Guest blueadams Report post Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Don't be ridiculous. This topic deserves its own thread. Its the most exciting thing that's happened in hockey in four years.Thought the U.S. came out soft and passive today. Superior talent and coaching eventually won out. Canadians out-shot Latvia 54-13, got totally shut-down by a backup goalie, and almost (ALMOST!) embarrassed themselves. (*would've loved to have seen Babcock exposed for the nit-wit he's become)Game thoughts..All that reaalllly scares me on this all-NHL squad that Babcock has effectively neutralized is that Weber-Doughty pairing. Far and away the most dangerous blue-liners the league has seen in the last decade. Outstanding chemistry together. Very scary. And I think the only way we beat them is to beat the hell out of these two, along with Crosby--which goes without saying. US needs to come out hard and fast. FAST and AGGRESSIVE. Canucks gotta be doubting themselves after this last one. Come out hard right off the drop, knock them on their heels, get an early goal or two and pound them into the ground. Keep Perry the h*** off of Quick. Get in Price's face early and often. Rattle that shook bum. Then Quick.. of course, needs to have the game of his life as well. Don't want to change too much all of the sudden. But Kane is just buried on that second line. Kesler and Parise are not playing very well offensively and its erasing our top talent. I'd LOVE to see Kane freed up on that first line with Brown and Backes. That's a two-goal line. I'd probably chunk Carlson into that idiot Orpik's PT too.Maybe something like..Brown-Backes-KaneParise-Kesler-OshieJVR-Pavelski-KesselPacioretty-Stastny-Callahan (very limited PT for the 4th line.. I'd mix Callahan in all over the place)Wheelerx-StepanSuter-McDonaghFowler-ShattenkirkMartin-CarlsonOrpikx-FaulkQuickMillerx-Howard*p.s. - it's ridiculous that Blake Wheeler made this team over Bobby Ryan. And Jack Johnson should probably at least have gotten a shot to battle for a spot. Edited February 19, 2014 by blueadams 1 canadian wings fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 USA! USA! USA! 2 Hockeymom1960 and hillbillywingsfan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richdg 267 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Down with the Canucks! May all their Maple Leafs rot away! USA! USA! USA! USA! 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsfan4795 552 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Why would you break up the best line? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Interesting game between the 3rd and 4th best teams in the tournament. I think Canada will be the ones losing in the final and the US will have to settle for 4th place. 2 Nev and Z Winged Dangler reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Im very surprised Finland beat Russia. Looking forward to a Sweden USA gold medal game. Americans winning of course! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amato 3,210 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Tavares out for team Canada. knee injury. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/19/report-tavares-injures-knee-done-for-olympics/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 From the games I've seen of Canada, it seems as though any time Crosby gets the puck, 2 or 3 guys descend upon him...he actually appears to be shadowed at times (something I haven't seen in a while). I'm assuming the US would not do the same as they would be "smarter" and understand that you can't focus only on a few guys, especially with that line up. However, wonder what might happen if they don't pay special attention to a few guys. My guess is that they will do their best to cover the point men without giving up too much space down low in their own end (gotta get that balance). Im very surprised Finland beat Russia. I wouldn't have been surprised one way or another. I thought Finland would probably win the game, even though I thought Russia had the better lineup. Russia's defense simply wasn't good enough and in a tournament like this, goals are not easy to come by against a lot of the teams, so your defense better be good. Also, Finland has beat them 5 of the last 7 times they've played I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richdg 267 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 3rd and 4th best teams? Now you have lost your mind! USA and the country up north are the top 2. There is no question about this. The only thing that makes it even close is the bigger ice, which the euros are far more familiar with. There are reasons why Canada has had 445 player play in the NHL this year, the US has had 200, then followed in distant 3rd Sweden had 57, Czech republic has 33, Russia 29, and Finland 20. 1 marcaractac reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlashyG 1,799 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Should be a good game, getting Duchene's speed in the line-up is a plus. I just wish it was in place of Kunitz rather than an injured Tavares. The US has been cruising through this tournament so I assume they'll be the favorite, but Canada has only surrendered 2 deflections and a stretch pass breakaway on a trick play that I doubt any team would have seen coming. If the Canadian offence doesn't find its groove I don't like our chances. I think the defence can keep the US offence in check, but 1 or 2 goals probably wont cut it against an offence playing as well as the Americans. Can't wait. 3rd and 4th best teams? Now you have lost your mind! USA and the country up north are the top 2. There is no question about this. The only thing that makes it even close is the bigger ice, which the euros are far more familiar with. There are reasons why Canada has had 445 player play in the NHL this year, the US has had 200, then followed in distant 3rd Sweden had 57, Czech republic has 33, Russia 29, and Finland 20. Technically speaking we've been 2nd and 3rd. 1 Z Winged Dangler reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest blueadams Report post Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Why would you break up the best line? Just switching out Callahan for Kane to make it even better. Gonna need to be better to win this next game. And Kane certainly hasn't been doing much for his line either. -Third line remains the same. -Oshie (who's been impressive) is brought up from the 4th line to replace Kane on the 2nd line. -Callahan is moved to the 4th line (which hasn't been getting much ice)...and is then free to add his Homer-ish play to any line. Edited February 19, 2014 by blueadams Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Should be a good game, getting Duchene's speed in the line-up is a plus. I just wish it was in place of Kunitz rather than an injured Tavares. The US has been cruising through this tournament so I assume they'll be the favorite, but Canada has only surrendered 2 deflections and a stretch pass breakaway on a trick play that I doubt any team would have seen coming. If the Canadian offence doesn't find its groove I don't like our chances. I think the defence can keep the US offence in check, but 1 or 2 goals probably wont cut it against an offence playing as well as the Americans. Can't wait. Technically speaking we've been 2nd and 3rd. What was the trick play? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) @TSNRyanRishaug Toews asked about Kane.. “He’s alright, that Kessel guy is even better” Edited February 19, 2014 by dropkickshanahans 1 rrasco reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlashyG 1,799 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) What was the trick play? Latvia had a set play made up for if they finally won a neutral zone faceoff. Right off the faceoff win their defenceman took off to the bench, instead of having a different defenceman jump on they instead had a forward jump on from the absolute far end of the bench behind the Canadian defence as it was in the 2nd with the long change. The Latvian who had the puck then fired a stretch pass up the middle of the ice and sent their 4th forward in on a breakaway before any of the Canadian defenceman even knew he was on the ice. It was a very smart play. Edited February 19, 2014 by FlashyG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Only video I could find of the trick play. 3 wingsfan4795, pucktividi and rrasco reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlashyG 1,799 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Seeing the play again I was wrong about the long change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest blueadams Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Latvia had a set play made up for if they finally won a neutral zone faceoff. Right off the faceoff win their defenceman took off to the bench, instead of having a different defenceman jump on they instead had a forward jump on from the absolute far end of the bench behind the Canadian defence as it was in the 2nd with the long change. The Latvian who had the puck then fired a stretch pass up the middle of the ice and sent their 4th forward in on a breakaway before any of the Canadian defenceman even knew he was on the ice. It was a very smart play. indeed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Just wanted to drop in a wish good luck to the fanboys of both teams. Should be a doozy. Also. Blueadam's: you're hatred of Babcock makes you look like an idiot. That is all. 3 Son of a Wing, marcaractac and wingsfan4795 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Wow that is an awesome play. Kudos to whomever drew that one up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mitchmac33 103 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 That's one of my favorite plays. I've never seen it done in the neutral zone though. I've only ever seen it in the defensive zone on the bench side. The winger goes to the D door and out pops a forward behind everyone else in the neutral zone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Should be a fantastic game. Four years ago, I expected Canada to win and was just ecstatic at the surprise run the United States had put together. Now, it's completely different. I expect and think the United States will win. That being said, I don't put a ton of stock in Canada "struggling" so far. They are the most talented team in the Olympics and USA will have to put forth their best effort yet. USA! 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Looking at this beauty rationally : Defense CAN > America Offense America > CAN Goaltending America > CAN So 2:1 << favorites are the Americans but that doesn't mean much. Really looking forward to a great hockey Friday. Edited February 19, 2014 by frankgrimes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted February 20, 2014 you're spelling of *your* makes you look like a.. what? Right. Never any grammar issues with YOUR posts eh? And heaven forbid autocorrect gets in the way. Also, way to avoid addressing my claims that you are an over zealous fantasy GM that has no idea about how to run a hockey team in this dimension. Who are you to call Babcock a nit-wit? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see which of my old He-Man action figures would make the best line combos for the upcoming fantasy toy Olympics. 3 Son of a Wing, Euro_Twins and dropkickshanahans reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted February 20, 2014 Trap-Jaw would make an awesome enforcer! LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 20, 2014 Canada is still trying to figure out line combinations that will work. They will. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites