Canada vs The United States of America

[Garyboy]

5-3 U.S.A with an empty netter. Kreider and Palmieri have big games.

 

[Statsy]

4-2 USA. If Schenn has a great game I could see Canada pulling off the upset.

Upset? Really??

 

[Urgi]

Usa 8-1

 

[LeafOfBread]

Upset? Really??

Yeah really. U.S.A. was the fav going into the tourney and they have 9 returning players from last year's team, including Campbell who's been solid, which is more than what we can say for Roy or even Visentin.

 

[Spectra]

Team USA will win, 5-2.

 

[John Price]

If Canada wins it is definitely an upset, considering how the US are defending champions and look so fine this tournament.

 

[KopitarFAN]

4-2 canada

Schenn with 4 goals

I'd be cool with Canada winning if that happened.

 

[Pyke*]

I think Canada is the prohibitive favourite in this one.

I realize that this may seem biased, but:
1) Canada's goaltending has been weak - but for they've also scored 32 goals in 5 games. They can afford to let in a bad goal and still win; as evidenced by letting in the first goal 3 times in the tournament and trailing in all 5 games.

2) Canada emerged out of the better pool relatively unscathed, with only an overtime loss against the Swedes. Although the Americans are undefeated, they squeaked past Finland (a much weaker hockey nation) and struggled with Switzerland. Let's remember that the Swiss who are "offensively challenged" still found a way to score the same number of goals against the "rock solid" Campbell as against the "shaky" Visentin.

3) For the first time since playing the Czech Republic; Canada is mostly healthy and has a complete roster. Olsen looked better after his injury scare, de Haan was much more mobile, Eakin could shoot the puck and Kassian was no longer suspended. A fully healthy Canadian team is still the best in the tournament; and though they're missing Schwartz I think they're better than people think.

4) The United States has not faced as much adversity in this tournament. Generally, I'm a firm believer that the team which faces adversity and fights through it is better for it; so I tend to favour the Canadians here.

5) While I would love a Sweden-Finland semi-final, I'll be stunned if the Finns keep it close against a very good Russian team.

 

[Toydarian]

I think Canada is the prohibitive favourite in this one.

I realize that this may seem biased, but:
1) Canada's goaltending has been weak - but for they've also scored 32 goals in 5 games. They can afford to let in a bad goal and still win; as evidenced by letting in the first goal 3 times in the tournament and trailing in all 5 games.

2) Canada emerged out of the better pool relatively unscathed, with only an overtime loss against the Swedes. Although the Americans are undefeated, they squeaked past Finland (a much weaker hockey nation) and struggled with Switzerland. Let's remember that the Swiss who are "offensively challenged" still found a way to score the same number of goals against the "rock solid" Campbell as against the "shaky" Visentin.

3) For the first time since playing the Czech Republic; Canada is mostly healthy and has a complete roster. Olsen looked better after his injury scare, de Haan was much more mobile, Eakin could shoot the puck and Kassian was no longer suspended. A fully healthy Canadian team is still the best in the tournament; and though they're missing Schwartz I think they're better than people think.

4) The United States has not faced as much adversity in this tournament. Generally, I'm a firm believer that the team which faces adversity and fights through it is better for it; so I tend to favour the Canadians here.

5) While I would love a Sweden-Finland semi-final, I'll be stunned if the Finns keep it close against a very good Russian team.

I think this is the biggest concern for the USA, they haven't really faced anywhere near the same adversity that Canada has. Their goaltending has been solid so far but they haven't faced an offensively talented team like Canada or Sweden.

 

[Garyboy]

Pyke, I'd say the Americans have faced more adversity. Beating Finland in OT and then holding right on until the bitter end against the Swiss.

Canada really only had one game where they had to dig deep.

 

[Evil Doctor]

Usa 8-1

10-1 Canada...

 

[McDonagh]

7-6 Canada,

Kreider Kreider Kreider Bourque Bourque Bourque

Schenn Schenn Johansen Johansen Ellis Connolly Despres

 

[Pyke*]

Pyke, I'd say the Americans have faced more adversity. Beating Finland in OT and then holding right on until the bitter end against the Swiss.

Canada really only had one game where they had to dig deep.

I don't know.

Trailing 1-0 against the Russians early, came back to win 6-3.
Trailing 1-0 against the Czech's early, came back to win 7-2.
Close game against the Swedes, lose in a Shootout 6-5.
Trailing 1-0 against the Swiss early, came back to win 4-1.

I tend to say there's much more adversity there.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I could see it going either way - hoping for another epic game. That said, I haven't been overly impressed with either team thus far. The Canadian media seems to want to portray the Americans as the the favorites since they won last year and that the Canadians are just a bunch of lunch pail, blue collar underdogs but I don't buy it. I'll go with the Canadians in another close one.

 

[Garyboy]

I don't know.

Trailing 1-0 against the Russians early, came back to win 6-3.
Trailing 1-0 against the Czech's early, came back to win 7-2.
Close game against the Swedes, lose in a Shootout 6-5.
Trailing 1-0 against the Swiss early, came back to win 4-1.

I tend to say there's much more adversity there.

Notice a trend? "Early". If they were trailing in the third, I'd tend to agree.

 

[Lessy]

I don't know.

Trailing 1-0 against the Russians early, came back to win 6-3.
Trailing 1-0 against the Czech's early, came back to win 7-2.
Close game against the Swedes, lose in a Shootout 6-5.
Trailing 1-0 against the Swiss early, came back to win 4-1.

I tend to say there's much more adversity there.

Ya no question Canada's faced more adversity than the American's. I think tomorrow comes down to goaltending. The two best teams on paper facing off against each other, definitely has potential to be a classic. Both teams have been very underwhelming to this point however...

 

[Brew]

not to sound like a homer, but I think Canada will win. The US have a solid team, but their performance as a team doesnt seem to click like canada's does.

All hope for both teams to put on a strong performance though.

Go Canada Go!

 

[Forgot About Drai]

6-5 Canada OT

Canada: Johansen, Shenn, Kassian (2), Ellis

USA: Kreider (2), Bourque (2), Palmieri

 

[Lessy]

Notice a trend? "Early". If they were trailing in the third, I'd tend to agree.

Tied in the third against Russia... Actually lost a game... Back and forth with Russia and Sweden from start to finish... That's a ton of adversity...

 

[Jordan Eberle]

USA, this years team just doesn't feel right.

I agree I just can't get as into it this year. Don't know what it is. But I'm thinking the hockey gods will work in our favor

 

[Pyke*]

Notice a trend? "Early". If they were trailing in the third, I'd tend to agree.

I guess, but when have the Americans trailed late? They were beating Switzerland and held on to win - which is no different then the Canadians against the Swiss, except they added to their lead; as they did against the other teams too.

Additionally, it's a lot more devastating to get scored on in the first 5 minutes then it is five minutes into the third; so I tend to think the ability to settle down and come from behind is more important...

It should be a good one.

 

[Brozak]

Canada wins, sorry I don't write the book but that's how it's going to happen.

 

[DaveG]

USA 4-2, Campbell comes up huge and Faulk with a 2 point night including an empty net clincher.

 

[Muuri]

5) While I would love a Sweden-Finland semi-final, I'll be stunned if the Finns keep it close against a very good Russian team.

Seems like you are yet to see Finland play in this tournament.

 

[Pyke*]

Seems like you are yet to see Finland play in this tournament.

I watched one of your games. I'm a big fan of Finland in international hockey; you guys always play a gritty hard nosed game and are sort of like Canada's little hockey brother... also, I love the uniforms . Ortio stood on his head in a couple games from the highlights I've seen/watching.

The problem is, the Russian team is extremely skilled. I know Finland traditionally keeps games close, and I don't think it would be a tremendous upset or anything if Finland won, but I'm expecting a 6-3 type score.