GDT: Finland vs Sweden (U18 Semis)

[Czechboy]

This will be awesome! 50-50 IMO. I'm not sure if the match or the commentary will be more exciting.

I have no idea who wins but think it'll be a great match by 2 very good teams and 2 very passionate hockey nations.

If Sweden wins they can say they beat the Finn's TWICE in the same tourney to prove they are better!
If the Finn's win they can point to their Gold's and use this is proof they are more clutch.

Oh boy!

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[ijuka]

Finland is a pretty clear favorite but you never know what might happen, Finland vs Sweden games tend to be less about which team is better and more about which team comes into it with a better attitude.

 

[AB13]

Sweden is a pretty clear favorite but you never know what might happen, Finland vs Sweden games tend to be less about which team is better and more about which team comes into it with better attitude.

 

[AB13]

No but seriously I feel Sweden have a slightly better roster. More firepower, high end skill and offensive depth. Defence and goaltending is close (both teams are not very reliable). Sweden beat Finland by 4-3 both in the Hlinka bronze medal game and in the group stages so we have to be considered favorites. Don’t think we beat them again though. You rarely beat the same twice. Finland will be motivated and my gut feeling is bad.

 

[illone84]

This game is a tight one that will come down to goaltending IMHO. But one thing I know for sure is that it's very hard to beat the same team twice in international tournies. Let's see what happens.

 

[illone84]

I also predict Kiviharju gets a goal. Was so close vs Canada. This time he ends up on the scoreboard.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

I predict that Kemell will score a goal.

 

[EK47]

Games against Finland are always the best. The worst winners in history, but I still love them. <3

 

[Lartsaman]

Sweden is a favourite but I like our chances. For me its not a big disaster if we happen to lose this one. USA will kick the winners ass in the final anyway.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Sweden with Leo Carlsson increases the chances for a swedish victory.

 

[Mestaruus]

I'm feeling like Finland wins but I'll copy paste from another thread what worries me:

#1 Hugo Havelid - 90.91 save % - 2.35 goals against average
#6 Leinonen - 86.84 save % - 3.35 goals against average

An unlikely goalie swap could improve Finland's chances but I think that Finland can win the hard way too.

 

[ijuka]

Vs Canada too was it 3 times that Leinonen was completely out of position and the net was empty but Finland managed to clear. Finland's in trouble if Sweden gets any sort of rebound or broken play in front of the net, Leinonen's move is to slide out of the net and leave it open instead of being big and covering as much as he can, so Sweden can score some empty net goals if they battle hard.

 

[illone84]

I'm feeling like Finland wins but I'll copy paste from another thread what worries me:

#1 Hugo Havelid - 90.91 save % - 2.35 goals against average
#6 Leinonen - 86.84 save % - 3.35 goals against average

An unlikely goalie swap could improve Finland's chances but I think that Finland can win the hard way too.

I don't like throwing the goalie under the bus, but his positioning makes me worry about our chances.

 

[ZEBROA]

No way Finland loose twice. I hate that fact. Will watch anyway, aparently i want to feel sad and angry.

 

[illone84]

No way Finland loose twice. I hate that fact. Will watch anyway, aparently i want to feel sad and angry.

at least the game starts at a civilized time to start drinking ahhahaha

 

[Eye of Ra]

at least the game starts at a civilized time to start drinking ahhahaha

koskenkorva?

 

[ijuka]

Perhaps it's an advantage for Finland that Finland had to play such a tough close game in the quarters, while Sweden essentially had a sleepwalking game without real effort required. Perhaps it'll be tough for Sweden to switch gears.

 

[illone84]

koskenkorva?

I don't drink puke.

 

[Eye of Ra]

I don't drink puke.

Sima is okay

 

[FinPanda]

Sweden is imo the favourite. We have a chance if Leinonen can actually make good saves.

 

[FinPanda]

Sima is okay

I love sima, one of the best drinks.

 

[Preds666]

Very open game. Sweden was slightly better vs. Finland when they played each other a few days ago. On the other hand Joakim Kemell was to be honest quite horrible in that game (possibly because of his illness). Goaltending was not impressive either.

Sweden's PK is mediocre and the defensemen have a hard time handling any type of forecheck. The game vs. Germany was the first time they weren't really tested in the tournament and they did okay. In the round robin games D was pretty bad to be honest.

On the plus side for Sweden, they have one heck of a top line... which is looking better for each game. And the most offensively gifted defenseman in the tournament in Hävelid.

Predicting SWE vs. FIN games is always difficult. Doesn't matter if one of the teams have a superior roster on paper. It won't be 8-0 Sweden like in the bronze game last year, for sure.

 

[SantosHalper]

I don't drink puke.

I would tell you to leave and never comeback but since you already are in London, stay there and keep drinking you'r warm beers. Don't come back until you have learned some manners young man

 

[ZEBROA]

at least the game starts at a civilized time to start drinking ahhahaha

Thats the worse part, i dont drink. So sad angry and sober, will it be

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Lekkerimäki is an interesting player and has shown to be able to compete among men in SHL. He has Finnish roots aswell right?