[GT] World Cup Final - Europe vs Canada Game 2

[codynw]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yeah, could have easily been Marchand, Toews or Price.

Price is the only one who makes even the slightest case. Marchand was only that good because Crosby was so good. And Toews was invisible for most of this tournament.

[monkeyman]

even the ceremony is sad. What would they have done if team Europe won this thing? no antgan to play, no flag to raise...
sorry, I feel bad crapping on this thing but i had to.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I dont know why you guys like the olympics better. Its slow on the huge ice in the wee hours of the morning. This primetime tounament was great!

I prefer it not because of the quality of hockey, but because it's wrapped up in the greater swell of Canadian pride that only a Winter Olympics can bring.

[Ben Dover]

Damn you Bouwmeester, even your cup raise is boring!

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The only players who have ever had a claim as better than Sid have been Price / Lundqvist and they don't play skater positions.

I would say, at times, Ovechkin, Keith, and Doughty displaced Sid as the best skater in the world over the last 8 years.

My opinion, of course.

If we're looking in a totality sense, there's no question Sidney Crosby has been the best hockey player in the world since he came into the NHL.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Clearly the best skater of the period is Crosby. There also definitely been some points along the way where he hasn't been.

Only because he was injured. If he had been healthy, there's no debate here. He'd probably have 3 more Hart trophies if he didn't miss time between 2011 and 2013.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

It was fun getting up at 3AM to watch Canada utterly dominate Sweden. That alone made that tournament better than this cash grab.

2014 was never in doubt. I don't recall ever doubting that Canada would win the gold.

Here, at least the Cinderella European story and the intrigue of North America made it interesting.

[GranteedEV]

Toews Intangibles montage lol.

Originally Posted by Yamer

I would say, at times, Ovechkin, Keith, and Doughty displaced Sid as the best skater in the world over the last 8 years.

My opinion, of course.

If we're looking in a totality sense, there's no question Sidney Crosby has been the best hockey player in the world since he came into the NHL.

Actually if I had to grasp for straws it would be 2012 Malkin but even then Crosby was hurt.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Toews with Team Canada at the World Juniors and Senior level: 47-1-1. Gotta be the greatest Canadian winner ever.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Toews Intangibles montage lol.



Actually if I had to grasp for straws it would be 2012 Malkin but even then Crosby was hurt.

Yeah, Malkin really stepped up that year for the Pens. But when he's healthy, I don't think anyone can touch Sid.

He just brings everything to the table. Skill, physicality, leadership...

[Coach]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

You obviously didn't watch all the games. Crosby was the engine for this team.

Unreal tournament and absolutely deserving of the MVP.

I'm not saying he didn't deserve it. Just that others could have got it as well and it's nice to see someone other than Crosby get recognition on these types of stages.

And I think what Toews did was just as important. Crosby was certainly a force for the team, but he and the team would have had a tougher time with other teams if it wasn't for Toews doing what he was doing.

[Roof-Daddy]

Lol

I hope sune76 saw the box score at 1-0 Europe with 4 minutes left, turned the game on and watched that happen.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by MattyC

For me, I think it's because "Team Canada" isn't just the hockey team. They're part of a larger team centered around athletes playing for national pride. This was great hockey to watch no doubt, as a fan of the game, I enjoyed it. As a Canadian, I didn't really care if Canada won though.

Also Salt Lake in 2002 and Vancouver 2010 were not played on big surfaces at wee hours.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Well, sayonara WCoH. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and if you, reading this post, enjoyed this tournament, great.

But IMO, this was the most boring and contrived tournament in the history of tournaments. I hope never to see another one again. Viva l'Olympiques!

Go away. Thanks

[Mike F]

Have to admit that I'm glad the tournament is over, but that's due more to the lack of "sexiness" to the finals matchup with Europe and the drawn out schedule.

However, I said it before and I'll say it again: If you ignored this tournament under a mistaken belief that it lessened the chances of NHLers going back to the Olympics, or because it wasn't "best on best", or for whatever reason, you missed the highest quality hockey that will be played for at least 2 years, and a dominating performance by what could go down as a golden generation of Canadian hockey players.

Shame on you as a hockey fan.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by doctajones428

Go away. Thanks

I'm hardly the only one speaking out against this tournament. I hope it never happens again. The manufactured storylines... the nonexistent tension...

At the Olympics, I cheered for Team Canada. Here, I cheered for Team Europe, a gimmick team that shouldn't exist.

If you're telling the tournament to go away, I agree with you.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Also Salt Lake in 2002 and Vancouver 2010 were not played on big surfaces at wee hours.

Was 2014 international size? IIRC it was some sort of hybrid, wasn't it?

[dino7c]

Europe played a good game but CBC/sportsnet is over-doing it. Its not like they dominated the game...shots were basically even.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Also Salt Lake in 2002 and Vancouver 2010 were not played on big surfaces at wee hours.

sure but the next 3 were/will be 2014, 2018 and 2022 and wherever else they decide to put it. After 2022 that will be 5 out of 7 olympics in wee hours.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by codynw

Price is the only one who makes even the slightest case. Marchand was only that good because Crosby was so good. And Toews was invisible for most of this tournament.

Lol. If shutting down the world's best players makes a player invisible to you, I guess.

It's not just about who gets the most points. Toews spent the entire time playing head to head with the other team's best lines, which are all world class.