WJC: SF Pre-Game Discussion

[WMT]

Is there any confirmation as to the start times? Which matchup gets the early-afternoon slot? I would imagine Finland choosing the early one for getting extra rest in case they will make it to the final.

Yes, Finland would play first.

 

[eme]

I really hope the Swedes embrace their national sports, floorball, and join in on the fun that the Finns have been having with the game. High scoring game is going to favor the home team.

If the Swedes, however, decide to play hockey instead and shut out the huge scoring potential of the finns, we are going to have some bad time.

Really hyped for the game tomorrow. I can't remember a Finnish team where scoring would have been so natural. That said, I can't remember a Finnish team either that let on so many goals on a regular basis :p

 

[VictorLustig]

Allsvenskan goalkeeper hiding behind his team.

Not like this boys. 14 games this season for Söderström in a team named after some white horse. This guy wouldn't have even made Finnish team had he the luck to born Finnish.

I'd say Allsvenskan has produced more high end hockey players than Liiga the last 10 years. He's obviously performing much better than the Finnish goalies so why does it matter what league he plays in?

 

[Get North]

USA always folds against Russia, I think it's going to happen again. Sweden is a dominant team this year, big defencemen with great passing ability and defending ability, plus mobile. The forwards are deep, play as a team and a lot of fluidity in their game. A tough team to stop, basically perfect after goaltending.

Russia 4 - 1 USA
Sweden 5 - 2 Finland.

 

[ecemleafs]

i love how past international games means anythign to people. what impact could past u20 teams possibly have on the current patch of u20s...

 

[New User Name]

I can't see the US losing this tournament. Unless they run into penalty trouble which I can't see, as they're the most disciplined team so far. (when you take out the 5 + game from the 1st game)

Even in their loss to Sweden they dominated but ran into a hot goalie.

They're the best skating and puck control team at this tournament.

If the Russians frustrate them and they start taking penalties it could become a disaster as their one weakness is defense. (In fairness they haven't been challenged that much)

That said, I think it will be US and Sweden wins.

 

[NTDP]

I can't see the US losing this tournament. Unless they run into penalty trouble which I can't see, as they're the most disciplined team so far. (when you take out the 5 + game from the 1st game)

Even in their loss to Sweden they dominated but ran into a hot goalie.

They're the best skating and puck control team at this tournament.

If the Russians frustrate them and they start taking penalties it could become a disaster as their one weakness is defense. (In fairness they haven't been challenged that much)

That said, I think it will be US and Sweden wins.

Totally agree, however, I think the D has been very good. They showed it against the Canadians and the Swedes. Their gap control has been very good and they give no one any time and space. I've been really impressed with their positioning on the ice as well as the zone exits. A few gafs here and there but their transition game in their own zone has been the best in the tournament imo.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

I can't see the US losing this tournament. Unless they run into penalty trouble which I can't see, as they're the most disciplined team so far. (when you take out the 5 + game from the 1st game)

Even in their loss to Sweden they dominated but ran into a hot goalie.

They're the best skating and puck control team at this tournament.

If the Russians frustrate them and they start taking penalties it could become a disaster as their one weakness is defense. (In fairness they haven't been challenged that much)

That said, I think it will be US and Sweden wins.

Haven't been challenged ?

Held Canada to 2 goals and Sweden to 1 goal on a bad change, completely shut down Pastrnak and Zacha from Czeck, what more can they possibly do to be challenged ?

Nobody on this board expected anywhere near this type of play from the defense. Even though the top 4 are playing most of the minutes, they are all contributing.

I agree with everything A. Dream had to say accept for Mcavoy. He played well against Swiss and Denmark but had a hard time against Canada and Sweden. He didn't make good decisions and they led to turnovers and opprtunities. Just takes to many chances. If he just keeps it simple he has good upside. I think that will come with maturity but he is not even close to top 4 on this team at this time.

The biggest thing with all the D is they have all skated well so far. Bigger ice tomorrow will be a test.

 

[tony d]

Sweden-4 Finland-3 in overtime
USA- 3 Russia-1

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Russia is the worst match up the Americans can have. At this level funny things always happen no matter how strong the US is.

Finland will play Russia for Gold.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

USA always folds against Russia, I think it's going to happen again. Sweden is a dominant team this year, big defencemen with great passing ability and defending ability, plus mobile. The forwards are deep, play as a team and a lot of fluidity in their game. A tough team to stop, basically perfect after goaltending.

Russia 4 - 1 USA
Sweden 5 - 2 Finland.

Except for that one time . . .

 

[Passionis]

Im sensing USA are cocky and slightly underestimate Russia based on the tone of the interviews, maybe rightfully so, but well see

 

[WarriorofTime]

The WJC is not a best-on-best tournament. When Sweden won their gold medal in 2012, Canada didn't have Tyler Seguin, Erik Gudbranson, Ryan Johansen, Jeff Skinner, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Sean Couturier.

And when Canada beat Sweden in the 2014 Olympics Sweden didn't have Backstrom

 

[JFG]

I really hope the Swedes embrace their national sports, floorball, and join in on the fun that the Finns have been having with the game. High scoring game is going to favor the home team.

If the Swedes, however, decide to play hockey instead and shut out the huge scoring potential of the finns, we are going to have some bad time.

Really hyped for the game tomorrow. I can't remember a Finnish team where scoring would have been so natural. That said, I can't remember a Finnish team either that let on so many goals on a regular basis :p

Floorball isn't a sport, it's a hobby. At best it's a PE activity.

 

[Zine]

Yea, the US does seem cocky.....and their coach is condescending. But whatever, they have reason to be. Their top end talent has been very good. It's something Russia is lacking this year.

USA 4, Russia 2

 

[WarriorofTime]

Feels like Russia has been bad thus far, yet they're undefeated. They always seem to have USA's number in this thing, but USA is very talented this year. Should be interesting. My heart and head say USA should win but I'm not overly confident in it.

 

[VictorLustig]

And when Canada beat Sweden in the 2014 Olympics Sweden didn't have Backstrom

Or Zetterberg, or H. Sedin.

And when Sweden won at the WJC there was no Landeskog or Adam Larsson.

Winning at this tournament isn't about having the best team on paper. In that case Canada would win every year so the talk about the WJC not being a best on best tournament is pretty meaningless.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Or Zetterberg, or H. Sedin.

And when Sweden won at the WJC there was no Landeskog or Adam Larsson.

Winning at this tournament isn't about having the best team on paper. In that case Canada would win every year so the talk about the WJC not being a best on best tournament is pretty meaningless.

Yeah "best on best" is a misnomer. Every team in every tournament sends who they got available and that's that. Does the Blackhawks Stanley Cup not count cuz Nashville lost Shea Weber to injury in the first round?

 

[Nordic*]

How did the exhibition games between Sweden and Suomi go, before the WJC?

 

[Ace]

i love how past international games means anythign to people. what impact could past u20 teams possibly have on the current patch of u20s...

If the US was playing Belarus he'd pick Belarus. It's his entire gimmick. Everything US hockey is subpar, Don Cherry is God, rinse repeat.

Read 1 post, read all 4657

 

[QnebO]

Floorball isn't a sport, it's a hobby. At best it's a PE activity.

Yup. They look like wannabe hockey players to me, these days it they play it so physical.

Just scrubs that can't skate!

 

[shackattack]

USA are to deep for Russians.I expect an easy win if such a thing.Other game will depend if Finns netminder can play well.Toss up to me who wins.

 

[QnebO]

USA are to deep for Russians.I expect an easy win if such a thing.Other game will depend if Finns netminder can play well.Toss up to me who wins.

"Jos maalivahtipelissä on merkittävää eroa, paremman maalivahdin joukkue voittaa."

If there is significant difference in goalie play, the team of better goalie will win.

That line by one of the not that respected Finnish hockey persons might really well be true today. Tami is guy that knows some things, he just can't ever stay serious and if he has an agenda, he will be 100% biased...

 

[ponder]

Hoping for USA/Finland, would love to see Matthews vs. Laine/Pulju. Expecting Russia/Sweden, but all 4 of these teams are pretty evenly matched, any could win it all.

 

[TheTwelfth]

Or Zetterberg, or H. Sedin.

And when Sweden won at the WJC there was no Landeskog or Adam Larsson.

Winning at this tournament isn't about having the best team on paper. In that case Canada would win every year so the talk about the WJC not being a best on best tournament is pretty meaningless.

...but when Finland won the WJC in 2014 they were without their two best players in the age group (Barkov + Määttä) and had their best underage player injured (Kapanen). But, sure, any excuse to feed the "Canada is best in any real best-on-best" circle-jerk is expected.

Can't people appreciate the tournament for what it is? We know that McDavid and Ekblad are missing for Canada, we know that Eichel and Hanifin are missing for the U.S. Nylander is injured, Pasternak was flown in late, and we can go on and on.

It is about who plays the tournament best with the hand they're dealt, not could-haves, would-haves.