GDT: Russia Vs USA - 12/25 - 9:30 PM ET - TSN/NHLN

[bsu]

Russia dominated faceoffs which was great for them because they have such great puck possession, they basically picked their matchups because they made USA top 6 chase them all game.

 

[ORRFForever]

Overall, a very entertaining game. Looked forward to it and, minus the lack of O.T., it lived up to expectations.

As for tomorrow, hopefully the Sweden / Czech game will be entertaining.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I would very much like to see, what Larionov will do with our 2003-04 year kids. Just imagine these team, but with twice as many and twice as much talent.

 

[Sean Garrity]

I would very much like to see, what Larionov will do with our 2003-04 year kids. Just imagine these team, but with twice as many and twice as much talent.

If he has an impressive WJC run, do you think he'd take a job at a higher level like the K or NHL? I was really impressed by his team tonight.

 

[Nolanitis]

I think Knight gave the US no chance tonight. The US looked good besides. A rematch would be quite interesting

 

[57special]

Wouldn't it be funny if neither Askarov nor Knight were among the best goalies in the tournament? Thought the USA was a step behind the Russians all night. They lost puck battles, were hesitant and indecisive with the puck, which often led to turnovers. Russians were much better, but don't have the offensive firepower that I am used to seeing from them, or the result would have been much more lopsided.

Oh, and US PP...yikes...running into one another, terrible spacing, mediocre zone entries...and hit the damn net with your shots! The US D were forgettable, also. Not out and out bad, but not an asset.

Oh, and love Beniers!

 

[ORRFForever]

Wouldn't it be funny if neither Askarov nor Knight were among the best goalies in the tournament? Thought the USA was a step behind the Russians all night. They lost puck battles, were hesitant and indecisive with the puck, which often led to turnovers. Russians were much better, but don't have the offensive firepower that I am used to seeing from them, or the result would have been much more lopsided.

Oh, and US PP...yikes...running into one another, terrible spacing, mediocre zone entries...and hit the damn net with your shots! The US D were forgettable, also. Not out and out bad, but not an asset.

Oh, and love Beniers!

Well said.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I don’t know, he was pretty incredible in that Hlinka-Gretzky tournament and especially the Gold game against Canada which was a big game.

Granted, not as big of a stage as the WJC, but it’s still a highly regarded tournament.

I'd say KHL regular-season game is a bigger stage than Hlinka's final, nobody cares about it in Russia, few people know when it's played at all. WJC, on the other hand, kinda is a big deal...

 

[ViD]

I'd say KHL regular-season game is a bigger stage than Hlinka's final, nobody cares about it in Russia, few people know when it's played at all. WJC, on the other hand, kinda is...

Yeah, WJC is huge in Russia. The main sport sites put it on the front page

 

[Rubi]

How does Wolf look in net guys?

A hell of a lot better than golden boy Knight. So far in this tournament, including the pre-tournament game against Finland, Wolf is playing shutout hockey.

 

[57special]

Oh, and can Starman shut the hell up? Just let the p by p guy do his thing, and stop with the back in my day stories and your endless pumping of the home team players. I found myself turning off the sound multiple times... Does the guy really think he is entertaining?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Well it's been a period and a half and it doesn't seem that the US is better than the Russians.

Some never learn any lessons. My post was very clear in what it meant. In fact, you’ve helped make my point so congratulations on that.

 

[Rubi]

Knight has very good numbers against better NCAA competition.

Seriously? The WHL is one of the best amateur leagues in the world. The NCAA consists mostly of players who weren't drafted by NHL teams or if they were drafted they were drafted so late that going to college is the better option for them. NCAA stats should always be taken with a grain of salt.
The WHL/CHL has always had better players than college hockey.

The USA would have won the game tonight if they started Wolf. Knight, playing against decent competition, is being exposed.

 

[Hanji]

Seriously? The WHL is one of the best amateur leagues in the world. The NCAA consists mostly of players who weren't drafted by NHL teams or if they were drafted they were drafted so late that going to college is the better option for them. NCAA stats should always be taken with a grain of salt.
The WHL/CHL has always had better players than college hockey.

The USA would have won the game tonight if they started Wolf. Knight, playing against decent competition, is being exposed.

The NCAA is higher level competition due to age difference.

 

[Hanji]

Oh, and can Starman shut the hell up? Just let the p by p guy do his thing, and stop with the back in my day stories and your endless pumping of the home team players. I found myself turning off the sound multiple times... Does the guy really think he is entertaining?

Starman was brutal. I normally like him but I think he’s too emotionally invested in USA Hockey to show any objectivity during international games.

 

[ORRFForever]

Starman was brutal. I normally like him but I think he’s too emotionally invested in USA Hockey to show any objectivity during international games.

Who is Starman?

 

[Rubi]

The NCAA is higher level competition due to age difference.

They're just older and bigger.. not better. I'll take speed and skill any day over age and size.
Wolf sees way more skilled goal scorers playing the in the WHL than Knight does playing for Boston College.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

The NCAA is higher level competition due to age difference.

NCAA also has higher save percentages scross the board and better defensive systems.

comparing goalie stats is a futile endeavour imo

 

[AngelDuck]

Not a frigging chance a WHL team would beat an NCAA team of equal ranking.

Come on

 

[vorky]

 

[Rubi]

Not a frigging chance a WHL team would beat an NCAA team of equal ranking.

Come on

Maybe, maybe not... but we're not talking about the whole team. We are talking about goalies. A WHL goalie is going to face a lot.more quality scoring chances than a NCAA goalie will, just due to the talent level alone and not even taking into consideration team defense, therefore a NCAA goalie stats would be better compared to what they would be if he played in the WHL.

 

[rohky]

Red Machine seems to be unstoppable after win against US. Can't wait for game vs. Czech Republic.

 

[Peasy]

Maybe, maybe not... but we're not talking about the whole team. We are talking about goalies. A WHL goalie is going to face a lot.more quality scoring chances than a NCAA goalie will, just due to the talent level alone and not even taking into consideration team defense, therefore a NCAA goalie stats would be better compared to what they would be if he played in the WHL.

Canadian world junior teams typically play against Canadian U sports all star teams in the past for scrimmages during camp and often lose...

The WHL is not a tougher/better league than the NCAA, just stop.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Mukhamadullin was the best dman on the ice last night. You love to see it

 

[tictactoe]

It happens quite often. My fellow Russians came out in the third thinking they are done for the night and nearly payed the price..

what are you talking about? Russians generated some great chances in 3rd. Wolf bailed USA team out a number of times.