Quote:
Originally Posted by moon
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.
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.
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Yes, the Czech team did play well today. They aren't as talented as Canada so trying to trade chances with them was never going to happen. Yes they got a bounce or two but their goaltender was better, and actually their "collapse and pray" strategy as you call it was excellent - they realized that Canada wasn't willing to outnumber them in front of the net and was just going to bomb away from distance and try for fancy plays that they continued to take away.
They were opportunistic with the few chances they did get and voila that's how an inferior team on paper wins games. You criticize them for blocking shots as if that's somehow a bad thing. Disagree with your assessment on positioning - it was very good constantly getting in shooting lanes and passing lanes to the slot. They were full marks for the win.
Can certainly buy your theory that in a short tournament it's all about breaks and that Canada got a lot of them from 2005-09 and not so much recently...but to excuse every loss since 2010 and explain it away is a bit arrogant and unfair. 2010 loss was probably because of goaltending purely, although that team played way too much river hockey which was bound to bite them eventually and it did.
2011 they weren't the best team in the tournament - they lost to Sweden and again to Russia later. If you lose two games in this tournament you aren't the best. Even though again goaltending was largely to blame.
2012 they were dominant until the Russia game which was embarrassing. Completely got dismantled.
2013 again they got completely dismantled when it mattered and then again lost in the bronze.
Now they've lost a game to a weak-link country that isn't Russia Sweden or US. Obviously they can still win the gold but they can't be considered favourites anymore like they usually are every year.
One thing though that stands out is that in a short tournament goaltending matters, and timely saves are usually the difference between winning and losing in the medal rounds especially. Canada hasn't received timely goaltending since 2009 in this tournament and that's a trend.