World Championships in Canada

[Hank W.]

So Norway slithered through on their scaled bellies in the last five minutes.

I thought it was the Swedes doing the bellyslides

[Salopian]

Well, it could even be the Canadians going belly-up!

An absolutely disgusting rearguard action by the Norwegians. Near fifty shots has yielded one goal for the North Americans, a score cancelled out by a short-handed breakaway.

Now, in the third, the frustrated Canadians are just giving penalties away for fun. But those with oily hides aren't interesting in taking advantage. Scared to try anything other than speculative slapshots...

I had half an eye on an early night, but this match is enthralling.

[otyikondo]

I must apologise for the reference to Sweden earlier. It looks as if the quarters are E1-E4 and E2-E3/ F1-F4 and F2-F3, which SEEMS a bit daft to me, as it means you may have to play the same team twice in quick succession in the Qualification Round and the quarters. And whoever wins Group F could easily end up getting Norway, always assuming they stuff Latvia. I suppose Latvia could be a candidate, too, if they beat the two minnows in there from the Finnish group. Anywhoo, it's definitely worth coming top of the table...

Isn't it normally done the other way, though - crossing over between groups E1-F4, and so on? Would make much more sense IMHO.

Canada squeaked home in the end. But right now they hardly look like world-beaters.

[Mattlill2000]

Canada squeaked home in the end

50-15 shots on goal is hardly a squeaker. However it shows you how a hot goalie can turn things around. I'll still place my bets on Canada..........so far.........

[Salopian]

Well, wasn't that like sh*tting a broken bottle...Lack of coherence and creativity - discipline also at times. Shocking stuff. I heard one of the commentators criticising the coach (in/directly perhaps) at one point. Something about not understanding the Finnish way, or something. I don't know what to think about that. Well, the buck stops with the coach in terms of tactics and such, and things clearly need sorting.

However, the previous 'wisdom' cuts both ways. Surely NHL-based players can deal with and apply tactics from North American coach...three points is three points, and I don't wish to complain overly, but something seems broken - but what?

[Mark I.]

Well, sometimes when goals don't come, the effort comes kind of forced, not relaxed & creative. IMO that's what happened - if they'd had scored a couple of goals in the first period, they could have relaxed and score about 10 more goals. Frustration is not the best play maker.

At least they got a win. Now, as these games have been surprising, who knows what will happen in USA game. It can be like 8-1, but for which team? US is the favorite, but Finns play always better when they are the underdog.

[Salopian]

True, and it's especially hard when only one team tries to play hockey. An early goal or two for Finland, and it could've been more open. But, it was still a bad reaction to the situation - giving away unnecessary pens and wasting god-knows how many power play situations. 5-3, and one of those without a stick? D'oh!

Will be a different story against the Septics. I fancy Finland for that one.

[Mark I.]

5-3, and one of those without a stick? D'oh!

Even I could have scored there

[Rosamunda]

Weird game. I'm no hockey fan but I do watch the internationals and to me it didn't feel like Finland at all. Pretty sad game really, almost pathetic at times. Cringe, cringe.

[Hank W.]

Russia-Belarus went into continuation.... Czechs slaughtered Switzerland... but USA-Germany 6-4???

[Ravvy]

I think it has been a very interesting tournament so far. So many surprisingly close games. (Tho' I was also surprised to see Switzerland get blown out 5-0.) Finland has not yet played their best. With the USA and Canada coming up for them, they will have to focus and play better.

[Hank W.]

Finland-USA 3-2 wow, that was a game... looked bad in the second, but got into blood & guts in the third. Literally blood... heck, some players spent more time in the penalty box than on ice

[Salopian]

Awesome comeback Even if the first Finnish 'goal' wasn't exactly that
How was it not disallowed on appeal/video evidence? Hahaha. The first couple periods, there were penalties for anything and everything - and nothing. Awful. But the Americans (and Salmela) took one hell of a beating in the third. They had no answers.

Bring on Canada tonight.

[Mark I.]

Interesting game, a real fight. Russian referees were a joke, calling penalties here and there and somewhere, for example Selanne got 2 penalties for nothing (a US player stepped on Teemu's stick and slipped).

Interesting game tonight against Canada.

[Hank W.]

The Russian referees have been to Alex Dell Canadian Hockey Referee School.