GDT: Semifinal • Sweden vs. Finland

[Matte99]

Swedes looks ratled over the refs forbidding them to play physical... Hope they can get this period behind them and start playing their game again. Its sad to see refs so blatently destroy an exciting game.

 

[CanadaIsIrrelevant]

Every time a finn just feel some contact from a swede they fall like they slipped on a banana peel.

 

[behemolari]

It's easy to win for Finland when they have the refs on their side.

it's exactly same which was two years ago in sweden. good luck against refs tre kronor!

 

[Nithoniniel]

Wikegård, Swedish expert: "This is almost the worst thing I know."

*shows Sweden having the puck in the offensive zone for 35 seconds and creating a good scoring chance*

 

[Ranksu]

They wont. Those are make up calls frm malmö finale. It was much worse than this so far, sweden should get 3 more penalties without reason. I smell kale ordering the payback.

Big suprise Swedish fans don't remember nothing Malmö final Sweden - Finland.

But yeah refs were terrible in that final.

 

[Alexandrov]

It's difficult to rank referees but obviously if you're just drawing guys from two countries (NHL refs) vs a global talent pool you are not going to have best referees you could.

 

[TheTwelfth]

NHL refs are the best in the world, same as the players.

No. To start with, they are only recruited from largely one country.

 

[llwyd]

As a Finn, nice to have the lead but the reffing left a sour taste in my mouth. Two softies led to goals, feel bad for the Swedes. Even tho the first goal was actually scored 5-on-5.

Nevertheless, still loads of time to score some legit goals to prove ourselves! Hopefully we pull this trough!

Oh well, like these wouldn't have gone also against us like zillions of times: it's just of feature of the game (and especially IIHF tournaments) that you will get these bad calls. Sometimes it goes against you, sometimes for you, but you should play on regardless - it's not the players' fault.

 

[Ola]

I think Puljujarvi's and Laine's weaknesses come really to light against the first top opponent. They are non-factors in this game. Very disappointing to see them in this light.

Sweden have really focused on them and done a great job at that at least to be honest. You can blame Sweden for a lot of things, but I think they have been extremely aware and smart against Finland's top line.

 

[matzz]

Every time a finn just feel some contact from a swede they fall like they slipped on a banana peel.

No, you dont belive that yourself !

 

[Prins Filip]

Söderström seems to be pretty stereotypical Swedish goalie. Big frame with huge equipment and stellar positioning, but passive arms focused on covering the 6th and 7th hole. All about the percentages.

Works well when the team D is solid and the accuracy of the shooters is not too high.

 

[matsqq]

The refs destroys this game.

Sweden had 3 penalties and Finland 1 and then they make 2 new penalties up for Sweden from absolutely nothing.

Of course Swedes get tired and Finlands takes the lead ...

What a parody ...

 

[Hagged]

So 1 weaker game from them and we are starting to go against them?
They can't dominate every game and have 3 points night against everyone.

It pretty much is expected from them. If they can't do it on this level how will they fare in the NHL?

 

[tuozzi]

W(F)inland is usually the one getting screwed by the refs in important games in the past 10 years so this is quite a new sensation for us, let us enjoy it you swedes.

Usually it's against Russia though that it happens.. what a coincidence...

And every single fanbase feels this way about their team. Confirmation bias is a funny thing.

 

[LiveeviL]

Today we have had good goaltending and semi decent defense.

Now we just need a couple of more goals...

With some more "good" reffing "more goals" will follow. Acquired taste this kind of reffing.

 

[matzz]

Big suprise Swedish fans don't remember nothing Malmö final Sweden - Finland.

But yeah refs were terrible in that final.

i have to agree. would be nice to see the penalty minutes of that game !

 

[Sher-Wood]

Two very poor penalties from the refs turned this game around. The first one resulted just after the penalty was up and the second one was a legit pp goal. Now the finns got the game where they want it and can play defence and turnovers. Sweden is throwed off their game now and must shake this off or this is over.

 

[PepperKeenan]

I think the NHL refs could probably use a break, no?

Not to mention, European fans will go crazy at the thought of a Canadian or American refereeing a game involving Canada or the US.

Pretty sure a Canadian was reffing the Gold medal game in Sochi?

Edit: Yes 3 canadians and 1 american

 

[NyQuil]

The experiences of NA referees in the games involving Canada or USA have not been better than IIHF referees. For example one might remember the World Cup games against Sweden when Forsberg and Sundin were targets of continuous slashing etc. without any penalties - just like Rocket Richard in the early days of NHL.

Meh, there are European players who have stated that they prefer the NHL refs in international play.

 

[NyQuil]

Pretty sure a Canadian was reffing the Gold medal game in Sochi.

And Peter Forsberg went crazy over it.

Canadians reffed in Torino too. Somehow they managed to avoid giving the gold medal to Canada and gave it to Sweden instead.

 

[Tryblot]

On Karlsson penalty his shoulder went up to finns head - good call in my books. I like how in the IIHF tgey try to protect the players, specially young kids.

I agree, I felt that was a fair penalty as well.

 

[Brun0]

Finlands offence is so much deeper,

the so much sweeten focus on the first line too much

sweden just crying because they cant play trap anymore..

 

[Nithoniniel]

I haven't. I am one of the biggest Laine's fanboy and haven't said a bad word about Puljujarvi. Didn't know they are already above any negative observations.

Sorry, I thought I recognized your username. My mistake.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I think some folks are getting a bit ahead of themselves. There's lots of hockey left to be played, and Sweden is only one bounce away from tying this thing up. It's going to be a great third period, hopefully the refs are not a factor.

 

[BB88]

It pretty much is expected from them. If they can't do it on this level how will they fare in the NHL?

They are 17y.