GDT: Semifinals - May 21 - Finland (3) vs Russia (1)

[Caser]

My favourite Russia Vs. Finland game is 2012 semifinal - very emotional game (at least first 2 periods), the final score doesn't exactly represent that though.

 

[1Gold Standard]

No, I don't mean like 2007. I mean like 2016.

In Finland the mentality back then was basicly that semifinal was already a big accomplishment. Since finnish hockey has risen they want more, they want the third gold of the year for this country. I think this team has what it takes to win the gold and if we beat the host team, I don't have the same kind of "fear" in the gold game.

My news feed tells me that Oleg Znarok (the russian coach) could face a suspension as he allegedly talked something about killing a reporter or smth Here we go again.

and he said it to the ex-press attaché from last year's Team Russia. So, some lingering bad blood there.

but I doubt there will be a suspension for a disgusting remark he made at a press conference. Znarkov being the uncouth Znarok. Nothing new there.

 

[Gsus]

[/B]

and he said it to the ex-press attaché from last year's Team Russia. So, some lingering bad blood there.

but I doubt there will be a suspension for a disgusting remark he made at a press conference. Znarkov being the uncouth Znarok. Nothing new there.

I would be shocked if there was a suspension coming for him.

 

[Lempo]

The biggest weapon Finland would have vs Russia is that Russians, especially at home under massive pressure, have difficulty staying cool -> stupid penalties -> capitalize on PP.

It pains me that Kovaltchuk isn't playing. You can outplay the Russian stars, but if the team shows up instead then you're in trouble.

 

[CashMash]

I respect Russians and Russian hockey. Hopefully, this will be a great match for both teams, but I want Finland to win, of course.

Hope Barkov plays.

It pains me that Kovaltchuk isn't playing. You can outplay the Russian stars, but if the team shows up instead then you're in trouble.

Always funny to see Kovalchuk melt down. I still remember when he started to swing his stick around and the Finnish bench just laughed at him. Great player, but way too easily frustrated and quite unsportsmanlike.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

My favourite Russia Vs. Finland game is 2012 semifinal - very emotional game (at least first 2 periods), the final score doesn't exactly represent that though.

I like Torino 2006 semifinal the most.

 

[ijuka]

My favorite Finland vs Russia game is 1998 olympics semi final.

 

[ViD]

Oh that Bure show, yeah

 

[1Gold Standard]

Finns will be better tomorrow and at that point Putin steps in. There will be lots of brown letters after 2nd period and questionable calls in 3rd. Team Russia wins due to bad reffing in 3rd period. Mark my words it will happen and everyone knows that.

I fully expect an IIHF officiating **** show of epic proportions tomorrow in the Finland v Russia game, more so than their usual level of embarrassing incompetence.

 

[BB88]

Koivu and Barkov need to be amazing in this game, Russia has so, so, so much talent on that roster.

 

[agent082]

It pains me that Kovaltchuk isn't playing. You can outplay the Russian stars, but if the team shows up instead then you're in trouble.

This. Kovaltshuk and some extend Radulov would have messed Team Russia. Now when they are gone Team Russia probably is much stronger mentally and more united as a team.

 

[Yakushev72]

It depends on the opposition, you know. In this tournament, Finland is the stronger team on paper vs. everybody save for Canada and Russia.

Finland already beat Canada, so it's hard to call them underdogs if they meet again. That game will start on equal footing.

Russia is still the favorite for this game however. That makes Finland the underdog.

I think you might be hedging your bet a bit when you say that Russia is the favorite in this match. There is nothing about the two teams' performance that suggests that Russia should be the favorite. Finland is undefeated and has 3 quality wins, while Russia has a loss and really no quality wins to speak of. I hope they show some things tomorrow that they haven't shown yet, but there is no way you can honestly call Russia the favorite.

 

[Maukkis]

This. Kovaltshuk and some extend Radulov would have messed Team Russia. Now when they are gone Team Russia probably is much stronger mentally and more united as a team.

A very good point. Kovalchuk and Radulov are the main reason why I love Komarov so much: there's no other player who can single-handedly make those two lose their minds. Unfortunately Komarov is pretty much the only one who isn't afraid to cause a chaos. It has worked often against Russia. Maybe not as much this year, but getting under your opponent's skin is never a bad thing.

 

[BB88]

I think you might be hedging your bet a bit when you say that Russia is the favorite in this match. There is nothing about the two teams' performance that suggests that Russia should be the favorite. Finland is undefeated and has 3 quality wins, while Russia has a loss and really no quality wins to speak of. I hope they show some things tomorrow that they haven't shown yet, but there is no way you can honestly call Russia the favorite.

To me our defense makes us the non favourites for this game, it feels like a bit of a miracle that they haven't lost a game with that defensive group.
Though Canada has been the only true test so far but they focused on wrong things on that game.

 

[Canuckistani]

I can't recall the last time I anticipated the other teams' semifinal over Canada's.

 

[WeAre]

Let's hope that Znaroks will get one match ban for threatening reporter. Oh my, i'm laughing my ass off on this

 

[Fantomas]

Russia is always vulnerable because their defense is so mediocre. I can't wait for guys like Paigin and Gavrikov to develop.

 

[FlareKnight]

Should be heck of a game. Finland has been very strong this tournament with that roster and Russia did call in the troops.

Both teams could definitely win this. Just have to see which one.

 

[skillhockey]

Start of the game is probably gonna be somewhat similar to Finland-Canada game. If Koskinen plays good, might go either way.

 

[Jopo]

To me our defense makes us the non favourites for this game, it feels like a bit of a miracle that they haven't lost a game with that defensive group.
Though Canada has been the only true test so far but they focused on wrong things on that game.

My concerns too. Evidently Team Finland's overall game and defense has been pretty high level regardless, even without top D on a paper. How to organize effective offense if whole team is obliged to play through defensive against more skilled team both offensively and defensively, that includes many top-elite level NHL players and stars?

Team Russia is now more The Team then many times before, which multiplies it's potential. Pressures are on their side, but so are also whole country.

I don't think Russians will make same mistake then Canada did (by chasing/intercepting/tracking one man instead a team, slightly exaggerating).

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Damn i'll miss 1st period because i'm in the Sauna when game starts.
Finland has been a bit undisciplined against Canada and Denmark and they have took some idiotic penalties.

In Saturday we have to stay out of penalty box Russia is dangerous team and they'll will score on powerplay if we took a lot penalties.
Panarin Dadonov Shipatchev line needs shutdown and keep them without puck so much as ever possible.

Hopefully refs wont **** their pants just like in Minsk 2014 that' scares me already and i'll have bad feelings of the refs.
Koskinen will face a lot shots tomorrow ( Saturday) hopefully he's ready to shine and stand for his head.
No final score prediction for me this will tough and difficult game to Finland and going to overtime or shootout contest isn't impossible

 

[Scotty B]

And what I remember, is Canada - Finland preliminary game at this WHC, where refs missed a lot of dirty plays from Finns and didn't give 3-4 obvious minors to them, when the score was 2-0. The game could go a different way. Of course Finnish fans just laughed at Canadian fans, when those said reffs helped Finns.

Finland was the better team in that game, by any measuring stick. They didn't need help from the refs, they got all they needed and more, from ...

...Talbot

 

[ijuka]

Barkov can play, "guaranteed".

Barkov and Laine stayed behind after their whole team had left because they wanted to work on some tactics and combinations.

Prioritizing sauna over hockey = 0/5 btw. Then again I have my own.

 

[snipes]

I can't recall the last time I anticipated the other teams' semifinal over Canada's.

Me too. I'm so pumped for the Finland v Russia game.

 

[snipes]

Damn i'll miss 1st period because i'm in the Sauna when game starts.

You Finns and your sauna. I actually smiled and chuckled to myself reading that. Can't miss the sauna for anything.