|
|
Post by blny on Dec 26, 2015 15:00:38 GMT -5
Early games on first day saw Sweden drub the Swiss, but not before William Nylander took a head shot from a Swiss player, Finland beat Belarus 6-0, and Russia came back to win in a shoot out 2-1 over the Czechs.
Watching Canada vs USA. We're going to struggle to score if this game is any indication. A tough first game to be sure though. Neither team has been great. USA now leads 2-1 on a PP goal in the third after a gift of a PP. Canada has likely had the best scoring chances, but the USA has had greater possession of the puck - especially since Canada took a 1-0 lead.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Dec 26, 2015 15:17:33 GMT -5
Now 4-2 USA. Canada with a gift PP of it's own that they capitalize on tied it at two. Two tipped shots since. Both own goals. Our defense is a real concern for me. Not overly mobile. Poor passers. If this was the best group they could put together ...
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Dec 26, 2015 17:56:54 GMT -5
I was really disappointed they cut Juulsen. I thought he was not a sure thing but not far off that.
Goaltending didn't impress me either, but that's no different than past recent years. McDonald doesn't move side to side very well, but it helps if your own guys don't tip the puck behind you. Yeah, not impressed especially since the US didn't look that good either.
|
|
|
|
Post by franko on Dec 26, 2015 18:22:57 GMT -5
have to survive the first two games re: goaltending.
0-1
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Dec 30, 2015 15:58:07 GMT -5
A sound win over Denmark, followed by eking one out in a shootout over the Swiss - who got thumped by the US today 10-1. Canada has trailed in all three games. They're going to have to be a lot better against Sweden.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Dec 31, 2015 14:19:29 GMT -5
Canada down 2-1 half way through game against Sweden. Good push back after spending almost half the first on the PK and going down 2-0. This team doesn't have enough, if any, shoot first players. The lack of natural goal scoring is a big concern.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Jan 2, 2016 14:35:53 GMT -5
Well, after a lackluster round robin Canada came up with perhaps its best effort against Finland. It wasn't enough as they fell 6-5 in a back and forth affair.
A big turning point in game was when the Finns changed goalies. Canada was up 3-2 and pressed very hard on the new goalie. He made a number of big saves in the ensuing 12 or so shots. When it was clear Blackwood was struggling just as much, Lowry didn't have the guts to put McDonald in. Blackwood let in 3 he should have had imo.
Still, part way through the third the game was tied at 5. Marner with 2 power play goals had his best game.
Then discipline became a problem. Jake Virtanen has to be one of the dumbest hockey players I've seen. He took a horrible holding penalty earlier in the game that negated a delayed power play call coming for Canada. In the third, he managed to outdo that by taking a double minor with two infractions (the original call, and then another on the same player right after it). Hicketts threw one the length of the ice on the kill, and because of the short glass it went out. That put Canada down 2 men. Laine scored from the point on a slapper along the ice that Blackwood should have had. It was a hard shot, but he was in position and not screened. Puck went right between the knees - where his stick should have been. That made it 6-5. More undisciplined play later as Marner got caught retaliating and that negated another pp.
Overall, despite the effort today, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the assembled group. Konecny was likely the most consistent player for the team and he was supposed to be 'just an energy guy'. Barzal showed some glimpses, but he was the 13th forward. Despite Virtanen's lousy play most of the tournament, Barzal never got a chance to really play. If Marner plays next year as a 19 year old, he might be a leader for Canada. He'll have to build on what was his best game. IMO, the selection committee ended up picking a team full of plumbers. That's okay if you're going to a plumbers convention. Too many square pegs in round holes up front. The defense was even worse. Sanheim was likely the best puck mover of the bunch, but even then he didn't impress. Hicketts has some leadership qualities, but Chabot and Fleury are just bad. Simple plays in their own end are problematic all the time. Blackwood, the savior, didn't play well today and should have been pulled. That falls squarely on Lowry, whose line juggling never found lightning in a bottle.
Back to the drawing board. I realize Canada won gold last year, but that was a stud team. Many from that roster are pros this year. There was no McDavid or Domi to carry the load. No Duclair to snipe. It didn't have quality minute eaters on defense either. This team lacked that level of skill. I can't help but think Juulsen's slick skating and puck moving would have paid dividends as there was no one that could lug the puck up ice or complete a quality stretch pass.
Looking at the league leaders from the 3 leagues, the Dub is the only league with a Canadian at the top in scoring. Americans lead the way in the other two. Conor Garland is running away with the scoring title in the Q and Dvorak, Tkachuk, and DeBrincat are 1,2 and 4 in the OHL. A lull in the prospect pool, or a sign?
|
|
|
|
Post by Tankdriver on Jan 2, 2016 14:49:00 GMT -5
Well, after a lackluster round robin Canada came up with perhaps its best effort against Finland. It wasn't enough as they fell 6-5 in a back and forth affair. A big turning point in game was when the Finns changed goalies. Canada was up 3-2 and pressed very hard on the new goalie. He made a number of big saves in the ensuing 12 or so shots. When it was clear Blackwood was struggling just as much, Lowry didn't have the guts to put McDonald in. Blackwood let in 3 he should have had imo. Still, part way through the third the game was tied at 5. Marner with 2 power play goals had his best game. Then discipline became a problem. Jake Virtanen has to be one of the dumbest hockey players I've seen. He took a horrible holding penalty earlier in the game that negated a delayed power play call coming for Canada. In the third, he managed to outdo that by taking a double minor with two infractions (the original call, and then another on the same player right after it). Hicketts threw one the length of the ice on the kill, and because of the short glass it went out. That put Canada down 2 men. Laine scored from the point on a slapper along the ice that Blackwood should have had. It was a hard shot, but he was in position and not screened. Puck went right between the knees - where his stick should have been. That made it 6-5. More undisciplined play later as Marner got caught retaliating and that negated another pp. Overall, despite the effort today, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the assembled group. Konecny was likely the most consistent player for the team and he was supposed to be 'just an energy guy'. Barzal showed some glimpses, but he was the 13th forward. Despite Virtanen's lousy play most of the tournament, Barzal never got a chance to really play. If Marner plays next year as a 19 year old, he might be a leader for Canada. He'll have to build on what was his best game. IMO, the selection committee ended up picking a team full of plumbers. That's okay if you're going to a plumbers convention. Too many square pegs in round holes up front. The defense was even worse. Sanheim was likely the best puck mover of the bunch, but even then he didn't impress. Hicketts has some leadership qualities, but Chabot and Fleury are just bad. Simple plays in their own end are problematic all the time. Blackwood, the savior, didn't play well today and should have been pulled. That falls squarely on Lowry, whose line juggling never found lightning in a bottle. Back to the drawing board. I realize Canada won gold last year, but that was a stud team. Many from that roster are pros this year. There was no McDavid or Domi to carry the load. No Duclair to snipe. It didn't have quality minute eaters on defense either. This team lacked that level of skill. I can't help but think Juulsen's slick skating and puck moving would have paid dividends as there was no one that could lug the puck up ice or complete a quality stretch pass. Looking at the league leaders from the 3 leagues, the Dub is the only league with a Canadian at the top in scoring. Americans lead the way in the other two. Conor Garland is running away with the scoring title in the Q and Dvorak, Tkachuk, and DeBrincat are 1,2 and 4 in the OHL. A lull in the prospect pool, or a sign? Excellent summary. I don't blame Hicketts for the 200 ft delay of game. That was just bad luck. Virtanen should of beeb benched. This team was so UNDISCIPLINED. The coaching was bad and the player selection was poor. I don't follow the CHL that much but was there some people that were overlooked? I know of Dal Colle, Juulson...maybe that other Islander player (name is absent; overslept day 1 of training camp)? |
|
|
|
Post by blny on Jan 2, 2016 15:19:59 GMT -5
Dal Colle did have a very poor December camp, so I get the cut.
I don't blame Hicketts either. That's tough luck for sure.
Baillie is the Canadian leading the dub in scoring. He's 20, and too old. Marner was likely the best offensive player selected, and he showed flashes of that today. Lowry wanted to win faceoffs and that's why Point and Strome took precedent I guess. Neither has the skill of Marner, and perhaps a period or more of Marner playing with Crouse and Barzal might have yielded results.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Jan 2, 2016 15:24:14 GMT -5
Lowry never seemed to be able to get the team to play in a disciplined fashion. This started early on and never stopped. We've gone a long time with inadequate goaltending, even last year. I was surprised Juulsen wasn't picked. His strength is puck retrieval and exiting the zone. Almost makes you wonder if there aren't other issues involved in the selection process (politics). Maybe Lowry doesn't like Kevin Constantine, Juulsens coach. That can happen in junior hockey. The year Domi was left off the team was a great example. And pick guys with self discipline. You're always going to get yo-yo refs in this contest so don't give them a reason to blow a call.
Good recap blny.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Jan 2, 2016 16:00:17 GMT -5
Lowry never seemed to be able to get the team to play in a disciplined fashion. This started early on and never stopped. We've gone a long time with inadequate goaltending, even last year. I was surprised Juulsen wasn't picked. His strength is puck retrieval and exiting the zone. Almost makes you wonder if there aren't other issues involved in the selection process (politics). Maybe Lowry doesn't like Kevin Constantine, Juulsens coach. That can happen in junior hockey. The year Domi was left off the team was a great example. And pick guys with self discipline. You're always going to get yo-yo refs in this contest so don't give them a reason to blow a call. Good recap blny. Politics is definitely in there I think. |
|
|
|
Post by blny on Jan 2, 2016 16:02:27 GMT -5
and thanks 17 and tank.  |
|
|
|
Post by Disp on Jan 2, 2016 17:44:02 GMT -5
I think they have to look at the way goalies are selected. Puck stoppers over potential. I'm sure a lot of current junior aged guys watched that and thought, I'd have stopped that.
Terribly undisciplined group.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 3, 2016 14:20:21 GMT -5
Some terrible penalties, odd coaching decisions, and sub par goaltending all contributed to the boys missing out in the semis for the first time in 18 years. Also some of the key offensive guys were for the most part invisible.
They go home with a losing record, and one win that could have gone the other way against the relegation round bound Swiss.
Now if we could tank enough to draft one of those two big Finnish forwards...drool.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Jan 3, 2016 14:39:03 GMT -5
Some terrible penalties, odd coaching decisions, and sub par goaltending all contributed to the boys missing out in the semis for the first time in 18 years. Also some of the key offensive guys were for the most part invisible. They go home with a losing record, and one win that could have gone the other way against the relegation round bound Swiss. Now if we could tank enough to draft one of those two big Finnish forwards...drool. Pu (I'm not gonna even guess the rest lol) and Laine look very good. |
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Jan 3, 2016 15:58:06 GMT -5
It's okay, everybody!
Last night, Don "Captain Canada" Cherry reassured the entire country that we're still the BEST….
He listed several Jr. aged players currently in the NHL….
"If we'd played McDavid…(blah, more players, blah….) forgetting that McDavid was still recovering from his broken clavicle….etc…..
Whatever happened to, "We're so deep, we could ice 3 teams and still win…"??
He spouts that nonsense, too….
And, of course, he topped if off with, "Don't worry! We're gonna win it all again next year!"
He sure knows how to keep the S.S. Populism afloat, doesn't he?
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Jan 3, 2016 16:25:31 GMT -5
They lost it when they cut Juulsen  . Actually, that may not be that far fetched. He couldn't have been worse than a couple of their D. The Defence creates offense with puck movement and first passes and they didn't seem to do that very well. During the exhibition games, I mentioned to a friend that the team was not adjusting well to the international refereeing and weren't showing much discipline. Having seen a lot of WHL games, he mentioned that Lowry's team, the Victoria Royals, take more penalties than any other WHL team. That was an omen. So perhaps, the road to this poor tournament began when Lowry was selected to coach the team. If there's one thing our winning teams had, it's discipline. On that big ice, with only adequate goaltending, power plays against can kill you, so limiting those opportunities is critical. Next year, choose someone who has a good history with disciplined teams, to coach. At least that would be a good start. You're right NWT. I might have pulled Blackwood, but perhaps Lowry had no confidence in McDonald. Finland had no such qualms. |
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jan 4, 2016 8:32:17 GMT -5
Was very disappointed in the lack of discipline this team showed over the tournament ... they would have beaten Finland had they used a bit more self-control ... terrible showing ...
Cheers.
|
|
. Actually, that may not be that far fetched. He couldn't have been worse than a couple of their D. The Defence creates offense with puck movement and first passes and they didn't seem to do that very well. 