Post-Game Talk: IIHF World Championships 2023 (Myers, Bear win Gold with CAN. Silovs wins Bronze with LAT. Silovs named Tourn. MVP)

[The Stig]

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Been praising this kid since early last season. First time I saw him live, I knew he was bypassing DiPietro.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

According to Gord Miller on Twitter, Kaspars Daugavins told him Monday has been declared a national holiday in Latvia. That rules.

 

[Vector]

Love it. The Large Lion of Latvia brings their first ever tournament medal.

 

[supercanuck]

According to Gord Miller on Twitter, Kaspars Daugavins told him Monday has been declared a national holiday in Latvia. That rules.

So awesome!

 

[VanJack]

Every once and awhile a story comes along like Latvia in these world championships that warms the heart. Doesn't happen very often in any sport, particularly hockey.

The population of Latvia is listed at 1.884 million--not even as big as Metro Vancouver. And what a year for Silovs! MVP in Abbotsfrod; five NHL games to his credit; and now the IIHF World Tournament MVP.

And just turned 22 in March.......if he hasn't propelled himself to the top of the Canucks prospect pool, he has to be close.

 

[Canuckle1970]

The emotional national response to their medal by Latvia is too epic for words.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Solid dig by Myers - very cheeky. Happy for him and Bear.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Silovs is named new Minister Of Defence

 

[VanJack]

I get that Myers is defensive about the pundits' assessment of this Team Canada roster.

But let's face it....across the board, this might have been one of the weakest IIHF World Tournaments on record. No Russia, and just about every decent player in the NHL decided to skip the tournament and stay home.

All the Finns playing for Carolina weren't there.... no Draisaitl and no Stutzle for Germany...and the list of absentees goes on and on.

Most clubs sent a team comprised mostly of 'the willing'. But take nothing away from Latvia. They were the story of the tournament.

 

[wonton15]

Solid dig by Myers - very cheeky. Happy for him and Bear.

The giraffe is becoming self aware

 

[Breakers]

150000 people showed up for the parade in latvia

That is flat out insane

 

[timw33]

Pretty good year for him, might just be a good player for a lucky team.

Anaheim getting an absurdly good "consolation prize" at #2 this year.

 

[VanJack]

Anaheim getting an absurdly good "consolation prize" at #2 this year.

I know that every report under the sun has the Hawks drafting a 'generational talent' in Bedard. And that Fantilli likely goes second.

But if you break down the two players strictly on the basis of the leagues they played in last year, Fantilli had a far better year.

I mean 65 points in 36 games at the NCAA level for an 18-year kid is absolutely insane. And winning the Hobey Baker is just icing on the cake. And Michigan plays in a far higher caliber league than the WHL.

Fantilli is listed on Hockey DB as already being 6'2" and 195.....which means that he'll probably play in the NHL at 6'3" and 215 or so, once he matures and gains muscle mass. But of course he looked completely comfortable playing against men in the IIHF World Tournament.

He's a heck of a 'consolation prize' indeed. Too bad he'll be long gone before the Canucks ever get a shot at him.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

I bet Silovs is now a minor celebrity in his home country.

 

[EpochLink]

Solid dig by Myers - very cheeky. Happy for him and Bear.

Guy for the past 5 years has been steaming pile of East Hastings turd, now in a contract year he’s shooting the mouth and wanting his next dollar value contract.

Sure why not, I thought he be boat hoping in Kelowna by now.

 

[Zippgunn]

And winning the Hobey Baker is just icing on the cake.

Adam Gaudette says "hi"...