[GDT] 2026 Olympics Game #5: Semi-final- Canada vs. Finland

[midniteowl]

[Sylvanfan]

I think Slovakia was fortunate to draw Finland early when they were out of sorts. Had Finland drew Italy and Sweden drew the Slovaks, I think they would have been 1-2 and likely the 9th or 10th seed. But they were ready to go from the start and were able to parlay that into a chance to play for the Bronze.

[3rd liner]

I didn't watch the US/Slovakia game so no idea how it played out (shots were 38:24 in favour of the US), but based on Slovakia's record I was expecting more out of them this game- a much closer game. Though I didn't know they had so few NHLers until before this game.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

You wasted so much water for that slop.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

1) 1972
2) 1987
3) 2002
4) 2010

If we win gold, I would put this 5th

Tell me you're old without telling me you're old. Those first one didnt even include multiple teams, and the 2nd was just a made up Cup that happened once.

It's 02,10,this,14, and then everything else.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Buff

Yes, some people are hating blindly because of NHL affiliations. However he wasn't the one who drove his line. That was Celebrini. It isn't unfair to expect more from the player who is supposed to be the best in the world.

More in what sense? Points? 13 isn’t enough? He drives that line and his speed and skill pushes the D back and has whole defensive group focus on him, which gives Celebrini that much extra space and time.

This tournament should be the final straw for him to decide to chase cups with a properly run organization.

Missing in the talk about rankings, the 1984 Canada Cup in Calgary is right up there. I certainly think it’s bigger than 1987, so sits behind 02,72 and 2010. Canada with the OT win in the semis vs the Russians. That was the biggest win since 1972. That was the Isles with Tonelli and Bossy playing big roles.

1987 was only more popular because of the Lemieux and Gretzky visuals on the 3 on 1 with Larry Murphy to get the GWG. But 1984 was a more meaningful win given the time elapsed, even if wasn’t the final.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

BTW the french call of the goal is fantastic as well.

Pierre Houde is a legend.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Canadas bottom 6 has to get going in the finals, especially if Jack Hughes actually plays like Jack Hughes

This. The US has to be favoured in the final, I'd think. Canada's roster is somewhat top-heavy while the US team is solid top to bottom.

[Haplo]

In addition to Russia playing, 2002 also had the "golden generation" of the Swedish, Czech and Finnish teams. This year's tournament must be the weakest best-on-best at the Olympics yet.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by BigThief

You wasted so much water for that slop.

Huh? I'm sorry? All my energy is being used to fight this stupid cold, don't get what you mean.

[BlindMilwaukee]

Any chance Brady Tkachuk gets tossed for the gold medal game? I didn't see the game but I see he was given a 10 minute in the 3rd period. No idea what happened.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Coach

Tell me you're old without telling me you're old. Those first one didnt even include multiple teams, and the 2nd was just a made up Cup that happened once.

It's 02,10,this,14, and then everything else.

Well are we talking best competition win or biggest for our country?

Pretty sure every means the latter which makes that list valid.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Well are we talking best competition win or biggest for our country?

Pretty sure every means the latter which makes that list valid.

Yeah, in 72 would multiple teams have even mattered? Canada and the USSR would just pummel Sweden, USA, Finland and Czechoslovakia and then play in the finals.

Frankly, this Olympics is almost as uncompetitive, despite Canada almost blowing it twice against inferior teams.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

I'll allow it.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, in 72 would multiple teams have even mattered? Canada and the USSR would just pummel Sweden, USA, Finland and Czechoslovakia and then play in the finals.

Frankly, this Olympics is almost as uncompetitive, despite Canada almost blowing it twice against inferior teams.

3 of the 4 quarter-final games went to OT, one of the semi-final games went to OT. Several round-robin games that didn't go the way they were expected, unless you focus just on Canada's round robin games.

I'd say this has been a highly entertaining tournament, with deserving teams playing for the appropriate medals in the end of the day.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Well are we talking best competition win or biggest for our country?

Pretty sure every means the latter which makes that list valid.

Try to find someone not a rabid hockey fan born after 1980 (most of the population) that knows what any hockey tournament other than the Olympics is.

I'm a rabid hockey fan and I couldn't care less about those things outside of the 87 team probably having the best jersey ever.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I don't really get ranking 02 above 2010. One of those was won on home soil in overtime. The other was a 5-2 game that never felt close. 2010 has a case to be best all time just because of where it was held.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I don't really get ranking 02 above 2010. One of those was won on home soil in overtime. The other was a 5-2 game that never felt close. 2010 has a case to be best all time just because of where it was held.

Yeah I'd say it's an even split between 02 and 10. An argument can be made for either.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The other was a 5-2 game that never felt close.

the US scored first, and the game was always within a goal until 4 minutes remaining.

I very much agree with you on 2010 being big because of where it was played.

[Sylvanfan]

The 87 Canada Cup arguably featured both the Soviet Union and Canada at a pretty significant peak in both Countries hockey history. Gretzky and Lemieux vs the KLM line with all around their primes was fantastic.