[News] IIHF Men's Worlds Roster News: Toffoli, Lucic, Weegar added to Team Canada Roster

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

How good Weegar is offensively with the puck just shows how misused he was by the coaching staff here.

It's embarrassing what our team tried to be last season. You could literally see as a fan how misused our defensemen were. "Get the puck up and let our forwards ring it around the boards and fight for it!!!!".

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Where or what area of Riga are you staying in? I booked for a flight to Riga a few weeks ago to try and catch a game, as it worked out to 190 bucks Canadian return. However, I found the accommodations limited in central Riga.

I'm at an Airbnb in Agenskals, just southwest of central Riga. Ended up walking to the game yesterday and it took about an hour. The taxi back was about 15€, so not too bad.

Went to two games yesterday, so did enough drinking at the rink and beer gardens. Today I am only going to the Latvia-Slovenia game and then to a restaurant district recommended by a TSN producer.

[Savvy27]

Day 2

Czechia vs Slovenia

Today we had tickets to both games at Arena Riga. We walked to the arena from our hotel which took about an hour but we saw a lot of the city. Upon arrival the beer gardens weren't too full but the game was about to start so it made sense.

The arena wasn't too full again. It seems that tickets may be too expensive and it's the middle of the week. More fans than the Canada game though. Slovenia scored two early goals and the Czech fans were despondent as the team was playing terribly.

At this point I made a bet on a comeback, started cheering for the Czechs and met a man and his daughter who had flown to watch a few games. He was living and dying with every shot and hit. Turns out he is a hockey coach from a border town near Germany and we talked about former Flames Cervenka and Jagr andy favorite Czech player Martin Straka.

The Czechs scored 6 unanswered in the third period and the party was on.

Switzerland vs Slovakia

Okay so after the Czech game we returned to the beer gardens which were absolutely packed. There were a ton of Swiss fans there and they were feeling good with the solid play so far from their team.

We sat with a couple of them and one told me about how he visits north america every year to watch the NHL and this year he traveled to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg to see a few games. Very cool to meet someone so passionate as a fan.

The atmosphere was incredible and lived up to my hopes. There were opposing songs and chants between the Slovaks and Swiss. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

The game was also quite good. Switzerland was better throughout and deserved to win.


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Having trouble getting the pics to actually post but here are a few.

[Savvy27]

Day 3

Latvia vs Slovenia

First weekend game and first game with the home side. This one was sold out and there was a great buzz outside in the beer garden.

Throughout the game there was a group of 8-10 fans with drums that played maybe 4 or 5 different beats that the fans all responded to. It was cool because instead of Harvey just doing a "Go Flames Go" chant repeatedly, they would switch to a different chant whenever one would lose steam.

The Slovenian fans were a tiny minority and weren't able to make enough noise to challenge the home partisans. The game itself was pretty good with the Latvians carrying most of the play and enjoying the lead. #17 Martin's Dzerkals was my favorite for the Latvians. Very fast and creative player. Played with the Marlies for a bit but didn't stick in NA.

After the game we returned to the beer garden and had a few drinks with more Swiss fans. It's remarkable how much support they have here. And we'll deserved since they are the top team of the group so far. Swiss fans are really passionate, know a ton about the NHL, and speak fantastic English so they are a easy group to hang out with.

After the game we returned to Old Riga and ended up at a Cuban bar. This was a big change because there were no TVs and no hockey fans, but great sandwiches and a good atmosphere.

At the end of the night we got a Bolt (local Uber company) and discovered we were getting massively ripped off by taxis. Rookie move but now we know better.

Riga is a beautiful city. My first day I was thinking that it was a mistake to come here, but now that I have been to the better parts, I would say it reminds me of Prague in the older part of the city. There are big, beautiful parks with plenty of paths for bikes and scooters throughout the city center. The food is good and varied, so no worries if you want to find some comfort food.

It's been great, really happy I came here. If you are considering going to a World Championship, I fully recommend it. The other thing it reminds me of is a music festival. I've been to Coachella a few times and it is comparable in the sense of camaraderie that you feel with strangers who are there for the same reason as you. It's such a fun, friendly atmosphere that I would say it is much better than just going to a city at a random time of year.

Tonight is the Canada vs Switzerland game. Also a sell out from what I understand and a Saturday game. Should be a blast. Go Canada!!!

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

Day 3

Latvia vs Slovenia

First weekend game and first game with the home side. This one was sold out and there was a great buzz outside in the beer garden.

Throughout the game there was a group of 8-10 fans with drums that played maybe 4 or 5 different beats that the fans all responded to. It was cool because instead of Harvey just doing a "Go Flames Go" chant repeatedly, they would switch to a different chant whenever one would lose steam.

The Slovenian fans were a tiny minority and weren't able to make enough noise to challenge the home partisans. The game itself was pretty good with the Latvians carrying most of the play and enjoying the lead. #17 Martin's Dzerkals was my favorite for the Latvians. Very fast and creative player. Played with the Marlies for a bit but didn't stick in NA.

After the game we returned to the beer garden and had a few drinks with more Swiss fans. It's remarkable how much support they have here. And we'll deserved since they are the top team of the group so far. Swiss fans are really passionate, know a ton about the NHL, and speak fantastic English so they are a easy group to hang out with.

After the game we returned to Old Riga and ended up at a Cuban bar. This was a big change because there were no TVs and no hockey fans, but great sandwiches and a good atmosphere.

At the end of the night we got a Bolt (local Uber company) and discovered we were getting massively ripped off by taxis. Rookie move but now we know better.

Riga is a beautiful city. My first day I was thinking that it was a mistake to come here, but now that I have been to the better parts, I would say it reminds me of Prague in the older part of the city. There are big, beautiful parks with plenty of paths for bikes and scooters throughout the city center. The food is good and varied, so no worries if you want to find some comfort food.

It's been great, really happy I came here. If you are considering going to a World Championship, I fully recommend it. The other thing it reminds me of is a music festival. I've been to Coachella a few times and it is comparable in the sense of camaraderie that you feel with strangers who are there for the same reason as you. It's such a fun, friendly atmosphere that I would say it is much better than just going to a city at a random time of year.

Tonight is the Canada vs Switzerland game. Also a sell out from what I understand and a Saturday game. Should be a blast. Go Canada!!!

Love the updates Savvy, I am not flying into Riga till Monday morning(had to change my flight), so it's great to hear about the ins and outs of the city and tourney. You are correct, in Europe, there is the three main ride shares, Uber, Bolt or Freenow.

I hope to attend the Canada v Norway and Canada v Czech while there. Do you recommend just purchasing the tickets on the site?

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Love the updates Savvy, I am not flying into Riga till Monday morning(had to change my flight), so it's great to hear about the ins and outs of the city and tourney. You are correct, in Europe, there is the three main ride shares, Uber, Bolt or Freenow.

I hope to attend the Canada v Norway and Canada v Czech while there. Do you recommend just purchasing the tickets on the site?

Honestly I can't even comment as we had a friend from Austria purchase tickets for us ahead of time. You may want to do that just to make sure but other than the Switzerland game today the other tickets were easy to get.

[Savvy27]

Okay guys, you need to send good fan vibes. Canada fans are outnumbered about 500-1 here. The atmosphere is incredible.

I talked a lot of crap so hopefully Canada comes through.

Also, we found a couple of fans wearing Flames jerseys which is awesome. Bizarre to see a blast Jersey out of nowhere.

A Swiss fan offered me a package of tissues before the game so we need to take these guys down.

[Savvy27]

Canada was good in the first ten minutes but dropped off badly. The Swiss fans are numerous but they haven't been as fun as the Latvians.

Hopefully Canada can pick it up in the second. Definitely lacking skill. I wish Huberdeau and Mangiapane were here

[3thirty]

What a dirty play by Veleno. Stomped/kicked on Niederreiters ankle on a tied up puck battle on the boards. Then flops like a Canuck when he gets grazed in the face in front of the net. (And I'm a team Canada fan)

[Toonage]

Wow, Joe Velano came across as an enormous POS there

[Savvy27]

Toffoli!!!!!

[3thirty]

Toffoli snipes!

[Haplo]

Ugly. Should be suspended for sure.

[Spurs]

How is Canada losing to this dog #### Swiss team?

I know our roster is weak and the players are looking for a vacation more than anything but no excuse to be down to Switzerland.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Spurs

How is Canada losing to this dog #### Swiss team?

I know our roster is weak and the players are looking for a vacation more than anything but no excuse to be down to Switzerland.

The Swiss did get Fiala, Hischier and Niederreiter once they were eliminated

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

The Swiss did get Fiala, Hischier and Niederreiter once they were eliminated

That is 3 ok-ish players. They still have a bunch of Swiss League plugs including their goaltenders.

[Savvy27]

Ugh. Not a great showing by Canada so far. Need to get some sustained pressure.

It's absolutely insane, but somehow I am yet again watching a team that is overplaying Milan Lucic.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Spurs

That is 3 ok-ish players. They still have a bunch of Swiss League plugs including their goaltenders.

78 goals 115 assists 193 pts.

"Ok-ish"

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by transplant99

78 goals 115 assists 193 pts.

"Ok-ish"

Yes Ok-ish.

[Flamesfan05]

They are missing Mangipane

The 2022 Mangi, not the new one