GDT: USA VS CANADA. Part One and Part Two

[Dubi Doo]

My takeaway is how the Tkachuks are just so dumb, almost frat boy dumb. They start a couple "organic" (yeah right) show fights that don't really accomplish anything other than getting fans into it and injuring themselves. Then Matthew selfishly tries to push through his injury and forces the US bench to run short when a couple other guys could have contributed. Raw emotion isn't exactly the best route when there's no plan behind it. People from both countries took dumb comments from a president, and dumb actions from Canadian fans, and chose to devolve into hating on each other like a TV un-reality show. Hopefully it was good for hockey, but my guess is that it's just another small flash in the pan. It's also a poor commentary on how mid-level NHL regular season games are. There's little incentive to play with the passion that guys did over the last two weeks, until April.

Otherwise, the US hockey program looks to be in good shape and improving, but the lack of finish is still there. Big props to the state of their goaltending and defense. US vs Can looks to be a constant coin flip from here on out. Hopefully the next tourney is a six team gig with Russia and Czechia.

I agree 100% with the bolded.

1) Fans are going to be severely disappointed trying to watch a regular season hockey game after witnessing these games. An 82-game season just diminishes the importance of each game, so players aren't going 110% every night.

2) The US has closed the gap quite a bit. I mean- they were missing Q Hughes for the entire tourney, and still looked strong. The Olympics are going to be lit next year!

That being said, has it been said they're doing another tournament? I'd assume the WC and the Olympics gives the owners enough anxiety regarding their players health.

 

[Gras]

My takeaway is how the Tkachuks are just so dumb, almost frat boy dumb. They start a couple "organic" (yeah right) show fights that don't really accomplish anything other than getting fans into it and injuring themselves. Then Matthew selfishly tries to push through his injury and forces the US bench to run short when a couple other guys could have contributed. Raw emotion isn't exactly the best route when there's no plan behind it. People from both countries took dumb comments from a president, and dumb actions from Canadian fans, and chose to devolve into hating on each other like a TV un-reality show. Hopefully it was good for hockey, but my guess is that it's just another small flash in the pan. It's also a poor commentary on how mid-level NHL regular season games are. There's little incentive to play with the passion that guys did over the last two weeks, until April.

Otherwise, the US hockey program looks to be in good shape and improving, but the lack of finish is still there. Big props to the state of their goaltending and defense. US vs Can looks to be a constant coin flip from here on out. Hopefully the next tourney is a six team gig with Russia and Czechia.

Czechia only had 22 players in the NHL, so not sire they could field a full roster unless the NHL allowed non-NHL players to participate in the tournament.

I agree 100% with the bolded.

1) Fans are going to be severely disappointed trying to watch a regular season hockey game after witnessing these games. An 82-game season just diminishes the importance of each game, so players aren't going 110% every night.

2) The US has closed the gap quite a bit. I mean- they were missing Q Hughes for the entire tourney, and still looked strong. The Olympics are going to be lit next year!

That being said, has it been said they're doing another tournament? I'd assume the WC and the Olympics gives the owners enough anxiety regarding their players health.

World Cup of Hockey is supposed to be back

 

[CowbellConray]

I understand why...I wouldn't want Tage on the team either.

Dumb - Tage is a quality talent and 100% should have played over Kreider and Nelson.

Because I hate the team and everything they/we stand for. Can't wait to watch us lose again in the Olympics.

Oh, so it's nothing to do with the game, it's for you to root against something completely outside of hockey.

You do you.

 

[Chainshot]

I don't like USA Hockey or Hockey Canada based on their organizational actions which isn't just limited to but does include player selection actions.

 

[Mattilaus]

My opinion is that the tkachuks played like it was a 7 game series and that hurt them. In a 7 game series you can spend a game or two setting the tone like that because it will pay off the longer the series goes.

In a one game, winner takes all situation, all you are doing it taking yourself out of the play a bunch of times to make unnecessary late hits instead of focusing on the play. The players you are hitting aren't going to get more banged up and slower as the series goes on because its only 1 game. USA and Canada are about as dead even as you can get imo so your focus needs to be 100% on the play. Hit when it makes sense for sure, but it seemed to me like they were a little TOO focused on making the big hit.

 

[Chainshot]

My opinion is that the tkachuks played like it was a 7 game series and that hurt them. In a 7 game series you can spend a game or two setting the tone like that because it will pay off the longer the series goes.

In a one game, winner takes all situation, all you are doing it taking yourself out of the play a bunch of times to make unnecessary late hits instead of focusing on the play. The players you are hitting aren't going to get more banged up and slower as the series goes on because its only 1 game. USA and Canada are about as dead even as you can get imo so your focus needs to be 100% on the play. Hit when it makes sense for sure, but it seemed to me like they were a little TOO focused on making the big hit.

Also in most situations, there isn't someone of the caliber of the players potentially available to fill in. In a playoff, guys play because a one-armed or one-legged star is often better than whatever AHL chaff or black ace the team has around. In this case, they had the entire field of US hockey players to choose from and did not. This is where the history of "toughing it out" collides with and overwhelms what might actually be good for the team in a single elimination game.

 

[Beerz]

My opinion is that the tkachuks played like it was a 7 game series and that hurt them. In a 7 game series you can spend a game or two setting the tone like that because it will pay off the longer the series goes.

In a one game, winner takes all situation, all you are doing it taking yourself out of the play a bunch of times to make unnecessary late hits instead of focusing on the play. The players you are hitting aren't going to get more banged up and slower as the series goes on because its only 1 game. USA and Canada are about as dead even as you can get imo so your focus needs to be 100% on the play. Hit when it makes sense for sure, but it seemed to me like they were a little TOO focused on making the big hit.

Brady got hurt sliding in to goal post .. Matthew got hurt doing a spin ..pulling a groin.... McAvoy got hurt by getting cross checked in the back getting thrown into a goal post.

Idk where you're getting that they were just out there running around hurting themselves trying to hurt others.

People have really lost their minds about the Tkachuks for irrational reasons

 

[Mattilaus]

Brady got hurt sliding in to goal post .. Matthew got hurt doing a spin ..pulling a groin.... McAvoy got hurt by getting cross checked in the back getting thrown into a goal post.

Idk where you're getting that they were just out there running around hurting themselves trying to hurt others.

People have really lost their minds about the Tkachuks for irrational reasons

Really have no idea how you got any of this from what I said. I didn't even mention the injuries to team USA or that they were trying to hurt anyone.

 

[Beerz]

Really have no idea how you got any of this from what I said. I didn't even mention the injuries to team USA or that they were trying to hurt anyone.

You are correct.. I confused your post with one from main boards...

But as far as yours goes.. I didn't see any hits or attempt of hits that put them out of position or in a bad spot. They were both excellent in bringing energy and toughness

 

[Mattilaus]

You are correct.. I confused your post with one from main boards...

But as far as yours goes.. I didn't see any hits or attempt of hits that put them out of position or in a bad spot. They were both excellent in bringing energy and toughness

It's possible I am way off. I did have a few drinks in me while watching the game so my perception skills were not operating at 100%. Just felt that way during the game to me.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Cut the politics talk/innuendo here!

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Largest Audience for a non Olympic Hockey game ever!

USA-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off championship draws 9.3 million viewers on ESPN to shatter records

The USA-Canada 4 Nations championship game surpassed all expectations by drawing 9.2 million viewers Thursday night on ESPN.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[jc17]

You know it was from the movie Miracle right ? Did you want more Messier/Subban ?

Yeah it's just silly to superimpose this team with that speech. I think it was playing on the non hockey fans ignorance

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Yeah it's just silly to superimpose this team with that speech. I think it was playing on the non hockey fans ignorance

Trying to draw a parallel between this team and the Miracle team was indeed silly. Stacked tournament co-favorite versus college kids who produced the greatest single-game upset in the history of sport.