Luongo To Start Against Germany

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Its different when its a goalie. I didn't care at all when Bertuzzi was on Team Canada in 2006 (I know he wasn't a Canuck then). I would still cheer for Canada if Burrows made this year's team. That's because both are and would be small parts in Team Canada's success.

Who do you think will get all the accoldates if Luongo starts and carries Team Canada to a gold medal? Luigi, that's who. I hate the Canucks fans gloating enough already. I wouldn't be able to handle it if that was the case.

Aww come on Albert, I hate the Canucks as much as anyone else but where is your sense of patriotism and Canadian pride?

If Luongo does start and carry this team it's Canada's medal not Luongo's teams medal. Take down your shields and cheer on whoever might bring Iginla that second gold medal.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by return to the red

Aww come on Albert, I hate the Canucks as much as anyone else but where is your sense of patriotism and Canadian pride?

If Luongo does start and carry this team it's Canada's medal not Luongo's teams medal. Take down your shields and cheer on whoever might bring Iginla that second gold medal.

I'll be happy if Canada wins gold with Lou in net. But I would not shed a tear if AO and Kovalchuk light him up. In fact, I might even smile a little.

[Jetsfan]

Originally Posted by subdude

Wow, that the general feeling in Calgary?

Personally, I don't think so.

I hope Luongo gets for straight shutouts!

I will chant Loouuuuu....

Then on Monday I'll go back to hating him!

GO CANADA GO

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by JayP

Pretty much. Fleury is an above average goalie. Luongo is an elite one.

Pretty sad for Canada that all they could find was an above average goalie for that third spot.

Anyways I think all three goaltenders are great but the amount of pressure on whoever starts will be crazy and I just haven't see Luongo handle that. Should be interesting for sure!

[Jables16]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Looooooooooou!

I am willing to accept having to hear the stupidest, most asinine chant in sports (except maybe the Habs "ole, ole") if it helps Canada win. I said before the tournament began that Luongo should not be given the starting job unless Broduer proved himself incapable which he certainly did last night. Canada was certainly not without its faults last night but I believe they could have won that game if Broduer has played a bit more conservative and just made a few common sense plays. Not only were the second and third goals against terrible misplays they came with the worst possible timing and killed all momentum the team had built up.

Even now I'd almost rather see Fleury in net but Luongo got that first game against Norway so at least he's not going in completely cold and has a bit of game experience with the team. Don't get me wrong he's a very capable goalie but when it comes to big game heroics he's almost on par with Joe Thornton in my books. However, if the team, specifically our veteran defenders, can improve a bit on the US game he will only have to be solid and occasionally spectacular to help us win.

[3 Justin 3]

Luongo can steal games, ala Ryan Miller.

Fleury would end up shooting it off of Pronger's dumbass forehead and we'd lose in OT.

[Jables16]

Originally Posted by Kaine

New top line as per CTV

Iggy - Crosby - Staal
Nash - Getzlaf - Perry (Thanks dissentowner for filling that line in)

Didn't catch the rest

I'd assume they would end up as Staal - Crosby - Iggy since Staal has been playing LW this whole time and Iggy is a natural RW.

I really wish the Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash line could be reunited but that would mean breaking up the vaunted Sharks line and make Thornton some kinda useless. But I suppose we already have Getzlaf looking like a plug out there so maybe we can just change up which one of our centers is junk and hope for the best.

I'll even pull a Lindberg and post some line combos I'd like to see:

Staal - Crosby - Iginla
Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash
Morrow - Toews - Richards
Marleau - Thornton - Perry
Bergeron

[JayP]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Pretty sad for Canada that all they could find was an above average goalie for that third spot.

I wouldn't say it's sad. Goaltending depth is becoming a worldwide trend. Of the top 7 hockey nations (CAN, RUS, SWE, FIN, CZE, USA, SLO), Slovakia is the only team without a great goalie (although Halak is capable enough). Look at the names in this tournament:

Brodeur
Luongo
Miller
Thomas
Kiprusoff
Backstrom
Lundqvist
Nabokov
Bryzgalov
Voukoun
Hiller

At the end of the day, how many of those guys would you take Fleury ahead of?

[burning_acid1]

Originally Posted by Jables16

I'd assume they would end up as Staal - Crosby - Iggy since Staal has been playing LW this whole time and Iggy is a natural RW.

I really wish the Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash line could be reunited but that would mean breaking up the vaunted Sharks line and make Thornton some kinda useless. But I suppose we already have Getzlaf looking like a plug out there so maybe we can just change up which one of our centers is junk and hope for the best.

I'll even pull a Lindberg and post some line combos I'd like to see:

Staal - Crosby - Iginla
Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash
Morrow - Toews - Richards
Marleau - Thornton - Perry
Bergeron

I agree with you for Bergeron to be the 13th forward. He should not have made the team

[Johnny Canuck]

As a Canucks fan, I can't help but feel excited about Luongo getting the start. Thus far in his career hes had mixed success when it comes to high pressure games. If he can help Canada win gold as a starter, not only will it give him supreme confidence in high pressure situations, but it will get alot of the naysayers off his back which will be nice... Every goalie has to start somewhere (Every goalie at some point is questioned until they win the big one) This, I think, Is Luongos chance, and I have a good feeling that hes going to step up big time.

Also, wanted to quickly comment on Iginla starting on the top line for the next game. I think its a terrific idea, and like most people here, he should have been on the top line since game one. He looks much better up there than Nash, and as long as Babcock keeps Iggy up there, the top line should produce. Alot.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by JayP

At the end of the day, how many of those guys would you take Fleury ahead of?

I actually don't know how I got into this argument comparing the two because really I don't care they are both goaltenders. I guess I'm just trying to say is that either guy is a great choice and Fleury doesn't get enough respect because he 'plays in front of a good team' argument but what two time Stanley Cup Finalist and Stanley Cup Champ hasn't had a good team?

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by JayP

I wouldn't say it's sad. Goaltending depth is becoming a worldwide trend. Of the top 7 hockey nations (CAN, RUS, SWE, FIN, CZE, USA, SLO), Slovakia is the only team without a great goalie (although Halak is capable enough). Look at the names in this tournament:

Brodeur
Luongo
Miller
Thomas
Kiprusoff
Backstrom
Lundqvist
Nabokov
Bryzgalov
Voukoun
Hiller

At the end of the day, how many of those guys would you take Fleury ahead of?

Canada is the only country with a goaltender that has won the Stanley Cup. In fact, we have two.

[PyramidsofMars]

Yes, but it sounds like we're going to be playing the only one of the three who has not, and who has never been all that great in playoff or elimination hockey, for the rest of the tournament.

So what's the point in having two goaltenders who have won the Stanley Cup? Especially when one of them seems to think he's playing at the World Series every now and then, and likes to tap pucks into net through his legs.

Luongo is the only option because nobody seems to think Fleury is cut out for it, and I have a bad feeling about his future performance in this tournament. I would rather see Martin 'Baseball Bat' Brodeur in goal again than Luongo. I'll be glad to be proven wrong, though.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by Jables16

I'd assume they would end up as Staal - Crosby - Iggy since Staal has been playing LW this whole time and Iggy is a natural RW.

I really wish the Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash line could be reunited but that would mean breaking up the vaunted Sharks line and make Thornton some kinda useless. But I suppose we already have Getzlaf looking like a plug out there so maybe we can just change up which one of our centers is junk and hope for the best.

I'll even pull a Lindberg and post some line combos I'd like to see:

Staal - Crosby - Iginla
Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash
Morrow - Toews - Richards
Marleau - Thornton - Perry
Bergeron

My post wasn't meant to put players on there correct wings as the broadcast didn't mention it

We would have to assume you are very likely correct tho.

[jschick88]

From Damien Cox of the Toronto Star:

Babcock makes it clear: It's Luongo the rest of the way. "That's the plan," he just told a press conference

[Machiavelli]

"I'm pumped," Luongo before the announcement today. "The adrenaline is really going. I can't tell you how excited I am."

Said Babcock on goalies: "We are in the wins business. We believe Lou gives is a big chance to win."

http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/...567/story.html

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by jschick88

From Damien Cox of the Toronto Star:

Babcock makes it clear: It's Luongo the rest of the way. "That's the plan," he just told a press conference

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/...567/story.html

Easy call for Babcock. Not looking past the Germans but Luongo should play well in that and Canada should win. The QF game will be the toughest game remaining and either we get bounced or we win and go with Luongo again. I am confident with Luongo in net.

[Fairweather]

I don't care. Just win.

[Jables16]

Originally Posted by burning_acid1

I agree with you for Bergeron to be the 13th forward. He should not have made the team

I understand their rationale that they wanted guys who have chemistry together already and that Bergeron is a pretty good all around player but with him not sticking on that top line and others looking much more suited he just looks like a wasted pick.

The fact that our power play has been struggling and we could've had Steve Stamkos instead as the thirteenth forward and a PP specialist or used eight defense and twelve forwards to get Mike Green on the team reflects pretty poorly on Yzerman.

[HOOT]

Regardless of who starts they cannot let in the first goal of the game in either of these games for Canada to win. Getting down early even to Germany could be disaster with the pressure this team has. I know I would be holding my stick a little bit tighter.