Belizarius
Registered User
France has a lot of trouble today vs Hungary, who leads 3-2 after 2 periods.
It's getting better but still, lack of speed, support and accuracy...
It's getting better but still, lack of speed, support and accuracy...
Define "soon", please. Maybe not five years, but these countries are building mass on groundroots level and, I following them as much as I follow our own hockey, see vast improvement in junior hockey. And frankly there is not that big of a leap needed to catch us.Just saying, I was the one who saw the Kazakh surge coming
No, neither Belarus nor Kazakhstan is going to touch Latvia soon. They'll always be competitive as far as squad continuity so they will still be a threat in major tournaments, however, they have their own developmental problems that are worse, I believe, than Latvia's.
Well 5 years is of course a stretch. A lot of work has to be done, especially if much of it starts now.Define "soon", please. Maybe not five years, but these countries are building mass on groundroots level and, I following them as much as I follow our own hockey, see vast improvement in junior hockey. And frankly there is not that big of a leap needed to catch us.
Oh boy, it must be international tournament season if I again argue with Kabidjan. So tell me, is this crop of Belarussians you see playing at U20 level, isn't the best one you have seen in general?
From what I've seen of Latvia U17 at recent tournament in Minsk they were absolutely ok. Dominated us almost the whole game, so I was surprised Latvia and Belarus finished with the same result: a tie in regulation in face-to-face game and the same score in games vs Russia and Slovakia. According to our commentator, Ozols said that team was not even half of the top U17 roster.When I look at our next three or four upcoming years, it is hard to see where the next draftee for us is coming from.
Sorenson and Labanc are already up. O'Regan is the next in line.One thing tho(and i know this wasnt your point) kabdijan you should check out Rudolfs Balcers stats, hes doing quite well - Barracudas top scorer and right now the closest of the bunch to be called up to big league.
Sorenson and Labanc are already up. O'Regan is the next in line.
I've heard questions about his defense and scoring abilities. I would be led to believe that his stat line belies little need for improvement, that is unlikely the case. I'm not worried though for him specifically. Inasmuch as he's been scoring well he has earned a spot for himself on the Barracuda squad until at least 2020 where he can develop his game and adopt all the necessary skills he would need to realize his potential. Where that is, of course, is uncertain. However, worst comes to worst he will at least return to Riga with the skills to step in and be a leader immediately.
Ohh right, yes.When i said "of the bunch" i meant our players like dzierkals, bļugers etc not players in barracuda.
France is hosting the event, be interesting to see if they can also win the event. I expect both Germany and Austria to put up challenges as well. Those 2 nations play today.
Austria is already out and a prime candidate for relegation (vs Hungary).France is hosting the event, be interesting to see if they can also win the event. I expect both Germany and Austria to put up challenges as well. Those 2 nations play today.
Austria is already out and a prime candidate for relegation (vs Hungary).
I'm betting on Latvia, who looks solid. France could be a darkhorse, at home and with a returning team. But it's a long shot : Germany, Kazakhstan are in the mix too.
I'm prophetic.If we could be competitive it will be because of speed, so watch Baumi, but don't bet all your money either.
And yet Italy wins a close game in OT. Pretty even game which somebody had to win. Sucks to be on the losing side but oh well, can't really complain.