WJC: 2019 WJC Divisions II/III

[ozo]

This is getting rather ugly real fast. Korea looks terrible.

 

[ozo]

This is getting rather ugly real fast. Korea looks simply terrible.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Well we look terrible so far. Estonians have the puck 70% of the time. Age difference is showing, older Estonian guys just pushing our kids around. As expected our Fs aside from the first line are just useless with the puck.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Well, the better team won. I was actually surprised we didn't get outshot that bad on paper. Can't help but feel fatigue played a huge part, we have a shorter bench and the first line played a lot, a lot of minutes yesterday. Anyway, getting one point was crucial as I have little doubt GB will be able to take down Estonia. We just need to win the rest of the games.

 

[kaiser matias]

Hijacking this to include Division III as well (maybe update the title?)

China looks like they want to dominate the tournament. 10+ in their first two games is a good start, even if that's not unusual at this level. Match against Bulgaria on Thursday will hopefully be good.

Also nice to see 8 teams here; keep that up we may have a Division IIIB next year.

 

[filip85]

Boy, is Netherlands bad...

 

[Urbanskog]

Hijacking this to include Division III as well (maybe update the title?)

China looks like they want to dominate the tournament. 10+ in their first two games is a good start, even if that's not unusual at this level. Match against Bulgaria on Thursday will hopefully be good.

Also nice to see 8 teams here; keep that up we may have a Division IIIB next year.

China is certainly on a roll, the MHL project seems to have been helpful for their previously almost nonexistent player development, even if the opposition has not been particularly strong yet. I would have wished to see them participate in the IIB this year and see how well would they perform but their slow start last year prevented that from happening. With that said, I am confident that they'll stroll through this tournament undefeated.

It's also refreshing to see the elimination round format in a lower division tournament for once.

 

[ozo]

First games mean very little for China, they scored 10+ goals against NZL and BUL already last year, and RSA was only promoted to DIII this season so they are no match for them either. Realistically only Iceland stands in their way of promotion as they are the only team still left at this level they failed to win last year (Israel went up of course). And the relegated newcomer Turkey doesn't look too good.

 

[ozo]

We just need to win the rest of the games.

Romania is not agreeing with your plan it seems.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Romania is not agreeing with your plan it seems.

I think we got this, we are quite clearly the better team and the Romanian goals were rather lucky considering we have Lubys in goal. Especially the 2nd one.

I love the way Gusevas is playing. Sure he makes mistakes but he is finally looking like an impact player, MHL definitely did him good.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Well, 2 offensive zone penalties in dying minutes of must win game.. Needless to say we aren't worthy of promotion. We've been given a gift by GB and blew it big time, just not good enough.

 

[ozo]

This tournament is exciting as hell for a neutral like me. All teams look surprisingly decent this year.

 

[kabidjan18]

Well, 2 offensive zone penalties in dying minutes of must win game.. Needless to say we aren't worthy of promotion. We've been given a gift by GB and blew it big time, just not good enough.

Pretty sure you still own the tiebreak against GB if you win out.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Pretty sure you still own the tiebreak against GB if you win out.

GB needs to drop points now and that's not going to happen. We needed at least OT win today to somewhat control our destiny.

 

[swissexpert]

Pretty sure you still own the tiebreak against GB if you win out.

They lost twice already, so there won't be a tie break if GB does the job.

 

[kabidjan18]

Oh wait I misread. I thought they won in OT today.

 

[swissexpert]

Div 2B has its top fight tonight, the winner of Serbia-Croatia will probably promote.

I think Serbia has a chance although they did not look dominant against Mexico...
Diumic is a very good returnee, as well as their goalie Mitic.
Croatia are ona roll as we've seen yesterday but we'll see.

 

[filip85]

Div 2B has its top fight tonight, the winner of Serbia-Croatia will probably promote.

I think Serbia has a chance although they did not look dominant against Mexico...
Diumic is a very good returnee, as well as their goalie Mitic.
Croatia are ona roll as we've seen yesterday but we'll see.

We are not on the roll. Holland's goalie was weak spot for them. I would give Serbia slight advantage in tonight's match.

 

[SoundAndFury]

It looks like Estonia has very different ideas about how this tournament should go.

 

[Siamese Dream]

This might be the worst goaltending duo GB has ever selected for the U20s

 

[MeHateHe]

This might be the worst goaltending duo GB has ever selected for the U20s

Yeah, your goaltending didn't do you any favours, but you won't win too many games scoring two goals.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Yeah, your goaltending didn't do you any favours, but you won't win too many games scoring two goals.

It's completely different when you're chasing a game though

 

[SoundAndFury]

So with a win today Estonia would secure the promotion. Great achievement for their boys and for Estonia as a hockey nation. They have done a lot for this to happen.

 

[kaiser matias]

So with a win today Estonia would secure the promotion. Great achievement for their boys and for Estonia as a hockey nation. They have done a lot for this to happen.

If I was reading correctly, would be their first time at the Division I level. Always nice to see some teams improve like that, especially a country like Estonia which seems to be mMing some (slow) progress in development.

 

[Pardus]

If I was reading correctly, would be their first time at the Division I level. Always nice to see some teams improve like that, especially a country like Estonia which seems to be mMing some (slow) progress in development.

Would be Estonia's fifth time. Last time in Div I was 2009.

Edit. Maybe you mixed with Estonia U18. They haven't been in Div I ever. And that's not going to happen in the near future because age classes after amazing -99 and -00 aren't that special. U18 will be fighting against relegation to 2B this spring.