WJC: Team Finland 2018 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[Boonk]

i do like USA's 3rd line, but I don't see USA having the overall better talent up front

defense.. well that goes to Finland

but again this is all on paper, doesn't mean anything. Plus it's small ice

The US doesn't have better talent up front? They can roll a pair of bottom 6 lines that can play consistently with the pace of a game much better than Finland's bottom 6. Their ability up the middle already tarnishes whatever Finland has to offer up the middle.

 

[Ainec]

The US doesn't have better talent up front? They can roll a pair of bottom 6 lines that can play consistently with the pace of a game much better than Finland's bottom 6. Their ability up the middle already tarnishes whatever Finland has to offer up the middle.

for the sake of argument I'll go with your opinion, that USA has the better bottom 6 by a fair margin

Defense > bottom 6

 

[Boonk]

for the sake of argument I'll go with your opinion, that USA has the better bottom 6 by a fair margin

Defense > bottom 6

Only problem is you can't rely on your defense to score the majority of your goals now can you? If all your lines can't convert or play up to pace that defense is going to have an issue with a team that has a bottom 6 that can convert and play up to pace consistently.

 

[Ainec]

Only problem is you can't rely on your defense to score the majority of your goals now can you? If all your lines can't convert or play up to pace that defense is going to have an issue with a team that has a bottom 6 that can convert and play up to pace consistently.

you can rely on that defense to chip in on scoring and shut down other team's top lines

while also allowing a quick transition game for tolvanen heponiemi and co

no matter the league, or tournament. Superior defense >> bottom 6

 

[Boonk]

you can rely on that defense to chip in on scoring and shut down other team's top lines

while also allowing a quick transition game for tolvanen heponiemi and co

Chip in yes, rely on majority of scoring? Not so much. Especially against a 4-line team versus a 2-line team like this year's Finnish team.

 

[Ainec]

Chip in yes, rely on majority of scoring? Not so much. Especially against a 4-line team versus a 2-line team like this year's Finnish team.

You can argue that the Finnish team's bottom 6 this year is stronger than the ones that won Gold

 

[Boonk]

You can argue that the Finnish team's bottom 6 this year is stronger than the ones that won Gold

Not really lol, on both the 14' and 16' Finnish gold teams almost every single forward gathered at least 1 point. I don't see that same offensive prowess in the Finnish bottom 6 this year as the ones that won gold. So no, you can't really.

 

[Ainec]

Not really lol, on both the 14' and 16' Finnish gold teams almost every single forward gathered at least 1 point. I don't see that same offensive prowess in the Finnish bottom 6 this year as the ones that won gold. So no, you can't really.

damn, had no idea. No wonder they won gold in those years !

​

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Not really lol, on both the 14' and 16' Finnish gold teams almost every single forward gathered at least 1 point. I don't see that same offensive prowess in the Finnish bottom 6 this year as the ones that won gold. So no, you can't really.

The 3rd and 4th line just scored.
Finland wins 4-2. Outshot the Czechs 2:1

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

The 3rd and 4th line just scored.
Finland wins 4-2. Outshot the Czechs 2:1

Link for the box score?

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

How’s Valimaki looking?

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

How’s Valimaki looking?

No one knows unless they have been watching live. The best I update I can give you is that he is the captain and played in 1st pair with Heiskanen tonight

 

[carlhockey]

After watching this game you can definitely see why some of the Finnish D were taken high but I am skeptical of this team. The game against Canada should be interesting. It's really going to come down to Canada's dynamic speed/skill (which this year at least from the pre-tourny games looks absolutely insane) vs the finnish defense. All 4 of Canada's lines scored at will against the swiss tonight and it was utter domination with the swiss not even registering a shot for the last 30 minutes of the game. Do the finns really have the depth at forward to mount an efficient attack vs Canada? Also can somebody provide some info on the finnish netminders for this year I am not as familiar with them.

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

After watching this game you can definitely see why some of the Finnish D were taken high but I am skeptical of this team. The game against Canada should be interesting. It's really going to come down to Canada's dynamic speed/skill (which this year at least from the pre-tourny games looks absolutely insane) vs the finnish defense. All 4 of Canada's lines scored at will against the swiss tonight and it was utter domination with the swiss not even registering a shot for the last 30 minutes of the game. Do the finns really have the depth at forward to mount an efficient attack vs Canada? Also can somebody provide some info on the finnish netminders for this year I am not as familiar with them.

wait... Was this game streamed somewhere? or did you watch it live?

 

[LeafChief]

I understand there is some hype around this team because of the highly drafted D but don't kid yourselves. Canada and the U.S. are both bringing powerhouse teams that Finland can't match in terms of forwards. And the D-corps on those teams aren't slouches either.

 

[carlhockey]

wait... Was this game streamed somewhere? or did you watch it live?

I watched it live

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

I watched it live

alright

And I definitely agree with the forward depth problem. Finns can match the top 6 Canada has, but bottom 6 will be a big problem. If Finns want to beat Canada I think it'll have to happen on special teams. Tolvanen is the best shooter in the tournament, so if he is utilized well, there is some potential for an incredible PP

 

[carlhockey]

alright

And I definitely agree with the forward depth problem. Finns can match the top 6 Canada has, but bottom 6 will be a big problem. If Finns want to beat Canada I think it'll have to happen on special teams. Tolvanen is the best shooter in the tournament, so if he is utilized well, there is some potential for an incredible PP

I definitely think he is a great shooter but I would not say he's 100% the best in this tournament, but he'd be in my top 3 or 5 for sure. The other problem will be solving Canada's goaltending because Carter Hart's 96% save percentage in the WHL is ridiculous and he's yet to allow a goal in the pre competition.

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

I definitely think he is a great shooter but I would not say he's 100% the best in this tournament, but he'd be in my top 3 or 5 for sure. The other problem will be solving Canada's goaltending because Carter Hart's 96% save percentage in the WHL is ridiculous and he's yet to allow a goal in the pre competition.

I really cant think of anyone better. Considering the ice time and games played, Im pretty sure Tolvanen is generating shots on goal on same pace as Kovalchuk in KHL. That was the case at some point at least. He had absolutely incredible SOG numbers in ushl too. Also great accuracy and fast release. I'd say he is already the 2nd best shooter in Finland.

Im honestly so excited to see Hart at WJC. Those CHL numbers must be setting some kind of records.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

I understand there is some hype around this team because of the highly drafted D but don't kid yourselves. Canada and the U.S. are both bringing powerhouse teams that Finland can't match in terms of forwards. And the D-corps on those teams aren't slouches either.

Can't match in terms of forwards? Very curious to see a better forward than Tolvanen in those teams... other than him: Kuokkanen, Heponiemi and Vesalainen are having great season. Definitely a no match to such superior teams. What was the point of your comment btw? No one has said this is a guarenteed medal team, but we righteously have high hopes.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I thought Ahokas was a great coach.
- Vesalainen just isn't good enough player to play with Tolvanen,
his hockey IQ and skating just isn't good enough 5 on 5.

I guess Ahokas believes putting Hepo to second would create
more scoring (chances),which it won't,it might work with Turkulainen
as right winger in 2nd,but he might go with Koivula.

I do not like these line-ups at all, if they are final.
- What do players like Innala&Jääskä bring to this team?.
Ikonen should be our extra forward.

I have a baaaaaad feeling about these games......

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Still fingers CROSSED that Czech game was just another exhibition game
no more no less,he is still looking who is in who is out,he hasn't seen Hepo
play this season much,so he needs to see what he can do without Tolvanen,
but when the games begin i believe Heponiemi&Tolvanen play together in 1st.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Not really lol, on both the 14' and 16' Finnish gold teams almost every single forward gathered at least 1 point. I don't see that same offensive prowess in the Finnish bottom 6 this year as the ones that won gold. So no, you can't really.

"Offensive prowess" in the bottom 6 is very much on the same level. I find your arguments slightly clueless of how this team is "not even close" to the level of other top teams, no offense.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Also can somebody provide some info on the finnish netminders for this year I am not as familiar with them.

Well, maybe read this thread a couple of pages? I guess not many of the posters here have watched Luukkonen considering the doubts on him are on par with Vehviläinen, but he is a good goaltender from what I've seen.

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

I thought Ahokas was a great coach.
- Vesalainen just isn't good enough player to play with Tolvanen,
his hockey IQ and skating just isn't good enough 5 on 5.

I guess Ahokas believes putting Hepo to second would create
more scoring (chances),which it won't,it might work with Turkulainen
as right winger in 2nd,but he might go with Koivula.

I do not like these line-ups at all, if they are final.
- What do players like Innala&Jääskä bring to this team?.
Ikonen should be our extra forward.

I have a baaaaaad feeling about these games......

What? Have you even watched the man play this season because sure doesnt sound like that.