Thoughts on Facing Russia? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mathgod · 02-23-2010, 09:51 PM

Well, how do you see this playing out?

Personally, I'm not afraid of them at all. In fact they aren't Canada's biggest obstacle to gold - Sweden/USA are.

They are absolutely horrible defensively - I wouldn't be surprised if we put the same 8-spot up against them. It's just a matter of our D and Luongo limiting the damage from the Russian big guns.

Agree? Disagree?

amorak · 02-23-2010, 09:55 PM

Need Chemistry. Need Perry to die.

If we get these two, we win.

Henry Fool · 02-23-2010, 09:57 PM

I may be confused, but I seem to recall that their defense hasn't been a problem at all, but on the other hand their offense hasn't really taken off.

Anyway, you can never tell in advance how these tournament games will go.

jschick88 · 02-23-2010, 09:58 PM

Richards and Morrows will be key in shutting down Ovechkin/Malkin.

HOOT · 02-23-2010, 10:00 PM

Don't give up the first goal, don't give up a goal shortly after getting the first one. If Canada can do this they will win, if Russia scores first it is good-night Canada let the riots on Robson start!

OILFAN #81 · 02-23-2010, 10:02 PM

We aren't going to score 8 on Russia. The Sharks put in their backup tonight. Tomorrow night it's their starter.

I say 4-3 Canada. Heatley with the winner.

Henry Fool · 02-23-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Don't give up the first goal, don't give up a goal shortly after getting the first one. If Canada can do this they will win, if Russia scores first it is good-night Canada let the riots on Robson start!

That's a good point. It's a little different for Canada, but from a Finnish viewpoint it's always been important to keep the Russians from scoring early in the game. They often fall apart and start to play as individuals if you frustrate them long enough.

Problem is, Canada's defense hasn't been as disciplined as they usually are.

Mathgod · 02-23-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

I may be confused, but I seem to recall that their defense hasn't been a problem at all, but on the other hand their offense hasn't really taken off.

Anyway, you can never tell in advance how these tournament games will go.

Yeah the goals against would tell you that they are just fine defensively. But while watching their games I just got the sense that they aren't exactly masters of defending their own zone. They aren't strong, they aren't authoritative, and their defensive zone coverage is a little hit and miss.

Canada will tear them apart and score at least 4 or 5, barring a Miller-type performance from Nabby/Bryz. It's just a matter of whether Pronger gets his * together and our boys find a way to shut down Russia's 2 top lines. IMO

Sylvanfan · 02-23-2010, 10:07 PM

Depends on which Nabokov shows up. Some days he can be pretty mediocre, on others he can be lights out. If the mediocre one shows up Canada can win a game 5-4 and be outshot badly. If the good one shows up Canada can outshoot them 50-20 and lose 3-2.

GirlySports · 02-23-2010, 10:08 PM

Forecheck hard and pound Grebeshkov

FlamingInfinity · 02-23-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amorak

Need Chemistry. Need Perry to die.

If we get these two, we win.

Perry needs to play with an edge. Him and Getzlaf haven't found the game they've had this year in Anaheim. Until then, they'll continue to flounder.

931228 · 02-23-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Yeah the goals against would tell you that they are just fine defensively. But while watching their games I just got the sense that they aren't exactly masters of defending their own zone. They aren't strong, they aren't authoritative, and their defensive zone coverage is a little hit and miss.

Canada will tear them apart and score at least 4 or 5, barring a Miller-type performance from Nabby/Bryz. It's just a matter of whether Pronger gets his * together and our boys find a way to shut down Russia's 2 top lines. IMO

If the whole team Canada thinks like you, we will be finished after tomorrow

Mathgod · 02-23-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamingInfinity

Perry needs to play with an edge. Him and Getzlaf haven't found the game they've had this year in Anaheim. Until then, they'll continue to flounder.

In Anaheim they can go about their business quietly. Here, they're in a fishbowl.

I think it's just a matter of not dealing with the pressure with those 2.

Henry Fool · 02-23-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Yeah the goals against would tell you that they are just fine defensively. But while watching their games I just got the sense that they aren't exactly masters of defending their own zone. They aren't strong, they aren't authoritative, and their defensive zone coverage is a little hit and miss.

Canada will tear them apart and score at least 4 or 5, barring a Miller-type performance from Nabby/Bryz. It's just a matter of whether Pronger gets his * together and our boys find a way to shut down Russia's 2 top lines. IMO

I was basing my opionion on what I've seen from them, not on stats or scores - I have no clue about those - but admittedly I was just barely paying attention. What I remember from them against the Czechs, they played pretty good defense. I'd say their defense has been as good as Canada's so far.

Mathgod · 02-23-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

I was basing my opionion on what I've seen from them, not on stats or scores - I have no clue about those - but admittedly I was just barely paying attention. What I remember from them against the Czechs, they played pretty good defense. I'd say their defense has been as good as Canada's so far.

24 hours from now - we'll know for sure!!

calgARI · 02-23-2010, 10:13 PM

Canada will win - they are the far better team top-to-bottom.

Fairweather · 02-23-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgARI

Canada will win - they are the far better team top-to-bottom.

I think I heard this too before the USA game

Henry Fool · 02-23-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathgod

24 hours from now - we'll know for sure!!

Past games don't always tell much in these tournaments. Going into it, Canada stands about as good a chance to get torn apart as Russia.

I do think Canada will win, but don't get carried away. Canada hasn't been that great yet.

V · 02-23-2010, 10:17 PM

Get decent goaltending and stay out of the box and this is ours. I'm more worried about Sweden, to be honest.

calgARI · 02-23-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairweather

I think I heard this too before the USA game

Comparing a round-robin game with an elimination game is like apples and oranges. Furthermore, Canada wins the game against the US 9 times out of 10 given how thoroughly they dominated.

Beyond any of that, the experience of that game for Canada will go a long way ensuring it does not happen again similar to what we saw in 2002 after the loss to Sweden.