|
|
Post by franko on Feb 18, 2006 21:06:21 GMT -5
"Way to go, Quinn. It's been less than a week and we're playing like the Leafs." Line of the day! Except to sit in the penalty box. |
|
|
|
Post by roke on Feb 18, 2006 21:56:45 GMT -5
I haven't seen the game (I may watch it when CBC plays it again but I have work to do that is more important) but is Bertuzzi never leaving the ice a good thing or a bad thing?
I remember questioning Draper being on the team when he was named but apparently (for the love of God someone correct me) he was playing with Sakic and Iginla today. If that's true the team is not only playing like the Leafs, they're being coached like them too.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 19, 2006 8:17:36 GMT -5
And what a dirty, brutal hit Ruutu laid on Jagr today. Jagr was bleeding profusely...and Ruutu was ejected. Some are saying he should be expelled from the tournament. Fortunately I heard that Jagr did not suffer a concussion. I be surprised if there was no suspension. International hockey is tougher on these things than the NHL. |
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 19, 2006 8:33:06 GMT -5
I I remember questioning Draper being on the team when he was named but apparently (for the love of God someone correct me) he was playing with Sakic and Iginla today. If that's true the team is not only playing like the Leafs, they're being coached like them too. I have thought from the beginning that denying Staal a place on the team was a huge mistake. I'm no expert but I'm sure he could have played Draper's role and also added some scoring touch. They just used the taxi squad to mollify their critics. |
|
|
|
Post by Tankdriver on Feb 19, 2006 12:25:48 GMT -5
I just don't think Team Canada has the finesse (sp?) of other teams to compete as well. The Russians are loaded in young skilled players in Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuk, etc. The chezks have Jagr, Prucha, Elias. The Slovaks have Hossa, Bondra and Satan. I can go on with other teams. The point is these teams have SKILLED players and can skate unlike CAnada who has power forwards on their team or defensive forwards. Canada players are typical NHL goal scores because they have people setting them up or their butt is planted in front of the net.
This team needed playmekers to replace the ones who left. With Mario and Stevie Y, and Kariya gone they replaced their skill with a different kind. In my opinion players like Crosby and Spezza bring more playmaking skill (can also score when needed) than players like Doan, Smyth, Bertuzzi, who are more one dimensional.
I think and hope Canada gets gold but it is going to be close (like Nagano close) probably going to a shootout. If it goes to a shoot out. We are done for in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 19, 2006 15:41:24 GMT -5
I just watched the 1st period of Canada - Finland. The Finns are ahead 2 - 0 and outshooting Canada 14 -5. They are full value for the lead. Canada looks uninspired.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 19, 2006 15:42:17 GMT -5
Finland-Canada after 1st period. 2-0 Finns. Outshot 14-5.
Saku gets a hard-working bounce fighting behind the net with Pronger...nice pass out front to Selanne for the first goal.
Are we ever being outplayed. Faceoffs, hits, battles for loose pucks.
Certainly looks as if the wrong team was assembled here desire-wise.
When the Swiss can outhustle and outhit us, no wonder the Finns are doing it.
I think it's time we put some clean Canadian bodychecks into action. Bertuzzi, Pronger, Blake, Draper, Smyth, McCabe...be my guest.
We also look very slow in comparison.
Need this game for some confidence.
|
|
|
|
Post by franko on Feb 19, 2006 16:07:14 GMT -5
Insipid. They are playing on reputation: "Canada is the best therefore we will win". I thought that the game against the Swiss would have been the wake-up call. Evidently not. |
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 19, 2006 16:27:34 GMT -5
Canada with a better second period....but still no cigar. I'd REALLY like to see us start dishing out some big bodychecks. Doan did late in the period...but that's what I want to see more of. Something to ignite the bench.
Iginla-Sakic-Gagne aren't even posing a threat. Good checking by Finland.
We've had but one PP....that says a lot to me about our forechecking hustle.
Must have our best 20 minutes of the tournament coming up. A truly Olympian effort.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 19, 2006 16:34:09 GMT -5
Nash is the most dangerous guy out there for Canada. Sneaks in behind the D for a breakaway but gets stopped.
It's about the only big mistake the Finns have made today.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 19, 2006 17:44:14 GMT -5
Another 2-0 loss. Offense shut down for 120 minutes, 34 seconds.
Not quite the powerhouse once we got by Italy and Germany.
Gretzky and Co. didn't look pleased at all up in the stands.
Anybody hear what Quinn had to say post-game?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2006 17:58:14 GMT -5
I don't like the team that's assembled. Foote is a pillar on defense and Bertuzzi hasn't done anything except make a parade to the penalty box.
How is Eric Staal not on this team?
This is not the best available team for Canada.
|
|
|
|
Post by MC Habber on Feb 19, 2006 18:19:18 GMT -5
It doesn't really feel like they have a top line. John Parco of Italy has more goals and more points than anyone on Team Canada. Watching the game, I was thinking that they don't have enough playmakers, and I think tankdriver got it exactly right: they lost their best playmakers and replaced them with scorers. They don't have a lot of chemistry so far, but I still think they have a good chance if they can pull together quickly. Maybe Kariya should have been on the team in place of one of the goal-scorers.
|
|
|
|
Post by roke on Feb 19, 2006 18:33:38 GMT -5
I agree completely with the idea of a lack of playmakers on the team (or even speedsters). Today was the first full mens game I've watched and the speed and puck movement was really lacking in my oppinion. Having a "pure" playmaker like Spezza instead of Bertuzzi or Draper would have really helped the team out a lot.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 19, 2006 20:18:45 GMT -5
I criticized the make-up of the team when it first came out, not badly, but I didn't particularly like all three of St. Louis, Lecavalier and Richards being selected. Richards I can live with, but the other two were not having good scoring years and instead we left off Staal and Marleau. Spezza I wasn't that miffed about. The defense is ok. What we're lacking is simply effort. I don't think enough of the players really feel the Olympics are that important (and they could be right), but nonetheless, we're in the tourney, we're Canada and we are the best. We should at least be trying like champions. I saw the Swiss game and we were simply outworked. We're not winning enough one on one battles. The open ice allows good stickhandlers to do their thing. So what's keeping Lecavalier, Healey and Sakic from exploiting it? We have as much talent, size and speed as anyone in Torino. We haven't shown the willingness to pay the price. That may change, but at this point, the odds are against it.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 19, 2006 23:12:17 GMT -5
What kind of an Olympics is being run here when Ruutu doesn't even get a one-game suspension for his hit on Jagr?
Not that Ruutu's presence made any difference in the game today....but it's still a joke.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toronthab on Feb 20, 2006 9:16:16 GMT -5
Saku and the Flying Finns were simply perfect out there. Vastly superior in this game
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 20, 2006 12:44:43 GMT -5
And we turn now to the women going for the Gold today at 2:30.
Unlike Don Cherry, I'm glad the women played hard and scored at every oppourtunity. The best goal differential getting you the last change aside, are we at the Olympics to make other teams feel better about themselves? This isn't an Atom hockey game in Backwater, Ontario. Cassie Campbell said their mindset is go go go until the gold medal is won. I like that mindset. Now if it's an exhibition game in the middle of November....fine...ease up when you're winning 6-0....but not at the Olympic games.
I'm sure Cherry wouldn't be complaining if the men pummelled the Czech's 12-2 tomorrow. He'd say, "That's more like it, eh? Get everybody flyin' out there.....let the other guys know we mean business and everythink like that."
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 20, 2006 17:24:05 GMT -5
Congrats to our women's team. Successful defense of the gold medal.
Hats off to Sweden, who gave it everything they had. Were they ever thrilled to get that silver.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 21, 2006 9:10:22 GMT -5
Czech-Canada in 90 minutes. Crucial game. After being shutout twice, we have to have this one...
Sakic, Thornton, Nash, Heatley all seem to be trying their best.
Is it just me or does our D look very slow? Perhaps the injuries Pronger and Blake brought with them are too debilitating.
Players who have to step up big today....Iginla, Gagne, and the Tampa Bay Trio. Sounds like a lounge band. I don't expect much from Draper, Doan, Bertuzzi....I questioned their selection anyways. Although Doan was the only one hitting hard vs. the Finns.
Question re: taxi squad. Can Quinn slide them into the lineup? Staal and Spezza are over there, aren't they?
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 21, 2006 11:09:50 GMT -5
After 1st period. 3-0 Canada.
Richards and St. Louis benefit from shaky goaltending by Vokoun on their goals.
Brodeur is very sharp.
Shots 8-7 for us. Czechs won't give up though....our defensive zone play is still suspect against speedy forwards.
EDIT: 3-1 after 2nd period.
Outshot 14-6. St. Louis had a couple of chances to make it 4-0.....Czechs score on a 5-on-3. Good thing Brodeur is on his game....and Vokoun wasn't.
Czechs clearly outplayed us in the second.
EDIT: 3rd period underway. We're playing like chumps. Broduer with a real softy....and it's 3-2 early.
McCabe with a bonehead play leading to a penalty. Here we go....
Solid PK.....great glove save by Brodeur who is our MVP in this one.
Under 5 minutes to play...and we have 1 shot on their #3 goalie in this period. Ridiculous.
Game over. Brodeur 3 Czechs 2. Like I said, good thing Vokoun was shaky.
Outshot 26-8 after the 1st period facing their backup's backup.
Unless something big happens, or Brodeur posts shutouts the rest of the way...I don't see a medal.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 21, 2006 12:28:40 GMT -5
I would have called a timeout after the stretch of hockey that followed the Czech's second goal. Simply abysmal. Somebody needs to step up and take this team by the throat and shake the everliving bejesus out of them. There's no excuse to play like this. If someone told me they were throwing games I'd believe them the way they're playing.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 21, 2006 13:35:34 GMT -5
After the game, MacLean was interviewing Gretzky, and I know that he has to be positive....but he said that Iginla, Gagne, and a few others were "outstanding" today.
Ahem.....in what? A checking role? We posed no threat after St. Louis' breakaway in the second period...zero. Outshot 26-8 after the first period.
12-2 in the third period. Outstanding? Please.......
The only "outstanding" player in that game for Canada was Brodeur.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 21, 2006 13:50:54 GMT -5
Iggy, Nash, Thornton, and a number of others have to step up big time. These guys know how to play. They know how to play on the big ice. There's no excuse. Get it done, or get out. Simple as that.
Aside from Brodeur, the penalty killing was the only bright spot. They did a good job, and Doan has been very very good in a defensive role.
McCabe took a couple of extremely stupide penalties. Just totally braindead. You can't do that.
As I see it, we finished third in Pool A. According to TSN, A3 plays B2 in the quarter finals. If that is the case, we play Russia tomorrow afternoon. We'd better come ready to play. We have to stay out of the box, and we have to compete for the whole game, or Russia will walk all over us.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Feb 21, 2006 14:05:00 GMT -5
I don't get it. Players like Lecavalier, Iginla, Nash, Thornton, and Heatley all have the speed, size, and strength to dominate down low - and the ability to put the puck in the net. We haven't been able to sustain any pressure in the offensive zone against any team that we've played.
They're relying too much on the rush, which has been easily neutralized by teams that know the big ice better than us. Dump, chase, cylcle, and punish the opponents defence down low. That's our edge - we're not going to run and gun against any of these teams.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 21, 2006 14:46:41 GMT -5
Our players know the ice well enough. All of these guys have international experience of one kind or another. Much of the team was at the 2002 Olympics. Others have played in the World Championships. This is about getting the lead out and working. Right now we're being out worked, and the size of the rink has little to do with it.
The only solice is the fact that we have shown the ability to turn it on when the games truly mean something. Let's hope they find a way.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 21, 2006 23:33:20 GMT -5
If Canada's coaches and players do not get their act together and soon, Russia will absolutely crush us in the quarters.
Not only do they have a punishing defense, and not only do they have Malkin and Ovechkin....how about this line....Datsyuk between Kovalchuk and Kovalev.
The way our D is playing 5-on-5....good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by mic on Feb 22, 2006 8:53:15 GMT -5
Our players know the ice well enough. All of these guys have international experience of one kind or another. Much of the team was at the 2002 Olympics. Others have played in the World Championships. Not to mention that Thornton, Nash, Lecavalier, Heatley, St-Louis and others played in Europe last year. |
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 22, 2006 11:17:33 GMT -5
Our players know the ice well enough. All of these guys have international experience of one kind or another. Much of the team was at the 2002 Olympics. Others have played in the World Championships. Not to mention that Thornton, Nash, Lecavalier, Heatley, St-Louis and others played in Europe last year. That too. |
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 22, 2006 11:18:52 GMT -5
Does anyone think that roster size is having an effect? The team is dressing 20 guys plus goalies. I'm wondering if some egos are bruised because of lack of ice time. It's a lousy excuse, but it's something to ponder.
|
|
