[GT] 2018 WJC Day 1: CZE vs RUS, BEL vs SWE, CAN vs FIN, and DEN vs USA. TSN

[activeStick]

Mittlestadt has had a really strong game for the Americans. Will be interested to see him against stronger competition.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

From that standpoint I would agree, but as it stands now there's probably only 8 countries that can ice a competitive team consistently: Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland. So 6 teams was a lowball on my part.

I just feel bad for the "throwaway" teams like Belarus, Denmark, Latvia, and Germany who come to the tournament and win 0 games and lose by 5 or 6 goals every games. It can't be much fun for those kids, can it? It's not fun as a fan watching it.

But I guess it's not a huge deal, I don't watch the powerhouse vs underdog games anyways.

It can't be fun to get slammed by the elite teams, but I bet those kids would rather be in the tourney than not. You can't get better as an individual or even a country if you're not playing the best.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

From that standpoint I would agree, but as it stands now there's probably only 8 countries that can ice a competitive team consistently: Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland. So 6 teams was a lowball on my part.

I just feel bad for the "throwaway" teams like Belarus, Denmark, Latvia, and Germany who come to the tournament and win 0 games and lose by 5 or 6 goals every games. It can't be much fun for those kids, can it? It's not fun as a fan watching it.

But I guess it's not a huge deal, I don't watch the powerhouse vs underdog games anyways.

Those teams don’t consider themselves throwaway teams, especially since they are able to, and have historically beaten, some of those teams you consider top 8. Like I said, Denmark finished 5th last year.

These countries all have hockey fans who likely adjust their goals for a tournament like this. I wouldnt feel bad for anyone in this case.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Well Denmark sure sucks.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

Well Denmark sure sucks.

Ouch

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

From that standpoint I would agree, but as it stands now there's probably only 8 countries that can ice a competitive team consistently: Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland. So 6 teams was a lowball on my part.

I just feel bad for the "throwaway" teams like Belarus, Denmark, Latvia, and Germany who come to the tournament and win 0 games and lose by 5 or 6 goals every games. It can't be much fun for those kids, can it? It's not fun as a fan watching it.

But I guess it's not a huge deal, I don't watch the powerhouse vs underdog games anyways.

I'm sure most of the kids would prefer a story about playing against a bunch of future NHLers in a tournament than winning a gold in a game against Austria.

[flame^thrower]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I'm sure most of the kids would prefer a story about playing against a bunch of future NHLers in a tournament than winning a gold in a game against Austria.

Austria in the gold medal game?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by flame^thrower

Austria in the gold medal game?

There is no gold medal game in the lower group. Belarus' last game was against Austria last year which they won to secure the gold or promotion to the main group.

Looks like Kazakhstan is coming up next year.

Also Turkmenistan is debuting their junior hockey team in the lowest group. Playing against South Africa and Chinese Tapei in the Group 3 qualifiers. First non Isreal Middle Eastern team to play (if you don't consider Turkey or the Kazaks a middle eastern country I guess)