World Cup QF: Sep 7 GDT - Russia vs. USA

[The True Blue Crew]

I saw them gettin killed by biased officiating at Salt Lake...
and they didn't play till the 3rd period against the States.

Most of you seem to forget that Russia didn't have their best players... Relax

 

[The True Blue Crew]

Great feeds from Modano, he looked more impressive

Woo hoo..........Great game for the USA.......however, I really like the Russians too so it kind of sucked that they lost.........but what the hey........Looks like another Canada USA final to be sure..........

Great hockey all around!!

 

[Buya89]

I am proud of russians. Our amateur goalie was no match for Esche as he played Great but 2 costly mistakes on his part cost us the game.(plus Kalinin) and Our PP was awful thanks to "great" coaching. Thanks Khabibulin I hope You are happy for leaving us shorthanded like that. **** like that would have never happened with Richter! and USA!


Anyway we, loose usa wins, sad day but hey!



PS. TKACHUK IS THE DIRTIES PLAYER ALIVE... i hate him (although he had a good game)

 

[The True Blue Crew]

I still maintain this tournament would mean a lot more if it wasn't completely biased towards Canada and the USA. The Americans finish 3rd and get rewarded with a home game?

I could have **** a better format out my ass. Whoever designed this thing was a Pejorative Slur.

Amen. 100%

 

[Canuck21t]

-----------------------------------

Totally agree... Having North-American referees is also somewhat fishy...

But unless the jetlagged Fins or Czechs cause an upset, the NHL and NHLPA will get their showcase CAN-USA final, which is really the point of the whole torunament. Give me the Olympics any day...

Badman

You want a copy of the 2002 Olympic hockey final?

 

[The True Blue Crew]

Just like in 2002

Just like in '96 huh???

 

[The True Blue Crew]

how about SF Russia vs. USA ?

You want a copy of the 2002 Olympic hockey final?

 

[DevMod9]

I am proud of russians. Our amateur goalie was no match for Esche as he played Great but 2 costly mistakes on his part cost us the game.(plus Kalinin) and Our PP was awful thanks to "great" coaching. Thanks Khabibulin I hope You are happy for leaving us shorthanded like that. **** like that would have never happened with Richter! and USA!


Anyway we, loose usa wins, sad day but hey!



PS. TKACHUK IS THE DIRTIES PLAYER ALIVE... i hate him (although he had a good game)

Don't blame ole Keith for being a nimrod. From what I hear, its more of a genetic problem.

 

[The True Blue Crew]

Kipr will be bored out of his mind with Jokinen and the Co getting all over the ne-defense USA team.

and here in Toronto we never have a problem of selling out a hockey event.
that's why last time we had the SC here in 1967...

Clutch effort from Tkachuk tonight...great to know that Esche didn't have to be the best player on the ice for them to win. Intriguing matchup ahead with the Finns. The Americans go up against the MVP in this tournament so far in Kiprusoff. I hope they sell out Xcel and rock the joint...looking forward to Thursday.

 

[Buya89]

Don't blame ole Keith for being a nimrod. From what I hear, its more of a genetic problem.

 

[Ajacied]

How did Modano do? 4 Assists ain't shabby, but in general. Was he flying? Playing D? He and Tkachuk seem like a scary combo..

 

[Rabid Ranger]

How did Modano do? 4 Assists ain't shabby, but in general. Was he flying? Playing D? He and Tkachuk seem like a scary combo..

He was flying. Not to much needs to be said. His line was the differance.

 

[DevMod9]

I wonder what Finnish line and D combo will predominantly be assigned to the M-G-T line?

 

[Ajacied]

He was flying. Not to much needs to be said. His line was the differance.

Thanks..

Seems like every big tournament brings the best out of Modano's playmaking abilities. He was among the top in assists in Salt Lake while his linemate ranked first in goals, seems like this year might be simular. Good to hear he's flying. As someone else said, it aren't his skills, it's whether or not he wants it.

 

[Ajacied]

I wonder what Finnish line and D combo will predominantly be assigned to the M-G-T line?

Numminen is a lock IMO, he's been very steady. Not sure about his partner..

 

[DevMod9]

Thanks..

Seems like every big tournament brings the best out of Modano's playmaking abilities. He was among the top in assists in Salt Lake while his linemate ranked first in goals, seems like this year might be simular. Good to hear he's flying. As someone else said, it aren't his skills, it's whether or not he wants it.

Modano is normally low-key out on the ice. I really believe that playing between the two homicidal maniacs (Guerin and Tkachuk) brings his game up a notch. All that unbridled energy and gusto has to rub off.

 

[The True Blue Crew]

Hey, I hate seeing our team lose, but guys, half of our players wern't playing. The team's young and very talanted, let them gain some experience and we'll see what happends in a couple of years.


Can somebody explain me why Markov wasn't playing tonight?
He's the best defenceman on our team at this tournament, and one of 3 best in Russia. Can anybody explain me what Khavanov was doing on PP, what was KASPARAITIS doing on PP? I mean Bilyaledtinov made mistakes, lots if you ask me.

Markov was on a play when Canada scored short-handed, I think.
yeah, same sentiments in regard to Kozlov, "Bil the coach," and yeah, Kasparaitis & Khavanov on pp ?


Why didn't he keep the Yashin-Kovalchuk connection from the world cchamps? Why didn't he play Ovechkin more, was Afinogenov better than Ovechkin? No, Maxim spoiled every chance Kovalchuk and Datsyuk created. Why did he keep Kozlov on the first line, Kozlov was so bad through out the tournament...

Anyways, I think the team didn't seem bad at all... replace Kozlov by Fedorov, Khavanov, by Malakhov, Chubarov by Zhamnov, etc, etc.

 

[Buya89]

Markov was on a play when Canada scored short-handed, I think.
yeah, same sentiments in regard to Kozlov, "Bil the coach," and yeah, Kasparaitis & Khavanov on pp ?


Why didn't he keep the Yashin-Kovalchuk connection from the world cchamps? Why didn't he play Ovechkin more, was Afinogenov better than Ovechkin? No, Maxim spoiled every chance Kovalchuk and Datsyuk created. Why did he keep Kozlov on the first line, Kozlov was so bad through out the tournament...

Anyways, I think the team didn't seem bad at all... replace Kozlov by Fedorov, Khavanov, by Malakhov, Chubarov by Zhamnov, etc, etc.

Da, eto tochno

 

[Slick Nick]

That's exactly what the Russian team will be doing: relaxing!

Look, as I stated before, I am sad about the team losing. Still, with the little arsenal Russia had at this tournament, they looked solid. And I wouldn't say that USA was safe until the fifth goal. I am pretty sure most of USA fans were anxious after Kovalchuk scored his goal, and I know that if some, say 5, of the players that boycotted the World cup were actully in the line up, the senario might have been different.

This being said, I congradulate all of the USA team and supporters. You didn't steel it, you won in a fair battle. Refs have done a good job, home ice advantage dosen't mean much at this level, Tkachuk was incredible, and Esche had a strong 3rd period. USA deserved the win. final.

 

[Canuck21t]

Because it's always the same story.

What's the point of playing, if, whatever you do in the round robin, your opponent gets home ice advantage? At least if all the games were played in Canada ...

but I'm done with this.

Who cares? If you're good, you will win no matter if you have home ice advantage or not. The Czechs were away from home and the Swedes played in their backyard. Was the home crowd of any help to Sweden?

Stop being jealous or sour of others' success. Think about how we felt in Nagano when it was all Europe and all those World Championships that were all European. Only recently did Canada have success. Why can't Europeans accept North American dominance for awhile? Are you guys that selfish? Sooner or later, Russia will get its glory back. Nobody can be the best for eternity.

Every tournament, I start by whishing Team USA failure, but the more I read comments from Europeans, the more I feel sympathy for the USA and wish them to crush Euro teams just to piss off the European fans for being so *bleeping* biased towards their continent.

 

[Slick Nick]

Da, eto tochno

Huli blja..

Markov made a terrible mistake in hiz zone, not on PP. But Markov was the best D for Russia, Bilyaledtindov is a fool. Kasparaitis and Gonchar were Russia's worst dmans at this tournay. They were on all 4 Tkachuk's goals tonight. Kasparaitis made terrible plays, Gonchar provalilsja hundreds of times...

Vishnevski and Markov were the best d's among the russian squad. The rest looked like pee-wee.. esp Gonchar, Khavanov and Kasparaitis. Terrible mistake by Kalinin tonight, but he was solid in other games.

Zinetula, na her stavil Khavanova na Powerplay?

 

[Canuck21t]

Look, as I stated before, I am sad about the team losing. Still, with the litle arsenal Russia had at this tournament, they looked solid. And I wouldn't say that USA was safe until the fifth goal. I am pretty sure most of USA fans were anxious after Kovalchuk scored his goal, and I know that if some, say 5, of the players that boycotted the World cup were actully in the line up, the senario might have been diferent.

This being said, I congradulate all of the USA team and supporters. You didn't steel it, you won in a fair battle. Refs have don a good job, home ice advantage dosen't mean much at this level, Tkachuk was incredible, and Esche had a strong 3rd period. USA deserved the win. final.

Well said. For a team that was missing so many top players, their performance was more than expected. In a couple of years, Russia won't have "deserters" anymore and the team will be darn scary.

 

[The True Blue Crew]

well, i'm less optimistic about this.
i think golden days of Soviet hockey are over. past. in history books. and on the numerous 1972 replays here in Canada.

dominance for 40 years is good, it's just I wasn't around to witness it. All the names and championships were won BEFORE me.
so I look up to these players to provide stamina, grit, clutch and determination to win something major. and to plead my case Russia's got some fine players.
almost every NHL team has a few. some are megastars that left a lasting imprint on hockey. NHL-hockey. Bure, Mogilny, list goes on.

and even on this board majority of people were predicting a win for Russia. but what happens ? another elimination and familiar team Russia faces rushing off the ice to the dressing rooms.

So, honestly, I don't think it's gonna happne. the "glory back" thing.
unless things change. management. etc.

there is plenty of quality players Russia can put on ice, most well-known and achieving, but when they get together, they flop. I'm glad to see them spark those two games, well, the one against the yanks, the slovak game was no effort.

but... these are my thoughts.

Sooner or later, Russia will get its glory back. Nobody can be the best for eternity

 

[The True Blue Crew]

ya huj znaet chto Zinetulya voobshe dumal
hotya pol-komandy net, huli tut delat'...
gde zashita ? gde Zhitnik, Zubov, Malakhov ?
:-(

those guys can carry their NHL clubs to & thru playoffs, but aren't on the national team. that federation problems got to end.

 

[Canuck21t]

well, i'm less optimistic about this.
i think golden days of Soviet hockey are over. past. in history books. and on the numerous 1972 replays here in Canada.

dominance for 40 years is good, it's just I wasn't around to witness it. All the names and championships were won BEFORE me.
so I look up to these players to provide stamina, grit, clutch and determination to win something major. and to plead my case Russia's got some fine players.
almost every NHL team has a few. some are megastars that left a lasting imprint on hockey. NHL-hockey. Bure, Mogilny, list goes on.

and even on this board majority of people were predicting a win for Russia. but what happens ? another elimination and familiar team Russia faces rushing off the ice to the dressing rooms.

So, honestly, I don't think it's gonna happne. the "glory back" thing.
unless things change. management. etc.

there is plenty of quality players Russia can put on ice, most well-known and achieving, but when they get together, they flop. I'm glad to see them spark those two games, well, the one against the yanks, the slovak game was no effort.

but... these are my thoughts.

When I say "glory", I don't mean their old glory of some decades ago. That would be almost impossible. I think more like a stetch of 2 or 3 years of success like the Czech Republic had at the Olympics and a couple years after that. These days Canada is doing very well and I'm pretty sure Russia will get that sort of glory or rather success sooner or later.