World Cup: Aug 31 GDT - Germany vs. Sweden (2-5)

[Kronblom]

You dont watch Alfredsson much do you.

He was referring to his performance in the three pre games, Alfredsson looked anything but good in those games. A different story today though, a few other veterans also stepped up in this game and actually did something good.

 

[Kronblom]

Side information here too, it wasn't just that goal that affected his game. MacTavish had said on a few occasions that he was having personal issues and his wife did not come to Edmonton this past year. When it rains it pours, even for a nice guy like Tommy.

Tommy and his wife are now divorced.

 

[Poikilitic]

On a positive note - it was good that it happened in the 1st game against Germany.

agreed. if this happened in a more serious match....

 

[Riddarn]

He was referring to his performance in the three pre games, Alfredsson looked anything but good in those games. A different story today though, a few other veterans also stepped up in this game and actually did something good.

As you say, I was mainly referring to the practice games but also the World Championships, where he was mainly floating around and looking bored, as you might remember. As for his play with the Senators, I couldn't care less.

 

[Predatore]

Do we have to put the score in the thread title right after the game is over? I'd been purposely staying away from the World Cup board since I was taping the game, but this thread happened to show up on the main list when I hit hfboards.

I know, I know.. what a whiner.

hehe, just for you I will stop doing so..

(It is a way to avoid countless of posts with "what was the score", "how did it end" etc, since so many posters are lazy and not so fond of browsing through the pages )

 

[SChan*]

Our Coach (hardy nilsson) is an idiot. He complained at Forsberg, Naslund, and zetterberg, but he continued with his trust in salo and made excuses for him. It even sounded like Salo might continue to play in the upcoming matches. That is ridicious. We need a better coach, I am tired of hardy.

 

[Leo Naphta]

Well, if Hardy is going to break up the second line - and I think that he should - he really should put Forsberg at his natural position as centre, and put a powerforward on his right side. I wouldn't mind seeing Holmström on Forsberg's wing - if memory serves me correctly they played together in the last world cup. And while he is at it, it would be nice to see if not Zetterberg and Modin could form a rather dangerous third line with someone like Jönsson as centre - with Nilson replacing Modin on the first.

 

[SChan*]

Well, if Hardy is going to break up the second line - and I think that he should - he really should put Forsberg at his natural position as centre, and put a powerforward on his right side. I wouldn't mind seeing Holmström on Forsberg's wing - if memory serves me correctly they played together in the last world cup. And while he is at it, it would be nice to see if not Zetterberg and Modin could form a rather dangerous third line with someone like Jönsson as centre - with Nilson replacing Modin on the first.

He shouldn't break up it imo. Forsberg and Naslund only got like 1 chance to play togehter while sundin and alfredsson had plenty befoe they got going. They need more chances. Playing against a D minded germany didn't help either.

 

[H/H]

I hope to god Salo is out. Tellqvist has been a better goaltender than him for 3-4 years now. Lundqvist is better as well.

 

[Kiefer]

Any video highlights out there?

Dunno if you found some aldready but here's a link:

http://wch2004.com/highlights/index.html

 

[Seiza]

Our Coach (hardy nilsson) is an idiot. He complained at Forsberg, Naslund, and zetterberg, but he continued with his trust in salo and made excuses for him. It even sounded like Salo might continue to play in the upcoming matches. That is ridicious. We need a better coach, I am tired of hardy.

Yes, Hardy is a complete idiot. He should have been sacked after the olympics. Not very fond of his defensive pairing either.

I hope to god Salo is out. Tellqvist has been a better goaltender than him for 3-4 years now. Lundqvist is better as well.

Agree, I would rather have had Liv as the third goalie. Leaving Salo at home..

 

[Poikilitic]

wake up Predatore, make the Czech vs. Sweden thread!!!

 

[bert]

As you say, I was mainly referring to the practice games but also the World Championships, where he was mainly floating around and looking bored, as you might remember. As for his play with the Senators, I couldn't care less.

Then how can you evaluate him as a player at all?

 

[Predatore]

Then how can you evaluate him as a player at all?

since he is talking about Alfredsson's play with Team Sweden (which he has explained now) I can't see why you are asking that question.
He could put up 150 points with the Senators but that would not take away the fact the he has been/seemed unmotivated and had poor showings with the national team recently.

 

[Leo Naphta]

Yes, Hardy is a complete idiot. He should have been sacked after the olympics. Not very fond of his defensive pairing either.

Have to agree there. He should have been sacked two years ago. And the pairings on defence make little sense either - except for Öhlund - Tjärnqvist. Two offensive d-man in one pair and two defensive in the other? It would have been better to split them.

 

[Seiza]

Have to agree there. He should have been sacked two years ago. And the pairings on defence make little sense either - except for Öhlund - Tjärnqvist. Two offensive d-man in one pair and two defensive in the other? It would have been better to split them.

Exactly my point! Why split up Ragnarsson and Johnsson, who played together all season and did it good. Now we have a first pairing with two of the best offensive minded d-men in the world and one of them have to take defensive responsibility when the other one moves forward. It makes no sense! Nah, I think Hardy is done in Tre kronor....

 

[SwisshockeyAcademy]

For the sake of keeping games close, Germany should have continued playing defensive hockey until their skill level can match the good teams. They can't play wide open hockey with the big dogs, they are much worse than I was hoping/expecting.

No knock against the Swedes, they certainly look excellent out there minus Salo. They will be a powerhouse without him.

If that was not defensive i don't know what is. It was mainly a soft 1-3-1 which is a system i don't mind but you really have to be able to soak up the pressure with great goaltending and precise defending whereby you contain but do not take many penalties. Germany got solid but not spectacular goaltending. Kopitz was a PK nightmare. Lewandowski may have been Germany's worst player which i was not expecting. Very timid, tense, careless.

 

[Raipe]

Sweden 5-2

 

[Kronblom]

Then how can you evaluate him as a player at all?

Daniel Alfredsson with Team Sweden

1995 World Championships
1996 World Championships
1996 World Cup
1998 Olympic Games
1999 World Championships
2001 World Championships
2002 Olympic Games
2004 World Championships
2004 World Cup

Daniel will play his 100th game with the national team during the World Cup, we evaluate him based on all these games.

 

[rbeeler]

As for team Germany, I was impressed by several of their non-NHL players...

Daniel Kreutzer - This guy did everything, he fought in the corners, killed penalties, had a hard shot and was a nuisance. Although I am far from an expert, I could see this guy in the NHL.

Sasha Goc - Played a solid game...noticed that he jumped into the play several times.

Eduard Lewandowski - Got better as the game went on. Though he choked on his best chance of the night, he played a solid all around game. The only knock on him was that he wasnt a physical factor, in the corners and along the boards.

Comments? If I am wrong or did not notice something, please feel free to correct me.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

I only hope Näslund will finally get his big break internationally with the Swedish national team.

What do you mean by that, Pred?

 

[Kronblom]

What do you mean by that, Pred?

Markus hasn´t been as good for Team Sweden as he has been with the Canucks. He hasn´t won anything yet and he has failed in most previous tournaments.

15 goals and 31 points in 48 games with Team Sweden is not what you expect from a player like Markus Näslund. Edit: prior to this season.

http://www.old.swehockey.se/infoaf/WCOH 2004/Spelarna/naslund.pdf

 

[Predatore]

Even though I don't think 31 points in 48 games is bad point wise, it is much more that he is nowhere near as good with team Sweden as he is with the Canucks. With Vancouver you see Näslund dominate games, skating hard, scoring great goals and having a lot of puck. That is not the case when he is skating with team Sweden

He has been criticized quite a lot for his play with Sweden and seems bothered by that, a week ago or so after an exhibition game he got a crazy look in his face when a reporter asked if he would finally deliver with the blue and yellow (well, he asked something in the lines of that).