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Post by Detroit Cherni on Dec 29, 2008 17:34:18 GMT -5
How much Gorbs? I'll take that bet too! $200,000? More? Million?
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Dec 29, 2008 17:38:21 GMT -5
Cherni, I will put $500,000 on the US to down Canada!
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Dec 29, 2008 17:59:57 GMT -5
Done deal. It's on. You've been served.
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Post by CalgaryGM on Dec 29, 2008 22:47:15 GMT -5
Hey, can I get in on the action? I'll make the same bet (bet's?) but on who will win the Championship. Any takers?
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WildGM
Minor League Grinder
Posts: 210
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Post by WildGM on Dec 30, 2008 9:56:28 GMT -5
All right Dave you may be a little too confident with team Canada. Yes Canada is a great team and they have won four straight gold medals, and have the best Defense among the teams and arguably the best top three lines. But team USA has ummmmmm they have ahhhhhhh give me a minute.............. you remember 1980 don't you? That little thing called the Miracle on Ice yes thats it, team USA has Miracles on their side and you can't match the power of a Miracle.
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Dec 30, 2008 10:47:28 GMT -5
I can't wait for the game tomorrow. I will say this though, if the Americans are in the box more than four times they will not win this game. Despite killing 14 of 15 penalties so far, Canada's power play is 14 for 23. As I said before the tourny started, Canada doesn't really scare me offensively unless they are on the power play. That is just d**n scary! However, there is a reason Canada is on the power play so often in this tournament. They have dominated possession for long stretches during their games, and with their speed up front they are a lot to handle. The US defense hasn't played well yet, and that is what scares me about this game. I can see the US dmen getting beat to a lot of pucks which will lead to penalties. Canada's power play is just too good. I like the Americans' PK so far, but you just can't keep Canada's power play off the board if you give them 5+ chances. The US needs to play a puck possession game. There's a reason they went with size up front, and that size needs to be a difference maker in this game. It's going to be a physical contest, which leads back to another thing I was worried about coming into the tournament...discipline. There will be a lot of emotion and passion, as usual, and the Yanks had better be able to control themselves. Against Canada, they aren't usually good at this. Also, from an American point of view, I do not want to see Schroeder playing center again. They decided to try this against the Czechs, and it didn't go all that great. Leave Wilson and Schroeder where they should be! All in all, should be a good one. Americans stay out of the box, they win. If they don't, they won't. The fact that they have taken 15 penalties in two games doesn't lead one to believe they will stay out of the box. I can hope though.
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Dec 30, 2008 13:23:27 GMT -5
Joe, I hate to burst your bubble, but the Miracle on Ice, was just that, a miracle. Which means the likelihood of it happening again is rare. Besides, in 2003, you had your mini-miracle, when Marc-Andre Fleury scored on himself trying to clear the puck, which turned out to be the game winning goal, when the USA won their only World Junior Title. So, you've already used up whatever faith the hockey gods have for the USA.
Gorbs, you're right, Canada's powerplay has been nothing short of impressive. But the thing that's really impressed me about Canada this year is all four lines can score. We witnessed that last night. I think the USA's top line is fantastic. Canada's is strong as well, but where it differs big time, is on lines 2-3-and-4. Our attack is relentless. Our defense has been impenetrable, even in the pre-tournament warm up games. We're ready. We're stoked. And we WILL be hearing Oh Canada at the end of that game, and at the end of the tournament. Long live the Red and White.
Go Canada Go.
I'll take a 4th rounder from Minnie, and $500,000 from Buffalo, thank you very much.
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Dec 30, 2008 15:22:08 GMT -5
Canada is deeper than the US??? How did that happen? I'm sure you know about the second line which features Drayson Bowman, Mitch Wahl and Jim O'Brien. The third line (Eric Tangradi, Matt Rust and Aaron Palushaj) has been playing very well. Their cycles have been good, and if Tangradi ever gets a shot off that line could be really dangerous. Don't expect much of anything offensively from the fourth line, although I have been impressed with Tyler Johnson. The real difference, as it usually is, is the defensemen. The US has a group of supposed slick skating and passing kids that haven't really shown much of that ability yet. They shown a great ability to miss the net with shots from the point, which is always nice. They are not overly physical, and Canada should be able to take advantage of that. The US has never been able to throw out the type of defensemen that Canada can (depth wise), and I really don't think that will ever change. Tomorrow is a great day in this tourny. Russia v Sweden and USA v Canada is fantastic stuff. Although Russia better not sleep on Slovakia today (they are up 2-1 after the 1st period as I type...wish I could be watching). Talent galore! Good times.
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Post by Detroit Cherni on Dec 30, 2008 15:37:27 GMT -5
I will say this about Team USA. You have a great Captain in Johnathon Blum. This kid is a leader and will be Nashville's captain one day. I've watched him since he was 16 with the Vancouver Giants. This kid has heart.
He plays for his twin sister, who died in a house fire around Christmas time a few years back. Any team that has Johnathon Blum on it, a proven winner, will be tough to beat.
That's me actually having an honest opinion. Then again, the kid is on my facebook! So I better be nice!
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Dec 30, 2008 16:34:14 GMT -5
Yeah, Blum's story is a sad but inspiring one. I think Nashville will be happy with himself and Colin Wilson in a few years.
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Dec 30, 2008 16:51:38 GMT -5
Although Russia better not sleep on Slovakia today (they are up 2-1 after the 1st period as I type...wish I could be watching). I don't think Russia slept on Slovakia today!
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Post by CalgaryGM on Dec 30, 2008 20:52:26 GMT -5
I feel the same way Dave, I'm glad he's a Flames prospect, he'll be playing for me within 2 years.
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Post by Elite Sim News (ESN) on Dec 31, 2008 20:41:32 GMT -5
Well before we head out tonight, the game comes first! And what a first period it was! I'll try to hit a few highlights and keep it short for those who couldn't see this contest.
FIRST PERIOD
* Decent start for both teams. Lot of nervous energy and overskating the puck, especially the US. * Canada got caught in the neutral zone and Kevin Shattenkirk came in unmarked and beat Tokarski stick side. 1-0 USA. * Lack of discipline would plague both sides, but Tyler Myers picked a stupid moment to throw his weight around as he hit Colin Wilson in the back after the whistle putting his team down 5-on-3. * Jimmy Hayes parks himself in front of the net and slams home a quick one-timer. 2-0 USA. * Game started to slow down a bit, and Canada started to get some time in the US zone. * Jim O'Brien came down the wing and let go a slapper that again beat Tokarski stick side. Not the best of goals to give up. 3-0 USA. * You knew it was coming. US gets a hooking penalty (as they should have...gotta keep the sticks down!). Shot from the point bounces around off the skates of Teddy Ruth, and PK Subban (I think it was Subban) made a nice little play, tipping the puck over to John Tavares, who buried it. 3-1 USA. * Seconds later, Tavares makes a great move going past McDonagh (who had broken his stick) and roofs it over McCollum. 3-2 USA. * Following the goal...ugliness from both sides that I didn't like at all. Someone (I didn't catch who it was) sticks DiDomenico in the face as the Canadians are going back to the bench. Whoever did that should have been ejected. Disgusting stuff. As that was happening, JVR was also skating back to the bench. Stefan Della Rovere thought it would be a good idea to sucker him. Both sides...come on now. * Canada gets a late power play, and the US PK just goes lazy. Lazy clearing attempts, and pathetic coverage down low. Eberle puts it home while Jimmy Hayes stands there looking like a moron (among others, not to single him out). Tie game.
SECOND PERIOD
* Boychuk makes a GREAT play behind the net as a shot came over the US net. He knocks it out of the air and tucks it in behind McCollum. 4-3 Canada. * US power play...Blum puts one towards the net that JVR appeared to deflect. The puck went off Tokarski and hit a Canadian defenseman and into the net. Tough break for Canada. 4-4 game. * Again, lack of discipline hurts the US. Hoeffel gets his stick up on a hit, Canada scores on the power play. Hodgson put it towards the net and someone, again, it gets past McCollum. 5-4 Canada, who at this point is now 4 for 5 on the power play. * Americans actually kill a penalty! Still can't clear the puck worth a d**n. * Colin Wilson ROBBED by a great glove save by Tokarski!!! * Canada up 5-4 after two. Good chances for both sides late in the period.
THIRD PERIOD
* Just a great period of hockey. Good chances both ways, solid goaltending. Tavares puts it in the empty net for the hatty. Ennis hits an empty netter to give Canada the 7-4 win.
Solid effort both ways. The US had the better of the play in the first period until they started going to the box. I'm not going to say that I'm a smart lad for saying that staying out of the box would be vital, but that's what won the game for Canada. Tokarski wasn't sharp early, but that changed rather quickly.
I love that this has the makings of a great rivalry, but d**nit all...sooner or later the US has to win one of these games. Gotta give it to the Canadians though...down 3-0 in the first isn't ideal, but they controlled the game from that point. US gets to play Slovakia Friday night in the QFs while Canada advances to the SFs. I believe the other QF game will be Russia v Czech Republic after Sweden dispatches the Russians 5-0 earlier today. Getting down to the nitty gritty...love it!
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Post by CalgaryGM on Jan 1, 2009 2:45:04 GMT -5
Great break down Roger. After periods one and two, I thought the play really bogged down in the 3rd and became a tight checking affair as Canada tried to hold on to their one goal lead. And that puck was just bouncing all over the place, it was pissing me off big time.
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SJSharks
Minor League Grinder
Posts: 472
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Post by SJSharks on Jan 1, 2009 12:24:02 GMT -5
I thought the States were running away with that game. 3 goals in 8 shots. Plus the US players were just hauling ass and the Canadian guys weren't moving their feet. But all in all, it turned out to be a great game. I thought the US had it tied up when Wilson had the puck all by himself in front of the Canadian net and totally got robbed. And since I am Canadian, I must quote one Ric Flair after that game. "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Go Canada Go !! LOL.
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