GDT: Semifinal • Russia vs. United States

[Passionis]

Russia lucks out!

The US hates their rivals to the North.

You must be feeling pretty confident now.

Lol not more than they hate Russia. This is equivalent to if we had Refs from Belarus and Kazakhstan

 

[Proust*]

The question is: Are the American refs actually ethnic Canadians?

 

[NyQuil]

This is equivalent to if we had Refs from Belarus and Kazakhstan

Why shouldn't you?

No one spends more time griping about the nationality of the refs than Russian fans.

There are good and bad refs - their individual skill is of greater relevance than what country they were born in.

 

[JoeyBeans]

Magically loaded up with Canadian officials.

I believe that is a good thing.

 

[S A W F T*]

This is turning into a ref GDT before it even starts?

Finland/Sweden thread all over again.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Magically loaded up with Canadian officials.

Because we love the Americans and will favor them? Lol

 

[BobDobolina]

Russia is a bogey team for the US on this level. We seem to play really crappy against them but I think this time will be different.

 

[Yakushev72]

We can't resolve the whole Russia-Canada love-hate thing, but hopefully the kids will settle the game today on the ice with little or no influence from the referees. Just let the kids play, and call only what needs to be called.

 

[Yakushev72]

I just heard an interesting statistic, that the Russians have never lost to the USA in the medal round. Of course, there's a first time for everything.

Russia's strategy last year against the Americans in Montreal in the QF was to allow them entry into the zone, but force them out to the outside for lower percentage shots. My guess is they will use a similar strategy today, and I hope it works!

 

[ViD]

I just recalled an epic semi final in Grand Forks where Russia defeated USA 7-4 and Malkin put on a great show.

Good times

 

[Rossiya*]

Now Samsonov is starting

 

[saintflannel]

Now Samsonov is starting

Surprising.

 

[Passionis]

Why shouldn't you?

No one spends more time griping about the nationality of the refs than Russian fans.

There are good and bad refs - their individual skill is of greater relevance than what country they were born in.

Yea okay buddy, your statement about Russia is nothing but bigotry while these pro western refs are missing blatant calls like the cross check to the back of Kraskovsky...

But keep thinking that there is no politics in here, everyone is very innocent

Its a win win..We'll ref them how we want, if they complain we'll call them whiners if they dont than its all good. While everyone saw what happened in Slovakia game...

 

[g00n]

This is turning into a ref GDT before it even starts?

Finland/Sweden thread all over again.

Yeah, no.

Before this starts, everyone avoid flaming/trolling/offensive posts or we'll just remove you from the thread and/or issue infractions. No politics or attacking ethnicity/nationality. Talk about the game, not each other.

 

[JJTT]

Has Bragin given any explanition why Georgiev started the earlier games? IMO Samsonov is much better.

 

[Passionis]

I just recalled an epic semi final in Grand Forks where Russia defeated USA 7-4 and Malkin put on a great show.

Good times

I remember that one, USA tried to provoke in the end physically and had their assess handed to them

 

[New User Name]

I'm pretty sure both teams agree on the refs and it's no secret that Americans prefer Canadian refs and Canadians prefer American refs.

Recall reading that somewhere and it makes sense to me.

Isn't it something like teams pick 1 ref and 1 linesmen each.

 

[Namejs]

This should be an easy win for Team USA, if you compare the talent on both rosters.

 

[Canadian Finn]

who to cheer for, who to cheer for?

I just hope to watch a great game!

(I'm thinking USA are the favourites, and Finland would have a better chance against Russia....but....either way, just want to see a good game).

 

[NorwFin]

Looking at stats the USA GK looks damn good. Has their goaltending looked as good the stats would have it? Haven't gotten to watch all their games.

E: Or does it look more like a "solid GK behind great D"-kind of situation?

 

[aphyro]

Its gonna be a walk in the park for USA.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Should be a very exciting game. Russia is always dangerous and they're in a perfect position to strike after having a couple of bad games (especially against Denmark) in the tournament. They always play well against US too.

US is the stronger team with better game breakers though, and they've faced adversity, 0 goals on 40 something shots against Sweden and a close 2-1 win against Canada. But they've gotten better as the tournament went on and are firing on all cylinders right now.

Could easily be a 4-4 type of game.

It just feels like i've seen this before, Russia struggling with smaller country in the QF, then they climb back and win building up the feeling that they can overcome tough situations and then they pull out 7 goals out of their ***** against one of the best teams in the tournament and come away with the "upset". Not necessarily the case this time around, but they can put up a solid fight for sure.

 

[New User Name]

This should be a win for the US. Just way too much elite depth IMO.

 

[kp61c]

canadian refs are absurd, i'd like to see someone from belarus or kazakhstan. but whatever, while they are a nice security, i doubt there'll be a need in it. usa'd win easily here without any external help.

 

[Melkor]

Its gonna be a walk in the park for USA.

You're out to lunch on this as were most of swedish fans on 1st semi. Russians may be not going to win but they will give them a solid fight at least. Altho, i agree, US are a clear favourite there.