GDT: Group D • May 2 • Latvia 2, Finland 3 (SO)

[ozo]

Looks pretty bleak so far. Can't remember one decent chance for us.

 

[QnebO]

Not to hype the kid even more, but it's a joy watch Granlund play.

But you cant overhype him easily.. I dont know ANY so skilled finnish player, specially at that age. He challenges all the time and every situation where he takes part on offensive zone is dangerouse!

 

[mattihp]

But you cant overhype him easily.. I dont know ANY so skilled finnish player, specially at that age. He challenges all the time and every situation where he takes part on offensive zone is dangerouse!

Not only does he do it beautifully, move with real grace and show real will to sacrifice his body... He doesn't back down and does NOT make mistakes!

 

[thomast]

But you cant overhype him easily.. I dont know ANY so skilled finnish player, specially at that age. He challenges all the time and every situation where he takes part on offensive zone is dangerouse!

I agree he's not that far away from Koivu. He might be even better offensively atm. Best foward so far for team finland. Välivaara is best player of the game so far Granlund is close.

I remember people wrote that Granlund is an perimeter player before draft... Hes opposite of that lol.

 

[Like Wall]

Cibulskis has to treat the Finns with one of his specials.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

Not to hype the kid even more, but it's a joy watch Granlund play.

Is Granlund supposed to be this good already?

But you cant overhype him easily.. I dont know ANY so skilled finnish player, specially at that age. He challenges all the time and every situation where he takes part on offensive zone is dangerouse!

Definetely the best player for Finland so far, he makes Koivu look average. Minnesota, you got a new #1 center..

 

[Peter K]

The next one will be crucial. It's either a tied game and possibly tense and good hockey, or a comfortable 2:0 for the Finns and a boring match till the end.

As for Latvia, one word: speed.
Haven't got any.

 

[QnebO]

Not only does he do it beautifully, move with real grace and show real will to sacrifice his body... He doesn't back down and does NOT make mistakes!

And one more thing, he knows where he puts the puck before he gets it like great players do. When puck comes to him, he one times it with a hard pass tape to tape, it gave välivaara and immonen that time and space in that goal for example. He didint take it, hold second and give it after it, but he one timed it to the välivaara from the corner. That gave välivaara more space and he made a great play.

 

[Peter K]

I wonder where the typical passion and speed of the Finns is gone...

 

[ozo]

As for Latvia, one word: speed.
Haven't got any.

Hmm, it's probably our fastest roster in Elite division ever. No Lavins, Sorokins, Sprukts, Skrastins. Finns are simply thaaaaaaaaaaat fast.

 

[mattihp]

Beautiful by Latvians. Good save by Lassila.

 

[Like Wall]

OK, Vaslijevs is earning too many penalties.

 

[Tissotti]

Lassila saves our ass there
C'mon Salmela

 

[Lapa]

Puistola....

 

[superhakan]

Jesus christ, Ruutu..

Outta curiosity. What did Ruutu do?

 

[TexasTriumph]

Hope Latvia can get some more pressure.. Never liked Finland.. They still have a chance here.. It wont be that big of a lead for Finland in this one... Latvia can win if they play right.

 

[FinnswissX]

The Finns have to take care, Latvia is always dangerous, no easy game for them!

 

[mattihp]

Latvia can win if they play right.

I guess you're not watching the game.

 

[Lapa]

Outta curiosity. What did Ruutu do?

He high-sticked a guy in the face pretty badly. 2 min penalty only, though.

 

[mattihp]

Nice try by Pesonen and Kapanen

 

[Peter K]

There's no way Latvia'll win this one... No passion whatsoever.

 

[TexasTriumph]

I guess you're not watching the game.

They are dominating the game but its still 1-0 and are not putting it away... You let Lativa keep getting PP and chances.. Then this is hockey.. Finland needs to put them away and just aren't...

 

[mattihp]

There's no way Latvia'll win this one... No passion whatsoever.

I disagree on the passion part. They seem very ready to play the body and work hard.

What isn't working for them is that they have one play which they try to get to all the time. The soviet stretch pass.

 

[Latex*]

Wow nice save by Lassila there!

 

[mattihp]

The latvians have really noticed Granlund, he doesn't get half a second with the puck now.