World Junior Championship

[Tr!PoD#19 524]

Markstrom embelished alot, is it just me or did his mask come off really easily.

I would bet that his role model is Dwayne Roloson.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Markstrom flops around like Hasek, except without all that pesky puck-stopping ability. And Hedman played like he had eggs in his hands that he didn't want to break. Really disappointed in how he played.

Same time, next year?

It's as simple as this: a goaltender shouldn't have to worry about getting body-checked when he's on his way out to the bench.

Nor should he have to stand for players (Esposito) trying to seriously injure him when he goes out to play the puck.

Every goalie helps out a bit when they get interfered with, but I think you need to watch those situations again.

It's not like the Canadian players cruises by him and he dives, those are real hits he gets.

Canada was definitely the better team, mostly because of their PP who was leagues above ours, but I just can't stand it when a team behaves like that even when they have the lead, and the refs do nothing and you Canadians just go "lol flopper roflmao".

Mostly I feel disappointed because I expected a fun and good game but the refs just lost control of the game.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Markstrom embelished alot, is it just me or did his mask come off really easily.

Yes, he purposely keeps his mask only loosely attached to his head so his dives will look more authentic *MASSIVE ROLLEYES*

..or you know, the Canadian players actually ran into him.

[Tr!PoD#19 524]

It's as simple as this: a goaltender shouldn't have to worry about getting body-checked when he's on his way out to the bench.

Nor should he have to stand for players (Esposito) trying to seriously injure him when he goes out to play the puck.

Every goalie helps out a bit when they get interfered with, but I think you need to watch those situations again.

It's not like the Canadian players cruises by him and he dives, those are real hits he gets.

Canada was definitely the better team, mostly because of their PP who was leagues above ours, but I just can't stand it when a team behaves like that even when they have the lead, and the refs do nothing and you Canadians just go "lol flopper roflmao".

Mostly I feel disappointed because I expected a fun and good game but the refs just lost control of the game.

Lol@first bolded line.

Canada was better all ******* night.. 5 on 5, PK, PP.. you name it.

[skacore 2]

It's as simple as this: a goaltender shouldn't have to worry about getting body-checked when he's on his way out to the bench.

Nor should he have to stand for players (Esposito) trying to seriously injure him when he goes out to play the puck.

Every goalie helps out a bit when they get interfered with, but I think you need to watch those situations again.

It's not like the Canadian players cruises by him and he dives, those are real hits he gets.

Canada was definitely the better team, mostly because of their PP who was leagues above ours, but I just can't stand it when a team behaves like that even when they have the lead, and the refs do nothing and you Canadians just go "lol flopper roflmao".

Mostly I feel disappointed because I expected a fun and good game but the refs just lost control of the game.

Dude.... look at it from a neutral stand point, maybe tomorrow when everything surrounding the tournament calms down. When he was going to the bench he skated into Della Rovere and he literally JUMPED like 2 feet into the air and fell backwards, that's embarrassing to watch. He can just as easily go around the players and make his way to the bench, not everyone is expecting a goalie to come rushing towards the bench during play.

Esposito was skating for the puck, he wasn't trying to seriously injure anyone.. the goalie came so far out of his net, did he expect Esposito to take the long route around him? Tough luck buddy, you take the chance going for the puck, you suffer the consequences.

He's a good goalie, but tonight was a little embarrassing.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

It's as simple as this: a goaltender shouldn't have to worry about getting body-checked when he's on his way out to the bench.

Nor should he have to stand for players (Esposito) trying to seriously injure him when he goes out to play the puck.

Every goalie helps out a bit when they get interfered with, but I think you need to watch those situations again.

It's not like the Canadian players cruises by him and he dives, those are real hits he gets.

Canada was definitely the better team, mostly because of their PP who was leagues above ours, but I just can't stand it when a team behaves like that even when they have the lead, and the refs do nothing and you Canadians just go "lol flopper roflmao".

Mostly I feel disappointed because I expected a fun and good game but the refs just lost control of the game.

Haha, alright. Let me tell you something, every player that go's in on the forecheck, is looking for the puck. When a goalie comes out to play it, he's not protected and it's a no-no to bump into him, he got in Espositos way. On the Della Rovere one, he was coming out because of a delayed penalty, got in Della Roveres way while he was going for the puck, and got hit and flopped all over the ice. He made himself look like an idiot.

As far as the way Canada behaved? Are you serious? Hedman acting like a baby because his goalie got bumped, and Tendenby jumping on Golubef and pushing his head into the ice, thats embarrasing. What Canada did is what any team would do, play chippy because they know that Sweden can come back, and have to try to finish them off before the last whistle. Regardless of all that, Canada 5, and gold. Sweden 1, and silver.

[MacK_Attack 108]

It's as simple as this: a goaltender shouldn't have to worry about getting body-checked when he's on his way out to the bench.

Markstrom didn't exactly shy away from it. In fact, it looked like he had some intent involved in trying to hit Della Rovere, either to draw a penalty or to actually hit him.

He's a good goalie, but clearly Canada knew that they could throw him off his game by getting in his face and it worked.

The Canadian players were guilty of going after him and Markstrom was guility of flopping around anytime he was hit by a stiff breeze. The first one where he was nudged and he went flailing backwards was pretty bad.

Edited January 6, 2009 by MacK_Attack

[skacore 2]

Yes, he purposely keeps his mask only loosely attached to his head so his dives will look more authentic *MASSIVE ROLLEYES*

..or you know, the Canadian players actually ran into him.

Maybe you shouldn't have been so confident a couple days ago when you suggested whoever Sweden faced in the finals would be an easy game, or something to that extent. Sweden lost because they were outplayed. Yes, the refs weren't particularly good throughout the night but it went both ways. If you think Canada went out of their way to run Sweden's goalie you're wrong. He embellished everything all night, I don't even see how anyone can suggest he was being run because it was so blatantly obvious that he was selling himself to the referees.

[skacore 2]

As far as the way Canada behaved? Are you serious? Hedman acting like a baby because his goalie got bumped, and Tendenby jumping on Golubef and pushing his head into the ice, thats embarrasing.

I don't think it's fair to call those plays embarrassing. Whether it was dives or not, they saw their goalie take a spill, and they responded. I thought that was good showing from the Swedes, and I'm glad they didn't get penalties, the refs let them police themselves to a certain extent. If Canada's goalie was marginally bumped and fell, I'd want the Canadian D to respond the same way.

Hedman was pretty bad all night long, but I have no problem with him showing some emotion after his goalie "got taken out". I said in another thread a few days back about players responding to "clean hits" or "clean plays" on their mates. In the heat of the moment, always respond. I wouldn't want to be the guy who has to look over the replay the next day and think to myself, "s***, that was a pretty dirty player, that wasn't clean at all", and regret not responding when it happened.

[Guest Four]

Wow, all this nonsense about the goalie "running". It added for excitement and if anything, should have sparked Sweden.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I don't think it's fair to call those plays embarrassing. Whether it was dives or not, they saw their goalie take a spill, and they responded. I thought that was good showing from the Swedes, and I'm glad they didn't get penalties, the refs let them police themselves to a certain extent. If Canada's goalie was marginally bumped and fell, I'd want the Canadian D to respond the same way.

Hedman was pretty bad all night long, but I have no problem with him showing some emotion after his goalie "got taken out". I said in another thread a few days back about players responding to "clean hits" or "clean plays" on their mates. In the heat of the moment, always respond. I wouldn't want to be the guy who has to look over the replay the next day and think to myself, "s***, that was a pretty dirty player, that wasn't clean at all", and regret not responding when it happened.

Embarrasing is probably the wrong word. Good on him tp pick up for his goalie, just the way he acted during it and after seemed.. different to me. I agree with the 2nd part though, you protect your guys no matter what, clean or dirty. I mean, that is hockey.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Dude.... look at it from a neutral stand point, maybe tomorrow when everything surrounding the tournament calms down. When he was going to the bench he skated into Della Rovere and he literally JUMPED like 2 feet into the air and fell backwards, that's embarrassing to watch. He can just as easily go around the players and make his way to the bench, not everyone is expecting a goalie to come rushing towards the bench during play.

Esposito was skating for the puck, he wasn't trying to seriously injure anyone.. the goalie came so far out of his net, did he expect Esposito to take the long route around him? Tough luck buddy, you take the chance going for the puck, you suffer the consequences.

He's a good goalie, but tonight was a little embarrassing.

Haha, I might say the same to you. I just imagine the reaction from the crowd if those same situations happened involving Tokarski instead.

Look at the Esposito situation again. See how he doesn't even have his eyes on the puck after he realizes Markstrom is going to beat him to hit? See how he extends his right leg instead of retracting it and try to get around him?

I'll admit that Markstrom did seem riled up on that skate to the bench but come on. He's a goalie, he skates like 10x slower than regular players, it's not like the Canadian got run over by him or anything. He could have easily avoided him if he wanted to. But he knew from the Esposito situation that the refs thought it was okay to run him over.

Canada was better all ******* night.. 5 on 5, PK, PP.. you name it.

PK, yes by far (also goes with Sweden's PP being horrible), PP yes much better (sweden also has had weak PK all tournament), 5 on 5 maybe. They definitely got the better chances in 5 on 5, and Sweden did do their worst game overall of the tournament. But if you count 5 on 5 goals it's 1-1, so Sweden were far from outplayed in that gameform. PP was what decided this game.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Maybe you shouldn't have been so confident a couple days ago when you suggested whoever Sweden faced in the finals would be an easy game, or something to that extent. Sweden lost because they were outplayed. Yes, the refs weren't particularly good throughout the night but it went both ways. If you think Canada went out of their way to run Sweden's goalie you're wrong. He embellished everything all night, I don't even see how anyone can suggest he was being run because it was so blatantly obvious that he was selling himself to the referees.

"there's nothing better than beating Canada on their home ice, something I think we will do. "

That's what I wrote and here's why: If Sweden would have played like they did in the group game against Russia, or even the way they played most of the game against Slovakia, and Canada played like they did against Russia in the semi, we probably would have won this game.

But what happened was that most Canadian players did their best game in the final, certainly Tokarski did. But that's what's great about Canada's hockeyplayers, they are almost alway able to find a way to be at their best when it matters the most. Whether it's with 5 seconds left of a semi-final, in a shoot-out or in a final game.

Meanwhile, Sweden got an early penalty, fell behind, felt the crowd pushing Canada on, got some unfortunate call or rather non-calls against them and it was too much.

They played their worst game when it mattered the most.

What I'm saying is that Canada got the game exactly where they wanted to get it. Had Backlund not taken that unnecessary penalty right at the start, who knows what would have happened?

[puckbags 863]

At the end of the day it's simple, Sweden was outplayed, outmuscled and outclassed, GOLD FOR CANADA, silver for sweden. They did alot of s*** talking prior to this game but did very little to back it up. Markstrom was a joke and Hedman, well Hedman easily played himself out of a top draft pick. He was terrible !!

[Tr!PoD#19 524]

Haha, I might say the same to you. I just imagine the reaction from the crowd if those same situations happened involving Tokarski instead.

Look at the Esposito situation again. See how he doesn't even have his eyes on the puck after he realizes Markstrom is going to beat him to hit? See how he extends his right leg instead of retracting it and try to get around him?

I'll admit that Markstrom did seem riled up on that skate to the bench but come on. He's a goalie, he skates like 10x slower than regular players, it's not like the Canadian got run over by him or anything. He could have easily avoided him if he wanted to. But he knew from the Esposito situation that the refs thought it was okay to run him over.

PK, yes by far (also goes with Sweden's PP being horrible), PP yes much better (sweden also has had weak PK all tournament), 5 on 5 maybe. They definitely got the better chances in 5 on 5, and Sweden did do their worst game overall of the tournament. But if you count 5 on 5 goals it's 1-1, so Sweden were far from outplayed in that gameform. Special teams was what decided this game.

A minor fix.

Won't argue with that though.

[dat's sick 1,002]

At the end of the day it's simple, Sweden was outplayed, outmuscled and outclassed, GOLD FOR CANADA, silver for sweden. They did alot of s*** talking prior to this game but did very little to back it up. Markstrom was a joke and Hedman, well Hedman easily played himself out of a top draft pick. He was terrible !!

I don't want to argue everything anyone says here or anything haha, but the "s***-talking" from the swedes was blown way out of proportion in the North-american media.

Languague barrier + young non-media trained kids (a statement by a 17-year old was what started the whole debacle) = big news in north-america.

Hedman imo was one of the few Swedish players who really played well this game.. are you sure you're not mixing him up with Ottawa draft pick Karlsson who was terrible today? For me, Tavares was a real disappointment, though he looks really dangerous when he's right around the goal.

Hodgson for me was the most impressive player today.

As for Markstrom, he will be a big name in the NHL in a couple of years. He's basically almost as good as Lundqvist was in Swedish Elite League, but at a younger age and playing in a worse team. He didn't get to show his best side in the semi or in the final, but he will hopefully not go to the NHL just yet so he can play one more WJC and maybe then we'll beat you guys in the final at last

[puckbags 863]

I don't want to argue everything anyone says here or anything haha, but the "s***-talking" from the swedes was blown way out of proportion in the North-american media.

Languague barrier + young non-media trained kids (a statement by a 17-year old was what started the whole debacle) = big news in north-america.

Hedman imo was one of the few Swedish players who really played well this game.. are you sure you're not mixing him up with Ottawa draft pick Karlsson who was terrible today? For me, Tavares was a real disappointment, though he looks really dangerous when he's right around the goal.

Hodgson for me was the most impressive player today.

As for Markstrom, he will be a big name in the NHL in a couple of years. He's basically almost as good as Lundqvist was in Swedish Elite League, but at a younger age and playing in a worse team. He didn't get to show his best side in the semi or in the final, but he will hopefully not go to the NHL just yet so he can play one more WJC and maybe then we'll beat you guys in the final at last

Im not saying that Markstrom isn't a good goalie or isn't going to be one in the NHL. He was more concerned about flopping all over the ice then stopping pucks. As for Hedman....It's common knowledge that he was not very good for the whole tournament. Once again i'm not saying he isn't going to be a great d-man but he had his chance to show it on the biggest stage tonight and he didn't.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

"The True North strong and free!"

Congratulations to the Team Canada Men's U20 squad on a tremendous effort. And a special nod for a great job done by the coaching staff.

What helped: o-for-6 on the PP.

This just in: 9.5, 9.4, 9.9, 9.8. 9.8 (results in the "Swedish Goaltender Diving Competition").

And, for those of you who know what the "50-50" is: the winner at last night's game took home $50,000!

[drwscc 212]

Ah the good ole 50-50. I was shocked that that was legal at work up there, since here in the states, you'd most likely be fired for gambling.

Must be awesome to be the winner. Most I ever saw someone win was $2000.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Regardless of which team you were rooting for in the finals, the passion by both teams (including the fans) as the closing minutes took place was second to none. Not only could you tell how important it was to Team Canada as they buried the EN goal with just under two minutes left, but then the shear anger by Sweden as one of its players whipped his stick in disgust showed just how much passion these players had.

Great atmosphere for any hockey fan.

[The Secret 304]

I love the WJC Tourney, great stage for the young guys to strut their stuff. Add the fact that Canada wins their 5th gold in a row makes this tourney that much sweeter.

GO CANADA!

[Yak19 303]

Although we won i found the game quite boring, hats off to the Swedes for a great tournament. Anyone getting mad about players doing this or that on both sides remember these are just kids they havent matured on or off the ice yet, lets not make a big deal out of anything. Can't wait to see some of these boys in the NHL, i think there is more potential for Great players on the Swedish side sorry to seem anti-Canadian for the moment which im not i just call it like i see it. I really like Subban and Hodgson, Tavares could potentially be Great it remains to be seen, i am skeptical about him at the moment. Tokarski was stellar what a great showing.

GOLD BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited January 6, 2009 by Yak19

[wingslogo19 281]

All I have to say is, it's great to be Canadian. 5 peat is soo sweet. To my boy Benn, bring that gold home to Victoria

GO CANADA GO

[hak 21]

i'm so sad

really thought it was sweden's time to win this year..

i loved every minute of the tournament tho. probably the best WHJC i've seen. epic display of passion

congrats to canada

[Saran 1]

5 in a rooooooooow, sorry guys maybe next year.. but most likely not.