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

[Like Wall]

Bracing yourself for a possible loss.

The next stage is: "IHWC is not popular in our country", "we don't care", "apparently it's a big thing for Euros..."

 

[Scotty B]

Sweden is clearly better than Finland. The US has more talent but they are the most underperforming national team in the sport.

Yanks aren't under performing...They got bronze last year led by college kids , NHL rookies and journeymen...This year's team is even more bereft of top end talent...After Matthews and Larkin=team nobody

 

[Yakushev72]

I don't understand this " we have C team playing in this tournament" talk. Still Canada has very talented team in this tournament. In paper they beat Finlands team. So whats the deal about that?

The "C" team designation is just to provide cover in case Canada loses. An actual Canadian C team would have no chance to advance to the Playoff round. When they talk about C teamers, they're talking about Corey Perry, Duchene, Hall, McDavid, O'Reilly, and a lot of other guys who struggle to hold a roster spot in the NHL.

 

[Urbanskog]

I think its just ridicilous safety *****ing incase they lose, no team has their A-team here except maybe some countries like Hungary. All teams have what they have and should just do the best with that not explain about how it could be better...

Hungary was missing János Hári, not an A team either.

 

[Lempo]

In paper they beat Finlands team.

Just in for the obligatory notion that the actual game is played on ice.

And more seriously, it's wrong approach to just sum up the numbers of the individual players on that paper game. You err for the ultimate benefit of Team Finland that way.

 

[Urbanskog]

Yanks aren't under performing...They got bronze last year led by college kids , NHL rookies and journeymen...This year's team is even more bereft of top end talent...After Matthews and Larkin=team nobody

They have such a huge player pool that they should medal every year even if they sent their Q team.

 

[Scotty B]

who's the little brother in this case?

In terms of hockey/ this environ...it's USA obviously...Canada's head to head record against them at WC's is 39 Wins 4 losses

 

[Jablkon]

C eh N eh D eh-ians always say that. To us it sounds like sour grapes.

Even US guys dont use this excuse ( might be because their team is completely out of this ranking My entire country is sitting at TV supporting our team with 14 rookies. However half of the canadians in that situation are probably getting panicked 'Nooo, it's our C team!!", "yes, I know, but.... It´s our C team." It was our A team, but....you played trap game". You need to complete so many special conditions to acceptably beat team Canada, thats its almost immpossible. We have to live with it...

 

[Booster*]

The point of sports is to unite people across nations, now we shall all hold hands and sing: "We shall overcome"

 

[Direflash]

I think its just ridicilous safety *****ing incase they lose, no team has their A-team here except maybe some countries like Hungary. All teams have what they have and should just do the best with that not explain about how it could be better...

Well, that has to be it. I just don't get it people complaining their team to be just the "C" team when they really have a competive team in this tournament, team that has the skill to win.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Meh, the Russian defence let down the team, as usual. A pitiful display. The Finns were just better, both on offence and defense. I don't know where our hockey system is going, it's just god awful. Both Mutko and Znarok have to leave, they're just not capable of bringing the team any victories. And our hockey system is going down the drain.

 

[Mehar]

I expect and hope that Finland will beat Canada tomorrow, and if they do, I am the one that you will hear cheering the loudest. I know that it sounds like I'm ruling out the United States, but in fact I am. Just don't see any chance of them advancing with their lineup. SOUMI!!!

The Europeans live and die with this tournament. Many Canadians like me hardly live and die with this tournament, since it is not best on best. I expected Canada to lose to Sweden.

This is not a best on best tournament (great hockey though), going on in the amazing Stanley Cup Playoffs. I expect Finland to win Gold. Russians like you are probably crushed right now, since you actually take this tournament very seriously.

North American hockey players and fans do not care about it- and that is wrong since it is great hockey. If Canada comes back with at least a medal i am happy. If not- it does not change anything. I am shocked they made it that far given how inferior the lineup is of Team Canada than last year. You Russians who have Ovechkin flying over the last minute, because they love this tournament- should critically examine why Russia continues to fail on every best on best tournament. This was a very disappointing outcome just like Sochi.

 

[Scotty B]

They ( Yanks ) have such a huge player pool that they should medal every year even if they sent their Q team.

Well their top end talent is getting better recently...but its still quite shallow compared to Canada...They hot house their NTDP guys and that makes the picture look rosier than it really is...

As a rule of thumb, don't see a lot of Yanks in top 25 NHL scorers

 

[Panopticon]

They have such a huge player pool that they should medal every year even if they sent their Q team.

That's not even true. They could field a lot better team than they do this year, but their "Q team" would be barely on the level of Hungary.

 

[hockeykicker]

This is a hockey forum, not a politics forum. please remember that

 

[1Gold Standard]

So, if Russia manages to regroup and win the bronze does Znarok save his job or is he done regardless? It would be such a shame to not have Alisa Znarok at future WHC if that's the case. She's such a babe and the only good thing about one Oleg Znarok.

 

[Urbanskog]

That's not even true. They could field a lot better team than they do this year, but their "Q team" would be barely on the level of Hungary.

I know. It was more of a jab against those who keep blabbering about A, B, C and D teams here.

 

[Acallabeth]

Just what we've seen many times, our defensemen are simply too bad, our forwards aren't good enough to compensate for it and our coaching is subpar.

 

[Esko6]

So, if Russia manages to regroup and win the bronze does Znarok save his job or is he done regardless? It would be such a shame to not have Alisa Znarok at future WHC if that's the case. It's the only good thing about one Oleg Znarok.

I actually hope they fire Znarok. Russia has played some of their best hockey with him in charge. This year was a bit of a fluke.

 

[aphyro]

So, if Russia manages to regroup and win the bronze does Znarok save his job or is he done regardless? It would be such a shame to not have Alisa Znarok at future WHC if that's the case. It's the only good thing about one Oleg Znarok.

Is that his daughter?

 

[BlitzSnipe]

ha ha ha! What is a standard country? It's called hockey rivalry.

The standard Russia-hating countries - you know what they are .

 

[Scotty B]

The "C" team designation is just to provide cover in case Canada loses. An actual Canadian C team would have no chance to advance to the Playoff round. When they talk about C teamers, they're talking about Corey Perry, Duchene, Hall, McDavid, O'Reilly, and a lot of other guys who struggle to hold a roster spot in the NHL.

Tut tut...Yanks have their C Team at this year's WC...and they seem to be doing just fine...You mean to say that a Canuck C Team couldn't do as well?

Many , Many of Canada's C, D even E/F/G/H/I/J/K teams have won Olympic/ WC Gold medals...

Whitby Dunlops Baby

 

[1Gold Standard]

Is that his daughter?

yes, his daughter.

 

[aphyro]

yes, his daughter.

What can i say! Russia produce really hot women!

 

[Like Wall]

So, if Russia manages to regroup and win the bronze does Znarok save his job or is he done regardless? It would be such a shame to not have Alisa Znarok at future WHC if that's the case. She's such a babe and the only good thing about one Oleg Znarok.

I don't think he's losing the job. He's kind of an askhole coach, that Russian NT needs. Totally devoid of tactical thinking, but with the necessary mentality to keep the team together.