So who was the SECOND best team?

[MountainGoat]

easily Finland

 

[Rabid Ranger]

On paper-the U.S. On the ice-Finland.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Exactly how do you place USA higher than Finland, who beat them 5-0, and Finland, unlike USA, both scored on Canada and took them to OT.

They are not better than the Fins. Again, if the post had stood up, Russia would be fourth.

 

[Faltorvo]

I'm talking about the mens side, obviously.

I say the U.S. Nevermind that bronze medal game they didn't give a crap about, other than that the only other game they didn't look very good in was against Canada, and even then they only lost by one goal.

They're the only team I felt that (at times) could truly stay with Canada, I didn't see any other team being able to do that.

USA was 4th best team , end of debate

 

[Boreal01]

Switzerland.

 

[Eye of Ra]

we should play the tournament again. everyone play against all.

after that...we know.

 

[Borlag]

Finland, easily. Not sure why Sweden is even being mentioned here - yes, they made the GMG. They also did it with Lehtonen in net for the Finns instead of Rask, and managed to lay an egg in their medal game while Finland utterly dominated.

Sweden is mentioned because they were better. Finland managed to lay an egg against Sweden, they did absolutely nothing worthwile in that game and looked just as bad as USA in the bronze game. Top 3 are just as it says on the official lists Canada > Sweden > Finland. Beyond that it's second grade teams with serious flaws. And, yes I DO mean that US team was far from good. They barely scraped by to the bronze game solely because the rest were even worse, once there, they were quickly exposed.

 

[Puckstuff]

Latvia

 

[PG Canuck]

Sweden. They placed second.

 

[Guardian17]

Sweden.

 

[MountainGoat]

we should play the tournament again. everyone play against all.

after that...we know.

lol what?

Canada would gold again

 

[maclean]

If Finland had beat Sweden in the semis and then US lost to Sweden in the bronze game, would the OP's question still be the same? Yes? Look at it this way, even if you want to think that maybe the US was better than Sweden, unproven because they didn't play, the US still showed itself worse than Finland, so it still wouldn't be second...

 

[Tonelli]

2. Sweden
3. Finland
4. USA*

*Not really pleased with how we ended the tournament- but enough with the goal peg stuff against Russia. Even if it was an allowed-goal- no way of knowing how the US would have played out the rest of a very emotional game trailing. Could well have tied it up and achieved the same result. Terrible performance by the US in the Medal Round though- and Sweden and Finland well-deserve to be ranked ahead of the USA.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

we should play the tournament again. everyone play against all.

after that...we know.

No... Canada has gelled. You don't want to mess with us now that we have gelled. We would be a monster the 2nd time thru.

 

[Benttheknee]

In a short tournament? The team that gave the Canadians the closest matches were the US and Latvia.

Over the long haul? The US followed by the Swedes (who were missing 3 top players today).

The Swedes are going to make it tougher in the future as many of their players are under 25.

 

[Sher-Wood]

easily Finland

Yeah, because Sweden did not comfortably win over Finland?

 

[Lomez]

I will, buddy. We are the best (again) and it feels great. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend and the closing ceremony.

We? Like you had something to do with it. Anyway, I will, and come Thursday, I will be back to watching my team that has Olympians from Canada (2), Finland (2), USA (2), and Russia (1).

 

[Borlag]

In a short tournament? The team that gave the Canadians the closest matches were the US and Latvia.

Over the long haul? The US followed by the Swedes (who were missing 3 top players today).

The Swedes are going to make it tougher in the future as many of their players are under 25.

Ah yes, because Finland taking it to the overtime isn't close at all... Silly homers.

 

[Smasher]

Oh come on! The tournament system is the same for everyone. You lose the semi-final, you are not a top 2 team in the TOURNAMENT.

 

[JetsFlyHigh]

Latvian Goaltender.

Seriously, it's Sweden.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

We? Like you had something to do with it.

Everyone in Canada contributes to our dominance in hockey.

Anyway, I will, and come Thursday, I will be back to watching my team that has Olympians from Canada (2), Finland (2), USA (2), and Russia (1).

Good for you.

 

[parabola]

Well let's see.... Sweden won silver so....

 

[boozeash]

I think Finland was second best if Rask wasn't sick who knows maybe Selanne would have a Gold Medal Canada probably would have won but you never know

 

[Igy]

With Rask, Finland.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

I am happy with the medal standings. I just wish Russia had done better.