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GDT: USA Vs Czech Republic | 12/29 @ 2PM ET | TSN/NHLN

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letsgrowcactus said:
It'd be nice if Mysak had a strong game - he hasn't been bad but as supposedly our best player, I'd like to see a bit more from him.

The US are the clear favorite here and I'm not expecting much from our guys (I doubt they can repeat the level of effort they showed against Russia) but I'd love to be wrong.
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I've liked Mysak's game... good captain. He seems to have bought into the Defensive side of things and skating and blocking. Seems to be a team player. I definitely wouldn't be upset if he scored a few more points though.lol

It's funny because our top 2 C's are both 200 foot players... helps with the team identity. At this point I don't even care which line is on the ice anymore. They just kind of roll and roll. It's almost like our weakness (not much talent) has turned into a small strength. We are Switzerland.. in a good way.haha

I'd like them to repeat this level in the quarters (if they make it). Still see the Austria game as the important one.
 
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Czechboy said:
The biggest factor in the Czech victory was over 20 blocked shots and them gelling like a team and playing as a unit (eg. line 1 to line 4 are pretty even, it was line 4 that scored the goal and a shotblock that led to the other goal). Czechs literally gave it everything and were emotionally amped about to a billion. Not sure how you follow that up against a US team with a very different attack? If the Czechs do the 5 back strategy I think the US are ready to counter that with simple dump and chases till they wear us down. If I were US coach, that'd be my strategy.. spend the first period dumping it in and tire us out and score early. Wait for a PP. Be patient and methodical.

I'm guessing a 4 goal victory for US.

Things going for us were a very good exhibition match, 30 great minutes against Sweden and 60 great ones against Russia. We've only been 'as expected' for a period and a half. We also took US to OT last year with a similar group that is now a year older.

Things going against us are that the US is simply stronger in every single position, have a higher pedigree, are used to small rinks, sheer dominance over us in the last 15 years (or more) and several first rounders vs none for us.

I will cheer to the end but not expecting a miracle. I keep reading about how this group might end up in some complicated 4 way tie. I'm still hoping we beat Austria and get a quarter.

Pytlik should be back which is good as we'll finally have all our players back. Hoping Kubicek gets an increase in ice time.
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Great write-up! :thumbu:
 
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Czechboy said:
I've liked Mysak's game... good captain. He seems to have bought into the Defensive side of things and skating and blocking. Seems to be a team player. I definitely wouldn't be upset if he scored a few more points though.lol

It's funny because our top 2 C's are both 200 foot players... helps with the team identity. At this point I don't even care which line is on the ice anymore. They just kind of roll and roll. It's almost like our weakness (not much talent) has turned into a small strength. We are Switzerland.. in a good way.haha

I'd like them to repeat this level in the quarters (if they make it). Still see the Austria game as the important one.
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You're right, and it's harder for guys to distinguish themselves when the strategy is "defend, block, give them nothing and defend some more". The fact that the team stuck to their strategy so successfully speaks well about Mysak's leadership.
Austria is definitely the must-win game, though any points against the US would be nice.
 
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letsgrowcactus said:
You're right, and it's harder for guys to distinguish themselves when the strategy is "defend, block, give them nothing and defend some more". The fact that the team stuck to their strategy so successfully speaks well about Mysak's leadership.
Austria is definitely the must-win game, though any points against the US would be nice.
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1 point gets us quarters... another 4-3 loss and I dance naked in my neighbourhood.lol

I've noticed this for years with Czech Jr teams... even the guys that went on to solid NHL careers, they rarely score a lot for us because they buy in... only guys that got a lot of points were a few years ago with Necas/Hajek/Zadina having a great tourney. Even guys like Pastrnak/Voracek/Hudler/Zacha etc.. usually 4 or 5 points. Mysak was scoring at a very good rate in OHL last year. Novak led his team in scoring last year in WHL and is pointless (playing great, big fan) etc.

We usually finish round robin about even in GF/GA or slightly below.
 
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USA takes this handily. Czechs will be on a pink cloud after the Russian game, and too happy to hit anyone.
 
MNRube said:
Czech team seems to play a smart style of hockey with no ego and a lot of heart. USA tends to do the opposite - a lot of individual flash but not a lot of attention to detail. If USA can bring the intensity they should win by a few goals, if they don't I expect the Czechs to win.

Boldy & Zegras are the best players for Team USA by a fair margin thus far and they need to be the ones that step up tonight. Also Caufield needs to contribute more. Time to see what this US team is made of.
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Interesting take and it seems to relate to the nature in which the NTDP/USA U18 and U20 Program has veered from its original course. Going back to the days of the 2000's the program seemed to develop players who maybe weren't as technically skilled but their tactical play and willingness to play team-first hockey seemed a bit stronger. Guys like Jordan Leopold, Ron Hainsey, Drew Stafford and Ryan Suter all enjoyed long NHL careers. In recent years the team, much like Canada, has featured a wealth of 1st and 2nd round picks but has not nearly been as cohesive or willing to do some of the dirty work sometimes necessary to win tight games.

Today should be interesting.
 
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Czechboy said:
I've noticed this for years with Czech Jr teams... even the guys that went on to solid NHL careers, they rarely score a lot for us
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Could be because our defensemen are in general not very good. Our best chances have been on lucky breaks, long passes or individual efforts, we dont have good transitions from defense to offense, bad power plays.

Some of the defenders this year just dont look very skilled or quick. Team defense is our only hope. And cash in on any chances we get.
 
Lacombe, you gotta step up today, buddy. It's your last chance for this tournament probably.

Signed,
Gopher fans
 
Is there such a streaming service I can get to watch nhl network that won’t cost me 30+ bucks a month? I have Hulu live but they don’t carry nhl network...
 
Easy win for the US. They have too much elite skill, and will overwhelm the out matched Check team. I see a 7-2 US victory. Their big guns (Caufield, Zegras, and Turcott) will get a lot of the goals.
 
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ZadinaN11 said:
First off you should stop taking drugs, you are daydreaming.
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Firstly, drugs get a bad rap. :)
I see the US having more depth of elite skill than any other team the Swiss will face. The Swiss top players will give it their best, but they just don’t have the depth of talent to keep up with those US players.
 
vil said:
Could be because our defensemen are in general not very good. Our best chances have been on lucky breaks, long passes or individual efforts, we dont have good transitions from defense to offense, bad power plays.

Some of the defenders this year just dont look very skilled or quick. Team defense is our only hope. And cash in on any chances we get.
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Thought the opposite. While there have been breakdowns occasionally I've been impressed with York, Sanderson and Johnson and haven't had real issues with the others - except may the fourth pair in the Finland scrimmage game.

Interesting that the pair of York-Thrun is split today with Helleson paired with York.
 
The big storyline here is Spencer Knight. Does he bounce back and reclaim the net or do they park him for the rest of the tourney?
 
The Czechs with the identical line-up like vs Russia. Jaromir Pytlik still out (lower body), Parik in the net.

I probably won't be able to watch the game, but am definitely going to check the scoreboard from work.
 
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