GDT: Semifinal - May 20 - Canada (4) vs Russia (2)

[Fried Tree Sap]

I still think Russia's under performing at the Olympics has less to do with their skill, and more to do with their organization. I'm not saying they'd be winning gold, but they've clearly been playing below their talent level the last decade or so.

 

[Jesenice22*]

Good period for Russia, but it's not over yet. Canada can easily come back into this one, if they continue to forecheck and stay out of penalty box.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

I don't think Canada has made life hard for him at all..he's seen everything and the shots are easy to save.

Wouldn't say so, Canada has been firing some dangerous shots, but he has been solid and seeing the puck.

 

[Coldplay619]

Chris Lee is reffing?

 

[Chimpradamus]

Speaking of the refs, wth are IIHF thinking letting an Austrian and Swiss ref take care of an intense semifinal? They've been pretty bad, they can't keep up with the tempo.

 

[Jesenice22*]

I still think Russia's under performing at the Olympics has less to do with their skill, and more to do with their organization.

Most likely.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

4 passes bro.. hockey law of nature that all fins know .. 4 passes break any defence

If and only if they are extremely well executed, which thankfully has been the case in Russia's 2 goals.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Gavrikov has been so good this tournament.

 

[Jesenice22*]

Speaking of the refs, wth are IIHF thinking letting an Austrian and Swiss ref take care of an intense semifinal? They've been pretty bad, they can't keep up with the tempo.

Yeah, too bad they don't let the Canadians officiate the Canada match like in the World Cup of Hockey...

 

[Ace]

Should be a fun third with Canada having to press

 

[Kshahdoo]

Lol stupid talks, the game isn't over yet, Canada still is able to win it, and it'll be another failure for Russia.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Should be a fun third with Canada having to press

If Canada 'opens up' too much though, that would give Russia further chances on the counterattack.

 

[snipes]

Game is far from over.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Lol stupid talks, the game isn't over yet, Canada still is able to win it, and it'll be another failure for Russia.

You live in Russia and you want Russia to lose? Who does that?

 

[Chimpradamus]

Yeah, too bad they don't let the Canadians officiate the Canada match like in the World Cup of Hockey...

Get real. You have Swedish, Finnish, American and perhaps even Czech refs to pick from.

 

[QnebO]

If and only if they are extremely well executed, which thankfully has been the case in Russia's 2 goals.

Well, yup its assuming theyre tape to tape, and all are peliä edistäviä and happen fast enough. But some times that goes well and then we see stacked squad watching opponent put in an empty netter

 

[Coldplay619]

You live in Russia and you want Russia to lose? Who does that?

Maybe he hates Znarok.

 

[agent082]

Probably because of the 'star players'. Now we have players who are both talented, are team players and workhorses - i.e. Panarin, Kucherov and Namestnikov as leaders. Plus awesome 'grinders' and warriors like Nichushkin and Telegin. And Vasilevsky has been very solid in this match.

True. I have read there is two kind of rules in a team Russia when stars are in the team. Now they look like a team and it seems like coach decide who plays and when.

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

I still think Russia's under performing at the Olympics has less to do with their skill, and more to do with their organization. I'm not saying they'd be winning gold, but they've clearly been playing below their talent level the last decade or so.

Their defense in best on best is still a tier below every other big nation. Even below teams like Finland and such. They do not produce good defensemen whatsoever. I'd argue Canada's D this tournament is better than Russia's best on best D.

Also their coaching is a decade behind. Running 5 man units and not line matching at all isn't how you win when the skill level is so high. Every advantage matters.

 

[Jesenice22*]

Get real. You have Swedish, Finnish, American and perhaps even Czech refs to pick from.

The refs have done quite well so far. Made some mistakes obviously, but who doesn't make them?

 

[snipes]

True. I have read there is two kind of rules in a team Russia when stars are in the team. Now they look like a team and it seems like coach decide who plays and when.

In best-on-best they just don't have the D men that you need at the highest level.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

True. I have read there is two kind of rules in a team Russia when stars are in the team. Now they look like a team and it seems like coach decide who plays and when.

Yep, no primadonnas in the team and it's clicking. Good decisions by Znarok.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Their defense in best on best is still a tier below every other big nation. Even below teams like Finland and such. They do not produce good defensemen whatsoever. I'd argue Canada's D this tournament is better than Russia's best on best D.

Also their coaching is a decade behind. Running 5 man units and not line matching at all isn't how you win when the skill level is so high. Every advantage matters.

That's not true, Russia's D isn't that bad - it's kept Canada to no goals so far and they've managed to effective neutralise many of the Canadian attacks.

 

[Kshahdoo]

You live in Russia and you want Russia to lose? Who does that?

I want people stop talking like Russia has already won it all.

 

[QnebO]

Kovaltsuk, radulov out is good decision, (or is radulov on in playoff) not so. Ovi is not a primadonna