GDT: Semifinals - May 21 - Finland (3) vs Russia (1)
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Ace
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2015
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Look at the team of prospects and young guys the us sends compared to Canada sending every star they can every year. Countries use the tournament for different things. Some to get international experience for their kids, Canada to win more medals and gloat.
It's clear that coaching and a poor defensive system are to blame here. Once again, the Russian team has many excellent forwards, but when playing against a highly organized defense, they get neutralized. Also, the defense is not capable of holding off forwards like Aho or Laine. The defense system in Russia is ineffective, since talented players are often told to play offense. As a result, the defensive core is lackluster and so are the defensive tactics.
Laine's a great guy, he has a lot of respect for Ovechkin. But Ovechkin didn't show up in this tournament, I think Ovechkin should have that attitude towards Laine and not the other way around. Laine made the game, Ovechkin was just a bystander.
Actually, I think Canada C team would not be that unlikely to win against the Canada A :think:
Just start putting out teams and remember that top teams such as Finland have many players that dropped out or did not make it in NHL to start. If anything the problem with Canada is lack of clear roles for players.
But. An important point is that this tournament does not really decide much but it is great hockey and I want my team to win no matter who are playing. Should we lose to US today or the Finns tomorrow I would be very disappointed. But the token loss is already behind us and I am very confident the boys (that are there disregarding who is not) will go all the way.
Just start putting out teams and remember that top teams such as Finland have many players that dropped out or did not make it in NHL to start. If anything the problem with Canada is lack of clear roles for players.
But. An important point is that this tournament does not really decide much but it is great hockey and I want my team to win no matter who are playing. Should we lose to US today or the Finns tomorrow I would be very disappointed. But the token loss is already behind us and I am very confident the boys (that are there disregarding who is not) will go all the way.
Man, I don't get the Ovechkin hate. If 13 would have buried the empty netter it would be a different tune (and maybe a different game) and Ovi had plenty of chances. They won't always go in, but he did his job.
And I am not even a fan, at all.
Well, it's because we all know he can play better than this. He was just a bystander, the most active player was Telegin - I wouldn't say a word about him.
hockeykicker
Global Moderator
- Dec 3, 2014
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your expecting a guy who played a full nhl season and 2 tough playoff series to come to a tourney and take over? theres is a reason why a lot of nhl players arent coming over, they are tired and need rests. ovechkin had to come over as its in russia
Uh what? You think Ovechkin, one of the best goalscorers of all time should idolize an 18 year old? Utterly ridiculous.
Well, it's true, but I mean this isn't even close to his actual game. If he knew that he wasn't in shape, he should've left the free spot for another player. Unfortunately, he hasn't ever played well for the NT, perhaps because of the pressure on him, don't know exactly why.
Just a few years ago people were worried that Finland would be slipping with talent and only the retiring players were the last generation. (These people were Finland posters commenting here)
Fast foward to now, the U20, the U18, beating Canada and Russia NHLers and going to the Gold Medal Game.
Welcome back Finland to being a force again.
Fast foward to now, the U20, the U18, beating Canada and Russia NHLers and going to the Gold Medal Game.
Welcome back Finland to being a force again.
Ovechkin even at 50% is much much better than any replacement player from the KHL.
Not to mention that penalty on Ovechkin (that led to 3-1) was a really bad call that would never be called in the NHL
Acallabeth
Post approved by Ovechkin
Did you confuse Laine with Aho or something? Ovechkin wasn't stellar, but he did what he could. Laine didn't really do much this game.
It's easy to praise Telegin, because there are so much less expectations for him. People somehow still expect that Ovechkin will just come off the plane and score a hat trick every game.
Did you see his game? How many pucks the guy squandered .... I mean, this was not quality hockey. Then again, I can't imagine a replacement, perhaps Zaripov, but he was apparently injured. Gusev is still too young and makes many errors, so does Kovachyuk, though he has a great shot. Perhaps he could've helped the team.
I have to agree, I don't know what Ovechkin did wrong there. It's a standard play in the NHL, one sees it all the time.
Both Laine and Aho on that line was the problem. Both guys are huge, and are capable of using their size to cover the puck and not let the defensemen reach it.
Hmm... Laine played his 103rd game of the season, I think. Including FEL play-offs. Argument is not strong either for majority of other players that came to the tournament after their season, also from NHL.
(There has been years and years discussion about inclusion of hesitant and tired "NHL-reinforcements" to the NT in Finland, as those excuses are first sign a player doesn't probably make THE TEAM better no matter how their long, exhausting season has gone point-wise...)
It's nice show of respect from Laine what he said to his Idol, with good sense of humor.
To be fair there was a couple of situations that were not called a penalty on the finns but the finns capitalized in their chances the russians did not
Geez Luise ...we're still talking about Miracle 1980 ain't we? Give Whitby Ont, and Trail BC some luv
It's true, Komarov puncing the Russian defenseman, Datsyuk's stick was held at one point and Telegin getting slashed at the end. But whatever, the Finns were just more clinical and deserved the win.
Acallabeth
Post approved by Ovechkin
Gusev could have been called, but I wouldn't trust him a big role so far. Zaripov is way past his prime, he got carried by Mozyakin the entire KHL season. Afther the Kovalchuk's playoff debacle, he'd be the last needed player on the national team. I feel you're just hating on AO, like he's some kind of deity who just didn't want to defeat those little mortals.
Sure, but none of Finnish goals were scored by overpowering our defencemen or driving towards the net. And no, Laine didn't "make a game".
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