Quote:
Originally Posted by Red John
Canada deservedly lost and no matter how many times Moon keeps repeating that they dominated it still isn't true.
This team is very much like the 2010 team that Willie Desjardins coached (the first to not win in six years). They insist on playing river hockey, try to score every goal on fancy one-timers, have horrible defensive zone coverage, are soft and unwilling to play physical, and have awful goaltending. An easy team to pick apart.
Give the Czechs credit - they were coached perfectly. They may not have looked flashy or dominated time of possession but clogged up the middle and didn't allow Canada the easy tap-in goal. They also shot the puck from anywhere taking advantage of Patterson who was absolute garbage.
|
It isn't just repeating it, it is pointing out examples and watching the play.
You honestly think that the Czech team played well today? They scored two fluke goals and two terrible plays from the goalie to get their 4 goals. They didn't create chances, they didn't threaten Canada. They also then relied on a lot of blocked shots (some on purpose other just hit them) and posts to keep Canada from scoring. They didn't use their sticks to get the puck off of Canada, they didn't use smart postioning to prevent Canada from getting into good scoring opportunities they collapsed in front of the net and prayed.
Quote:
|
It also has to be alarming that the Canadian team has been progressively worse every year since 2010. It could just be a down cycle in the development of Canadian players, or it could be that other countries are beginning to catch up. But this is the first time you could legitimately say Canada is a firm underdog to win gold, in a long time.
|
In 2010 they lost one game in OT and were easily the best team that tournament.
In 2011 they were dominant until a collapse in the 3rd period and again the best team in the tournament.
In 2012, they again lost 1 game by 1 goal in which they played better than the Russians but did lose.
Last year were 1-1 against the Gold Medal American team and didn't bother to show up in the Bronze Medal game.
So I think their demise is a little exeraggerated. They were the best team in the tournament and lost razor thin games in 3 of the last 4 years.
I would say that it isn't a downturn just a case of Canada not getting the lucky breaks they did when they won 5 in a row. Also a case where now there are 5 teams that are competitive pretty much every tournament where previous years it was only 3 that had a chance to win. Other countries have been moving closer to Canada and our biggest advantage (depth) doesn't always help us out in these one game tournaments.