GDT: May 6 • Finland 3, France 1

[Finnsane]

I love Aaltonen's interviews

 

[psycho_dad*]

JMA!

Kontiola has reached Mikko Koivu status in my eyes in this tournament.

Really?

Kontiola has lead this team to a world championship?

Yeah he is a better playmaker than Koivu (Mikko, not better than Saku). I give him that and really happy to see Konna do good now that he has #1 center status in the team.

 

[Jussi]

Let's see what Kontiola does against the US and Russia and the medal round before anointing him Koivuhood.

 

[Gaps]

JMA!

Kontiola has reached Mikko Koivu status in my eyes in this tournament.

Yeah he is a better playmaker than Koivu (Mikko, not better than Saku).

Both of you have got to be kidding me. You're really comparing a guy with a good NHL and long and successful NT career to someone who's now scoring well in a tournament that's actually rather bad in quality overall? The quality is much worse than it was last year, for example.

 

[psycho_dad*]

Both of you have got to be kidding me. You're really comparing a guy with a good NHL and long and successful NT career to someone who's now scoring well in a tournament that's actually rather bad in quality overall? The quality is much worse than it was last year, for example.

Kontiola is a better passer and has a better vision than Mikko Koivu, but that is all, in my opinion. M.Koivu is a better scorer, better two way player and much stronger on the puck.

I am not raising Kontiola to the same status.

 

[Juzmo]

Nice goal by France wo make it 2-1

 

[vsk92]

Great start to the 3rd

 

[Juzmo]

Great start to the 3rd

Laakso needs more icetime.

 

[SoupyFIN]

No Daft Punk after the goal?

 

[Matti_A]

Asleep at the wheel.

I'm starting to understand why Nashville got rid of Laakso.

 

[King 88]

Nice going first let goal then take penalty.....

 

[Gaps]

Kontiola is a better passer and has a better vision than Mikko Koivu, but that is all, in my opinion. M.Koivu is a better scorer, better two way player and much stronger on the puck.

I am not raising Kontiola to the same status.

I don't think he's a better passer at all and neither of them are very good scorers. The difference in the scoring aspect is in Mikko's favor but it's rather marginal. Otherwise I do agree.

 

[Haite]

Jalasvaara stacking the pads and using his head.

 

[Matti_A]

Both of you have got to be kidding me. You're really comparing a guy with a good NHL and long and successful NT career to someone who's now scoring well in a tournament that's actually rather bad in quality overall? The quality is much worse than it was last year, for example.

I may end up having to eat my words, but Kontiola has shown great leadership and an ability to take the team on his shoulders in situations where so many have failed before him.

I have a feeling he'll come up big for Finland against Russia and USA.

Ok, he isn't as complete a player as Mikko, no where near the same two-way ability, so it might have been a bit of hyperbole on my part comparing the two.

 

[Juzmo]

Not too happy about the fact that even against France our first line is the only one that gets the job done.

 

[smi]

I may end up having to eat my words, but Kontiola has shown great leadership and an ability to take the team on his shoulders in situations where so many have failed before him.

I have a feeling he'll come up big for Finland against Russia and USA.

Ok, he isn't as complete a player as Mikko, no where near the same two-way ability, so it might have been a bit of hyperbole on my part comparing the two.

It remains to be seen whether I'm being pessimistic or realistic, but I have a feeling he and his line will not be able to save Finland against Russia and USA like they have saved them against weaker teams. Russia and USA will be more able to shut them out effectively. For the first time in the tournament, we're going to need other players to step up.

 

[King 88]

Viitaluoma :O

 

[vsk92]

Woo someone else scores

 

[Juzmo]

Holy crap, a goal and not from the first line. Finland 3-1.

 

[psycho_dad*]

Not too happy about the fact that even against France our first line is the only one that gets the job done.

Also, they played the whole 5 on 3 PP and second PP unit did not even get a chance to try and gain some scoring confidence. Weird decision.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Went for a shave and they score just as I get back.

 

[Gaps]

It remains to be seen whether I'm being pessimistic or realistic, but I have a feeling he and his line will not be able to save Finland against Russia and USA like they have against weaker teams. Russia and USA will be more able to shut them out effectively. For the first time in the tournament, we're going to need other players to step up.

The Americans haven't been very convincing so far, but on paper they should beat this team Finland. They had a much better squad last year though. Still, I'd be more afraid of Russia and what they'll do to this D. They also have the tools to hold off Kontiola & Co.

 

[vsk92]

Ortio with big save

 

[SurMartin]

I love Bellemare.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Too much man.