Maybe I am getting old but I remember the quality of play being quite a bit higher 10-20 years ago. Maybe it's the rink that seems to have gotten narrower.
WC: Team Canada 2024
- Thread starter Gold Standard
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The problem is that for the coaching staff to "optimize" for his current skillset, they needed to shelter him, match him up against weaker opposition and give him teammates that will win puck battles for him and cover for his defensive lapses. Which is partly what they did for half the tournament, but that's a lot of coddling to expect for an individual player at an international tournament. This is Team Canada, not the Connor Bedard Experience Featuring A Few Other Canadian Guys.
I wouldn't have minded seeing Bedard in OT. And he was pretty good in the semis. But even when good, Bedard is easy to muscle off the puck and too often kept to the perimeter. I can't really blame Tourigny for relying on more complete players that just plain gave him more in this tournament than Bedard did. Especially when he won gold with this approach last year with a team whose best forward was Lawson Crouse.
IMO this is a good lesson to learn for Bedard if he ever wants to make the Olympic team. An Olympic team that's notorious for leaving talented players home when they're not sufficiently versatile.
So let me get this straight….
Coach gives Bedard one shift in first 15 minutes of the game. Result = Canada down 2-0
Coach starts to play Bedard. Result = Canada gets back into the game and Bedard sets up game tying goal.
Coach doesn’t give Bedard any ice in OT. Result = Canada fails to score
Shootout, guess who scores the only goal for Canada?
Coach gives Bedard one shift in first 15 minutes of the game. Result = Canada down 2-0
Coach starts to play Bedard. Result = Canada gets back into the game and Bedard sets up game tying goal.
Coach doesn’t give Bedard any ice in OT. Result = Canada fails to score
Shootout, guess who scores the only goal for Canada?
WarriorofTime
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Since 2007
Canada when John Tavares attends: 4 tournaments - 0 medals
Canada when John Tavares does not attend: 13 tournaments - 5 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, 3 no medals
I think Tavares is cursed, lol
Canada when John Tavares attends: 4 tournaments - 0 medals
Canada when John Tavares does not attend: 13 tournaments - 5 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, 3 no medals
I think Tavares is cursed, lol
ORRFForever
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ORRFForever
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I did not see the game - I was at Church, like most of you. 
Too bad we didn't win. Based on @WarriorofTime 's post, it would have been nice to see Tavares get a medal. God bless him for playing.
The tournament was 2 weeks of fun. I truly enjoyed every minute - TBH, I don't take the WC too seriously.
To all the kids who gave up their May to represent their country... Thank you.
Go Oilers !!!!
Too bad we didn't win. Based on @WarriorofTime 's post, it would have been nice to see Tavares get a medal. God bless him for playing.
The tournament was 2 weeks of fun. I truly enjoyed every minute - TBH, I don't take the WC too seriously.
To all the kids who gave up their May to represent their country... Thank you.
Go Oilers !!!!
SmoggyTwinkles
Go Leafs Go
FinPanda
Team Finland 2022 WHC champions
Bedard was a big disappointment for me. He is great offensively, but he has some work to do defensively and he needs to have more strenght. So he played exactly how a incredibly talented young kid would play in a pretty high level international tournament.
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WarriorofTime
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He does have an Olympic Gold (granted he was hurt in Medal Round Games) and a WCOH Gold (where he did play).I did not see the game - I was at Church, like most of you.
Too bad we didn't win. Based on @WarriorofTime 's post, it would have been nice to see Tavares get a medal. God bless him for playing.
Sorry guys, I think I jinxed them .
Overall a disappointing end but it was fun tournament. I think canada has serious goaltending issue. Binnington wasn’t good enough. Simple as that.
As leaf fan, I would’ve like seeing Johnny T at least be able to complete his International resume (because I’m not sure he will ever win cup) but oh well.
bedard is still young and will get more opportunities down the road to win the goal medal in this tourney. Good learning experience for him.
Really amazing tourney by cozens. Maybe we will see him at next years four face off tournament.
.Overall a disappointing end but it was fun tournament. I think canada has serious goaltending issue. Binnington wasn’t good enough. Simple as that.
As leaf fan, I would’ve like seeing Johnny T at least be able to complete his International resume (because I’m not sure he will ever win cup) but oh well.
bedard is still young and will get more opportunities down the road to win the goal medal in this tourney. Good learning experience for him.
Really amazing tourney by cozens. Maybe we will see him at next years four face off tournament.
Bouboumaster
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ORRFForever
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Binnington was fine and not the issue.Sorry guys, I think I jinxed them
Overall a disappointing end but it was fun tournament. I think canada has serious goaltending issue. Binnington wasn’t good enough. Simple as that.
As leaf fan, I would’ve like seeing Johnny T at least be able to complete his International resume (because I’m not sure he will ever win cup) but oh well.
bedard is still young and will get more opportunities down the road to win the goal medal in this tourney. Good learning experience for him.
Really amazing tourney by cozens. Maybe we will see him at next years four face off tournament.
It is a long tournament and, eventually, you will have a meh game and / or run into a hot goalie. We did both against the Swiss.
I don’t know .Having 885 % shouldn’t be considered “fine”.
he was bad in the bronze medal game.
HandshakeLineRespect
Respect in the Handshake Line
ORRFForever
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I didn't watch the BMG. Having said that, he was not to blame for the loss to the Swiss.
Based Anime Fan
Himedanshi Bandit
Does anyone really care about this tournament in Canada, though? I usually forget it even happens until I see it mentioned.
Well it is a tournament built around players available, not really the best of the best. IMO nothing to do with World Cup or Olympic.
Bouboumaster
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Doesn't matter, we shouldn't loose those, and especially, we shouldn't loose them and being fourth or under
ORRFForever
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KevinRedkey
12/18/23 and beyond!
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Tavares has overtaken Thornton as the biggest choke artist in recent hockey history IMO.
jj cale
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I don't agree with Tavares taking heat here. He doesn't have to come here whatsoever and he did. Not only that he played well and most importantly he played hard.
You win and lose as a team.
You win and lose as a team.
Hamilton Bulldogs
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Canada still has no quality goaltending options for four nations or Olympics.
Binnington was bad all tournament and a disaster in the bronze medal. As good as Canada will be, they need goaltending.
Binnington was bad all tournament and a disaster in the bronze medal. As good as Canada will be, they need goaltending.
MeHateHe
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Tavares, the guy who scored the tying goal in the semi, catching a lot of undeserved flak here. Guy volunteered to come when most veteran players in his position avoid answering their phones when Rick Nash’s name flashes up.
He played well during the tournament. Great, no, but I think that describes most of the team.
I’m not suggesting these are all Leafs fans slagging Tavares but I am saying that the Venn diagram showing Leafs fans and guys slagging Tavares is a perfect circle.
He played well during the tournament. Great, no, but I think that describes most of the team.
I’m not suggesting these are all Leafs fans slagging Tavares but I am saying that the Venn diagram showing Leafs fans and guys slagging Tavares is a perfect circle.
Thornton had bigger potential to live up to. Tavares has never been on Thorntons level in terms of skill.
