2016 World Cup of Hockey

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by edslunch

And to add, apart from a 6 minute stretch, Russia isn't that good

Oh okay. I haven't watched them.

Laine should be good and angry to go after missing the puck on the shot that would have tied the game and then breaking his stick on the next one. He's so young, he's not used to losing like this. I think there are several players with some pride on the line.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by edslunch

And to add, apart from a 6 minute stretch, Russia isn't that good

Ehhhh... Finland has no one who can match Kucherov, much less Ovechkin. Russia's defence is poor, their depth forwards are mediocre, but the top end talent is next level. Not to mention, Rinne looks like a sieve right now and Bobrovsky looks fantastic. Russia's got to be the heavy favourite. It's not totally lopsided, but it's going to be pretty tough.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Ehhhh... Finland has no one who can match Kucherov, much less Ovechkin. Russia's defence is poor, their depth forwards are mediocre, but the top end talent is next level. Not to mention, Rinne looks like a sieve right now and Bobrovsky looks fantastic. Russia's got to be the heavy favourite. It's not totally lopsided, but it's going to be pretty tough.

Rask played against Sweden and was really good.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

That's why people rag on McDavid during international play.

I'd say the internet has amplified the hatred of hardcore fans for rival players. Most Flames fans I know off this board don't give a crap about Connor McDavid one way or another.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Rask played against Sweden and was really good.

If they're smart they'll start him today. We shall see.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'd say the internet has amplified the hatred of hardcore fans for rival players. Most Flames fans I know off this board don't give a crap about Connor McDavid one way or another.

You'll never get an unbiased view of McDavid on this board because he's an Oiler.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by habernac

You'll never get an unbiased view of McDavid on this board because he's an Oiler.

I wouldn't say never.

There were a good chunk of people saying things like McDavid was flying last game, just not finishing. I myself said he was probably the 4the or 5th best player for NA, only behind the guys who had an outstanding game yesterday.

Being the captain though, he gets the criticism. Flames board or not.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Does this happen in soccer? Are Real Madrid fans bitching about Cristiano Ronaldo's injury in Euro costing them a shot at something?

Or do they accept international play is just something the best players in the world have more or less the obligation to go play in?

I'm sure it happens, but I think it's more the other way around. People complain if important players get hurt in league games and it hurts their national teams chances in the international tournaments.

In soccer it's also a very different dynamic, because the top teams have insanely deep benches and because there are no line changes there isn't really a situation where the 3rd best player for that position is already playing regular minutes.

If this was elite soccer, injury to a guy like Backlund would probably mean we bring in a guy like Sam Bennett to play his spot.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Datsyuk has a hand injury, won't play today.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC
Datsyuk is hurt and won't play today for Russia

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I wouldn't say never.

There were a good chunk of people saying things like McDavid was flying last game, just not finishing. I myself said he was probably the 4the or 5th best player for NA, only behind the guys who had an outstanding game yesterday.

Being the captain though, he gets the criticism. Flames board or not.

I'd suggest him being the captain has almost nothing to do with it.

[Benched]

TBH: I have no issue with the player. I don't care for his team and it's a bit hilarious to see an Oiler stumble... (but on the flip side I've been very impressed with Nuge, no negative comments there).

The MAIN issue of why myself, and maybe others, have been insulting McGlory, is the constant bombardment from the media types again hyping him. Over and over and over, when other players make a great play (example: Matthews)...they ask about McDavid ("how do you even keep up?" "Isn't he something special to watch?"). They came in to promote him, and the features, interviews, commentary all focus on this point. It's frustrating beyond belief.


You can say it's sour grapes....or Oiler hate....or w/e, and it may be a factor. But IMO countering the hype-train is a way to vent frustration at 'the storyline'.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I'd suggest him being the captain has almost nothing to do with it.

Yea it's definitely more to do with him being the most hyped player in the world at present. It's a lot to live up to.

[Flash Walken]

I just wanna talk about players rationally.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

an aside...

how did you old geezers cheer for Canada in the 80s when there are 10 Oilers on those teams McDavid's on TNA and people are losing their minds.

There weren't 10, the most was 8 in 84 (still a lot). There wasn't near the hype, especially for anyone who'd played a half year only. And of all those Oilers in 84 only Gretzky had any real cachet and he'd earned it.

To tell the truth, that tournament went way under the radar for me compared to 87 (because of Gretzky/Lemieux) and 81 (the Gretzky/Lafleur/Perrault line was fantastic until Gil broke his leg).

[Isikiz]

Elliotte FriedmanVerified account
‏@FriedgeHNIC
Datsyuk is hurt and won't play today for Russia

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/stat...842714114?s=09

[Joe Nieuwendyk]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

There weren't 10, the most was 8 in 84 (still a lot). There wasn't near the hype, especially for anyone who'd played a half year only. And of all those Oilers in 84 only Gretzky had any real cachet and he'd earned it.

To tell the truth, that tournament went way under the radar for me compared to 87 (because of Gretzky/Lemieux) and 81 (the Gretzky/Lafleur/Perrault line was fantastic until Gil broke his leg).

The problem in 84 wasn't the fans hating players, it was the Oiler and Islander players hating each other - it took a while for that team to gel.

In the 80's the cold war was still strong. It didn't matter who wore the jersey - the guy who shot your dog could have been on the team and you would have cheered him on against those Soviet b******s!!!

[GranteedEV]

Are we rooting for Finland or Russia today?

Finland wins, NAT lives on and faces Canada
Russia wins, Johnny gets back to contract talks

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Joe Nieuwendyk

The problem in 84 wasn't the fans hating players, it was the Oiler and Islander players hating each other - it took a while for that team to gel.

In the 80's the cold war was still strong. It didn't matter who wore the jersey - the guy who shot your dog could have been on the team and you would have cheered him on against those Soviet b******s!!!

I read that about the Oil and Isles in 84, I guess I didn't realize it at the time. But for some reason that year the tournament didn't capture me.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Are we rooting for Finland or Russia today?

Finland wins, NAT lives on and faces Canada
Russia wins, Johnny gets back to contract talks

I'd like to see the kids get their shot at Canada on Saturday.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Are we rooting for Finland or Russia today?

Finland wins, NAT lives on and faces Canada
Russia wins, Johnny gets back to contract talks

Finland. I like watching the NAT. Plus I think they were the better team against Russia, they just messed up for a half period. I can spare Johnny a bit of time.