Euro Hockey Tour: Channel One Cup in Russia (SOCHI) • Dec. 19-22 [CZE/FIN/RUS/SWE]

[russianhockey]

Alexander Yeryomeko will start today against czech republic.

 

[m4tt145]

Russia can not put it in, seems like there is some frustraition amongst their players aswell. Czech Republic begins to take over.. Salak has been outstanding.

 

[Hemsky001]

Great effort by the Czechs the whole tournament.

 

[zorz]

Great effort by the Czechs the whole tournament.

The lack of finish stays annoying though.

 

[Hemsky001]

The lack of finish stays annoying though.

You're absolutely right but we should be satisfied with our defense work. 2 goals in three games against Finland, Sweden and Russia are very promising, no?

 

[joey16]

Very good tournament by Nosek-Kousal-Buchtele line..

 

[russianhockey]

 

[Namba 17]

But you probably believe Mozyakin would score a hattrick in every game, right?

I spoke about defenders and you remembered Mozhyakin. You don't even know that he is not a defender - he is forward.

 

[Acallabeth]

Hopefully Nikulin, Birykov and Medvedev played their last National Team games.

I can dream, right?

 

[Yakushev72]

Defense is the biggest weakness, no doubt, but there is also something wrong with the attack when the only goal is on a penalty shot. The forwards generated little or nothing for the entire tournament. Hopefully, the fact that few of these guys will make the Olympic roster will not portend looming disaster in Sochi.

 

[Acallabeth]

Kovalchuk and Radulov tried dangling through the entire offense all the time again. It looked like early 2000s returned.
I think Bill's ultra-defensive strategy this Cup can be explained with the Olympic top 6 spots taken already with the NHL elite guys, Kovy and Radulov. Having Kulemin, Anisimov, Tarasenko and possibly even Nichushkin makes only shutdown lines available.

 

[aloonda*]

finland sweden has been a great game so far

 

[nonoob12]

Finland beats Sweden 4-2 and also confirms to win whole this years EHT

 

[Eye of Ra]

sweden is a punching bag. take away sweden next year from this tournaments and add switzerland instead.

 

[Swipes]

What's this about the tournament organisers not handing over the trophy to the Czechs? Anyone know if this is true or not? Apparently they gave it to the team in the cabin and not out on the ice...

 

[Fantomas]

People can rag on Russia's defense all they like. It's the offense that isn't working.

 

[Jussi]

sweden is a punching bag. take away sweden next year from this tournaments and add switzerland instead.

There won't be a EHT after this season. Just the tournaments in Finland and Russia, random friendlies during the other breaks (plus CHL games).

 

[Atas2000]

Hopefully Nikulin, Birykov and Medvedev played their last National Team games.

I can dream, right?

Please provide proof to any bad play by Nikulin. Otherwise you are just considered an irrational hater.

Yes, Medvedev has had brain farts this season and one of them in this game. I think the main reason he's a OD being used as a DD on pairings with I-wanna-attack guys like Heshka or Chudinov. Again, if you don't want him on the team, name players you consider to be better. Good luck with that.

Why aren't Kiselevich and Zubarev on your list who were the real headache?

 

[Atas2000]

People can rag on Russia's defense all they like. It's the offense that isn't working.

This. After this EHT performace Bill is in for a very long 2 weeks. I seriously don't know who hasn't blown his chances on this team outside Radulov and Kovy(sigh, by the name, not by his play).

 

[malkinfan]

People can rag on Russia's defense all they like. It's the offense that isn't working.

Bingo. There was one bad defensive breakdown that costed them. The 1st goal was Chudinov's error. Not going to shoot Chudinov because he made 1 error the whole game while the forwards made multiple errors all game which less dramatically/noticeably costed them the entire game.

Forwards seemed to be off their game once they were flustered/frustrated by Salak. Kovy and Rads trying to do to much on their own.

Hopefully big wake up call to Bill. Get those forwards in line.