[GDT] Jan 4 - WJC Semifinals: SWE vs RUS (7AM MT) and CAN vs FIN (11AM MT) TSN

[CalgaryFan1988]

Drouin can stickhandle through anyone, but can't make a 2 foot pass.

Canada might have the best individuals, but no question who the better team was today.

[SuperMatt18]

As for the whole Penalty Shot thing, I'm not sure how the coach would have set that up.

Guy got a penalty shot and instantly said he was injured once he was pulled out of the pile in the crease.

Unless they just told their guys to instantly fake an injury on any penalty shot from before the game.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by -TC-

Canada wasn't great in this game but the officials made sure they wouldn't play for gold

Canada made sure Canada wouldn't play for gold. I've said it about a dozen times now, but IIHF rules =/= North American rules.

The only two penalties I really have a problem with in context were the abuse of official misconduct - Even if Patan said something, that should have been an unsportsmanlike minor. That's just a thin skinned referee. The other was the tripping call on Fucale when the Finn simply skated over his stick in the crease.

But the simple truth is, Finland was better. They played a dreadfully awful style to watch in the third, but it was something this team couldn't adapt to.

[Inferno]

Terrible game by Canada. The refs were pretty bad but Canada did absolutely nothing on the powerplays they did have. I do hope Sweden kicks the #### out of Finland after that injury fake on the penalty shot though.

[puckluck2]

Finland clearly the better team. Saying otherwise is absurd.

[Racki]

It's been beaten to death and hindsight is always 20/20 but i can't help feel like Monohan sure would've looked good in Canadian silks. If Monny goes Poirier probably does as well.

[Mister Yamoto]

Sometimes I think that one of the things wrong with Hockey Canada is the "only the gold is acceptable" mentality. There are 6 or 7 teams that have at least an outside shot at gold nowadays. The rest of the world has caught up.

How many times have we seen Canada lose in the semis and then absolutely mail it in for the bronze game?

These guys have an opportunity to win Bronze for themselves and their country. But ya know what? Every single player on Team Canada would rather have a plane ticket right now.

[DOOM]

If Petan isn't getting fed PP time he's useless.

[Torchdemall]

A completely predictable result. You can blame the refs all you want, but a solid team wouldn't give them the opportunity to make half those calls if they used their heads and their feet. I was really surprised how unproductive the PP was though, way to much standing there with the puck moving it back and forth on one side of the ice, or rather... chasing the puck down the ice into their own zone.

Still a great tournament to watch, love it every year, but its been a number of years since I felt Canada deserved to win it. Gold medal game will actually be a lot more enjoyable to watch without Canada in it, and that's a sad thing to say, but truthful for me...

[Table 5]

I like the stoic nature of this anthem singer.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Canada made sure Canada wouldn't play for gold. I've said it about a dozen times now, but IIHF rules =/= North American rules.

The only two penalties I really have a problem with in context were the abuse of official misconduct - Even if Patan said something, that should have been an unsportsmanlike minor. That's just a thin skinned referee. The other was the tripping call on Fucale when the Finn simply skated over his stick in the crease.

But the simple truth is, Finland was better. They played a dreadfully awful style to watch in the third, but it was something this team couldn't adapt to.

I was referring to the two 10 min calls...I thought both were weak, although the second was close he didn't get the head, that much was clear from the replay

[Jakester]

I can see why Monahan's in the NHL and Drouin isn't. He may not have Drouin's raw skill, but his hockey IQ is miles better.

Ristolainen is a beast. Thought he was the Finn's best player.

Canada's inexperience really showed. Could have used more experienced players like Domi or Poirier over guys like McDavid or Sam Reinhart. Their defense also could have used one or two steady eddy types over 1 dimensional offensive guys like Morrissey or Pouliot (who didn't even do their one dimension very well). The team selection process left a lot of people scratching their heads and it appears they were right to be concerned.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Finland clearly the better team. Saying otherwise is absurd.

Agreed, better team today without a doubt. Maybe not the best team overall, but in a one game scenario the better team doesn't always win.

[Hockey_Ninja]

I say Sweden will take it all.

[Canuck-Hater]

These Referee apologists are delusional. Anyways go Sweden, they will probably win it all.

[vilzeh]

What a domination. Damn I'm impressed. Next year Canada.

I'm so happy & drunk right now.

[LTH]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Canada outclassed once again. The team wasn't playing the way Sutter wanted. Way too individualistic. Drouin is good but he was part of the problem.

STRONGLY DISAGREE!!!! lol

Drouin made some bad plays but he was trying out there and trying to carry this awful team on his back! These guys couldn't make 2 passes in row all tournament. Frustrating for a guy like Drouin who must feel the pressure to make something happen.

[DOOM]

Gotta laugh at Hockey Canada when plugs like Leier and Andersen make the team.

[SofaProfessor]

Canada used up their nine lives pulling out wins by the skin of their teeth earlier in the tournament. You can't play like that and expect to win every game. After the countless turnovers in the neutral zone with the east to west passes through the middle, you have to change it up. It was said earlier by another commenter here, lots of great individuals on that team but they couldn't seem to work together and get on the same page.

[sun]

Ugly game. Those claiming the kid faked an injury for the penalty shot aren't being logical and need to give their heads a shake.