[GDT] 2015 IIHF WJC Finals: Da Da Canada

[icarus]

Always love a good Canada-Russia tilt. I wonder if our old CP Russian foes are reading this, if so: Wanamaker interesting?


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[Gary83]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

This line of thinking is a little perplexing.

If Rafikov was a high pick and top prospect it'd be a little more reasonable, but still pretty strange. But the guy's a 7th round pick -- it's highly likely he never sees any level of professional ice time in North America at all, let alone with the Flames, whether he has a great game today or not.

Yeah, anything from a 4th to a 7th is basically a wash. I don't care if a Calgary 4th round pick ever turns out. Right?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by loob job

Have watched all the games and remember the "drafting Nick Ritchie" rumours that were out there in the summer. So glad we didn't. He has not impressed me at all. Hard to believe that he beat out a guy like DalColle to make this team.

Disagree. I thought the work of that line in the game yesterday was key. That had several shifts where they had the puck in the Slovak zone for ages - wearing them down - grinding away.
The big physical line paved the way for the skilled lines to get the offense going.

[N-E-B]

As someone mentioned above, it's just junior hockey and it is a product of the TSN hype...

But I still enjoy it and will cheer for Canada to win. That said, I do also cheer for Flames prospects to do well, so I'm hoping for a Canada win and for Rafikov to be the Russian MVP.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Disagree. I thought the work of that line in the game yesterday was key. That had several shifts where they had the puck in the Slovak zone for ages - wearing them down - grinding away.
The big physical line paved the way for the skilled lines to get the offense going.

Maybe so, but with the 4th overall pick you're looking for more than a guy who can grind down opposing D. He did his role well, and the role they're asking him to play isn't the role a Petan is playing, but he hasn't showed much in terms of skill.

A lot of people, myself included, were wary of a guy like Ritchie because guys who scouts fall in love with due to their size and physical play are often overrated and do little offensively at the NHL level. We needed more certainty than that at the pick we had, and I'm glad we didn't take him for that reason. It's definitely still possible he becomes better player than Bennett, but I'd say the odds are pretty low.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Maybe so, but with the 4th overall pick you're looking for more than a guy who can grind down opposing D. He did his role well, and the role they're asking him to play isn't the role a Petan is playing, but he hasn't showed much in terms of skill.

A lot of people, myself included, were wary of a guy like Ritchie because guys who scouts fall in love with due to their size and physical play are often overrated and do little offensively at the NHL level. We needed more certainty than that at the pick we had, and I'm glad we didn't take him for that reason. It's definitely still possible he becomes better player than Bennett, but I'd say the odds are pretty low.

Sorry to clarify - by no means am I suggesting that the Flames should have taken him at 4. I think he went in the area he should have.

My main point centered on the fact that his line did important work yesterday - and the ability for the team to role out a line like that - was a crucial part of the win. They did their best work when the game was close and soon after the goal started coming.

[Five-hole]

Fully agree with you then.

[Blarg]

Originally Posted by codynw

There is no circumstance where I consider it a win to watch anyone beat Canada in international play. I hope Rafikov is a -10 on the night.

I'd rather hope Canada wins 10-0 and Rafikov even. Win/win is better than win/lose.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Yeah, I think most fans were worried about Ritchie at 4, but hopeful that the Flames could aquire another pick to snag Ritchie with.

Hopefully Canada come out flying and never let up.

[Puppet Guy]

won't tonight be the first time since 1967 that a championship hockey game's been played in Toronto?

[Drury18]

So...do I post here about Slovakia or am I the only one watching?

It's 1-0 SVK only 3 minutes into the game.

[Drury18]

It's now 2-0 SVK a few seconds later.

2 goals on 5 SOG

[ThatsRobbery]

Wow no jump from Sweden at all

[pria(kin)16]

Lucked into a ticket for the game tonight, can't wait to cheer on the boys (and Rafikov silently). Go Canada Go!

[Drury18]

Swede's woke up. Nylander scores to make it 2-1 Slovakia.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by ThatsRobbery

Wow no jump from Sweden at all

I'm not watching, but this was my expectation. Teams like Sweden want Gold, not Bronze. A bronze for Slovakia is basically a gold medal -- the best they could possibly do. No offense at all intended to team Slovakia, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sweden doesn't much care about this game.

[Zach]

Rooting for Slovakia

[ThatsRobbery]

GODla with another ridiculous save

[DT77]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

won't tonight be the first time since 1967 that a championship hockey game's been played in Toronto?

The 2004 World Cup Final was played at the ACC.

[sureLoss]

Swedes tie it up