Get decent goaltending and stay out of the box and this is ours. I'm more worried about Sweden, to be honest.
I don't think Sweden's game will work against Canada at all. Too much strength and energy for them to be able to contain the home team. No way. You need an active game against Canada, and Sweden has had the most passive plan I've seen so far.
Heard that Zinoviev guy is injured for Russia, part of their all-KHL line that has been ripping it up. Maybe not a huge deal, but apparently they have only 3 natural centres left, so they'll have to double shift.
To be brutally honest, I'm downright terrified of Russia. Way too much potential offense and talent from that team and way too many things that must absolutely, positively come together for Canada to win.
The chance just doesn't look as good, and I want to be positive. I am hoping that Russia's bottom-six and defense aren't as good as I'm hoping they're not, I'm hoping Canada's defense can pull it together and shut down Russia's offense, I'm hoping Crosby and Iggy can go out and score some more, and damn it, I'm hoping somebody does to Ovechkin and as many of their others forwards what he did to Jagr.
I want it all to happen, but I just can't see it right now.
Please prove me wrong, because I don't want Canada to lose
Comparing a round-robin game with an elimination game is like apples and oranges. Furthermore, Canada wins the game against the US 9 times out of 10 given how thoroughly they dominated.
Beyond any of that, the experience of that game for Canada will go a long way ensuring it does not happen again similar to what we saw in 2002 after the loss to Sweden.
I truly hope you're 100% right here. I don't think my heart can take much more
Not at all, as I've said, I would rather start with LA over any of the other WC playoff teams. Bunch of underachievers who look good on paper but don't even deserve to be in the playoffs.
I think the key lies with Roberto Luongo. The Russians ARE going to get there chances, make no mistake. This is Luongo's defining moment IMO. If he pulls off the win in superstar fashion and leads us to glory, he will silence those critics who think he is not elite. IF he loses it for us...then l guess the critics are right (for now...) that he is a big game choker.
I hate him as much as the next Flames fan, but tomorrow l am his #1 fan. If we win this game, we have taken out arguably the hardest opponent in the tournament and it gives me hope for GOLD!!!
It's gonna be a battle between Luongo and Nabokov.. the goalie is going to be the difference tomorrow as both teams are going to have great chances all night.
I wish Miller was Canadian, by far the best goalie in the tourney.
I'm not afraid of the Russians.
I think Canada on their game > Russia on their game, so it's in our hands.
I expect a win, and if we lose it will because our players didn't show up like they should
