U18: Semi-Finals at the U18!

[Czechboy]

Canada vs Sweden

US vs Slovakia

To me, it's been a collision course between the best defending team, Sweden, and the best scoring team, USA. It's crazy to ever count out Canada though! Thrilled Slovakia is here if I'm being honest.

I say Sweden and US win. Think both games will be very good and I hope the US is not expecting a weak opponent!

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[Eye of Ra]

Canada is very hungry for revenge. They are winning this.

 

[Old Man Jags]

US wins. CAN - SWE is very hard to call. Could go either way.

 

[Antiillafire]

If we were playing any other team besides the US I would have more confidence, this team looks too powerful for just about anyone.

This will either be a 6-2 USA (85% likely) win or a 2-1 Slovak overtime/shootout win (15% likely)

 

[Pazucha]

USA - strongest offense
against
Slovakia - weakest defense

If the goalie has a bad game this could get ugly very fast

 

[jcbio11]

Let's win this thing. We beat the Czechs, the Finns and the Germans and we played the Swedes and Canada very close. If Urban continues his excellent play and of course we need that Dvorsky line buzzing like it's been till now.

 

[Preds666]

Normally I would say Canada would be the favourites vs. Sweden, but goaltending and defense has been surprisingly stellar for Sweden.. so predicting a tight game that could go either way.

U.S.... I think will defeat Slovakia with a rather wide margin. I hope that won't be the case though.

So, prediction:

Semifinals
Sweden vs. Canada 2-3
USA vs. Slovakia 6-1

Bronze Medal Game
Sweden vs. Slovakia 5-2

Gold Medal Game
USA vs. Canada 6-3

 

[Czechboy]

Normally I would say Canada would be the favourites vs. Sweden, but goaltending and defense has been surprisingly stellar for Sweden.. so predicting a tight game that could go either way.

U.S.... I think will defeat Slovakia with a rather wide margin. I hope that won't be the case though.

So, prediction:

Semifinals
Sweden vs. Canada 2-3
USA vs. Slovakia 6-1

Bronze Medal Game
Sweden vs. Slovakia 5-2

Gold Medal Game
USA vs. Canada 6-3

I'm not sure why but I see Sweden leaving with the gold. Something about them and thatb D. They've been on a run here. But yes the US look unplayable!

 

[SanDogBrewin]

If we were playing any other team besides the US I would have more confidence, this team looks too powerful for just about anyone.

This will either be a 6-2 USA (85% likely) win or a 2-1 Slovak overtime/shootout win (15% likely)

As a US fan I would not be shocked by a 2-1 Slovak victory. Been impressed with Slovakia play.

 

[MeHateHe]

Not predicting anything, but has anyone ever heard a good explanation for why the semifinals and finals are on back-to-back days in all IIHF tournaments? It's always unfair for the teams who play the late game and especially unfair for the teams who play the late game and then have to play in the bronze medal match like 16 hours later. Has anyone ever read or heard why the IIHF does this?

 

[ijuka]

USA vs Sweden finals are most likely.

 

[illone84]

USA vs Sweden finals are most likely.

Agreed but I think Canada plays Sweden much stronger and I sense a win.

 

[ijuka]

Not predicting anything, but has anyone ever heard a good explanation for why the semifinals and finals are on back-to-back days in all IIHF tournaments? It's always unfair for the teams who play the late game and especially unfair for the teams who play the late game and then have to play in the bronze medal match like 16 hours later. Has anyone ever read or heard why the IIHF does this?

Back to back makes sense. However, to me it would make more sense to have the semis on friday and finals on sunday. I feel like sunday is a less popular day to watch hockey than friday or saturday, though I could be mistaken.

Agreed but I think Canada plays Sweden much stronger and I sense a win.

Canada can certainly win, yeah. It's not like USA vs Slovakia where Slovakia probably has around 0% chance of winning.

 

[wishywashy19]

Not predicting anything, but has anyone ever heard a good explanation for why the semifinals and finals are on back-to-back days in all IIHF tournaments? It's always unfair for the teams who play the late game and especially unfair for the teams who play the late game and then have to play in the bronze medal match like 16 hours later. Has anyone ever read or heard why the IIHF does this?

Thank you
i have been saying that forever. What a great idea, let’s give them days playing tier 2 teams then let’s bulldoze the semis into the finals.

 

[Czechboy]

Agreed but I think Canada plays Sweden much stronger and I sense a win.

That's where I'm at... Seems crazy to assume Canada loses before any final. They always find a way.

 

[Czechboy]

Not predicting anything, but has anyone ever heard a good explanation for why the semifinals and finals are on back-to-back days in all IIHF tournaments? It's always unfair for the teams who play the late game and especially unfair for the teams who play the late game and then have to play in the bronze medal match like 16 hours later. Has anyone ever read or heard why the IIHF does this?

My guess is ticket sales... Easier to sell Saturday and Sunday packages and people only need one night in a hotel.

 

[Dominance]

That's where I'm at... Seems crazy to assume Canada loses before any final. They always find a way.

Very much not at the U18s.

 

[Postulates]

USA - strongest offense
against
Slovakia - weakest defense

If the goalie has a bad game this could get ugly very fast

They will do what Czechia did and play 6 goalie style hockey

 

[jj cale]

Very much not at the U18s.

And they won't tomorrow either unless they suddenly get their act together in all the areas we can so clearly see they have been beyond subpar in.

Canada can score goals, but they continue to leak far too many prime chances for the opponent. Bjarnason would have to be godlike next game to save them.

 

[Czechboy]

Very much not at the U18s.

They got Gold 2 tournaments ago and are in the Semi's tomorrow.

 

[Czechboy]

They will do what Czechia did and play 6 goalie style hockey

I hope not... and I don't think they will. They had a nice fighting spirit and some passion. Been fun to watch.

 

[Dominance]

They got Gold 2 tournaments ago and are in the Semi's tomorrow.

Yeah, but looking historically it is far from remarkable for Canada to not make the finals at this tournament, for obvious reasons.

That Gold came in a rare tournament when Canada could field our best team. The way we ran the table that year speaks volumes.

 

[Czechboy]

Yeah, but looking historically it is far from remarkable for Canada to not make the finals at this tournament, for obvious reasons.

That Gold came in a rare tournament when Canada could field our best team. The way we ran the table that year speaks volumes.

It was sensational but this isn't a weak squad. Lots of good players here! Canada just had a slow start IMO.

Don't get me wrong, feels like Sweden vs US incoming but I just cannot 'sleep on' Canada here.lol

 

[jj cale]

It was sensational but this isn't a weak squad. Lots of good players here! Canada just had a slow start IMO.

Don't get me wrong, feels like Sweden vs US incoming but I just cannot 'sleep on' Canada here.lol

You can never sleep on Canada but man, do they have some things to clean up. They would have never gotten away with the crap they pulled in that Swiss game against either Sweden or the U.S team. Might not have gotten away with it with this years Slovak entry either.

Sloppy out of synch play so far abounds with this team. I get some of it has to do with this team not having the prep time other teams do but too much of it is just dum dum stuff.

 

[Czechboy]

You can never sleep on Canada but man, do they have some things to clean up. They would have never gotten away with the crap they pulled in that Swiss game against either Sweden or the U.S team. Might not have gotten away with it with this years Slovak entry either.

Sloppy out of synch play so far abounds with this team. I get some of it has to do with this team not having the prep time other teams do but too much of it is just dum dum stuff.

What's your prediction for that Sweden game?