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

[PepsiFree]

Since politics are irrelevant, it’s really too bad that Russia and Belarus are so terrible that they didn’t qualify for the Olympics. Crazy how far Russia has fallen in that regard, from a hockey powerhouse to not even making it. Oh well.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Haha did this thread go the same direction as the other one?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

No it wasn’t
It was two teams chasing a piece of rubber
This stuff gets overstated. I understand using it to fuel your dislike for the opposing team but in the grander scheme these games do not matter.
When Canada won in 72 it wasn’t a blow to communism. It was just a game

It may not have been a blow to communism, but it was much much, more than just a game.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Eubee

Your inference and reasoning comes from a place of bias and childish anger about an idiot stick that doesnt deserve space inside anyones head. So no, youre not a ‘researcher’, or anything close. Youre acting like nothing more than a hissy fit on a hockey-based site that many (most?) prefer stays based around hockey discussions.

Historically in Canada, for every 1% rise in unemployment, there's a 1% rise in suicide. I don't think it's a hissy fit or being childish to view the neighbor to the south, who's seeking purposely to inflict economic harm on our fellow citizens, to be compassionate towards those citizens, and to feel that there should be a joining of arms and a circling of the wagon around your own nation. Feel free to live in a fantasy world where this is only about sports and there's no implications.

[blender]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

Sad indeed to think that politics doesn't play some role in international hockey. The Summit Series was about our way of life vs there's, on and off the ice.

True in 72, but today Canada and the USA share a way of life. Perhaps that's why it so hard to square it right now. There isn't really a precedent for these times, in politics or in sport.

[blender]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

There was 3 fights in the first 9 seconds of the 4 nations final.

Fighting is an accepted part of hockey. Slashing to break bones isn't.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I absolutely expect Matthew Tkachuk to try and injure someone tomorrow. If Crosby plays they’re going after his knee.

And who knows Tom Wilson could kill someone. The man is unhinged. But he’s our maniac and that’s what matters.

Nah. It will be fiercely contested, but it will not be as blatant and aggressive as it was in 72. Today these players are all part of the same union, they all know each other, and there is a general level of respect. Not the same as 72 at all.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by blender

Nah. It will be fiercely contested, but it will not be as blatant and aggressive as it was in 72. Today these players are all part of the same union, they all know each other, and there is a general level of respect. Not the same as 72 at all.

Who said it was exactly the same as 1972?

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Coach

Tell me you're old without telling me you're old. Those first one didnt even include multiple teams, and the 2nd was just a made up Cup that happened once.

It's 02,10,this,14, and then everything else.

The Canada Cup happened more than once. 1976, 1981,1984 and 1987. It was not a made up Cup that happened once.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

The Canada Cup happened more than once. 1976, 1981,1984 and 1987. It was not a made up Cup that happened once.

Yeah, but those tournaments happened before a lot of people here were born. So did they really happen?

[blender]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Who said it was exactly the same as 1972?

You said that Tkachuk would try to injure someone and that Wilson was unhinged.
I disagree. Guys will play with an edge and #### can happen, but I don't see it going beyond that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

It may not have been a blow to communism, but it was much much, more than just a game.

Yeah, it was really about Canadians getting their notion of superiority in hockey crushed at the beginning.

Bobby Clarke didn't break Kharlamov's ankle because of politics. He did it because he wanted to win (and he was a huge DB).

[Itse]

Rantanen out today for Finland, lower body injury.

Speculation he's been playing through something, which would explain a lot.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

76 was an amazing team for sure. I was at the game in Toronto when Canada rolled the Swedes, 6-0 if memory serves

going off topic from where the thread is currently , but the 76 team was an interesting one for sure- maybe it's because that's the year a young Loooooob really starting watching hockey and I had a poster of that team on my wall for years


less important or interesting than 72, as by 76 you also had the WHA thing in 74, as well as Soviet- NHL club games (think NYE 75), so the novelty and edge had worn off as had the urgency to win- though still politically charged, and really wasn't the quality of hockey , nor did it present a signature moment (Sittler goal aside I suppose) of 87 or 02 or 10 etc etc


but as a roster. my word


the D- Orr, Potvin, Robinson , Savard, Lapointe- with all apologies to Jimmy Watson, a Brad Park injury is standing in the way of what would have been a picture perfect blueline


having Orr and Hull, both missing in 72 was a big deal of course and all of those HOFers up front- Espo, Lafleur, Lanny, Sittler, Clarke, Perreault, Dionne, Shutt, Barber, Gainey, (even the non HOFers- Martin, Leach, Gare, Mahovlich were perennial all stars and offensive weapons at the top of their game)


what is interesting is the massive turnover from 72 - basically you've got Espo, Little M, Savard, Lapointe and Clarke as the only 5 guys who were really regulars in 72 ( Perreault, Dionne and Martin were there for the experience- though 2 didn't stay)


in 4 years a whole crop of guys that were all of a sudden in their primes in the league- I guess looking back the obvious answer is those pesky baby boomers had arrived

[442scotty]

Did I miss it? No Pospisil today?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Ya he’s out.

[browna]

If there’s any player we should be moving to any taker at the deadline it’s Pospisil.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by browna

If there’s any player we should be moving to any taker at the deadline it’s Pospisil.

I'd guess if he wasn't able to go today in the bronze medal game, he probably won't be back in the Flames lineup for a while.

With his history, no one is going to take on his contract until he can come back for an extended period of time.

[jmac98]

6-1 Finland wins bronze. I’m not sure how yet, but the refereeing in that game clearly favored Canada.

[Itse]

Fifth medal for Finland in these best on best Olympics.

That's actually a great record. Sure it's mostly bronze and no golds, but considering we've never had a top 3 roster on paper, sometimes not even a top 5, it's something to be proud of.

Feels like I might live to see us get a gold eventually.

Joel Armia lead the team with 8 points. Doubt anyone predicted that one