World Cup 2016: Best On Best?

[zeke]

Love seeing these stupid national programs bringing their usual assortment of grinders and checkers and character guys and trapping anti-hockey defense getting their arses handed to them by pure young attacking joyful hockey speed and skill.

this should teach them a valuable lesson and stop them from sucking all the beauty out of the game like they've tried so hard to do the past couple decades.

 

[TLeafsFan]

Yes they can. I mean, they had ONE JOB! Just one. All they had to do was have 8 countries with the normal format. Heck, have 6 again and have each play one another once. But this gimmicky format? It just gets worse and worse, even more so now that North America won pretty convincingly today. Can you imagine the lack of rivalry and intensity if it is a Canada/North America final? It might happen. In fact, it might be favoured to happen.

Crosby, Toews, Doughty, Price, etc. sold the fans out. Bettman, Fehr and the owners and NHLPA sold us out too, but we expect that from them. We don't from the players. This is something that the players should have immediately shot down. A simple comment from Crosby such as "I don't want to waste my summer playing in a gimmicky format like this". That would have done the trick. Honestly, you think Ovechkin didn't push the 2014 Olympics along faster by saying he was playing regardless? You think the NHL won't be there in 2018? You have elite players wanting to go and not so elite players wanting a two week vacation. They'll be there.

I will enjoy the Canada games and pretend that there is not a North American team on the other side to the best of my abilities because I truly want to see great hockey that isn't gimmicky. But I am afraid I won't be able to pretend if these two meet in the final. It will be sad. I mean genuinely sad is what it will be.

Gimmicky or not it's legit. Many have learned that now.

Instead of having Switzerland or Slovakia getting their as.ess handed to them, you have team Europe and North America actually winning games on the World stage.

First class hockey at its best.

And definitely worthy of a best on best description. Moreso than the Olympics.

 

[Xokkeu]

I'm not in Canada. It's been a nice tournament I don't understand why everyone is getting bent out of shape.

Well maybe your team didn't lose half it's players to a fake team.

 

[Big Phil]

I agree as well. Slovakia was one goal post away from tying Canada in the 2010 Olympics Semi-Finals. They have beaten Canada in the WHC in the past. Same with Switzerland. They always play Canada tough, and have beaten Canada in the Olympics and WHC. It is absolutely ridiculous that Switzerland and Slovakia are not fielding their own teams. They would have put forward a good fight in these games. Anyways, it is what it is.

I have to add- that it is great to see the many good hockey fans from around the world that have come to downtown Toronto. Met a lot of great fans from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the US in the World Cup of Hockey Fan Village, and at the Air Canada Center watching the games. Amazing atmosphere, and this is more of a best on best tournament, than the WHC would ever be. However- it is not a True Best on Best.

Not to mention Slovakia was trailing 3-2 in 2010 late in the game when Pavol Demitra had a for sure goal that Luongo just stretched and got a glove on. Canada was up 3-0 and nearly let the Slovaks tie it. This was in the semi-final! Not to mention Canada needed a shootout to beat the Swiss in 2010. They needed a late goal to beat the Latvians in 2014 (okay they dominated that team something awful but still, the score was 2-1).

I just feel bad for you guys, really.

betraying the fans! lmao.

today's game was pure unadulterated fan joy.

You really ought to watch when this tournament was at its peak and tell me what was intense "bowl your own grandmother to win" hockey. Watch the Canada Cup in 1984, 1987 or the World Cup in 1996. You will see something that you will NOT see in this tournament............hate. Rivalries. Bitterness. Intensity. You are meaning to tell me that Connor McDavid will take pride in going against his OWN country if they square off? You can't see the terrible conflict of interest with this? You can't see how this would be similar to an exhibition game? Sorry, but for those of us that remember this tournament back in the day we want more than just an all-star game for the "fun" of it.

 

[llwyd]

betraying the fans! lmao.

today's game was pure unadulterated fan joy.

No, it wasn't. And anyway, a 4 team All Stars tournament based on the 100 best players in the world would have even more "beautiful" hockey.

 

[Xokkeu]

I think the format organizers should have let Team USA take extra Team North America goals scored by Americans in their format. Assists count as .5 a goal. So technically we beat Europe!

 

[aufheben]

Well maybe your team didn't lose half it's players to a fake team.

It's a tragedy I know. Your assumption isn't even accurate anyway.

 

[zeke]

Not to mention Slovakia was trailing 3-2 in 2010 late in the game when Pavol Demitra had a for sure goal that Luongo just stretched and got a glove on. Canada was up 3-0 and nearly let the Slovaks tie it. This was in the semi-final! Not to mention Canada needed a shootout to beat the Swiss in 2010. They needed a late goal to beat the Latvians in 2014 (okay they dominated that team something awful but still, the score was 2-1).





You really ought to watch when this tournament was at its peak and tell me what was intense "bowl your own grandmother to win" hockey. Watch the Canada Cup in 1984, 1987 or the World Cup in 1996. You will see something that you will NOT see in this tournament............hate. Rivalries. Bitterness. Intensity. You are meaning to tell me that Connor McDavid will take pride in going against his OWN country if they square off? You can't see the terrible conflict of interest with this? You can't see how this would be similar to an exhibition game? Sorry, but for those of us that remember this tournament back in the day we want more than just an all-star game for the "fun" of it.

lol. i watched the canada cups live. loved them.

today's game reminded me of that for the first time in decades.

 

[Xokkeu]

No, it wasn't. And anyway, a 4 team All Stars tournament based on the 100 best players in the world would have even more "beautiful" hockey.

Don't get why everyone is so opposed to this idea. I keep suggesting some kind of midseason tournament where the best players in the world are invited to compete featuring only the best players in the NHL. But for some reason that idea get so many people bent out of shape.

 

[Big Phil]

Imagine the majority of this NA team stayed home, and people would believe it was a best on best without them?

funny stuff.

No, they'd be playing for their countries, not a store bought team. McDavid, Ekblad on Canada. Gaudreau, Jones, Eichel and maybe even Matthews on Team USA. It would be each country's best and that is not what we are seeing.

Love seeing these stupid national programs bringing their usual assortment of grinders and checkers and character guys and trapping anti-hockey defense getting their arses handed to them by pure young attacking joyful hockey speed and skill.

this should teach them a valuable lesson and stop them from sucking all the beauty out of the game like they've tried so hard to do the past couple decades.

Canada won 6-0 and fired 50 shots last night on net. They hardly are playing a trapping game. They are playing a very up tempo game. Imagine if they could have McDavid.

Gimmicky or not it's legit. Many have learned that now.

Instead of having Switzerland or Slovakia getting their as.ess handed to them, you have team Europe and North America actually winning games on the World stage.

First class hockey at its best.

And definitely worthy of a best on best description. Moreso than the Olympics.

I'll repeat this again as some people do not listen. Here are some close calls where Canada either lost or almost lost:

1996: Beat Slovakia 3-2
2002: Beat Germany 3-2
2006: Lost to Switzerland 2-0
2010: Shootout win against Switzerland
2010: Beat Slovakia 3-2
2014: Beat Latvia 2-1

Shall I go on?

So say it one more time, go ahead, say it that Switzerland and Germany or Slovakia can't compete at this tournament. I dare you.

 

[Claypool]

You are meaning to tell me that Connor McDavid will take pride in going against his OWN country if they square off? You can't see the terrible conflict of interest with this?.

I don't see any of the Canadian players on Team NA simply rolling over and letting Canada win if indeed that is the final two teams. They're all competitors. They play for eachother first and foremost.

 

[llwyd]

lol. i watched the canada cups live. loved them.

today's game reminded me of that for the first time in decades.

Well, ok, can I have the same thing you smoke - the emotional level and intensity was nowhere near those times, like zillions of miles away. Yeah, fun hockey, sure, and very frustrating for a Finn to watch, but I pretty much shrugged off the result before the game had even ended. But if this were the Olympics and Sweden on ice, I might have jumped out of the window before the game ended...

 

[Whiston532]

It's a fun tournament. Yea it doesn't "mean as much" but a lot of you guys need to chill.

 

[snipes]

Honestly, as a hockey fan, I've never seen a team with as much speed and skill as Team North America. That was a pleasure to watch. Look at tonight, they dominated the best team Suomi could offer. 4-1 was flattering, that could have been 8-1 or 9-1 easily. Team Europe systematically destroyed the Americans, everyone doubted them because the kids blew the doors off them, maybe Team NA really is that good?

I'm passionate about the game, and I've acknowledged this puts an asterisk on the best-on-best historical record. It interrupts the Golden Era that Canada is currently in, but damn this team is impressive.

I've enjoyed watching them play, this doesn't replace the Olympics. However, the product on the ice is undeniably excellent. These kids are probably the only team that can compete with Canada (nb: Canada still far ahead).

 

[Xokkeu]

Well, ok, can I have the same thing you smoke - the emotional level and intensity was nowhere near those times, like zillions of miles away. Yeah, fun hockey, sure, and very frustrating for a Finn to watch, but I pretty much shrugged off the result before the game had even ended. But if this were the Olympic and Sweden on ice, I might have jumped out of the window before the game ended...

I know the feeling. When Canada beat the US in 2010 and 2014 it was heartbreaking. When they smoke this cripple team on Tuesday I doubt I'll care that much.

 

[zeke]

No, they'd be playing for their countries, not a store bought team. McDavid, Ekblad on Canada. Gaudreau, Jones, Eichel and maybe even Matthews on Team USA. It would be each country's best and that is not what we are seeing.

Canada won 6-0 and fired 50 shots last night on net. They hardly are playing a trapping game. They are playing a very up tempo game. Imagine if they could have McDavid.

they would be fighting for 4th line spots on those teams which didn't even bother to invite guys like seguin and kessel, which would be a travesty.

this should teach them a good lesson.

I'll repeat this again as some people do not listen. Here are some close calls where Canada either lost or almost lost:

1996: Beat Slovakia 3-2
2002: Beat Germany 3-2
2006: Lost to Switzerland 2-0
2010: Shootout win against Switzerland
2010: Beat Slovakia 3-2
2014: Beat Latvia 2-1

Shall I go on?

So say it one more time, go ahead, say it that Switzerland and Germany or Slovakia can't compete at this tournament. I dare you.

oh yay some gritty crap teams with a hot goalie can bunker down and trap all game and once in a while the bounces will go their way!

riveting stuff.

 

[Xokkeu]

It's a fun tournament. Yea it doesn't "mean as much" but a lot of you guys need to chill.

I think the people desperate to proclaim this better than the Olympics are the ones who need to chill. Most of the rest of us are fine with some extra exhibition hockey.

 

[Big Phil]

I don't see any of the Canadian players on Team NA simply rolling over and letting Canada win if indeed that is the final two teams. They're all competitors. They play for eachother first and foremost.

Connor McDavid is going to feel proud if he beats his OWN country on a team that doesn't even represent his own country but also a rival country? Man, Bettman would love you.

lol. i watched the canada cups live. loved them.

today's game reminded me of that for the first time in decades.

then that's even scarier that you think this tournament format is legitimate. You should know better. Tell me, what country beat Finland today? Canada? United States? Any guesses? Sorry, I just can't cheer for a team like that. But I'll tell you what, you are going to love this. In 4 years if there is another World Cup and this format is still here, guess which team McDavid, Eichel and Matthews will play for? Yeap, this team..............again. A possible two or three time Art Ross winner will NOT be eligible to play for his country. Neither could Crosby, Toews or Doughty in 2010. Golden goal? Nope, never happens. Gretzky to Lemieux in 1987? Haha, no. The Oilers on the 1984 Canada Cup team? None of them are on there. Neither is Bourque.

So be careful what you wish for.

 

[Canuck21t]

I don't see any of the Canadian players on Team NA simply rolling over and letting Canada win if indeed that is the final two teams. They're all competitors. They play for eachother first and foremost.

They will compete, but I want more than that. I want pride and rivalry. Will Connor McDavid be proud to play for his freaking age group against his OWN country? Will there be a new rivalry between Canada and its ONW continent? The only reason the NA youngsters would be competitive is so they could in the future represent their respective national team which they have to beat at this present tournament. For the life of me, I don't understand how some of you can't see how messed-up this is.

 

[aufheben]

Connor McDavid is going to feel proud if he beats his OWN country on a team that doesn't even represent his own country but also a rival country? Man, Bettman would love you.

Did he just text you that he wouldn't be or something?

I think it's been pretty fun and that's it but to each his own I guess.

 

[Whiston532]

I don't understand how some of you can't see how messed-up this is.

See. This is what I mean.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

I'll repeat this again as some people do not listen. Here are some close calls where Canada either lost or almost lost:

1996: Beat Slovakia 3-2
2002: Beat Germany 3-2
2006: Lost to Switzerland 2-0
2010: Shootout win against Switzerland
2010: Beat Slovakia 3-2
2014: Beat Latvia 2-1

Shall I go on?

So say it one more time, go ahead, say it that Switzerland and Germany or Slovakia can't compete at this tournament. I dare you.

They can't compete because Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia can't maintain a strong tournament. They can pull out an upset or close game but they can never win the whole thing. That's not competing it's playing potential spoiler. And let's not pretend that those close games were because of up tempo hockey that kept Canada on their heels. It was Canada 90% of the time followed by those teams cashing in on their 3-4 chances.

Having a legitimate threat such as Team NA is more entertaining then watching Latvia curl up in a ball praying for a miracle every single game.

 

[zeke]

then that's even scarier that you think this tournament format is legitimate. You should know better. Tell me, what country beat Finland today? Canada? United States? Any guesses? Sorry, I just can't cheer for a team like that. .

weird. i had no problem cheering for them today.

in fact you guys seem to be trying very, very hard NOT to cheer. seems to me it's something to do with bettman, who you guys keep mentioning over and over again for some reason.

 

[snipes]

I think the people desperate to proclaim this better than the Olympics are the ones who need to chill. Most of the rest of us are fine with some extra exhibition hockey.

What if the NHL works out a last minute deal with IOC and the IOC smartens up and pays the insurance?

 

[Xokkeu]

What if the NHL works out a last minute deal with IOC and the IOC smartens up and pays the insurance?

Then hallelujah I don't have to start studying American players in the Finland and the KHL.