PGT: USA 5 - Canada 3

[temple5]

Originally Posted by BigRed

I believe you were watching the KHL tier 4 game on a different channel, where a player named D'ohtie played the game in tennis shoes. Because you couldn't have been watching tonight's game.

Drew Doughty has been outstanding -- very physical, defensively responsible, sharp, quick decision making in the offensive zone, and some sick freakin' moves.

If you'd take Green, Phaneuf or anyone else over Doughty, then you'd be just plain wrong.

Right, because spinoramas are so effective.

Neids has been terrible - not a surprise.
Pronger has been equally terrible - that is a surprise to me.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by moon

Doughty has been a big reason for at least 3 of the goals against and has been very shaky defensively.

Not sure I see that. I think he's made good decisions on when to get involved physically and has had a defensive impact. I don't think you can blame hom for that gong show of a 3rd goal -- why Brodeur decided to dive out of the net, we'll never know.

I'm impressed with his game. He sure as heck makes Pronger like look a dinosaur.

I'd consider dropping Seabrook and Pronger from this team, but not Doughty.

[flip]

Just watching the OV hit on Jagr. Has anyone on TC been physical all tourney? Nash laid 2 good hits tonight and that is about it. Why aren't we punishing these other teams physically?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

Please. Iginla had two good shifts.

This tournament will not be won or lost on iginla's shoulders. It will be lost when we start an inferior goaltender who makes idiotic plays all game.

Brodeur isn't an 'inferior' goaltender. He was out of character tonight. He's usually very solid during international competition. I don't question anyone for giving him the start tonight. However after tonight's performance I would have no problems if there was a change for next game.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by flip

Why aren't we punishing these other teams physically?

Million dollar question. I have no idea.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by temple5

Right, because spinoramas are so effective.

Did that move open a lane to the net, or did it not?

Originally Posted by temple5

Neids has been terrible - not a surprise.
Pronger has been equally terrible - that is a surprise to me.

Pronger was equally garbage in Turin. Up-tempo, fast-skating hockey is not his game -- he's most effective in the trenches. Not sure why they thought he'd fit with this group, which is built for the former and not the latter.

[old-fart]

Perry was garbage. Off in the penalty box for the 4th goal, being a lazy jackass on the fifth. Guy should be cut and replaced with someone who gives a damn (I know, you can't cut him now).

As for our defence, Doughty has been the best one. Pronger and Neids have been crap.

Sigh. Unless this team gets their act together and soon this will be another in a string of disappointing Canadian performances at these cursed games.

[moon]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Not sure I see that. I think he's made good decisions on when to get involved physically and has had a defensive impact. I don't think you can blame hom for that gong show of a 3rd goal -- why Brodeur decided to dive out of the net, we'll never know.

Tonight I would blame him much more on the second goal when he was standing around watching Rafalski skate in from the point.

He is often out of position and seems to be a second or two late in reading the play.

Not really surprising for someone of his age but certainly a concern considering he played the same way in the NHL leading up to the Olympics.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by flip

Just watching the OV hit on Jagr. Has anyone on TC been physical all tourney?

All the "Power Fowards" (Nash, Iginla, Richards, Getzlaf), and Seabrook all have had one good hit IMO. They've been WAY under using their body though.

Originally Posted by flip

Why aren't we punishing these other teams physically?

It's Babcock. At least, that's my opinion as to why they aren't that physical.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

I just thanked a moon post. FML.

Don't worry when the NHL starts back up again and I am forced to point out how terrible the Canucks are your homer views will keep you from thanking my posts!

[oldschoolcalgary]

I think Doughty has been pretty good; not fantastic mind you...compare him to how well the Johnson's played for the US team...Gotta credit Miller though: he was spectacular.

Marty...not sure what happened there...

[zamler]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

Marty...not sure what happened there...

He chocked. Sad to say, he panicked and tried to do too much. If Marty would have had only a decent game, I think we would have won.

[Meers]

I'm not the greatest Iginla fan, but I too felt he has shown the most chemistry with Crosby up to now.

Babcock should stop taking a blender to the lines and stick with Nash-Crosby-Iginla from here on out.

He should also:

1) Start Luongo against Germany;

2) PRACTICE!!! (I couldn't believe that the team didn't have a practice on Friday. That, more than anything, has proven in hindsight to have been a terrible decision by Babcock. This team needs to be on the ice every day now, and especially working on the power play.); and

3) Call a fricken time out when down by a goal with a minute left. Yeesh. Even my 12 year old son was asking "Why aren't they taking a time out?"

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by iggysback05

I was starting to worry that it was my (our) Flames bias that has made so many of us angry with Babcock's use of Iginla so I checked some other message boards to get a more objective feel for it.

A poster from Bulgaria was curious as to why the Canadian coach kept #12 off of the ice when he seemed to really have so much chemistry with Nash and Crosby.

Do our Canuck fan posters agree?

Not really. I didn't see much chemistry on that line with or without Iginla. Most of the positives were big individual efforts on Crosby's part. That said, I'm not sure that Iginla is the guy who should be getting moved off the line, more like Nash, he's not using his linemates at all. I think Babcock has to rethink who fits well with Crosby, and it might not be either Iginla or Nash. A setup guy like Marleau for example might be deadly with Crosby.

[CaptainCrunch]

We beat up one bad team in Norway. they were terrible against the Swiss, and lost to the Yanks.

This team for the most part is soft on the puck, gives the damn thing away to often, makes bad decisions and aren't tough around the net.

Yes Brodeur was bad tonight, but Babcock didn't change his defensive strategies at all when Marty started puck handling.

Whats even worse is that there are too many passengers on this team, Joe Thornton has once again shown that he is lousy in pressure situations, Corey Perry has been terrible, and you can't tell me that J-Bo wouldn't have been a better choice then Nieds and Pronger.

I'm really disappointing in this team and its coaching staff. I think they'll beat Germany, but my gut tells me that this team is going to get cornholed by a Russian team thats going to kill this defense.

But I can hope.

Iginla has been completely wasted in this tournament, he's been treated pretty badly considering his level of play when he's gotten on the ice.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Not really. I didn't see much chemistry on that line with or without Iginla.

This was the same line that held the US in their own zone for a good 1-2 minutes at the end of the game and had 2-3 good chances.

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

I think Babcock has to rethink who fits well with Crosby, and it might not be either Iginla or Nash. A setup guy like Marleau for example might be deadly with Crosby.

But Crosby is not being selfish enough in these games...he's constantly passing the puck off instead.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Not really. I didn't see much chemistry on that line with or without Iginla. Most of the positives were big individual efforts on Crosby's part. That said, I'm not sure that Iginla is the guy who should be getting moved off the line, more like Nash, he's not using his linemates at all. I think Babcock has to rethink who fits well with Crosby, and it might not be either Iginla or Nash. A setup guy like Marleau for example might be deadly with Crosby.

Except for flashes Nash has looked pretty lazy.

[automaton 3]

Lots of good comments in this thread. I really think we will see Luongo start the next game.

Thornton has been invisible. Getlaf has been a turnover machine, and Perry has been useless. I have no freaking clue why Pronger made this team, he has not looked great all year so his poor play isn't exactly a surprise.

How St. Louis, Green and Stamkos didn't make this team is a mystery. I choose to blame Kevin Lowe.

I'm really wondering about Babcock, lots of questionable decisions. The guy is an incredibly accomplished coach which leads me to wonder if he is really in charge here, some of these decisions smack of groupthink.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Lots of good comments in this thread. I really think we will see Luongo start the next game.

Thornton has been invisible. Getlaf has been a turnover machine, and Perry has been useless. I have no freaking clue why Pronger made this team, he has not looked great all year so his poor play isn't exactly a surprise.

How St. Louis, Green and Stamkos didn't make this team is a mystery. I choose to blame Kevin Lowe.

I'm really wondering about Babcock, lots of questionable decisions. The guy is an incredibly accomplished coach which leads me to wonder if he is really in charge here, some of these decisions smack of groupthink. Again I choose to blame Kevin Lowe.

My concern with Loungo is that I don't have a lot of faith with him in elimination games, I would almost rather they went with Fleury.

[Mayer]

Luongo after the game, asked if he should/will start next game:

"That's not my call, buddy. I'm here for Team Canada. I'm not here for Roberto Luongo."

http://twitter.com/DamoSpin/status/9461059680


What a headcase.