Notes on players on the Canadian sides of things:
Mike Richards - In my opinion, the second best player on the ice. Richards was dominant on both ends, and showed smart, simple hockey and was the one guy who 'got things done' the most. Richards was crazy-good in his own zone and broke up play after play the Finnish forwards had. He even was blocking shots!
Dion Phaneuf - The best player on the ice. Perhaps the funniest moment of the game was when Peirre Maguire (colour commentator) just said, 'No way that's ever going to work (or something similar)' as a Finnish player tried to dangle through Phaneuf's legs. Dion was the dominant player on the ice tonight.
Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter, Brent Burns - Pretty darn good, and they will score a goal against the Swiss, bank on it. They are so tough to handle. Each player there is more than capable on their own. In particular, I thought Carter and Burns looked to be dominant forces out there. Not to slag Getzlaf who was involved, but I've seen him have better games. Carter was just a force when he had the puck (which wasnt enough), and Burns showed great speed, size, and stickhandling.
Nigel Dawes - While I feel it's Richards and Stewart that make the line, Dawes compliments them well. He had one great shooting chance and got a 'freebie' assist on Phaneuf's goal, but nonetheless, he did a lot of things right tonight.
Stewart - Goal and an assist, and he was a TERROR out there. Honestly, there's nobody out there that makes me think 'Bertuzzi' more than Stewart. He is a MOOK out there. Defenders are honest to goodness TERRIFIED of the guy. The second he steps on the ice, the opposition is immediatly more tentative and give up the puck more. It's just awesome to witness him behind the net pushing aside defensemen. I want to see him against a bigger defense against maybe the Russians though.
Fleury - Not much of a test for him. I don't think he had a fantastic game tonight, to be honest, but he did what he needed to do to get the W
Talbot - Not a good game for him at all, he can do much better.
Paille - Most underrated player in this tournament, nevermind Canada! Paille is the face of team Canada, and you could really tell that he will do anything and everything to win. So happy to see him score, but he was involved everywhere tonight.
Seabrooke and Coburn - Can do much better.
Sidney Crosby - Good. I don't think Crosby will do too well this WJC's, but he showed some involvement.
Josh Georges - AWESOME! Really impressed me! Boy this kid is really good, very underrated considering last time I saw him.
Derek Meekes - Solid compliment to Phaneuf. Good skater.
That's all for now.
