Olympic Hockey OOT: Feburary 21th Rivalry Sunday

[Vinny01]

If Finland would have won they would have to play Russia or Canada (most likely) in the semi final. Now they get USA or Slovakia?

Smart move on the no show last night Finland! I really hope they make it to the final after Kipper stones the USA.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If Finland would have won they would have to play Russia or Canada (most likely) in the semi final. Now they get USA or Slovakia?

Smart move on the no show last night Finland! I really hope they make it to the final after Kipper stones the USA.

No it's the other way around. If Finland won, they would have been #1.
It's Sweden that needed to tank to avoid #2.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

No it's the other way around. If Finland won, they would have been #1.
It's Sweden that needed to tank to avoid #2.

Are you sure? I'm hearing that by losing Finland avoided Russia/Canada in the semis.

I really don't think they tanked, but I get why some people ask those questions. The problems were all pretty systemic and effort-related: forwards too far gone when it was time to go on offense, not enough energy on the neutral zone back check, too little willingness to put the puck deep and make the effort to work for possession. In other words, they didn't want to play Finnish hockey, and that applies to most of the forwards. Some useless flailing around during puck battles but not enough work ethic where it really matters.

No fire, Tuomo Ruutu was the only one hitting - yeah, I'd be surprised and embarrassed if they did it on purpose, but clearly the rivarly alone wasn't enough for them in an otherwise meaningless game. Sweden didn't have to do much either. I wish it had been the first game of the evening.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Are you sure? I'm hearing that by losing Finland avoided Russia/Canada in the semis.

Going into the game, Finland's goal differential was +9. The USA ended with a goal differential of +9. If Finland had won the game, they obviously would have increased their goal differential, so they would have been ranked higher than the USA. With a win, Finland would have had the path to the finals that the USA has now, which means no Russia or Canada until the finals.

The only way that Finland could have finished second would have been an OT win.

The one thing that losing to Sweden did for Finland was ensure they won't face Sweden until the final game, and forced Sweden to go against either Russia or Canada in the semis.

[GirlySports]

So Finland tanked to screw Sweden. That's pretty cool

[Henry Fool]

Ah, okay. That's pretty devious from Finland to force Canada on them like that. Ha!

When you get there, and you will, prepare yourselves for some magnificent diving from the Swedes. Feel free to punch Franzen in the face - I guarantee it's worth the 2 minutes.

[Sune76]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

So Finland tanked to screw Sweden. That's pretty cool

eh finland sucked and got dominated. I know everyone here hate Sweden but they're better then you think.