GDT: Switzerland vs Austria and Finland vs USA Exhibition Games

[Morgs]

Niemela, Lambert and the Goalie only ones who have looked good, Heinola has been kinda decent and Lundell meh. I wouldn't care if USA won 10-1 aslong as Finland would play hockey, this was not hockey at all from Finland.

I thought Helenuis stood out in a good way too. Heinola woke up in the 3rd, and Kokkonen was very good defensively. Other than that.... not the best effort by a team thats a potential contender.

 

[FinPanda]

I thought Helenuis stood out too. Heinola woke up in the 3rd, and Kokkonen was very good defensively. Other than that.... not the best effort by a team thats a potential contender.

I agree Helenius was one of the best Finns there.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

It was a workmanlike game by the U.S. tonight. Very good forecheck. A lot of good scoring chances. Will some of the lesser lights step up to provide some balance? That's a question.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The whole game pretty much. A whole lot of questionable names on that team, then again, the crops of recent Finnish talent thats actually good has been very small, sadly..

its one exhibition game... they'll need to get better

 

[Static]

Hm, no OT? They were pushing that pretty hard during the commentary.

 

[Morgs]

I agree Helenius was one of the best Finns there.

I have him just outside my first round right now. He looked good in both ends, skating seemed above average and that's not even considering his massive size and the fact USA f***ing hated him.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

to y'all .... Hockey is back. World Juniors is back .. Have fun

 

[MBH]

Best guys to me were
Caufield, Sanderson, Zegras, Turcotte and Kaliyev.
Liked Kleven a lot too.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Gotta agree with button here Caufield just has tho goal scorer instincts. He hasn’t shown me anything impressive in the rest of his game yet but damn the kid can score. That backhand was sick.

Button's breakdown was spot on. Caufield has the ability to find openings, like most scorers, he finds open ice and can capitalize. One thing I will disagree on, he did show hustle coming back on the D. Looks like his game could be rounding out.

 

[snipes]

Button's breakdown was spot on. Caufield has the ability to find openings, like most scorers, he finds open ice and can capitalize. One thing I will disagree on, he did show hustle coming back on the D. Looks like his game could be rounding out.

He could have easily had 4-5 points tonight.

Zegras was outstanding. Beniers was super impressive as well, definitely a player to watch for this upcoming draft. He does a lot of things right and has high end skill, very complete mature game.

 

[snipes]

Best guys to me were
Caufield, Sanderson, Zegras, Turcotte and Kaliyev.
Liked Kleven a lot too.

Missing Beniers he was excellent.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I hate comparing him to other players but I’ve seen so many games of him, And I can’t help but see literally a winger version of Bo Horvat.

From his skating style, to his checking, and his passing ability on the power play behind the net.

The Minnesota wild are getting a hell of a player

Very different players. Boldy is likely going to be a winger, first of all, despite Boldy playing center in this tournament.

Boldy is more skilled and perimeter oriented, not as gritty. Neither are speedy skaters, but Boldy is a more efficient skater.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Thats what he is tbh.

I don’t get the turcotte hype

still early though

Or it’s an exhibition game after not playing a game since March, but let’s go with your hot take theory instead.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Either has Zegras.

You’ve now done this for two tournaments in a row where you think there’s some contest between Zegras and Turcotte, so you root against your country’s players. It’s odd.

 

[ORRFForever]

to y'all .... Hockey is back. World Juniors is back .. Have fun

We're not out of the woods yet but I'm happy.

 

[NJ Fan 12]

Hauska miehet!

 

[NJ Fan 12]

Aside from the obvious standouts - Caulfield, Boldy and Beniers - thought there were others who made impressions for the US (particularly among those less heralded in some of the tournament previews).

With the exception of one or two players on defense, thought that group was both exceptionally sound and the skating and creativity was especially impressive (it is apparent why the Gophers have gotten off to a fast start). While he is not one of the Gophers, the play that Sanderson made on Caufield's second goal - where was able to shield the puck and keep it in the zone and buy time before sending the puck in deep - was especially impressive. Both D on the power plays with the four forward groups were also very effective.

As for.the forwards, thought Zegras was good but his habit of doing flashy tricks when a simple play may have been more effective is a concern. Forget whether it was him or Turcotte who missed the net on power play shots - clearing the zone at times and forcing the unit to start over. Feel both will be better as the tournament progresses.

Haven't seen him mentioned - though he played less than some others - but I thought Slaggert was a strong two-way presence and was good at occupying space and creating pressure on the forecheck .

 

[FrankMTL]

Le Petite Rocket?

The funny part is that in terms of size, both Cole Caufield and Henri Richard are listed as 5 foot 7. Size was obviously much less of an issue back then obviously. His teammate Yvan Cournoyer (who was not a bad hockey player at all) was also listed at 5 foot 7.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

You’ve now done this for two tournaments in a row where you think there’s some contest between Zegras and Turcotte, so you root against your country’s players. It’s odd.

Meh there is always going to be that back and fourth with kings and ducks prospects and their fan bases. Not really a big deal.

I like both players a lot....

Zegs is def the more flashy of the 2.... not to say turcotte lacks skill. But I think turcotte falls more under the Bergeron/kopitar type

it honestly just reminds me of getzlaf vs kopitar l.

 

[Peasy]

Or it’s an exhibition game after not playing a game since March, but let’s go with your hot take theory instead.

You still holding on to the take that he's the best player from his draft year?

He doesn't have the it factor. He does stuff well, but rarely wows you. I'm sure he will have a solid NHL career but I just don't see number 1 c potential with him based on what he's shown since getting drafted.

 

[bert]

By watching them play and thinking to myself, “omg, this is the worst team I’ve seen at this tournament in years”

First exhibition game after a quarantine and not playing for the better part of a year. This is the content I'm looking for when I come post here.

 

[bert]

It’s fun to watch real hockey again! The US team is loaded with exciting players. I think they put up 7 on the Finns.

Yikes.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I actually like the flash that Zegras plays with. Keeps the opposition on their toes and results in a lot of prime scoring chances. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but the threat of him making a play like that creates a lot of space, which he used to take a lot of high quality shots last night.

What I don't love is his low angle one timers on the PP.

On the whole, I liked what I saw last night, though not too keen on the way our goalies played. Nothing concerning but knight should have saved at least one of those goals and Wolf's puck handling made me nervous.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Posters, especially in WJC threads, like to focus on the flashy players so guys like Turcotte who do so many of the little things right but aren't overly flashy go unnoticed sometimes.

Agree. Explains much of the Zegras praise on here. Can't help thinking some of the behind the back, blind passing - while fun to see when it works - may cost this team in crucial spots.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

First time I saw Lundell this game.. maybe he just need to get his legs going and he'll be fine.

I'd imagine Finland coaching staff is pretty familiar with what he can do. I imagine you'll see a lot more of him once the real games start.

With so many Americans having played few (or in some cases no) games this year other than the intrasquad games, it is understandable their top players saw a bit more ice time.