WC: QFs are set, discuss

[TorstenFrings]

It does not matter, a lot of people out there would not even know who's who. Think about the confused faces during a Slovenia vs Slovakia match...

At least they'd eventually play the right anthem at those games.

 

[Eye of Ra]

This will be the suprise tournament! I can feel it.

Germany at home with Dr.Drai will overpower the canadians who already won so many golds....if Swiss could win over Canada then sure as hell the germans could too.

Finland will suprise USA. Finland are playing with zero pressure and they have Pillu at center.

Czech have a good underrated team, Russia will underestimate them.

Sweden have been bad the whole tourmanent, playing with zero grit and speed. Switzerland are hungry for some success and have much speed. Swedes are weak mentally and will get stressed.

 

[Flyerfan52]

What impact will the back and forth travel have on Russia?

Probably less than on Canada or the USA since France to Germany is a shorter trip than NA to either.
Russia has many players from the KHL. The NHLers are barely over the jet lag from NA.

 

[Flyerfan52]

It's nice to see Germany in there.
I'm disappointed in Finland as they are usually a stronger team.

I admired the team from France as they were game & classy. Too bad there wasn't room for them.

 

[SportsFan94]

Canada over Germany but it wont be a cakewalk against the hosts and Germany did beat USA opening game so i expect Germany to come out strong but Canada eventually wear them down and win 4-1 or 4-2.

Russias offense to much as they beat the Czechs 5-2

USA over Finland in probably the best game of the quarters 4-3 in OT or SO

Sweden over Switzerland but Swiss will put up a good fight in a tight defensive game 3-1.

 

[llwyd]

An underwhelming Finland in the decisive match of the tournament - now that has often been a dangerous combination... We do have a woefully thin team but I fully expect it to look totally different in the qf than in the round robin, so the US better bring their A game to the match. A tight and probably rather low scoring game to be expected.

(And if they prove to be a slow, disorganized, spiritless mess, then we really should think about Marjamäki's future.)

 

[LiveeviL]

Swiss is good at countering and Sweden is "good" at letting people counter. That could be the most likely reason for an upset in that game

 

[bDtKarlsson]

Swiss is good at countering and Sweden is "good" at letting people counter. That could be the most likely reason for an upset in that game

Unfortunently yes. I really hope that Sweden won't play as predictable as they have been doing. And get the powerplay working please!

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I am confused, in which country would the semis take place? For example, Canada vs Russia/Czech Rep.

 

[LiveeviL]

I am confused, in which country would the semis take place? For example, Canada vs Russia/Czech Rep.

Seems as #1 and #2 stays where they are and the #3 and #4 needs to travel. E.g. Sweden would have stayed in Cologne if Russia had won vs the US and Sweden had become #2. Now Sweden is #3 in the group and need to go to Paris. I guess it decides home ice too.

 

[Elvs]

It does not matter, a lot of people out there would not even know who's who. Think about the confused faces during a Slovenia vs Slovakia match...

It's understandable. We have similar names (Switzerland and Swedenland). Our flags are the same (a yellow cross surrounded by red). We speak the same languague (it's called "Swedish chef-ish"). And afterall, as the founders of the World Cup of hockey has tought us, Europe really is just one big country.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Seems as #1 and #2 stays where they are and the #3 and #4 needs to travel. E.g. Sweden would have stayed in Cologne if Russia had won vs the US and Sweden had become #2. Now Sweden is #3 in the group and need to go to Paris. I guess it decides home ice too.

Isn't Russia a #2 and a Canada a #1? They are in the same bracket now yet playing in different countries. Would that potential SF be in Cologne or Paris?

 

[QnebO]

Does sweden play their Kvarts before Finns?

There is old magic in WHC. If Sweden and Finland could collide in Semis, and Sweden wins their QF before Finland's game starts, Finland somehow upsets any one to play Swedes in Semis.

If this set up happens, I'm betting money for Finland. Can't beat the magic!

 

[LiveeviL]

Isn't Russia a #2 and a Canada a #1? They are in the same bracket now yet playing in different countries. Would that potential SF be in Cologne or Paris?

A bit confusing yes. For Sweden the example was as I described, but I might have missed some mechanism for the system in general.

Anyway all SF and up are played in Cologne.

 

[SwissLeaf]

The winner of the Sw-game takes it all!

 

[AussieDave27]

For the semi-finals I see this on the schedule page:

Semi-Finals on 20th May in Cologne
USA/FIN vs. SUI/SWE
CAN/GER vs. RUS/CZE

Does this mean that USA/FIN vs SUI/SWE will be the afternoon game 100%?

I have tickets for the evening game only and being "Swiss" it'd have been nice to see them.

 

[scipio]

For the semi-finals I see this on the schedule page:

Semi-Finals on 20th May in Cologne
USA/FIN vs. SUI/SWE
CAN/GER vs. RUS/CZE

Does this mean that USA/FIN vs SUI/SWE will be the afternoon game 100%?

I have tickets for the evening game only and being "Swiss" it'd have been nice to see them.

The Swiss game is in Paris and starts at 20.15

 

[AussieDave27]

The Swiss game is in Paris and starts at 20.15

Sorry, I was talking about the semi-finals IF of course Switzerland have an unlikely win vs Sweden.

 

[scipio]

Sorry, I was talking about the semi-finals IF of course Switzerland have an unlikely win vs Sweden.

I'm sorry, my bad. Didn't read properly. I think it depends which teams exactly play against each other in the semi finals.

From the iihf website: The winning teams advance to the semi-finals. Both semi-final games will be played at LANXESS arena in Cologne. The highest ranked team at the conclusion of the Preliminary Round will play the 15:15 semi-final game (Game 61) in Cologne.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Anyway all SF and up are played in Cologne.

Ty sir.

 

[21]

Sweden - Finland in the semifinals and we may have another classic hockey "war".

My prediction. ;-)

If Sweden looses vs Switzerland the press and the entire nation would go completely nuts, the amount of pain would be huge. ;-) It would be regarded as one of the biggest failures of all time. I don't think it will happen this time but it could possibly be a tight game. Lots of NHL players on the Swedish team looking a bit slow on the big ice but we should get better every game now.

I feel safe with Lundqvist in goal, he will let in maximum of two and Sweden hopefully being able to score more than two goals.

 

[Elvs]

If Sweden looses vs Switzerland the press and the entire nation would go completely nuts, the amount of pain would be huge.

Well, it has already been declared that HV 71 > Team USA (the group winner!). So if Sweden loses to Switzerland, some columnist must come to the conclusion that Tre Kronor would have been better off sending the roster of the Arlanda Wings (no offense to that club or their players, though).

 

[AussieDave27]

I'm sorry, my bad. Didn't read properly. I think it depends which teams exactly play against each other in the semi finals.

From the iihf website: The winning teams advance to the semi-finals. Both semi-final games will be played at LANXESS arena in Cologne. The highest ranked team at the conclusion of the Preliminary Round will play the 15:15 semi-final game (Game 61) in Cologne.

Thanks for the info.

Assuming that Canada beats Germany, then that game will be the early one then as they had the most points in the preliminary rounds. So there is a chance of seeing Switzerland yet...

 

[jonas2244]

Lots of NHL players on the Swedish team looking a bit slow on the big ice but we should get better every game now.

I feel safe with Lundqvist in goal, he will let in maximum of two and Sweden hopefully being able to score more than two goals.

The only chance for Switzerland I guess, a lot of speed. This is probably the only place where they really can compete with Sweden, the skating. And Switzerland is a hard team to score 5 on 5, PK and PP are essential.

 

[scipio]

Thanks for the info.

Assuming that Canada beats Germany, then that game will be the early one then as they had the most points in the preliminary rounds. So there is a chance of seeing Switzerland yet...

That's how I understand it.

In the case Switzerland wins against Sweden, you will not see Switzerland if Canada loses and the USA win or if Canada, the USA and Russia all lose. Then Switzerland would be the highest ranked team.