In all fairness, Finland has mostly European based players save very few stars from overseas. Bastiansen was the SEL playoffs MVP for instance, a league where several Finns play in or equal(SM-liiga). Bastiansen, Tollefsen, Olimb and Holtet are better than quite a few players on the Finnish roster, or at the very least play like it in this short tournament which is what matters for the moment.
Finland's European players are throughout a notch above, but it's not a landslide since many of them play in the same league. Both nations play like teams, which is their main strength. But on top of that Finland has some gamebreaking players and the advantage in net. Still, it's just one game.
In all fairness there is not a single player that would fit in our team. But there is a few that migh on swe judging by their sel points, sel is simply just not that good of a league anymore.
Norway's captain Tollefsen told media they'll create HELL in Bratislava
In all fairness there is not a single player that would fit in our team. But there is a few that migh on swe judging by their sel points, sel is simply just not that good of a league anymore.
Yeah.. damn you jalonen. We had better players for them but no, ofcourse not. Well, pyörälä in first line (moved from 4th line) has started working, as hes a 2way forward, he gives Mikko Koivu more freedom to play offensive game without worrying about defence all the time.You do realize that Finland plays with Pyörälä and Jaakola right?
You do realize that Finland plays with Pyörälä and Jaakola right? What an ignorant reply to my serious and objective notes..
yes and that says a lot about elitserien too. they have done nothing to be on this team. but theyll most likely be the last sel players in a long time.
yes and that says a lot about elitserien too. they have done nothing to be on this team. but theyll most likely be the last sel players in a long time.
I see it they way sel players have skill, but they have adjusted in a playing style in sweden that wont fit our game plan or wont make a good mix with our top end forwards. Jaakola has been having problems for example to start offensive game fast, what would give room to top end forwards and make it hardred to trap that center-ice. Even Väänänen, not referred as "puckhandling skilled" (wtf) D-man starts offensives faster.
Imo our team overral style is more like fast paced tough hockey were we put the puck to the net, and some of players specially D's cant play that style good and thats the problem. If they could, we could change our style better uring the game like from puck control team who makes passes at its own end and traps the play to dump&forecheck north american style grinding
They will need to; while Finland's roster is nothing impressive, their spirit is.Norway's captain Tollefsen told media they'll create HELL in Bratislava
So Canada goes undefeated in the tournament, and gets to play Russia in the quarterfinals? Looks like another early exit.
Russia wins 5-2. With the firepower that the Russians have, there is no way that this game is even close at any time.
Gee, why did we get the Americans?
Anything can happen in one game. I think it will be tough for Germany, Norway or USA to advance, but they all have a shot if their goaltending can carry them. I have no idea what will happen in the Canada vs Russia game. I could see either team win it. Too bad that most of us will be at work when the game is on.
Czech Republic >>> USA
...Because their firepower even comes close to ours? Realistically this is Canada's tournament to lose. Despite our goaltending situation, and our average (for Canada) blueline, our forward lines are really good and there's no reason to believe any team, on paper, should beat us.
That's what paid sick days are for...