Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,146
I'll admit I like the idea of the CAN/RUS challenge but don't look into it too much. The Russians don't even have Zherdev or Ovechkin on their team. The OHL all-stars should have won 7-1 the other night. It is good that we are preparing for the WJC since Russia is the only team that should have a chance at beating us, but this is also a good oppurtunity for the Russians to scout us as well.
Remember they have a history of playing "Possum" and not playing as well as they really can. Remember 1972? We should have beaten them 8-0 every game right? How about 1981? We beat them 7-3 in the preliminary round before getting slaughtered 8-1 by them in the final with a team that had Lafleur, Gretzky, Perreault, Dionne, Bossy, Trottier, etc. Lately the Russians have not been great at the World Cup/ Olympics but they still have one tournament where they can be mysterious. It happened as recently as the 2002 WJC when we beat them 5-2 in the prelim. round and lost 5-4 in the gold medal game. Even thought Canada was easily the better team then.
Remember they have a history of playing "Possum" and not playing as well as they really can. Remember 1972? We should have beaten them 8-0 every game right? How about 1981? We beat them 7-3 in the preliminary round before getting slaughtered 8-1 by them in the final with a team that had Lafleur, Gretzky, Perreault, Dionne, Bossy, Trottier, etc. Lately the Russians have not been great at the World Cup/ Olympics but they still have one tournament where they can be mysterious. It happened as recently as the 2002 WJC when we beat them 5-2 in the prelim. round and lost 5-4 in the gold medal game. Even thought Canada was easily the better team then.