[GDT] 2016 WJC: Final Round Robin Day. Canada vs Sweden 11 AM

[nik-]

Originally Posted by polak

Why?

I think it's funny when the hype falls flat on its face.

Frankly, this increased competition will make me take the tournament more seriously anyways. It'll actually mean something to make it to the finals.

I don't think it's funny when it falls flat on it's face, but there definitely needs to be a correction on the hype.

TSN has whipped this tournament into a total gongshow. Selection camp coverage, coverage of the door to door selections ... just too much. These kids go in with so much smoke blown up their asses that there is no way they can take this competition seriously. It's the job of the coaches to rein it all in and get them on track. Obviously some can and some can't.

This is probably the worst coached team here that I can recall. Everyone is doing their own thing, everything is scrambly, there's little control. Pretty disappointing, but if you're gonna let the kids run wild, they're going to take advantage of it. It's not on them this year imo.

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

So you would prefer not to be able to watch the games on tsn? Without their hype this tournament would not have grown into the exciting thing it is now. So because TSN hypes it you think somehow you need to balance things out by being extra complainy?

There's a difference between promotion and televising games and turning the team into gods every year. I think TSN goes overboard personally.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

What a terrible attitude. Just try to enjoy something for what it is.
Let's hope for a terrible superbowl this year because hype amirite?

Hey man, crap play is all the entertainment value the Oilers have provided for nearly a decade, its all they've got and its been enough!

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

The nice thing about being a fat middle aged Canadian with the Internet is that you can crap all over 18 and 19 year old kids. It is a Canadian tradition.

I'm middle aged but not fat and it's only my observation is that this is one of the worst Canadian teams I have seen in the tournament. I'm not crapping on them as honestly I care more about the Flames beating the Kings tonight than Canada winning gold in the tournament. That said I don't cheer against them and hope they do well but this team just doesn't look that good.

[polak]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

What a terrible attitude. Just try to enjoy something for what it is.
Let's hope for a terrible superbowl this year because hype amirite?

Why do I have to take it seriously like you all do? I always thought it was silly to get this hyped for junior hockey and even more silly to get this hyped for every single edition of Team Canada. Now that Canada doesn't dominate like they have been for the majority of the time I've been aware of the tournament, it'll be more interesting.

It's the best sign you could see for the game of hockey overall. Other teams challenging and more teams contending. Just means a better talent pool for the mens game.

[Torchdemall]

They had lots of jump, but they didn't seem to find the chemistry and looked to be chasing a lot more then I expected them to be. You can see a few are trying insanely hard to make a mark and carry the play and I think it's hurting them, but it will be a great learning experience win or lose. That's the thing about WJC you never really know what is gonna happen but its always interesting. As crappy as the reffing was they really let it be the case, when you play like that and cause as much trouble you invite the ref to make judgements against you. Another lesson learned.

I think the Fins and the crowd that will be there will give them all they can handle, hopefully they keep their emotions more in check, and I really hope they can pull it out. But they are gonna have to bring a much better game and mindset if they are going to do it, Lowry had his work cut out for him.

[polak]

I wonder if as the tournament becomes more balanced, if people start looking at other avenues besides the CHL as the best route for development.

[dash_pinched]

Interesting to note that the player of the game for Sweden was a Canucks 5th round draft pick (Gustav Forsling) whom they traded to the Hawks for Adam Clendening (who was subsequently sent to Pittsburgh as part of a package to acquire Brandon Sutter). I guess what I'm trying to say is it looks like the Hawks may have a pretty good player (like they need any more).

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by polak

Why do I have to take it seriously like you all do? I always thought it was silly to get this hyped for junior hockey and even more silly to get this hyped for every single edition of Team Canada. Now that Canada doesn't dominate like they have been for the majority of the time I've been aware of the tournament, it'll be more interesting.

It's the best sign you could see for the game of hockey overall. Other teams challeging and more teams contending. Just means a better talent pool for the mens game.

If anything you are in fact taking it too seriously based on your over-reactions in this thread. I'm not saying take it seriously - I'm saying enjoy it for what it is - which is pretty damn good hockey.
Your earlier comments suggested you take pleasure in Canada failing because the tournament is overhyped.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

There's a difference between promotion and televising games and turning the team into gods every year. I think TSN goes overboard personally.

TSN is in the business of making people care about their properties enough so that they watch. That's what they do. Just like ESPN.

So of course that's what they do. And for the most part it works. They have been a huge part of building the CFL, WJC, Brier, etc. Those leagues/events would be much smaller without TSN building those brands.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I mean, the officiating was terrible but this has never looked like a team in sync and frankly they don't look like a team that's at all motivated. Marner occasionally decides he's interested, Koneckny always is, and Hicketts makes a consistent effort, but the bulk of the roster doesn't really seem to care 90% of the time. The best I've seen them play was late in the first when they were actually hitting people, then they take a penalty and lose all the momentum. That has to be on the coaching staff.

[polak]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

If anything you are in fact taking it too seriously based on your over-reactions in this thread. I'm not saying take it seriously - I'm saying enjoy it for what it is - which is pretty damn good hockey.
Your earlier comments suggested you take pleasure in Canada failing because the tournament is overhyped.

I don't think I over reacted? I said they're playing like the hype has got into their heads and that they seem to think their NHL'ers with all the extra fancy passing and needless dekeing. Then someone asked if this is the worst team they ever iced and I repeated TSNs stat that it's the worst in 17 years... which yes, I'll admit, I think is pretty funny given the hype TSN built up about this (and every other) team Canada.

The hockey is definitely fun. The Czech v. Finland game was nuts! I just have a hard time caring much cause it's not mens best on best. Just like the World Championship, but TSN doesn't hype that team nearly as much.

[MillerTime GFG]

At the end of the day, TSN hypes this tournament because there's an appetite for it. Otherwise they wouldn't do it.

Not winning this tournament every year is good for hockey and makes winning it that much sweeter when we do.

Edit: Should add that Canada was clearly in the tougher of the two groups, as USA and Sweden look like they could be the best 2 teams in the tournament.

[Locke]

Well. Thats not gone well.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

TSN is in the business of making people care about their properties enough so that they watch. That's what they do. Just like ESPN.

So of course that's what they do. And for the most part it works. They have been a huge part of building the CFL, WJC, Brier, etc. Those leagues/events would be much smaller without TSN building those brands.

I agree that it's in their best interest, but both my statement and your statement are correct imo.

[polak]

I'll say this, too me it's faaaaar more important for the Flames prospects to have a good game than Canada winning. If Hickey or Mcdonald had a stand out tournament but Canada lost, I'd still be thrilled. If the opposite happened, I'd be bummed.

[Enoch Root]

This annual whining about the WJC being created by the TSN hype machine is one of the most ridiculous things posted on these boards (and that's saying something).

If there wasn't real interest, people wouldn't watch it. And for those of you making that claim: YOU are watching it, so what the hell are you complaining about? Are you only watching it because TSN makes you watch it? Do you not have free will?

I have been following this tournament since the days when CHL teams participated. It is a great tournament! The passion that the kids play with is so refreshing and enjoyable, that makes it some of the beat hockey available anywhere. I was absolutely ecstatic when TSN started covering it because I wanted to watch it.

If you don't enjoy it, don't watch. But please, stop with the annual "this is all TSN hype" garbage.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Virtanen just looks like he'd rather be somewhere else.

Has to hurt the ego when you're cut from your NHL team to attend this while the other 19-year-old is elevated to first line center on said NHL team for a short spell.

lol. No he doesn't.

The effort is there. He is simply not very good at utilizing his team-mates.

Almost every time he touches the puck, he puts his head down and tries to do it all himself.

I look forward to him doing this for the Canucks for the next 10-15 years. And yes, he is the same player, making the same mistakes with them.

This isn't a lack of interest, this is what many of us have been saying since before he was drafted: a complete lack of hockey IQ.

[Vinny01]

This tournament must be cringe worthy for Canuck fans. Virtanen looking more and more like a bust every day. Rushed by management and a bad pick to begin with. Going to be a long rebuild in Vancouver

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

This tournament must be cringe worthy for Canuck fans. Virtanen looking more and more like a bust every day. Rushed by management and a bad pick to begin with. Going to be a long rebuild in Vancouver

Not at all. Again 19-years-old. He's looked disinterested in this tournament, and he was rushed into the NHL but it is WAY too early to write him off. A bigger concern is that we traded away Forsling for essentially nothing. He looks really smooth out there.

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

lol. No he doesn't.

The effort is there. He is simply not very good at utilizing his team-mates.

Almost every time he touches the puck, he puts his head down and tries to do it all himself.

I look forward to him doing this for the Canucks for the next 10-15 years. And yes, he is the same player, making the same mistakes with them.

This isn't a lack of interest, this is what many of us have been saying since before he was drafted: a complete lack of hockey IQ.

When I'm playing, and I'm disinterested I attempt to do everything myself because I just don't care where the puck ends up. When I've watched him, there's been no real effort to get pucks or get to open pucks. He looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. If a pass isn't tape to tape to him, he just ignores it and lets it go. That's not the signs of an engaged player.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

When is the last time Canada iced a WJC team this weak?

• The last time Canada had even one regulation loss in the preliminary round was 2008.
  
  
• The last time Canada failed to win 3 games in the preliminary round was 2001.
  
  
• The last time Canada had two regulation losses in the preliminary round was 1998, which was also the last time Canada didn't play for a medal.

The 1998 team had 2 regulation wins in the preliminary round. This year's team only had one. To this point in the tournament, this is the worst performance Canada has ever had at the World Juniors since the playoff format was introduced in 1996.


If you go to the years before the playoff format was introduced, when the tournament was a straight round-robin, the 1992 team had a 2-3-2 record, with their only wins coming against Switzerland and Germany. That was so long ago that Michael Nylander (whose two sons are playing in this year's tournament) led the tournament in scoring.

Canada's team in 1981 had a 1-3-1 record, with its only win coming against Austria.


Unless this team can turn things around on Saturday, this will be one of the worst performances Canada has ever had at the World Juniors.