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Originally Posted by Itse
Finland beat Canada twice, and Sweden, and Russia. Only significant loss was the OT loss to US.
That's not one guy getting hot, that's a good team.
They were also protecting the lead most of the third, and would have won without the insurance goal.
BTW IIHF stats say Murray actually had more saves, which probably isn't true, but the game wasn't that one sided. Canada had a ton of shots blocked, especially in the end.
In the last 2 games they gave up 76 shots....and 1 goal.
Today they were outshot 44-22. It was a fire drill the last period...shots were 21-3 Canada.....Finland scored twice.
I mean congrats...the gold is theirs and no one can take that away, but come on with the "better team" thing.
Better goaltender? Absolutely and he is part of the team but that was the only spot in the lineup they were better.
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The only titles that matter are those that you win, not those that need to be decided by an argument. Reigning world champions and world junior champions speak for themselves.
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Finland is definitely my #2 hockey country and with no Flames and a #### ton of pacific division losers on Team Canada I ended up cheering for Finland even despite not giving them a chance before the Russia game.
I’ve been to the Red Mile for a playoff win (2015, I’m not old) but being around Finns when their team is winning is a whole nother levwl. The game is embedded in their national identity and it is so incredible to see what such a small country can accomplish. What a great tournament.
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In the last 2 games they gave up 76 shots....and 1 goal.
Today they were outshot 44-22. It was a fire drill the last period...shots were 21-3 Canada.....Finland scored twice.
I mean congrats...the gold is theirs and no one can take that away, but come on with the "better team" thing.
Better goaltender? Absolutely and he is part of the team but that was the only spot in the lineup they were better.
They beat Canada twice with a combined score of 6-2. Canada had a lot of pushback in the third and padded the shot counter but before that they had also slipped up defensively enough times to be down a goal. Canadian defense wasn't anything special.
Let's remember Canada was half a second away from losing to Switzerland too, again despite outshooting the opponent by a wide margin. I don't think that's an accident. Canada looked more dominating than they actually were, in both games.
Canada couldn't get to rebounds all game and had a hard time getting one-timers, redirections or screened shots. Finland scored with one-timers, rebounds and screened shots. Yes that's part luck as always in sports, but I'm not sure if there was a rebound goal scored against Finland in the tournament. That's not just goaltending, that's a good, dedicated defense... And muscle.
Finland had a strong team that skated well, protected their net with fury, played an absolutely relentless in-your-face game and most importantly worked hard, were completely committed to team play and never panicked when it mattered. Those are good, winning qualities, and while Canada had the edge in skill, that's the only area where they had the edge. They weren't faster, they barely matched Finland in physicality, they didn't play as well as a team, they didn't defend as well.
Whats also amazing was that despite their absolute focus and dedication, Finland at the same time played relaxed. There was an interesting comment in the Totally Ice Hockey podcast after the semifinals that on the bench the Canadians look dead serious and extremely stiff, everybody sitting in the exact same position, while the Finns bench looks quite chill and relaxed. That's a big edge, and the kind of thing that tends to make a difference when you have a scoring opportunity.
Yes, Canada was also good. Yes they could have won. Finland however did quite enough to give itself a chance to by doing a lot of things right, before we get to goaltending. It's not like Murray wasn't good too.
Last edited by Itse; 05-27-2019 at 02:07 AM.
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Its a short tournament and they got great goaltending and scoring support.
Whats not to like?
Good for them...the only issue I had was the guy spouting off that this made them the best hockey nation. Best on best tournaments decide that obviously.
This would be like deciding the best NHL team based on AHL playoffs.
Canada wins the majority of best on best tourney's and until that changes they are #1.
Finland was the best team in this tourney, congrats
Great party in Helsinki. Finnish hockey association pulled a really classy move and brought on stage the women's team (silver that should have gold), U20 girls team (bronze), and U20 boys team (gold). 2011 there was something like 100k people celebrating. No estimates yet from this year, but let's just say "a lot"
It's been a great spring for Finnish hockey.
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The last true “best on best” was over 5 years ago. The Kings aren’t the best team in the NHL anymore. The Finns win the world juniors as often as Canada these days so let them boast.
I don't buy this "best on best" tournament stuff. To me, it's an excuse especially considering that NHL players didn't go to the Olympics last year and may not go again. Canadian juniors have also won twice in the last decade, which is not very good. Pulling the whole "we don't care and we are better than everyone else" shtick only works if your team is dominating each year, which is not the case anymore.
The rules of the tournament are simple and all countries are allowed to bring their best players. If Canada decides not to bring their top guys, that doesn't take anything away from Finland or the tournament. Instead, someone in Canada should probably light a fire under some of these guys asses to go to the tournament next year. If the Russians/Americans can make it over there, why can't the Canadians? Or are they just more nationalistic or "don't care for spending time with their families and resting"?
Honestly, if Crosby wants to "rest" during this tournament, he should also want to "rest" during the Olympics.
Last edited by keenan87; 05-27-2019 at 11:17 AM.
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World cup was far closer to best on best than this...the u-23 novelty team hurt Canada more than it helped them.
If they go to the Olympics next time Canada will be the overwhelming favourite. Finland is much improved but not the "best hockey nation"
World juniors aren't best on best either with guys playing in the NHL
Well, it was never going to help them, but really, who would have made Team Canada? McDavid, for sure. But The next best Canadian players were Mackinnon and Scheifele and they weren't what they are now. I don't think either was getting on Canada's roster. At the time I wouldn't have bumped any of 2016 versions of Benn, Bergeron, Carter, Crosby, Duchene, Ryan Getzlaf, Giroux, Marchand, Seguin, Stamkos, Tavares, Thornton, and Toews.
Well, it was never going to help them, but really, who would have made Team Canada? McDavid, for sure. But The next best Canadian players were Mackinnon and Scheifele and they weren't what they are now. I don't think either was getting on Canada's roster. At the time I wouldn't have bumped any of 2016 versions of Benn, Bergeron, Carter, Crosby, Duchene, Ryan Getzlaf, Giroux, Marchand, Seguin, Stamkos, Tavares, Thornton, and Toews.
Just McDavid...my point was it was as close to best on best. Much closer than anything more recent.
Anyway not taking anything away they won the tourney fair and square...it just doesn't mean they are the best hockey nation. Like I said even the IIHF ranks Canada #1 based on the results of B and C rosters.
Here's hoping we get a tournament featuring The best players in the near future
Here's hoping we get a tournament featuring The best players in the near future
Personally, as a Finnish hockey fan, not in a rush.
We have massive gap in top players basically between the Koivu /Selänne generation and the Laine/Aho/Rantanen generation.
The new generation looks like it's going to be fantastic, and there's going to be more Finnish top players than ever before. Three U20 championships in six years and all that. But it will likely take a few years before we have a roster full of fully developed adult players.
Just McDavid...my point was it was as close to best on best. Much closer than anything more recent.
Anyway not taking anything away they won the tourney fair and square...it just doesn't mean they are the best hockey nation. Like I said even the IIHF ranks Canada #1 based on the results of B and C rosters.
Here's hoping we get a tournament featuring The best players in the near future
The betting line on "best hockey nation" is certainly starting to swing.
I see crowds like those and makes me want to see a true World Cup of Hockey very badly. One with players in mid season form and where the stakes are high.
It will never be soccer because of the number of countries that are competitive, but a legitimate tournament with some best of 3 knockout rounds. Let it take a month to play. Fine by me.
