WJC: Semi final talk!

[Eye of Ra]

goodluck with that hope you don't choke like last year

Losing to a super strong USA is not chocking.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Betting 100 € for Finland just to make it interesting. Also bets are strongly on Sweden's side.

 

[llwyd]

Well, I 'll be just as glad as you if not happier if Finland succeeds with a big upset against Sweden.

A modest upset. We tend to show up against Sweden and we seem to have a good goalie and they probably would be happy to change their goalie for ours. Anyways, I'm not predicting that we will blast them arse over tit back to Ytterby or whatever, just that I fully expect a good and tight game by us even if we should lose. I just don't get your consistently defeatist attitude which seems to be bit ott even for a Finnish hockey fan (and god knows that's a negative and pessimistic bunch) - are you counter-jinxing like pretty crazily?

 

[ManWithNoName]

I would say Swe-Fin is a 50/50 game. Thelin hasn’t played well whereas Rimpinen has been the MVP of Finland. Our PP is well functioning, Finlands BP is well functioning. Our D has been great, Finland’s not as good.

I do believe it will be a great game ending 4-3 in OT. Heart says Sweden, brain says Finland.

Good luck Finland, may the best team win!

And good luck to the Czechs as well.

 

[EK47]

A modest upset. We tend to show up against Sweden and we seem to have a good goalie and they probably would be happy to change their goalie for ours. Anyways, I'm not predicting that we will blast them arse over tit back to Ytterby or whatever, just that I fully expect a good and tight game by us even if we should lose. I just don't get your consistently defeatist attitude which seems to be bit ott even for a Finnish hockey fan (and god knows that's a negative and pessimistic bunch) - are you counter-jinxing like pretty crazily?

You don’t understand.
This is Swedens first goalie:

Melker Thelin - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Melker Thelin, 2005-05-25 Umeå, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the HockeyAllsvenskan with IF Björklöven. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

This is Swedens second goalie:

Marcus Gidlöf - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Marcus Gidlöf, 2005-09-28 Falun, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the SHL with Leksands IF. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

One has been one of the top goalies in the SHL while the other has been mediocre in Hockeyallsvenskan. Guess which one they picked for the starting job?

And not only that, if you look at recent form it gets worse, and if there is one thing you can’t have in a tournament like this, it’s a starting goalie that’s off his game.

Don’t get me wrong though. There is no way I’d be going into a tournament with either of them starting over Rimpinen. I just wanted you to get the Swedish perspective of how absolutely idiotic the goalie question has been dealt with.

 

[kudla]

It would be a surprise to me if Sweden didn't make it

 

[Macbanan]

Finland is going to be outshot most likely.

With a few lucky bounces and a Swedish goal early the game could get bad for Finland.

But more likely, it's going to be very frustrating for the Swedes to score, plus demoralizing if the goalie battle goes as predicted.

Every psychological effect has like double power for junior hockey.


4-3 after OT is my guess. I really could not pick a winner

 

[Svedu]

A modest upset. We tend to show up against Sweden and we seem to have a good goalie and they probably would be happy to change their goalie for ours. Anyways, I'm not predicting that we will blast them arse over tit back to Ytterby or whatever, just that I fully expect a good and tight game by us even if we should lose. I just don't get your consistently defeatist attitude which seems to be bit ott even for a Finnish hockey fan (and god knows that's a negative and pessimistic bunch) - are you counter-jinxing like pretty crazily?

Lol, you have answers to everything

I know, you've repeated that for at least 2 times if not 3. You seem to have a problem with me because you feel the need to answer every comment. Then you repeat your statements and seem to believe that your opinions or thoughts are more valid and important. Because why else would i bother you so much? All in all, I just don't care what you think. I hope Finland wins but I do think we are bigger underdogs than yourself. Rimpinen has saved this team the whole tournament. Not rested a single game. Barely won against Slovakia. Sweden had it easier against the same team.
Me mentioning them having a weaker goalie performance in the quarter and still winning and also the fact they have a probably better option- or goalie for the semifinal. These factors, you could call arguments are things you don't agree with. And no, I'm not convinced by your arguments either. I think they are weak and your way of addressing them is to start speak about somewhat irrelevant mumbojumbo and then again...? Repeat yourself.

I've clearly let you know I'm having realistic expectations, of course subjective, just like yours. I've followed every game Finland has played. I've actually seen the majority of Swedens games as well. I mean if anything, you are being the controversial here. Insisting on questioning people who consider Sweden as big favorites when they've what? Won every single game. They had an easier time against Slovakia, they won against Czechia who later won against Canada. The only well played game from Finland was against the US. We won in OT and I wasn't impressed by neither the American defending but especially Augustines performance and neither was any american fan in these boards. That means what, I'm not sure we would beat them twice. Quite the opposite.
So all in all? We played one game well which we won in OT and against their goalies weakest game in this tournament. You can call these things whatever you wish and I frankly don't care. Because for me there have been some pretty lucky bounces. Let's not forget Dvorsky had a shot on the rim as well.
Why I resonate like I do is because our supposed leaders are weak and much weaker than any playoff opponents stars. I mean did you even watch the quarter?
Kiiskinen is nonchalant and inaccurate with his finishing. Helenius doesn't score that much in all honesty. Kiviharju is no big producer whatsoever and he's weak when defending and again, I don't care what you think about it. Halttunen the other A hasn't been successful at all. Very bad accuracy with his shots so far as well.
So compare these guys to even Latvias guys like Mateiko especially, but also Osmanis and Murnieks. Not to mention Dvorsky and Pekarcik being much better than any finn, and no, not only Dvorsky. Pekarcik was the second best player on ice and even better than Nurmi. He basically toyed with us and they couldn't take the puck away from him.
And if you want to go even further? Do you want me to compare Kiviharju and Pieniniemi to say ASP or Hutson? Or Jiricek?
Helenius and Kiiskinen then, no they haven't been any better than Stancl, Hradec, Sikora, Jecho, Mastalirsky, Sale.
We haven't had a single D being on the same level as the 3 or even 4 best Swedish D's. Sörum has impressed me in almost every game I've seen. Eklund isn't bad.

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Finland probably has the weakest and worst PP in the tournament and especially amongst the teams left? And taking stupid penalties is likely to happen like against Slovakia? And you know, Sweden have D's that can shoot. We have our best in Pieniniemi but I wouldn't dare to compare him to ASP and their PP overall.

I hope now that I've put some effort to answer your questions and doubts so that you can leave me alone. Because I don't think you have offered any convincing arguments nor answers.
You are basically stating obvious cliches like Finland vs Sweden games often are even. Yeah so what, that's nothing new. I'm not stating it will be likely that they beat us with 5 goals or more. I've only stated that they are big favorites to win, even if it would be with a single goal. If anything, both teams performances so far shows and tells us that.

 

[Svedu]

You don’t understand.
This is Swedens first goalie:

Melker Thelin - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Melker Thelin, 2005-05-25 Umeå, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the HockeyAllsvenskan with IF Björklöven. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

This is Swedens second goalie:

Marcus Gidlöf - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Marcus Gidlöf, 2005-09-28 Falun, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the SHL with Leksands IF. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

One has been one of the top goalies in the SHL while the other has been mediocre in Hockeyallsvenskan. Guess which one they picked for the starting job?

And not only that, if you look at recent form it gets worse, and if there is one thing you can’t have in a tournament like this, it’s a starting goalie that’s off his game.

Don’t get me wrong though. There is no way I’d be going into a tournament with either of them starting over Rimpinen. I just wanted you to get the Swedish perspective of how absolutely idiotic the goalie question has been dealt with.

Exactly. I held him (Gidlöf) and Hrabal as the biggest goalies pre tournament followed by Finnish goalies and Augustine. Rimpinen has been the who surprised me the most.

Also, if you compare to Slovakia where both goalies struggled during the tournament before the quarter. Gidlöf has been better in this tournament and during the whole season. So a goalie change like Slovakias with Lendak vs Urban wouldn't be as controversial for the Swedes. If anything, it would be just as controversial to start Thelin.
I mean I think every expert like Härenstam, Andersson and others would agree on this.

But this guy you answered seems to have a "I know it all" aura right now. Don't think every Finnish fan resonates like him please

 

[pgcougsfan]

goodluck with that hope you don't choke like last year

You mean every year lol, round robin juggernauts

 

[pgcougsfan]

Lol, you have answers to everything

I know, you've repeated that for at least 2 times if not 3. You seem to have a problem with me because you feel the need to answer every comment. Then you repeat your statements and seem to believe that your opinions or thoughts are more valid and important. Because why else would i bother you so much? All in all, I just don't care what you think. I hope Finland wins but I do think we are bigger underdogs than yourself. Rimpinen has saved this team the whole tournament. Not rested a single game. Barely won against Slovakia. Sweden had it easier against the same team.
Me mentioning them having a weaker goalie performance in the quarter and still winning and also the fact they have a probably better option- or goalie for the semifinal. These factors, you could call arguments are things you don't agree with. And no, I'm not convinced by your arguments either. I think they are weak and your way of addressing them is to start speak about somewhat irrelevant mumbojumbo and then again...? Repeat yourself.

I've clearly let you know I'm having realistic expectations, of course subjective, just like yours. I've followed every game Finland has played. I've actually seen the majority of Swedens games as well. I mean if anything, you are being the controversial here. Insisting on questioning people who consider Sweden as big favorites when they've what? Won every single game. They had an easier time against Slovakia, they won against Czechia who later won against Canada. The only well played game from Finland was against the US. We won in OT and I wasn't impressed by neither the American defending but especially Augustines performance and neither was any american fan in these boards. That means what, I'm not sure we would beat them twice. Quite the opposite.
So all in all? We played one game well which we won in OT and against their goalies weakest game in this tournament. You can call these things whatever you wish and I frankly don't care. Because for me there have been some pretty lucky bounces. Let's not forget Dvorsky had a shot on the rim as well.
Why I resonate like I do is because our supposed leaders are weak and much weaker than any playoff opponents stars. I mean did you even watch the quarter?
Kiiskinen is nonchalant and inaccurate with his finishing. Helenius doesn't score that much in all honesty. Kiviharju is no big producer whatsoever and he's weak when defending and again, I don't care what you think about it. Halttunen the other A hasn't been successful at all. Very bad accuracy with his shots so far as well.
So compare these guys to even Latvias guys like Mateiko especially, but also Osmanis and Murnieks. Not to mention Dvorsky and Pekarcik being much better than any finn, and no, not only Dvorsky. Pekarcik was the second best player on ice and even better than Nurmi. He basically toyed with us and they couldn't take the puck away from him.
And if you want to go even further? Do you want me to compare Kiviharju and Pieniniemi to say ASP or Hutson? Or Jiricek?
Helenius and Kiiskinen then, no they haven't been any better than Stancl, Hradec, Sikora, Jecho, Mastalirsky, Sale.
We haven't had a single D being on the same level as the 3 or even 4 best Swedish D's. Sörum has impressed me in almost every game I've seen. Eklund isn't bad.

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Finland probably has the weakest and worst PP in the tournament and especially amongst the teams left? And taking stupid penalties is likely to happen like against Slovakia? And you know, Sweden have D's that can shoot. We have our best in Pieniniemi but I wouldn't dare to compare him to ASP and their PP overall.

I hope now that I've put some effort to answer your questions and doubts so that you can leave me alone. Because I don't think you have offered any convincing arguments nor answers.
You are basically stating obvious cliches like Finland vs Sweden games often are even. Yeah so what, that's nothing new. I'm not stating it will be likely that they beat us with 5 goals or more. I've only stated that they are big favorites to win, even if it would be with a single goal. If anything, both teams performances so far shows and tells us that.

 

[Svedu]

Sweden wins 4-0.

Perhaps Kumpulainen gets one and makes it 4-1. Our best player so far with Alasiurua in the earlier games. Hynninen had a good game against the US, can he bounce back and get an actual goal? Rautiainen has some skill but hasn't been lucky nor poised enough to get the production going.
Finland needs Soini back.
Swedish D's (the majority) and Sörum has been nothing but great. Granberg has been pretty darn good for them as well. Gidlöf will probably get the opportunity and take it.

Czechs win 5-4.

Stancl, Sale, Hradec, Jiricek are good. Let's not forget Galvas, Sikora, Mastarlisky, Jecho and Hrabal in net.
Both goalies are known and the Czech has been a bit better so far. Who will be hot tonight can make all the difference because these teams should be even. I hope and believe Hrabal.

I believe the US can be and come blazing with speed in offense where Hutson joins the rush. He's been good. But at the same time, I do think they've had bigger gaps in D than the Czechs.
I've got this semi somewhat diva impression of some american forwards this tournament. They can perform on another level than what the Canadians have and did of course. But personally I'm not a fan of them. With Hagens being the biggest exception of course, you can't nothing but love his style and skill if you are a hockey lover. But Leonard and others? Nope, not a fan. The speed and skill is there but still.
One interesting thing is I don't think Buium has been any better than say Hutson nor Jiricek. The Czech being younger and also came from a long time injury makes me question Buium a bit. Also, in the longer run if Jiricek who is or have been injury prone so far, can stay healthy I would personally pick him before Buium. I would pick Hutson before Buium as well even if he's very offensive minded. He moves with ease and isn't afraid of creating and does so in every game so far. Those Hutson brothers are synonymous with being agile on the skates. In every direction.

 

[Buttermilk]

Of course Swedes are favorite to win but that doens't really matter. Finland has never had a better team than Sweden (not even 2016). So stop comparing teams if Finland plays it doesn't matter. Only crucial part is goalie and Rimpinen is way better. Finland biggest weakness is Mikkola gladly we are underdogs so that is easier situation for Mikkola.

If we lose it was meant to be but it's not surprise if finland wins. That is more mental games. Just like Czechia - USA, i think Czech can play more relaxed than US. And oh boys that BC-line got frustrated easily game against Finns.

 

[RorschachWJK]

If Finland plays like they did against the US, they have a very good chance of advancing to the final. If not, well, I don't think they have much of a chance. Outside of the goalie, our best players haven't really found the groove, while Sweden's best players have. So that will be the difference.

 

[BigBadBoar]

All four semi-finals teams have shown a very high and consistent quality in this tournament. The US and Sweden probably have superior individual quality over Czechia and Finland, however, both Czechia and Finland know how to to stick to an efficient gameplan. They play very well together, capable of maintaining a good system in all three zones, notably in the neutral zone. This may be an important factor especially in the latter game. The US success has been very much based on a quick transition across the neutral zone while Czechia has been great in neutral zone coverage, forcing Canada to many turnovers there in the QF game. So, quite a direct clash of both teams' big weapons.

Also, both Finland and Czechia desperately need to avoid taking penalties because Sweden and the US have completely lethal powerplays.

Goaltending will be a big thing just like in virtually all games of this kind. Here, I would say, Sweden might have a slight disadvantage. Their goalie(s) hasn't been looking as sharp as the Finnish, Czech and US goaltenders to me. But of course evrything can turn upside down in a single game.

Excited about both games.

 

[Deleted member 351503]

Sweden vs Czechs in final

Afraid of meeting a North American team?
You have successfully avoided to meet them again so far in the tournament

 

[WarriorofTime]

Here are the moneyline betting odds for today, courtesy of DraftKings (for Europeans, -110 means you need to bet $110 to win a $100 profit if your bet wins, and +110 means you'd win $110 with a $100 bet if your bet wins, so "-" is a favorite and "+" is an underdog)

Finland +140
Sweden -175

Czech Republic +255
USA -330

and to win the tournament:

USA -145
Sweden +250
Finland +700
Czech Republic +1110

 

[Svedu]

Here are the moneyline betting odds for today, courtesy of DraftKings (for Europeans, -110 means you need to bet $110 to win a $100 profit if your bet wins, and +110 means you'd win $110 with a $100 bet if your bet wins, so "-" is a favorite and "+" is an underdog)

Finland +140
Sweden -175

Czech Republic +255
USA -330

and to win the tournament:

USA -145
Sweden +250
Finland +700
Czech Republic +1110

Very strange that the odds are higher on the Czechs than Finland imho.

 

[Lambo]

Here are the moneyline betting odds for today, courtesy of DraftKings (for Europeans, -110 means you need to bet $110 to win a $100 profit if your bet wins, and +110 means you'd win $110 with a $100 bet if your bet wins, so "-" is a favorite and "+" is an underdog)

Finland +140
Sweden -175

Czech Republic +255
USA -330

and to win the tournament:

USA -145
Sweden +250
Finland +700
Czech Republic +1110

Somehow I can't shake the impression that there are some people who aren't able to adapt to the tournament. They have their assessment before the tournament and stubbornly stick to it, no matter how the tournament develops. There is no other explanation for these strange odds.

 

[End on a Hinote]

I hope either Finland or.......Czechia go all the way.

Damn, I feel so dirty.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Somehow I can't shake the impression that there are some people who aren't able to adapt to the tournament. They have their assessment before the tournament and stubbornly stick to it, no matter how the tournament develops. There is no other explanation for these strange odds.

Betting markets for wjc aren’t that sophisticated. Often just based on past years (which tbf is a method that will get you mostly there). My own hunch is it can probably be exploited by someone who knows their stuff.

 

[bossram]

Finland's recipe for the tournament has been to not drive a large volume of chances but be opportunistic, and rely on strong goaltending. SWE has mostly dominated every opponent. I expect that to continue. That's not to say they can't win with that formula - the team is build for it. And Thelin has been shaky all tournament.

I'm surprised at CZE's odds. They look like the most cohesive team in Ottawa. They're very live to beat the Americans.

 

[Iggys Dome]

Czechia is due for gold, I hope they get it.

If not, Finland, Sweden, then USA in that order.

 

[BigBadBoar]

Somehow I can't shake the impression that there are some people who aren't able to adapt to the tournament. They have their assessment before the tournament and stubbornly stick to it, no matter how the tournament develops. There is no other explanation for these strange odds.

I am not interested in betting odds at all. I never bet and I am quite confident about my basic understanding of the hockey game. Whoever was actually watching the games and knows a thing or two about hockey saw clearly these four teams were much more even in quality than the odds suggested.

 

[Lambo]

SWE vs FIN OT 3:4

i m proud of me!