WJC: Who does Canada pick in net?

[UnknownNasty]

I've watched all of Canada's games, and while the goaltending has been stellar, it hasn't been spectacular like we've seen from other goalies (Georg Sørensen, Dennis Godla, Thatcher Demko). In it opinion, both goalies have been equally as good, not one of Fucale or Comrie has stood out as being better than the other. However, the stats favour Fucale, although he's has less shots, and played in games where he didn't necessarily need to be good (Slovakia and Finland for Fucale, Germany and USA for Comrie). Comrie was good against the Americans, but he could've stopped the 2 last goals. Fucale has only let one goal in, and it was on a horrible giveaway by Sam Morin. It also seems like Fucale and Comrie have different personalities, Comeie is calm, laid-back, he doesn't let anything affect his game while Fucale is more fiery and competitive, he's been known to chirp players, which goalies rarely do. Now, who do you think Benoit Groulx will start during the medal round for Canada, and who would you start yourself, Fucale or Comrie?

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[Scotty B]

I've watched all of Canada's games, and while the goaltending has been stellar, it hasn't been spectacular like we've seen from other goalies (Georg Sørensen, Dennis Godla, Thatcher Demko). In it opinion, both goalies have been equally as good, not one of Fucale or Comrie has stood out as being better than the other. However, the stats favour Fucale, although he's has less shots, and played in games where he didn't necessarily need to be good (Slovakia and Finland for Fucale, Germany and USA for Comrie). Comrie was good against the Americans, but he could've stopped the 2 last goals. Fucale has only let one goal in, and it was on a horrible giveaway by Sam Morin. It also seems like Fucale and Comrie have different personalities, Comeie is calm, laid-back, he doesn't let anything affect his game while Fucale is more fiery and competitive, he's been known to chirp players, which goalies rarely do. Now, who do you think Benoit Groulx will start during the medal round for Canada, and who would you start yourself, Fucale or Comrie?

There is only one goal that Comrie would like to have back, that'd be the 3rd goal vs Yanks, although it was a well placed shot...He had no realistic chance on the others...

I liked Comrie over Fucale, from the get go & nothing I've seen has changed my mind. Still, I understand that Fucale, as the returnee, always had the inside track, and that mine would NOT be the consensus OP. So be it...

As for the others you've mentioned? They've been very good, but have also let in some bad goals, getting themselves out of position, not square to the shooter etc...which, were it to happen to a Canadian goalie, tends to get magnified under that glaring TSN / rabid fan spotlight.

Conversely, when a goalie, battling heroically for an underdog squad, makes a mistake, he's more likely to be given a pass

 

[CaptainChef]

It will be Fucale going forward unfortunately. Comrie did well against the US but that last goal will make the coaches job much easier.

 

[Mach85]

I think you go with Fucale. Comrie has been solid, but you have to be more than that to unseat a returnee who has played pretty well. I like Fucale's chances of making the big save better as well, although there may be more risk that comes with that potential reward. There's no wrong choice, but I think Fucale is the guy.

 

[bigdirty]

One thing that stands out with both Fucale and Comrie is that all the saves they've made in this tournament are saves that they should have made. Neither one has really stood out. Comrie had the chance to show what he could do against top competition and it was just decent, nothing more. Third goal was kinda weak, and I know people want to say he had no chance on the others, but with the first goal, he had no chance because he over-committed expecting a shot, leaving himself ridiculously out of position.

Probably goes back to Fucale now, which is a little worrisome, because if anyone knows how to score on Fucale, it's Ehlers.

 

[Scotty B]

I think you go with Fucale. Comrie has been solid, but you have to be more than that to unseat a returnee who has played pretty well. I like Fucale's chances of making the big save better as well, although there may be more risk that comes with that potential reward. There's no wrong choice, but I think Fucale is the guy.

Fucale had one suspect goal too, vs Suomi. He was badly positioned + too deep in the net, and although he stopped the kid initially, he put in the rebound pretty easy...

In general, Comrie's rebound control seems better to me, + Fucale can be positionally erratic at times as well ( and moreso than Comrie )...Fucale reminds me a bit of Fleury at that age...Also didn't Fucale give up a bad goal glove side...in the exhibition game vs Russia?

Thus far, to me , Comrie has just looked calmer, in terms of body language, positioning, and again rebound control...Had to fight through some tough screens vs Yanks, and did so, sans rebound, to perfection

 

[Mach85]

Fucale had one suspect goal too, vs Suomi. He was badly positioned + too deep in the net, and although he stopped the kid initially, he put in the rebound pretty easy...

In general, Comrie's rebound control seems better to me, + Fucale can be positionally erratic at times as well...reminds me a bit of Fleury at that age...Also didn't he give up a bad goal glove side...in the exhibition game vs Russia?

Definitely not arguing that Fucale has been perfect. I just think Comrie had to be spectacular to justify unseating last year's starter (or Fucale has to have been piss poor), and that hasn't happened.

 

[Emerz]

I'd still go with Comrie but it seems like most want Fucale after one bad goal, thought he played very well minus that one lapse.

He looks so calm in the net, Fucale im scared to death every time he tries to make a save, might be just me though.

 

[Scotty B]

I'd still go with Comrie but it seems like most want Fucale after one bad goal, thought he played very well minus that one lapse.

He looks so calm in the net, Fucale im scared to death every time he tries to make a save, might be just me though.

I wouldn't go that far...Not even close...Still I see what you're seeing too...

 

[RickyR]

Id rather have Comrie. Fucale just seems jittery and unsure of himself when playing. Comrie seems much more composed. That alone is good enough for me.

 

[fmrdh]

Non homer vote for Comrie.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Fucale

 

[habsterr]

Honestly can't go wrong with either goalies, both goalies were good but Fucale overall was better, so far no Visentin/Subban goaltending.

 

[Sharpshooter]

I would have preferred TC runs with Comrie, but that's just my own preference, based on Comrie's demeanour in net, versus how Fucale appears to me in net.

Both are good choices however, and now that Fucale's in net vs Denmark, i'm ok with that, despite my personal preference.

Fucale's been good. Not sure i'd want him in net in the medal round though.

 

[King Woodballs]

Ugh
Comrie is the better goalie and should be playing

 

[Stephen]

Definitely not arguing that Fucale has been perfect. I just think Comrie had to be spectacular to justify unseating last year's starter (or Fucale has to have been piss poor), and that hasn't happened.

Not sure I like the notion of seniority in this case, especially since Canada didn't win anything with Fucale last year. If Comrie is even marginally better than Fucale he should get the call.

 

[PanniniClaus]

So Fucale tomorrow but that does not mean Comrie will not face the Czech/Slovak winner.

They would each have three games and then you can pick your man for the final.

Could go back to a rested Fucale in the final which would be unusual for a North American entry at this tourney but may not actually be poor management of the situation.

 

[Mach85]

Not sure I like the notion of seniority in this case, especially since Canada didn't win anything with Fucale last year. If Comrie is even marginally better than Fucale he should get the call.

It's not so much seniority but experience. Fucale played in big games last year. Not that I don't think Comrie could handle it, it's just that that's traditionally how things are done, for good or bad.

So Fucale tomorrow but that does not mean Comrie will not face the Czech/Slovak winner.

They would each have three games and then you can pick your man for the final.

Could go back to a rested Fucale in the final which would be unusual for a North American entry at this tourney but may not actually be poor management of the situation.

If Fucale starts versus the Danes, then the only way we see Comrie again is if he falters or is injured IMO.

 

[PanniniClaus]

It's not so much seniority but experience. Fucale played in big games last year. Not that I don't think Comrie could handle it, it's just that that's traditionally how things are done, for good or bad.


If Fucale starts versus the Danes, then the only way we see Comrie again is if he falters or is injured IMO.

You may be right.... I guess we will see.

 

[George Maharis]

One thing that stands out with both Fucale and Comrie is that all the saves they've made in this tournament are saves that they should have made. Neither one has really stood out. Comrie had the chance to show what he could do against top competition and it was just decent, nothing more. Third goal was kinda weak, and I know people want to say he had no chance on the others, but with the first goal, he had no chance because he over-committed expecting a shot, leaving himself ridiculously out of position.

Probably goes back to Fucale now, which is a little worrisome, because if anyone knows how to score on Fucale, it's Ehlers.

At the same time, if anyone is going to know how Ehlers is going to shoot, it's Fucale.

 

[Scotty B]

Honestly can't go wrong with either goalies, both goalies were good but Fucale overall was better, so far no Visentin/Subban goaltending.

I thought Subban played well. He wasn't the reason we lost , that year, in the semis vs Yanks. And by the time he came in, in the bronze medal game, the damage was already done...Close game that, & had Subban started we certainly woulda won...Not that Bronze ( loser medal ) counts for much, anyway...Just sayin...

 

[Mach85]

I thought Subban played well. He wasn't the reason we lost , that year, in the semis vs Yanks. And by the time he came in, in the bronze medal game, the damage was already done...Close game that, & had Subban started we certainly woulda won...Not that Bronze ( loser medal ) counts for much, anyway...Just sayin...

I agree. I think we were so often spoiled by having goaltenders that had the capability of stealing games for us that we came to expect it. With Europe becoming such a fertile development place for goalies, it's more likely that we'll face a guy that's gonna stand on his head. That's why it's so important that we play a complete game in front of the tenders, and need them to play a solid game. It hasn't helped that there have been some questionable roster decisions in recent years, but I think this year's team is much more representative of Canada's best.

 

[Scotty B]

I agree. I think we were so often spoiled by having goaltenders that had the capability of stealing games for us that we came to expect it. With Europe becoming such a fertile development place for goalies, it's more likely that we'll face a guy that's gonna stand on his head. That's why it's so important that we play a complete game in front of the tenders, and need them to play a solid game. It hasn't helped that there have been some questionable roster decisions in recent years, but I think this year's team is much more representative of Canada's best.

For years, TC's braintrust ( or lack thereof ) kept going with that stupid cookie cutter mentality, of two scoring lines, a dedicated checking line, blah blah blah...steada just rolling 4 lines of the top talent available. It's much more likely that a talented sniper will play a good 2 way game, than it is that a bunch of grinders will suddenly turn into scorers...

 

[admire]

Mmmmm Ehlers is going to love this.

 

[DyerMaker66*]

For years, TC's braintrust ( or lack thereof ) kept going with that stupid cookie cutter mentality, of two scoring lines, a dedicated checking line, blah blah blah...steada just rolling 4 lines of the top talent available. It's much more likely that a talented sniper will play a good 2 way game, than it is that a bunch of grinders will suddenly turn into scorers...

I couldn't agree more. It's the same mentality that got Rob freakin' Zamuner on the Olympic team.