation and playing in that nation.

I get that, but you guys are much more successful than us. I just think if guys like Nagy and Meszaros represent Slovakia. Why not Labanc, Studnicka, Tuch, etc?

 

[ViD]

How many NHLers do the Czechs have?

 

[Czechboy]

Shlep is the captain? That's awesome!

 

[SoundAndFury]

Barabanov has actually improved a lot as a player. I would have never imagined him being one of the better NT forwards during the KHL days.

 

[Czechboy]

How many NHLers do the Czechs have?

6... 3 D and 3 W.. no C or G.

 

[krishiigonzalez]

Brückmann is playing pretty underwhelming...hopefully it‘s his last game.

 

[JohnWillow]

Italy had like 4 shots in first 10 minutes of the game, so it means they have scored four goals on the last eight shots

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

8-4! high scoring game

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

The German goalie is iffy to say the least though there's also a high degree of complacency in the German team defensively at this point.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Yeah, Bruckmann is underwhelming. Which would be whatever since he's the 2nd goalie but in a tournament like this even 2nd goalie might matter a lot since the big teams are beatable..

What happened to aus den Birken?

 

[Czechboy]

I get that, but you guys are much more successful than us. I just think if guys like Nagy and Meszaros represent Slovakia. Why not Labanc, Studnicka, Tuch, etc?

I didn't mean it as a direct comparison between us... apologies, but I've seen Svoboda, Nedved and Stastny play for Canada in my life (and his kids play for US now). I've seen a lot of 'non traditional' nations playing with Canadians all over their roster. I'm not a fan. If Scotty Bowman was in his prime, I'd still take Hadamczak over him (and I hate Hadamaczak). Having said that, Soccer has a lot of blurred lines and international coaches. Maybe my take on this is wrong. I'm even okay with Pivonka and the Hejduk twins playing for the US and I guarantee they'd all help the Czechs in a big way.

 

[ebergeist]

Germany getting super lazy now.

Defending has been horrid in this game.

 

[Czechboy]

Zadina with a great shot earlier.. Vrana draws a penalty. Disapointing third so far but PP coming up!