[GDT] Mens Hockey, Sweden vs Finland at 5:00 AM Mountain

[Tsawwassen]

The first rivalry allstar semi-final game on the OOT and it should be a dandy. These two neighbouring nations battled it out for gold in the 2006 games and the fire still burns for Finland to get its revenge after losing 3-2 in reg time.


vs

vs

Sweden's roster has only 1 player on the team that is not in the NHL. Finland has 11 players that aren't in the NHL. The duel in goal is a rematch of the Rangers/Bruins playoff series last year with Lundqvist vs. Rask. The European style game on their normal rink dimensions.
In Canada, game is on TSN in english and RDS in french.
In the USA, game is on NBCSN.
http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2013090027&navid=sbreview

Online links for both countries are here, http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=705812&navid=nhl:topheads

My prediction is 4-2 for Finland.

[Philly06Cup]

The script is quite similar to Canada/US.
Historic rivalry; close in geography. Finland has been surprisingly good this tournament; Sweden is the struggling powerhouse.
I will be cheering for Finland, as that should be the easier path to Gold for Canada.

[Textcritic]

I will be cheering for Finland, as there are few things more nauseating than the Swedish National Hockey Team.

God, I hate Sweden. The only reason I might be happy with a Sweden win today is for the chance to see them obliterated in the Gold Medal Game, hopefully by Canada.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

I will be cheering for Finland, as that should be the easier path to Gold for Canada.

There is no easy path in this battle of Scandanavia, I think Sweden is the inferior team.

[Itse]

Lehtonen will be starting for Finland. Rask out with flu.

[Devils'Advocate]

Rask MUST be injured as he is not playing today. He has be very, very good thus far and I don't see why Finland would bench him unless there is an injury.

Ah, the flu... That explains it. Bad break for Finland.

[Tsawwassen]

Surprising news that Tukka Rask has fallen ill. Kari Lehtonen will be the starting goaltender and Antii Niemi will be the backup goalie. Niemi should be in net, he's won the cup. http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?...d=nhl:topheads

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Rask MUST be injured as he is not playing today. He has be very, very good thus far and I don't see why Finland would bench him unless there is an injury.

Ah, the flu... That explains it. Bad break for Finland.

Meh. We got 'em goalies, it's unlikely to be the deciding factor.

EDIT: Rask actually commented after the Russia-game that he had slight flu-symptoms, so it's not much of a surprise.

[btimbit]

Go Finland!

[Itse]

It's going to be a game of nerves more than anything. Unfortunately Swedes generally have a slight edge in that. At least right now the Finns are looking very shaky.

Goaltending is pretty much even, special teams should be slightly in Swedens advantage. I think we have a slight coaching advantage. Swedes have more top end skill. We usually play four lines pretty evenly, which is an advantage if the game stays tight until the end.

All in all I'm guessing we'll probably lose, but it's like 40-60, so not too bad.

[btimbit]

Kind of a weak penalty on Kronwal, thought Selanne just ran into him.

5 on 3 for the Fins though, good chance!

[Haplo]

Is it me or are the Finns diving a lot here?

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Itse

Lehtonen will be starting for Finland. Rask out with flu.

so it has begun. Putin didn't waste any time.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Haplo

Is it me or are the Finns diving a lot here?

Selänne probably. Vatanen I think was just caught by surprise, and I think it was a legitimate roughing, both fists hard on the neck/face area.

EDIT: To be more exact, I think Selänne tried the refs. Technically that's a penalty, it's just not usually called in a situation like that.

[Haplo]

Can't believe the refs gave a 5 on 3 for this. Hope we get that back.

[Itse]

Now THAT was a dive by the Swede, whoever it was. Not surprising, they're expecting a call.

[Itse]

Meh. The refs were obviously tired of waiting for something even resembling a penalty...

[Haplo]

Haha weak compensation penalty

[Itse]

Hah, Lundqvist sucks one!

[Haplo]

Wow a huge softie let in by Lundquist