GDT: Semi-Final | Russia Vs Canada | 6PM | TSN/NHLN

[GigaChad]

I think this one will be 3-1 for the Russians at the start of the 3rd.
Can't guess who wins though..

 

[kabidjan18]

My heart says Russia, going in I thought Russia would win this. My mind says Canada. Canada is a bit smaller but a bit thicker.

 

[Yakushev72]

Is this Russian team similar to past teams?

I feel like they are a bit more structured and disciplined than past iterations. Less reliant on individual performances.

Maybe my take is all wrong.

At least on this one fine point, I think you've got it wrong. Russia has absolutely no structure at all. There is no game plan to follow, nor is there any formula or preordained path to lead the kids to victory. The best plans often times fall apart, but there is no evidence of any plan at all. Early on, they were using the frozen H2O version of a football build, constantly dropping the puck backward for the last man to carry out of the zone. But when the Czechs smothered them in the most embarrassing way by using 5 men to clog up the neutral zone and hand them a 2-0 loss, they had to face up to how easy it is to shut that motion down.

Luckily, Canada has too many NHL prospects to convert them into role players, and they will likely employ a heavy forecheck and attack like there is no tomorrow. Under that scenario, you could easily envision Canada absolutely cranking Russia. The only hope might be, since Russia does have good individual talent and depth, that Canada's all-out attack might be a bit overzealous, and leave an empty defensive zone for Russia to counter-attack.

 

[ViD]

I expect the usual onslaught by team Canada with heavy forecheck in the first 10 minutes, if we withstand this, the game is up for grabs

 

[Statsy]

Everyone got their Tim's cards sent off to the Ref's in time for puck drop by the way?

I sent in my Redek Bonk rookie card still in that hard plastic sleeve.

 

[Passionis]

My heart says 4-2 Russia, but my brain says 5-1 Canada.

Just not sure about Askarov, turnovers, discipline and most importantly lack of scoring touch for Russia. Also the momentum Canada will get if they score first..

 

[Mikeshane]

Need more offense from this supposedly incredibly deep forward group.

 

[jj cale]

Don't know about this one, Canada needs to get on them hard right away and maintain that as much as possible and have some better finishing or Askarov will lead them to victory.

 

[fahad203]

Russia is going to get run over. With all do respect to the Russians they don’t stand a chance today. They are going to face an onslaught. Askarov will be pulled by end of first. Those are my predictions

 

[Wishywashy20]

Russia has been surprisingly good, in a year which they were considered to have sub par talent. If Chinakhov and Abramov are back and playing well, then this will be a very dangerous game for Canada. Players on both teams play hard, but "skilled" players on Canada who were expected to control the puck like Byfield and Perfetti haven't shown much offense, and, of course, the big dog in that regard, Dach, is gone.

Best goalie wins, or some previously dormant player like Quinn, Byfield, or Perfetti has to show up.

on board with this being close.
Canada will score 3 goals. Is that going to be enough to win will up to the hockey gods.
Go Canada go.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Go Russia!!! I will cheer for you like it was my home team!

 

[c9gunner]

I feel like they are a bit more structured and disciplined than past iterations. Less reliant on individual performances.

Maybe my take is all wrong.

I personally think you are bang on. Although this team had some bad penalties, I think that they are probably the most disciplined team in the past few years.

 

[canuck2010]

This is the game where Canada will miss Dach the most. A big bodied, physical, fast skating centre that can handle Podkolzin

 

[NOTENOUGHJTCGOALS]

We were told no Canadians can stand up to Podkolzin. Now we will see if that's true.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Newhook not on the ice with Spence this morning so he likely plays. What lines do we expect?

 

[Ginger Papa]

Everything up to this point has been Practice

2 solid teams will make it real close. Going to be important to get ahead

2 Goaltenders on opposite sides of the ice and the Draft board are expected to have their biggest saves yet

Hopefully minimal calls (no Diving)

And a game everyone can enjoy

 

[xcapi]

GO Canada. Hopefully this game will not end up like the premiere one.

 

[rohky]

Yaroslav Askarov will play the main role tonight IMHO No chance for a clean sheet but hoping for good play to prove his abilities

 

[robertocarlos]

Easy win. 6-1 Canada.

 

[Islay1989]

This is the game where Canada will miss Dach the most. A big bodied, physical, fast skating centre that can handle Podkolzin

Handle Podkolzin? They have plenty of players capable of that. And the thought that he would even be bothering with checking Podkolzin is hilarious.

 

[snowkiddin]

Everyone got their Tim's cards sent off to the Ref's in time for puck drop by the way?

Damn, I thought we were doing Robin's. Hope they still call the game in our favour though.

 

[Czechboy]

I have no dog in the race so to speak. I'm picking Russia as I've been saying they'll be in the finals all along. They've faced adversity, they beat the Streak, they beat the States and they always elevate their game.

Canada is, no doubt, the favorite. I feel any top 5 nation can beat any other top 5 nation so nothing surprises me.

Main reason is Askarov.

Good luck to both!

 

[majormajor]

This is the game where Canada will miss Dach the most. A big bodied, physical, fast skating centre that can handle Podkolzin

Dach at wing or center wouldn't be tracking Podkolzin at wing. And truth be told Podkolzin isn't a big scoring threat excepting the occasional power forward move, which might be a test for the Canadian defense. Look for Podkolzin to be a scary physical presence though if he wants to reset the tone.

 

[jcs0218]

We were told no Canadians can stand up to Podkolzin. Now we will see if that's true.

We were told Rocky Balboa couldn't stand up to Ivan Drago.

How did that turn out?

 

[c9gunner]

Look for Podkolzin to be a scary physical presence though if he wants to reset the tone.

Podkolizn is more playmaker, his main strength is his hockey IQ, not his physical presence. And speaking of physicality, this team hasn't demonstrated its full potential yet.