WJC Group A: Dec 28 GDT - USA vs. Finland

[Hockeycanada*]

So both Canada and US play crappy games today and squeak out wins.

 

[HabLover]

To be honest, I think the US would've played better WITHOUT all of the calls... They have great 5-on-5 skills and it's obvious that their powerplay is very mediocre. They just don't have a grasp on that yet.

You better talk to Rabid Ranger, he said Team USA would take 15 pp's anytime and their PP might be unstoppable! Not an impressive showing for Team USA and just remember what I said about their defence!

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Walt Kyle can't be pleased with the start and finish (no pun intended) of this game. Down 2-0 only to get ahead 6-3 and then have a chinese firedrill at the end. From the sound of it, Frazee actually played pretty well, otherwise the Finns could have pulled this one out. An eye-opener for the U.S. for sure. I guess the good news is the U.S. won even though the team wasn't at it's best against a dogged opponent. It will be good to have a day off, regroup, and then hopefully pull the best elements against both Norway and Finland together for a united effort against the Swiss, who themselves look like they won't fold like a cheap suit.

 

[Zine]

The US IS the better team and they SHOULD win every game of this tournament. If they don't, they simply didn't play well enough. Even if every call goes against the US in the Canada game or the Swiss game or any game for that matter I'd still blame them losing on the fact that they got outplayed and didn't overcome the BS.

I think you're vastly overrating us.

You can't judge this team on how we look on paper - or how dominant we were against Norway. That's what these idiot radio anouncers are doing -- Jeff Sauer is nothing but a homer.

We finally played a real team tonight. Heck, even Sweden played us toe to toe in that exhibition game.

We're the favorites, but not to the extent where we 'should' win every game.

 

[canucksfan]

If you had the choice who would you start Frazee or Schneider against Canada?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

You better talk to Rabid Ranger, he said Team USA would take 15 pp's anytime and their PP might be unstoppable! Not an impressive showing for Team USA and just remember what I said about their defence!

Well, the PP did win the game for the U.S, so I can't complain too much. Defense played well until the very end of the 3rd period. Not the best time to buckle, but you have to look at the whole picture, and the fact is the U.S. won the game while Finland is now 0-2. I look for a more complete effort against the Swiss.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think you're vastly overrating us.

You can't judge this team on how we look on paper - or how dominant we were against Norway. That's what these idiot radio anouncers are doing -- Jeff Sauer is nothing but a homer.

We finally played a real team tonight. Heck, even Sweden played us toe to toe in that exhibition game.

We're the favorites, but not to the extent where we 'should' win every game.

I totally disagree about Sauer, he was being very objective about the U.S. team, relying on you know, DECADES of coaching experience to point out the subtle and not so subtle flaws in the U.S. execution tonight. The fact is, the U.S. won the game, and while it should have been a more comfortable victory, a victory it is. I'm sure Walt Kyle will take the lessons learned from this game and spend tomorrow instructing the team on how to play a full 60 minutes against the Swiss. I'm not saying the U.S. is going to waltz through this tourney, but unless you're Canada last year, that's rarely the case for any team.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

regardless of the reffing, 6-5 should give our boys confidence to play better and to not play dead like they did against Canada.

The two toughest game are past now, so they need to take confidence from this to be able to turn these results around if they make it to the final few games.

 

[gib]

So loss we get.

Very slow pace in this game compared to Canada game. Uhh, if USA was earlier considered favourite to win this tournament, it ins`t anymore. At least in my eyes or then USA needs to pick up the level of their game a lot. Canada was so much ahed of us, but against USA our boys did quite well.

I was suprised about how non physical this game was. Neither Finland or USA did tackle much.

Korpikoski finally played at the level he is capable to play. Hopefully he just improves while the tournament goes forward.

Tukonen and Komarov were the other who "stood out" for Finns (didn`t really stood out, but were among our best forwards). And yes, Seitsonen with his good pp-game.

Our defenders are just horrible!! passing puck handling physical play

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If you had the choice who would you start Frazee or Schneider against Canada?

I'd like to say we'll find out after the Swiss game (and Schneider gets another shot) but I'm starting to think Kyle has been looking ahead the whole time and will give Frazee that start. It's interesting, and telling that Schneider has never been acknowledged as the #1 guy. Kyle clearly views it as a competition between he and Frazee and will go with the hot hand in the medal round.

 

[Hedberg]

Is Frazee going to be the starter for the tournament?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

So loss we get.

Very slow pace in this game compared to Canada game. Uhh, if USA was earlier considered favourite to win this tournament, it ins`t anymore. At least in my eyes or then USA needs to pick up the level of their game a lot. Canada was so much ahed of us, but against USA our boys did quite well.

I was suprised about how non physical this game was. Neither Finland or USA did tackle much.

Korpikoski finally played at the level he is capable to play. Hopefully he just improves while the tournament goes forward.

Tukonen and Komarov were the other who "stood out" for Finns (didn`t really stood out, but were among our best forwards). And yes, Seitsonen with his good pp-game.

Our defenders are just horrible!! passing puck handling physical play

I think the 3rd game will tell the true story for both Canada and the U.S. If Canada's flawless against Norway and the U.S. struggles with Switzerland, then I think that will bode poorly for the U.S. for the rest of the tourney, even if they do come out of the prelims 3-0. I mean, the U.S. was up 6-3 with five minutes to go in this game, and while full marks to the Finns, this game shouldn't have had that much drama. It will be interesting to see how both the U.S. and Canada regroup from tough victories.

 

[edd1e]

So loss we get.

Very slow pace in this game compared to Canada game. Uhh, if USA was earlier considered favourite to win this tournament, it ins`t anymore. At least in my eyes or then USA needs to pick up the level of their game a lot. Canada was so much ahed of us, but against USA our boys did quite well.

You should give some gredit to Fins, i think we improved our own game too, althou i think that USA was a little too confident after that big win against Norway.

And yes, Finnish defense is pretty shaky, and scary (to us fins) in a wrong way.

edit: I dont get what's up with this hype over Komarov (Finnish center) He took alot of stupid penalties in both games.
I think we have a much better center, Lindgren who deserves more time on ice.

 

[Zine]

I totally disagree about Sauer, he was being very objective about the U.S. team, relying on you know, DECADES of coaching experience to point out the subtle and not so subtle flaws in the U.S. execution tonight. The fact is, the U.S. won the game, and while it should have been a more comfortable victory, a victory it is. I'm sure Walt Kyle will take the lessons learned from this game and spend tomorrow instructing the team on how to play a full 60 minutes against the Swiss. I'm not saying the U.S. is going to waltz through this tourney, but unless you're Canada last year, that's rarely the case for any team.

In terms of X's and O's he's really good.
But he tends to point out his team's (USA) mistakes rather than give a lot of credit to what the opposition is doing. I live in Madison and he did this with the Badgers ad nauseum. Bothered the heck out of me.
Nice guy personally though.

You're right, a wins a win. But I'm getting a feeling this team isn't all its cracked up to be -- particularly on defense.

 

[gib]

First time I saw Kessel (I think?) and I really wasn`t that impressed. I don`t know if he had medicore day, but what I`ve been reading about this guy I was expecting to see something bit more flashy. He is a very good player for sure. NA style guy, straight forward, effective and speedy, but not as speedy as I was expecting.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

What was wrong with Lindgren? He was invisible on the ice.

 

[Matti_A]

FIN-Mr. Vennerborg 5-6

I've been following hockey for 15+ years, and tonight the refereeing was the worst i have ever seen, period.
I'm so effin mad right now
I tought this was a fairly clean and nice game, but that sad excuse for a referee managed to find like 60 min of penalties. ***
And imho he ruined Finland's excellent start by calling some of the most unbelievable **** i have ever seen.
It would have been okay if both teams had gotten evenly called, but imo finland got the worst of it.
To be honest some of team USA's penalties were crazy as well, but not as many as for team Finland
Imho Finland was the better team 5 on 5, but mr.Vennerborg and a few soft ones from Rämö cost finland the game.

 

[HabLover]

I'd like to say we'll find out after the Swiss game (and Schneider gets another shot) but I'm starting to think Kyle has been looking ahead the whole time and will give Frazee that start. It's interesting, and telling that Schneider has never been acknowledged as the #1 guy. Kyle clearly views it as a competition between he and Frazee and will go with the hot hand in the medal round.

If you let in 5 goals I don't think there is anyway you can get the next start in goal. Schneider should start the against the Swiss and unless they lose he should start against Team Canada as well.

 

[psycho_dad*]

What was wrong with Lindgren? He was invisible on the ice.

Yeah he was completely missing in action. But hey, he is an offensive forward, and finland was on PK most of the game. I guess that is the reason. Did not notice him much on the PP either.

But even more disappointing was Kessel, like someone already mentioned. People in this thread were saying he will get +4 point night and all that (well ok, those were the geniuses who though they were still against norway) but this guy was quite invisible. Of course he is young, that could explain it. Crosby was not that impressive either in his first WJC year, though he did not get to play that much either

 

[Stidi]

Horrible referee, no question. A very strange penalty to JJ at the start of the game followed by 4 or 5 to Finland, especially the one to Sailio was the best ever. Yes the referee was awful but so was the finnish defence on Blake Wheelers both goal, he was left all alone in front of the net not just one but twice. Korpikoski was the best player of the game. Also Tukonen and Seitsonen really impressed. Chris Borque followed his 5 goal game with a complete no show. Kessel was ok but not his best day today. I really liked T.J Oshie from USA. Oilers pick Schremp was ok, but i know he can do much better.

I just hope they would get some real referees in to these games, this exiting game was parly ruined by this one.

 

[gib]

What was wrong with Lindgren? He was invisible on the ice.

He was invisible. I don`t know, but it seems like he doesn`t get the puck as much as he should. And when he gets it he tries to pass it too quikly. Komarov for example keeps the puck himself longer periods of time and that`s why he is pretty visible there.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

I've been following hockey for 15+ years, and tonight the refereeing was the worst i have ever seen, period.
I'm so effin mad right now
I tought this was a fairly clean and nice game, but that sad excuse for a referee managed to find like 60 min of penalties. ***
And imho he ruined Finland's excellent start by calling some of the most unbelievable **** i have ever seen.
It would have been okay if both teams had gotten evenly called, but imo finland got the worst of it.
To be honest some of team USA's penalties were crazy as well, but not as many as for team Finland
Imho Finland was the better team 5 on 5, but mr.Vennerborg and a few soft ones from Rämö cost finland the game.

IMO you're too harsh on Rämö. The only goal he maybe should have stopped was the 4th goal, but I wouldn't call it 'soft'. He made some great saves in the game and was one of the best player of our team, even though he gave up 6 goals.

But I agree that the ref was brutal.

 

[Canuck21t]

I love everyone comming in and saying that the US is only winning because of the refs.

Ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

What's ridiculous is you assuming and defending when you haven't seen the game.

 

[Zine]

Where was the ref from??????

 

[Joe MacMillan]

Yeah he was completely missing in action. But hey, he is an offensive forward, and finland was on PK most of the game. I guess that is the reason. Did not notice him much on the PP either.

But even more disappointing was Kessel, like someone already mentioned. People in this thread were saying he will get +4 point night and all that (well ok, those were the geniuses who though they were still against norway) but this guy was quite invisible. Of course he is young, that could explain it. Crosby was not that impressive either in his first WJC year, though he did not get to play that much either

Yeah that makes sense. Thanks to the ref, Finland was almost half of the game on PK.

And I agree on Kessel. I expected a bit more from him.