[GDT] Latvia vs. Canada, Mens Hockey at 10:00 AM Mountain

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

...We'll see what happens against an elite team which has a bit more to offer than Andrei Markov and Fyodor Tyutin as their top defensemen.

Do you see what I did there?

You seem to be ignoring the fact that this will be the toughest challenge that the US have face in this point by an enormous margin. They managed only a shootout win against Russia, who has looked marginal in every game, but should have actually beaten the US on the strength of a goal called back in the third by a silly technicality.

It will be a close game. Both teams are easily the two best, or top-three in the tournament. It's foolish to think that Team USA holds much of an edge over Canada.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Bouwmeester will crush someone, that will set the tone

I hear he skates well

[dino7c]

Who has the US beat in this tourney? Russia? they just lost to Finland (who canada beat and outplayed badly) US was lucky to beat them even, kicked off the net won in a SO

Are they really getting all this credit for pounding terrible teams?

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Be prepared, USA will likely win by a healthy margin. Canada is basically the same team as 2010 with a worse defence. Their up-and-comers (Tavares, Stamkos, Giroux) have been wiped out. The defence has replaced Niedermayer and Pronger with Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester.

Meanwhile the US has improved with Kane Kessel and Suter elite NHLers now.
I'm thinking 4-1 or 3-0 USA.

Doughty, Keith, Weber are all in their prime now, i believe our defence is still as good as the 2010 tournament. We easily still have the best defence in the tournamant though. Doughty and Weber replace Pronger and Niedermyer as the top defence pair and Weber and Doughty have been replaced by probably Bouwmester and Pietrangelo. My only concern is that Bouw will not be able to handle the high pressure. Not having Tavares, Stamkos, and Giroux will definetly hurt though. IMO Giroux should be on the team over Kunitz though. Damn i wish Stamkos never got hurt, could sure use his natual goal scoring ability right about now. Anyone know who will be the scratches tomorow. I assume Price will be the starter? Sorry about the rant, not even sure if it made sense

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Are they really getting all this credit for pounding terrible teams?

Yes, they really are.

Today's game will be a huge test for them. Team USA has not played anyone in this tournament with anything near the same level of skill or depth as Team Canada. Significantly, Team USA has not yet faced another team that has anything remotely close to the same level of coaching as Team Canada.

[Red John]

Canada getting +138 odds right now. If you're a confident Canadian here's your chance. Go plunk some money down.

[vilzeh]

You guys seem to be forgetting that neither has Canada played any team close to the depth of team USA. It's a coinflip of a match.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

You guys seem to be forgetting that neither has Canada played any team close to the depth of team USA. It's a coinflip of a match.

That's true, but I would say that the margin between Finland and Canada is a lot closer than the margin between Russia and Team USA in this tournament. Canada hasn't had to contend with the kind of firepower that the US has in the lineup, but they have played and beaten a very, very good, well coached defensive team. Has any team the US played been well coached? Has any team the US has faced had ANY sort of defensive depth?

All that is to say that I think Team USA's offensive prowess in this tournament is a bit of a mirage. I just finished watching the USA v. Czech semi-final from Wednesday, and was pretty underwhelmed. That was a winnable game for Czech, had they any sort of competent team structure or goaltending.

[Tinordi]

Here's the basic assessment of the game: two very evenly matched teams, with two impressive tournament records so far will play and it will come down to which ever team plays better and which ever team gets the bounces.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Here's the basic assessment of the game: two very evenly matched teams, with two impressive tournament records so far will play and it will come down to which ever team plays better and which ever team gets the bounces.

Canada has the talent and the depth to win outright, but I expect that you are right.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Canada has the talent and the depth to win outright, but I expect that you are right.

Sure, on paper Canada looks better. But you and I both know on paper means for squat. In a one off game the bounces will matter, as will which goalie is hotter, as will which team makes the fewest mental lapses, as will which teams' best players are their best players.

What this tournament has shown is that any team can hang with any other team Latvia can scare Canada, Slovenia can upset whomever. To expect this game between essentially two teams that are pretty damn close to each other, especially in one game to come down to who has the better roster on paper just isn't breathing in the lessons that this tournament has shown to-date.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Bouwmeester will crush someone, that will set the tone

The only way I see this happening is if they have one of those honourary children skating in the pre-game warmup.