GDT: Semifinal • Russia vs. United States

[BobDobolina]

Mr. Austin Matthews forgot to show up for a huge game. Was almost invisible. Werenski got walked two times and finally got burned the second time. Russia deserved this one.

Like Eichel last year. Not going to win if your best players don't show up.

 

[Firsov99]

Yeah you would need God oh I mean Bragin to help you to win something big at Olympics or that World cup of hockey though.

Stop being so sour, dude. "It's only game".

 

[Canuckistani]

Great seeing Canada unable to make it out of the final 8.

Yeah it certainly happens rarely, doesn't it?

 

[Passionis]

Bragin - 4/4 made the finals

 

[The Examiner]

Because that's as far back as I can go without the US losing the lead. Lol

Respect.

Last 3 tournaments:

Canada 1 gold, US 0.

 

[cska78]

Grats to all tge Russia supporters! Thanks to merks for the game

 

[Matti_A]

Trap? I expect a lot of goals in the goal medal game.

Me too, it's gonna be run and gun style of play like in the round robin game.

 

[ViD]

Russia has now won a Medal in 11 of the last 12 World Juniors. That's crazy consistency.

Yeah, Niederreiter snapped that streak..

 

[sdf]

Somebody teach Wilson how to spell KO R SH KOV!

i thought he gorshkov

 

[tade]

Wilson got what he deserved, what a stupid thing to say. Congrats to Russia. Here's hope for great final match-up! Should be.

 

[Privet]

I predict Russia will fold against Finland tomorrow. Russia has a tendency to play their gold medal game in their semi-finals when beating Canada or USA, and then playing lazy/tired in the gold medal game.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Like Eichel last year. Not going to win if your best players don't show up.

Yeah, can't believe that team (and this one potentially) didn't medal. So stacked.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Yeah you would need God oh I mean Bragin to help you to win something big at Olympics or that World cup of hockey though.

Muahaha! We'll think of something.

 

[Passionis]

Yeah, Niederreiter snapped that streak..

Niederreiter helped, but it was the Russian coach that we thank for that one

 

[Sher-Wood]

Me too, it's gonna be run and gun style of play like in the round robin game.

Nothing like either of the semifinals then?

 

[ViD]

Bragin is the best and the luckiest WJC coach in the world

 

[Canuckistani]

Russia has now won a Medal in 11 of the last 12 World Juniors. That's crazy consistency.

The one exception being a fluke loss to the Swiss in 2010.

We can (almost) always count on a strong Russian team.

 

[snipes]

Russia has now won a Medal in 11 of the last 12 World Juniors. That's crazy consistency.

It's very impressive. Good systems and bringing over rosters full of 19 year olds is a good model. I always enjoy watching the Russians play even though they are Canada's biggest rival.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

I predict Russia will fold against Finland tomorrow. Russia has a tendency to play their gold medal game in their semi-finals when beating Canada or USA, and then playing lazy/tired in the gold medal game.

Why would the fold now???? As far as I'm concerned, I think Russia's going to win.

 

[ViD]

I predict Russia will fold against Finland tomorrow. Russia has a tendency to play their gold medal game in their semi-finals when beating Canada or USA, and then playing lazy/tired in the gold medal game.

Sorry, not Bragin teams

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

So, will there be any goals in the final? What if neither team leaves their bluelines?

 

[MNRube]

Russia was clearly the better team: it's always scary when they play disciplined team defence - the individual skill and speed will always be there but without coherent team play they don't count for that much in the end. This is one scary Russian team this year.

Bingo. All of those guys on that Russian team are so skilled. Better team won today.

Thought Boeser and White struggled for USA. Matthews and Tkachuk weren't great but they had puck possession most shifts and were very noticeable. When those two weren't out there, US looked too small to beat a disciplined, skilled, big and physical Russian squad.

 

[Passionis]

Yeah, can't believe that team (and this one potentially) didn't medal. So stacked.

It's Not that stacked man.. There's better hockey players out there and these guys are about average on an elite level.

 

[geoo9]

I'd like to see more players like Matthews who have a late birthday to go play pro hockey overseas if they graduate from USNDTP, but i understand why a 17 year old would want to stay closer to home. Playing pro hockey is so much more beneficial for a kid's development than tearing up the OHL against weak and slow 17 year olds.

Yes that is not easy and Matthews is first example- if he perfectly begins at NHL i think we will see much more those examples - Top juniors at Pro level in Europe.
Most of Russian top players are developed fully at Europe: Ovie, Malkin, Tarasenko, Kucherov, Kuznetsov and many many others. Look at Panarin -Undrafted guy who developed at pro level better than most of top 10 of his draft

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Sorry, not Bragin teams

Yeah, there's no way they're going to fold now, Bragin's boys fight to the death! Those guys are insane.