GDT: Quarterfinal • Feb. 19 • Finland vs. Russia • Part III (Mod Warning Post #2)
- Thread starter Frederick Stanley
- Start date
connor macdavid
Press Box Rat
Russia was overrated in this tournament, and the Finns have been, for whatever reason, written off by North American media.
Also remember they were the only 20 or so players chosen not only from all of Russia, but all of their little satellite states as well. Then they did nothing but get drilled by Tikinov for 360 or so days a year. That team was great, but can't be compared to anyone they played against. No team anywhere in the world was then or ever again will be that controlled, driven, and robotized. Never again.
Incorrect!
Sweden vs. Finland early game (7:30 a.m.EST)
Canada vs. USA late game (12:00 p.m. EST)
LeMAD
Registered User
Injuries.
On paper, considering all these injuries, they are a pretty weak team.
LeMAD
Registered User
Anyone know where I can rewatch the whole game
Any official broadcaster has it on its website.
Could this be because the best NHL Finnish players were all selected, many of whom were injured and couldn't play, and were then replaced by the best Finland had from wherever else they were playing (KHL/FEL)?
No. They left out Bergenheim,Joensuu,Leino,Ristolainen,Haula before the injuries(M.Koivu,Filppula,S.Koivu,Barkov). Our European guys are just better than some of our NHL players.
It's funny that a lot of people are pinning this on Varly. The first goal was stoppable, but other than that, none of this is his fault. If Bob started, Russia still loses this game. The Russian defense was HORRIBLE. What? If Bob started, it's a 1-0 Russia victory? The Finns had it together, Russia didn't.
iDangleDangle
We Like Our Team
YES!!!
This team bares a striking resemblance to the WJC Champions this year. Soldiering on with an already lesser roster decimated by injuries. If we medal - not to speak of going to the finald - I think it's safe to say Westerlund is the greatest Finnish NT coach of all time.
Imagine if we had Valle, Barkov and Koivu(s). Barkov's injury still stings. Immonen has done an admirable job, but he is still a mere plug. With Barkov the 1st line had the potention of being our most lethal Olympic line ever. The chemistry was evident instantly. And our face-off/puck possession numbers would be far better with Sasha still on board. We'll, I still have faith that this team has the potential to go all the way
And how about Vatanen and Määttä - already our leading d-men. Vatanen is the biggest generator of our offense alongside MiG while being surprisingly solid and gritty in the defensive zone. And Määttä plays such an insanely mature and mistake free hockey. Marvelous to watch.
I guess it has to do with Datsyuk being so humble and the best 2-way forward in the game. When Sid, Geno and Ovy don't show up in the score sheet they are failing at their jobs. When Datsyuk has quieter showing on that department he is still shutting down opposition's best playres and providing insane puck possession, takeaways and highlight reel plays and dangles. Not saying he shouldn't be accountable for the failures of his teams, but he has pretty much always been the best part of those "failures", just like in these Olympics. And he WAS still injrued, it's apparent when looking at his skating. Looked much worse during the last games he played with Wings before the Olympic break. Your bias/hate is laughable.
P.S: I too join the choir and admit I feels sad for the Russians. Representing your county in the Olympics on your home soil is once in a life time experience, and they got nothing to take home from it...
This team bares a striking resemblance to the WJC Champions this year. Soldiering on with an already lesser roster decimated by injuries. If we medal - not to speak of going to the finald - I think it's safe to say Westerlund is the greatest Finnish NT coach of all time.
Imagine if we had Valle, Barkov and Koivu(s). Barkov's injury still stings. Immonen has done an admirable job, but he is still a mere plug. With Barkov the 1st line had the potention of being our most lethal Olympic line ever. The chemistry was evident instantly. And our face-off/puck possession numbers would be far better with Sasha still on board. We'll, I still have faith that this team has the potential to go all the way
And how about Vatanen and Määttä - already our leading d-men. Vatanen is the biggest generator of our offense alongside MiG while being surprisingly solid and gritty in the defensive zone. And Määttä plays such an insanely mature and mistake free hockey. Marvelous to watch.
I guess it has to do with Datsyuk being so humble and the best 2-way forward in the game. When Sid, Geno and Ovy don't show up in the score sheet they are failing at their jobs. When Datsyuk has quieter showing on that department he is still shutting down opposition's best playres and providing insane puck possession, takeaways and highlight reel plays and dangles. Not saying he shouldn't be accountable for the failures of his teams, but he has pretty much always been the best part of those "failures", just like in these Olympics. And he WAS still injrued, it's apparent when looking at his skating. Looked much worse during the last games he played with Wings before the Olympic break. Your bias/hate is laughable.
P.S: I too join the choir and admit I feels sad for the Russians. Representing your county in the Olympics on your home soil is once in a life time experience, and they got nothing to take home from it...
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I didn't expect this but looking at Russia even from the beginning is that their defense and goaltending is very weak. They have a good first 5-6 players but after Ovie, Malkin, Kovalchuck, Datsyuk, Semin and Radulov they are weak. Most of their forwards aren't defensively good either.
AimForTopCheddar
trust the yzerplan
Sorry, but anyone saying this isn't an upset is fooling themselves. Major props to Finland for being so united today, and for a long time. You can tell they all buy into the system. That being said, Finland is missing Barkov..Koivu...Filppula, that is their 3 best players. If it was only Koivu then fine but like I said, that is their 3 best players; Finland had no business winning today.
Finland has become one of my favourite teams to watch internationally (except the WJCs cause they knocked Canada out), their program is truly flourishing.
SWE-FIN AND CAN-USA! I can't wait, two of the best rivalries in Hockey.
Finland has become one of my favourite teams to watch internationally (except the WJCs cause they knocked Canada out), their program is truly flourishing.
SWE-FIN AND CAN-USA! I can't wait, two of the best rivalries in Hockey.
ijk
Registered User
AimForTopCheddar
trust the yzerplan
100% agree with you. Finland is always written off for some reason. I had question marks about Russia going in, but still thought they would medal. Bobrovsky should have been starting. I do not know what the Russian coaches were thinking with some of their lines. I live close to an area of Toronto with a large Russian population, and watching the game there, there are a lot of angry people at the coach especially. Still sucks for Russia. I feel for the Russian fans. If any of them beautiful Russian Women need a shoulder to cry on, i am available (LOL). If Canada had lost, i would needed a shoulder too. The beautiful thing about this is that it is an one game showdown. Anything can happen in one game. Congrats to Finland and the Finnish fans!
Without their 3 best players in the Olympics?......
It doesn't matter if you play in the NHL/KHL/Liiga/SHL. When you put on the finnish jersey you will play harder and better than ever before, especially if you aren't a top player.
Evil Doctor
Cryin' Hank crying
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