[GDT] 2026 Olympics Game #5: Semi-final- Canada vs. Finland

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Itse

I have lots of issues with our offense, but credit where credit is due:

Ristolainen has been on a crusade the whole tournament, best I've ever seen him, Mikkola has been really solid, Heiskanen - Lindell played half the game and showed why they are one of the best defensive pairings in the world... And only thing Saros could have done better is just steal the game outright by being literalky perfect.

It was a winnable game, but barely, as expected.

I would however be worried about Canada's offense too. You have so many players that would be first liners in any other team, but somehow your offense is McDavid, Macklin, MacKinnon, Marner and at times Marchand. I mean those are some awesome players, but you should be deeper than that.

Is there some rule about the letter M?

Those players get first like top pairing minutes, while now players who usually do are taking defensive zone face offs and penalty killing.

Not every player gets powerplay time, or starting in the offensive zone every shift.

It’s not about points. I’d say the second and third lines turned this game around with the pressure they kept up to eventually draw the last penalty.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by bluejays

The amazing thing was when she retired she was on the speakers circuit for corporations. She was charging about $25k for her 20 minute talk. So dry. But man no doubt she cashed that in to dummies like my former company who paid and ate it up.

WTF? People paid money to listen to monotone Cassie? hahahaha
Seriously the worst color commentator of all time.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Itse

I have lots of issues with our offense, but credit where credit is due:

Ristolainen has been on a crusade the whole tournament, best I've ever seen him, Mikkola has been really solid, Heiskanen - Lindell played half the game and showed why they are one of the best defensive pairings in the world... And only thing Saros could have done better is just steal the game outright by being literalky perfect.

It was a winnable game, but barely, as expected.

I would however be worried about Canada's offense too. You have so many players that would be first liners in any other team, but somehow your offense is McDavid, Macklin, MacKinnon, Marner and at times Marchand. I mean those are some awesome players, but you should be deeper than that.

Is there some rule about the letter M?

There’s not enough shooting. Everyone’s trying to make the cleanest play through, even the Mac/Mc crew. They have the talent that it sometimes gets through, but the next tier down can’t do that against top defenders all the time. They’re used to favourable matchups and meets a 5-6 defender sometimes. It’s not happening here. They have to shoot the puck. So do MacKinnon and McDavid. MacKinnon is passing up
Shooting opportunists left and right that he would be taking all day in the NHL. Marner has just been flinging it at the net, and Marchand’s game is all about getting it to the net asap.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I'm glad to see Cassie on the panel for the olympic games, really fitting to have her in the spotlight here, but at the same time am glad we're not listening to her on color every weekend for flames and especially BOA games. That was too much.

[Johnny Makarov]

I hope Popsicle makes Trumpchuk swallow his mouthguard today!!

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

https://twitter.com/user/status/2024912428492894503

And again, it’s Celebrini.

One other poster said they’re sad hes in our division.
I’m happy I get to watch this guy as much as possible.
To me he’s Crosby but doesn’t know it.

I saw on Reddit a quote from him talking with his father.

“They wouldn’t bring me all the way over there not to play me, would they?”

I could imagine his dad and everyone else in the world smiling and saying “oh don’t worry about that”

The kid is so innocent, honest and earnest it’s cute, and a breath of fresh air.

He is absolutely my favourite player hands and it’s not even close.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Are there any bars that are going to be open at 6am on Sunday? A group of us would like to go watch the gold medal game, but not sure what options will be available

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

WTF? People paid money to listen to monotone Cassie? hahahaha
Seriously the worst color commentator of all time.

If all the negativity and hatred for various players and people was sucked out of you, I’m not exactly clear if anything would remain. Is there anything else going on upstairs with you?

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

WTF? People paid money to listen to monotone Cassie? hahahaha
Seriously the worst color commentator of all time.

The thing is criticism about her was dismissed as sexism (and some posters definitely went there) but the fact is in coverage by women of women's hockey, she stood out in a really bad way among several knowledgeable and personable commentators. Sounds like Rocky Balboa in tone and insight. By all means, get more female commentators, just make sure they're good at it.

[FlamesAreOne]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2024915349942976920

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Macklin is the antithesis of Connor

The poster boy of the future to set the right example for the kids again.

[GioforPM]

On McDavid: I cheer for him to do good things for Canada. I don't cheer for him, really. I actually don't find him to be a very emotionally compelling player. Maybe it's his personality.

[Coach]

Lol man the whining from the Fins. There was probably 4-5 opportunities to call them for interference in front of their net mugging players going for loose pucks.

You allowed 40 shots on net to the most talented team in the world.

[Savvy27]

It's a little unbecoming of the Finns to whine so much when they were dominated in the last 40 minutes of the game. If they were the ones pressing and Canada came out on the right side of close calls I wouldn't mind it, but nobody robbed the Finns of anything in this one.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Are there any bars that are going to be open at 6am on Sunday? A group of us would like to go watch the gold medal game, but not sure what options will be available

You can usually bet on the ship and anchor since they traditionally accommodate service for Euro timezone events.

[CroCop]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Anyway, can we please put a moratorium on the cringe McDavid posts until he's back on the NG? Quite literally the best athlete at the entire Olympics, the hate can start again Sunday at noon, but it's really lame at this point.

Ya for now he’s on our team. Enjoy it.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by transplant99

LOL @ Cuthbert jumping when McKinnon scored

Is there video would love to see that.

[FlamesAreOne]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Are there any bars that are going to be open at 6am on Sunday? A group of us would like to go watch the gold medal game, but not sure what options will be available

My friend group has called around to a ton of places and most are opening at 5:30, however they are already mostly booked or shifted to a first come/first serve line.

I bet people are going to have to line up a little past 5 to get spots at a lot of places.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Macklin is the antithesis of Connor

The poster boy of the future to set the right example for the kids again.

You know, after the win vs the Czechs, I thought Mcdavids after game interview was the most real and honest I’ve seen. Combined with him hugging and mentoring Celebrini at every step of the way, I’m honestly starting to think it’s being in Edmonton that does it.

He even looks like he hasn’t been in possession of the one ring for a while.

I think Gollum would spark up in the same way.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Are there any bars that are going to be open at 6am on Sunday? A group of us would like to go watch the gold medal game, but not sure what options will be available

I'll be at the Garrison...

Call ahead to see if any tables are available.