[GDT] Dec 31 - WJC: CAN vs USA (9:30AM MT) TSN

[djsFlames]

Gillies to me was left out to dry in the third. And I think he felt like it too.

Especially on the powerplay goal. What are you going to do when your D allows the guy to get a clean Drouin pass parked right out in front like that. I dunno.

[superfarmer]

Most goalies are flakes. Especially young ones. Up and down games are more the norm

[PeteMoss]

Interesting if Finland gets a point in this game against Switzerland, Canada would be able to avoid playing Sweden/Russia/USA until the final. (I'm assuming they would play the winner of Finland/Czech in the semis... not certain that is how it works but it would make the most sense)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by moon

He wasn't at fault for the goals but he was shaky with his rebound control and beat on the two post shots.

IMO Gillies didn't look very good. He got beat by a few that hit the post and positionally was deep in his net. Even the first goal he didn't really follow the play well while going across the net way too slow.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by herashak

gibson was playing behind trouba and jones though

Not to mention Sieloff, McCabe, and Murphy. Last year Gostisbehere was our only defenseman under six foot, coming in at 5'11". This year we have Butcher and Carrick at 5'11" and Grzelcyk at a whopping 5'9". Guys are getting way too many 2nd/3rd chances in the crease.

[Red John]

Quarterfinal game against Swiss, semifinal against Czech/Finland?

That is an absolute sweetheart draw, how on earth Canada manages to avoid Sweden, Russian AND the US all at the same time?

No reason why Canada shouldn't get at least a silver now. Although if there was ever a year where Canada might be open to an upset to a minnow it might be this year.

[Henry Fool]

Finland started the second goalie against Switzerland and it turned out to be a mistake. With Lehkonen injured, there's even less scoring in the lineup and a bad goaltending performance put them in a tough situation. They've been fine after putting in Saros.

Teräväinen deserves to have even more assists than he has. The way he feeds his linemates is ridiculous but there aren't many finishers.

[JoelOtto29]

what a great game! i thought ekblad had his best game.

[V]

What an important win. Has to give the team a lot of confidence going into the playoffs, and now the draw is ridiculously easy. No reason to place less than second now.

[Ashasx]

I have to say, part of the reason I'm cheering for the US is now to spite all the people complaining about those who cheer for the US.

[trackercowe]

So glad we passed over Teuvo Teräväinen...

[darthma]

Tuned in for the 3rd, so my comments are for that stretch only.

Sam Reinhart looks amazing. It could just be a function of his size advantage, but he seemed to make things happen out there. I want this guy.

Drouin is a high-risk player. He does some amazing stuff, but he also makes some really strange decisions to dangle when he could just get the zone.

Petan - sad that he isn't a Flames pick.

[JoelOtto29]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I have to say, part of the reason I'm cheering for the US is now to spite all the people complaining about those who cheer for the US.

ok

[DOOM]

Yay Canada!

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I have to say, part of the reason I'm cheering for the US is now to spite all the people complaining about those who cheer for the US.

Seems like a solid reason to cheer against your country.

Finland screwed out of a goal that would have solidified the placing. They really should not be tied in this game and should have put it away. They do understand they play the US if they lose and Czech if they win, you would think they were motivated.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by moon

Seems like a solid reason to cheer against your country.

Finland screwed out of a goal that would have solidified the placing. They really should not be tied in this game and should have put it away. They do understand they play the US if they lose and Czech if they win, you would think they were motivated.

They just need to get to OT at this point. No reason to make a risky play that could go the other way.

[moon]

Originally Posted by getbak

They just need to get to OT at this point. No reason to make a risky play that could go the other way.

I don't want them to make a risky play but they were giving up some chances on the PP by just standing around.

All moot anyways as they get to OT and the nest round set:

Sweden vs. Slovakia
US vs. Russia

Canada vs. Switzerland
Finland vs. Czech

Don't want to count our chickens before they hatch and we have seen Canada struggle already against inferior teams but that is about the best Canada could have hoped for and if you had a choice (within reason ie. no Norway/Germany) that is how you would have picked it.

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I have to say, part of the reason I'm cheering for the US is now to spite all the people complaining about those who cheer for the US.

Maybe you can wear a Brett Hull jersey?

[getbak]

You know, Craig Button is a surprisingly decent colour guy.

[Meers]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I have to say, part of the reason I'm cheering for the US is now to spite all the people complaining about those who cheer for the US.

Ah yes, insight into the psychology of a traitor. No doubt Snowden, Ellsberg, Oswald and Quisling were thinking something along those lines.