Thoughts on Facing Russia?

[Dorky Pigs]

Originally Posted by GenericCheesecake

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

Like you, I don't want to be a Gloomy Gus, but this game scares me stiff.

Folks, don't underestimate the Russian offence vs. our defence. I think we're very vulnerable there. Probably there's a vice versa scenario there too.

I do believe this extra game might have been a blessing in disguise, however, in terms of developing a team rhythm. We shall see. I'd say it's 50/50 although I appreciate the confidence being expressed here. I hope it's not blind nationalistic fervor.

[SOMBRI2]

it's gonna be a gm-7 like playoff. funny thing is you wont have the 'first 6 gms' to figure out the matchups. the first period is really important, canada will come out flying to establish forecheck, they must continue to pour shots on goal. i still believe russian's d is not that good. but with the likes of malkin, ovy etc, their transition game will be key for success. of course, limit russians' pp chance is important. i look forward to a all-4-line-show-up from canada to win this game.

[moon]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Luongo > Nabokov IMO.

Malkin isn't that hard to contain, we did it in the World Juniors, I am sure our guys can do it easily.

Ovechkin will be the biggest threat, and if we contain him, Russia is done.

Canada took Ovechkin right out of the World Juniors.

If we are using that as the reference point than Ovechkin should be much easier to contain than Malkin.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Dorky Pigs

Like you, I don't want to be a Gloomy Gus, but this game scares me stiff.

Folks, don't underestimate the Russian offence vs. our defence. I think we're very vulnerable there. Probably there's a vice versa scenario there too.

Probably?

The Canadian offense is at worst as good as the Russians and the defense is much better.

The Russians certainly have a chance to win and cause problems but looking at the offense versus defense match-up it is the Russians and their terrible defense that should be worried.

[flip]

I'm afraid of the Russians because no lead against them is safe and they have many quick strike weapons. (The blown lead in the 3rd period of the WHC final last year or the year before)

I'm not afraid of the Russians because they have no defense and we have much better team defense and goaltending.

[CGY12]

Canada D >>> Russia D = Canada WIN

We might not be able to shut them down completely but they will have a much harder time shutting us down because their D is pretty soft and way weaker than ours.

I'm also looking forward to drinking my face off and being as loud as I possibly can at Canada Hockey place tomorrow.

[HOOT]

Ernhoff thinks that Russia will win.

[CGY12]

Erhoff is a little biAtch

[Tsawwassen]

Lots of goals should be scored, flip a coin as it will be a 6-5 result in the SO.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by V

Get decent goaltending and stay out of the box and this is ours. I'm more worried about Sweden, to be honest.

I'm not because Slovakia is going to knock them off.

[Machiavelli]

Can't believe one of these teams isn't going to get a medal....not even in the semis. Wow.

[omelete]

My biggest concern is over how well Canada will be able to play in their own zone. So far in the tournament they've been very good at keeping the other team from gaining the defensive zone with the puck, but once the opposition gets possession in our end they've looked terrible. And we haven't played a team with anything close to the offensive firepower of the Russians.

Hopefully they'll get things together and be able to minimize the damage. I think if Canada can get up early and/or keep the Russians off the board well into the second period we'll be fine.

And for the love of god, please staple Pronger's ass to the bench. If he gets caught out there against either of the Russian's top two lines it's game over.

[AltaGuy]

I think we'll likely spend the majority of the game in the Russians' zone on the cycle, and we'll probably outshoot them by a wide margin.

But that Russian team is almost guaranteed to get a few fast breaks, and so in the end I do expect that it will come down to the goalies.

[Pastiche]

The key is trying to get Russia to play like a bunch of individuals and not a team. I don't know if our defence is up for that task though. It isn't solely dependent on the defence but they are the last line to stymie efforts. Forwards are going to be crucial. This is where Brendan Morrow and Mike Richards will have to punch their ticket.

Huge game. Could go either way. Very excited. Very nervous.

[Netskot]

i fail to see how Canada wins this game.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Netskot

i fail to see how Canada wins this game.

Score more goals than Russia.

[Netskot]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Score more goals than Russia.

don't see it happening.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Netskot

don't see it happening.

Canada has been the most proficient offensive team in the entire tournament, so I can see where it happens.

[Netskot]

against Latvia and Norway

[CaptainCrunch]

I'm an idiot who mis-read the schedule, I skipped the gym last night to watch the Caanda Germany game. Now I have to watch at least the first period on those tiny T.V.'s mounted on the cardio equipment.

Stupid me.