Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleK
This question is a red herring. The other goalie HAD to be elite because Canada absolutely dominated the semi and the final.
|
Not really. If Canada had a goalie that matched the guy on the other end, it's a repeat of 2014 and they get shutouts in the semis and gold medal game and definitely don't need OT to win in the QFs. Better goaltending doesn't have them trailing early in every game, letting the other teams just shell it up to protect the lead. In this kind of tournament, getting that early lead is massive since goals are hard to come by and teams are content to try to win 1-0 or 2-1.
Binnington wasn't the reason they lost but he easily could've been the reason they won. Canada just accepted mediocrity in net because he played well for one game at the 4 Nations. It's hard to say it "cost them" but it's no different than any of the other selections people debate. Sanheim or Parayko didn't cost Team Canada given Canada's possession dominance but better selections could've pushed them over the edge.