GDT: Semi Final: Canada Vs Finland | 1PM EST 7PM CET | CAN 5 - 0 FIN

[Czechboy]

Canada has one undrafter player - Nico Dawes

 

[Czechboy]

US had Parker Ford

 

[Czechboy]

Canada has one undrafter player - Nico Dawes

View attachment 302027

Laf, Byfield, Drysdale are sure fire first rounders this year. Mercer might drop to 2nd round.

 

[Erikfromfin]

Best possible team Finland could have had 7-8 first rounders

 

[FinPanda]

Why is Kupari in brackets?

This is pretty much what I expected. I remember the Swiss coach last year pointing out that Canada has no 4th rounders and the highest taken Swiss was 4th round (or something to that affect).

I can't seem to find just a simple list showing if they've been drafted and where but, from this list, it appears 6 Finns weren't even drafted in their draft year. Not sure what rounds the other Finn's were taken in though. I'm guessing some 4th, 5th and 6th rounders on there? I doubt Canada/US has one player that was passed over in the draft in his draft elibible year? I'm not even sure if they have 4th rounders on their squads?



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Because Kupari is injured and not playing.

 

[Akustiikka]

Probably an evenly matched game, and the team with few puck bounces wins. I see no reason why the performance of the finns would drop from the USA game.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

There are several reasons why team Canada has so many high draft picks. North-American players tend to get drafted easily as most of the scouts see them more often and know them better than their European counterparts.

Also many of the players are reasonably drafted as they more likely have the potential to become NHL players while many Finns for example may not have that potential to become regular NHL players in 3-4 years but right now are good enough to play on the same level.

In addition draft status is not the perfect way to say who is better than the other one as many prospects peak later than others.

Having said this I do agree Canada has more talented team on paper, no argument.

 

[member 305909]

We are told that every year this tournament is one that Canadians actually care about and it is noted in the Canadian media unlike the men's worlds which nobody cares about in Canada and the players treat as a holiday in Europe.

 

[covfefe]

Good luck to both teams, should be an awesome game. I have a ton of respect for the way Finland battles and continues to churn out highly skilled players despite the population gulf between them and other top hockey nations. That Sisu is no joke and hope our guys don't take them lightly.

 

[Czechboy]

There are several reasons why team Canada has so many high draft picks. North-American players tend to get drafted easily as most of the scouts see them more often and know them better than their European counterparts.

Also many of the players are reasonably drafted as they more likely have the potential to become NHL players while many Finns for example may not have that potential to become regular NHL players in 3-4 years but right now are good enough to play on the same level.

In addition draft status is not the perfect way to say who is better than the other one as many prospects peak later than others.

Having said this I do agree Canada has more talented team on paper, no argument.

I hear you. I was just curious about my own argument. I wasn't surprised with the result.

I will say though. It's not the 90s anymore. Scouts are picking up Euro's like crazy and drafting those leagues heavily. I doubt many first round Euro's get missed anymore. I do think there is still a Russian factor which is strange to me. I don't think any GM fears picking Finn's. I'm more than happy if my Oil want to pick a few.lol

Obviously a team game and best team wins (luck also plays a factor too in close games - one bad call, a goalie blunder, an own goal, a crossbar up vs crossbar down).

 

[snipes]

We are told that every year this tournament is one that Canadians actually care about and it is noted in the Canadian media unlike the men's worlds which nobody cares about in Canada and the players treat as a holiday in Europe.

The spring IIHF WHC routinely gets more viewership numbers than the Stanley Cup Finals in recent years.

 

[trick9]

Why is Kupari in brackets?

This is pretty much what I expected. I remember the Swiss coach last year pointing out that Canada has no 4th rounders and the highest taken Swiss was 4th round (or something to that affect).

I can't seem to find just a simple list showing if they've been drafted and where but, from this list, it appears 6 Finns weren't even drafted in their draft year. Not sure what rounds the other Finn's were taken in though. I'm guessing some 4th, 5th and 6th rounders on there? I doubt Canada/US has one player that was passed over in the draft in his draft elibible year? I'm not even sure if they have 4th rounders on their squads?



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Finland is never going to have better team on paper in terms of drafted players.

They are still 3-0 in their last 3 elimination games against Canada though.

 

[JackSlater]

We are told that every year this tournament is one that Canadians actually care about and it is noted in the Canadian media unlike the men's worlds which nobody cares about in Canada and the players treat as a holiday in Europe.

There is no question that the Canadian players at the WJC care very much. I imagine that all of the players do. They also know that WJC failure, unlike world championship failure, has the potential to get them ripped at home.

 

[Ginger Papa]

I just hope the refs make normal calls. There have been some head scratchers.

 

[al secord]

It doesn't matter who wins, so long as everyone has fun.

 

[behemolari]

Canada is getting Halak'd big time. Annunen with a performance of the tournament and Finns with the win 3-1.

Finland really should't play Annunen against Canada, unlike USA they have scouted him. It was apparent at the exhibition game before the tournament.

 

[Brun0]

Impossible to predict, could go either way.

 

[buud]

Easy win Canada

Piss off! Finland is going to crush us!

Seriously, should be a great game. Deep admiration to the Finns for their hockey prowess, given their smaller... ummm... you know.... smaller... sheesh, don't make me say it... all right then...

populous.

 

[Mehar]

I thought the USA had the better team on paper, and they got shut out against Finland. In one game showdowns like this,
paper does not mean a thing. It will be a very even contest. May the best team win- which i hope is Canada.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Tournament history between Finland and Canada in U20 WJC elimination games is Finland's side.
In 6 yrs ( 2014-2020) time this is 4th time when Finland and Canada
faces each-others in U20 WJC elimination games and as we know Canada is down 3-0.
But that won't matter tomorrow.

This will be very close and tie game and overtime and shootout contest wouldn't be surprise.
That teams who wants it more goes to gold medal game.

No final score predictions from me.
Finland has exceeded all expectations already so everything what we achieve now is only a plus.

 

[Brun0]

yeah, finland has won the last 3 elimination games vs canada. 2014, 2016, 2019

 

[AllIDoIsLie]

Finland in 1.

Edit: Oh right, score? Tight game. 2-1 Finland. Additional prediction? Canade will walk out with their pride intact unlike some other teams we have seen.

 

[DaJackal]

I don't believe in us winning this. But on the other hand, I didn't believe they would win USA either, so when the puck drops, everything is open.

The team has already exceeded my expectations, so I'm just hoping for them to play well. If we win, that's great, but I can live with a honorable loss if it is deserved.

I still reserve myself the right to be salty if it ends up being a close game that gets decided by questionable officiating, though.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I think Annunen best game > Canadian goalies best game

Räty brothers with Ranta have all the game braking talent / speed to win you games.
The real Thomson is still MIA, he has tons room to improve, same goes for Heinola, still waiting both to wake up
Maccelli,Puistola,Tanus are our big guns who need to shine again like vs USA.
​

 

[DeeQ]

I know we have the history of rivalries with Sweden and Russia, but in recent years I've been most excited when we play against Canada! It's just good hockey.