WJC: SemiFinal Predictions

[majormajor]

It's absolutely crazy that they have Sweden above Czechia. Like, what are they basing that on?

It doesn't look crazy to me at all.

Sweden literally just beat the Czechs last week. They almost always do.

They have the much deeper roster. They have a lot of disappointing players but the flip side of that is that they have a lot of players who might take a big step up at any time.

 

[ORRFForever]

Czechia is the favourite for tomorrows game at sharp sportsbooks fwiw

Can you post the odds?

 

[prongertheman9]

Can you post the odds?

Sweden has just taken money lol and become slight favs. Czechia was -135 earlier and I suspect they will close as the favourite.

 

[ORRFForever]

View attachment 630172
Sweden has just taken money lol and become slight favs. Czechia was -135 earlier and I suspect they will close as the favourite.

Thanks!

 

[Brunkmeister]

Czechia have not beaten Sweden in 20 years and still people talk about Sweden like they are Austria in this matchup lol. That will suit us perfectly.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Czechia have not beaten Sweden in 20 years and still people talk about Sweden like they are Austria in this matchup lol. That will suit us perfectly.

Want to point out who is talking about you like your Austria?

 

[SwedishFire]

Sweden really likes to be underdogs, its where they come together and fight. That game will be closer than many think.

Team Canada seems to have just som few players. Canada seems to think they are superior to the rest of the world, but the hockey woeld is bigger than that. Even Slovakia is a good team with their own great talents.

Canada could win against USA, but then they need to play good defence as well.

 

[Brunkmeister]

Want to point out who is talking about you like your Austria?

Reading between the lines the majority of the posters in this thread so far seems to expect a blowout for Czechia. That is kind of the same thing.

 

[vippe]

Czechia has played better this tournament and has a good chance at advancing to the finals, and it would be well deserved if they did.

As for Sweden, they usually has Czechias numbers on this level and beat them earlier in this tournament. Also, despite not playing all too well in the tournament they are in the top 4 which is a sign of strength - they can play a lot better than they have. and have lots of player who can and should step it up a notch.

Lekkerimäki, Lysell, Östlund all could be a lot better than they have.

Could be a very close and tight game

 

[JMCx4]

Some light reading from Chris Peters @ FloHockey.TV, in the run-up to the CAN v USA semis match ...

• 2023 World Juniors: Canada Set To Meet United States In Semifinal

• 2023 World Juniors: USA-Canada Semifinal Preview - Five Factors To Watch

 

[Joe Zanussi]

I don't know where people are getting the idea that Canada's team is not deep or talented. I guess they're the same people who don't know that Slovakia beat the U.S. handily - which is no easy task.

Slovakia is a good team who forechecked Canada into the ice and almost won. If people don't think Canada can bounce back and have a great game in the semis, then they don't know hockey.

Canada is the most talented team and winning 2 more games is more than possible.

****

These are the odds to win the World Juniors - as per Oddshark.
It's hard to read but the current odds are in the center column.
In other words, the odds makers think Canada is going to win.
If you know otherwise, put some money down.

Odds To Win The 2023 World Juniors

Team	Current Odds	Opening Odds
Canada	-150	-110
USA	+290	+350
Sweden	+550	+650
Czechia	+700	+1600

This. I will root hard forUS but….

 

[mccabe2424]

Would the gold medal game be on Friday?

 

[Czechboy]

Reading between the lines the majority of the posters in this thread so far seems to expect a blowout for Czechia. That is kind of the same thing.

I couldn't agree more. Sweden has a 20 year sample of beating us and they did it last week! We are on a very small run that is aesthetically pleasing. This particular team is likeable it seems BUT

Sweden goalie is better (and I love Suchanek)
Sweden forwards are better
Czech D is better here (I've never typed this before).
ALL the history is Sweden.. 20 years is no fluke and they just beat Finland!

 

[Czechboy]

Would the gold medal game be on Friday?

Thursday

 

[Czechboy]

The only advantage the czechs have is that it is hard to beat a team twice in the same tournament. That's it.. voodoo is our only edge.lol

 

[Czechboy]

On HF... US is comfortably flying under the radar. I can't make a prediction.. I think the game will be sensational tonight. Just not sure if I'll be watching with drunken happy tears or drunken crying ones.lol.

My only Canada concern is that they don't seem to like a heavy forechexk and despite a very deep team they defer to Bedard. If US can contain him, they have a great shot.

I say that as an oil fan where our forwards routinely get in a give it to McDrai gear and it backfires over and over despite McDrai being elite.

I say two 4-3 games incoming.

 

[hockey20000]

sweden and usa win

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Canada got no chance vs USA

I’ll take the Czechia over sweeden

How so ? better team on paper and yes the Slovakia game was close but we were still the better team just very unlucky and you guys lost to them

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

How so ? better team on paper and yes the Slovakia game was close but we were still the better team just very unlucky and you guys lost to them

not deep like America, suspect defense and goalie. USA gunna put too much pressure on em

 

[OskarOskarius]

Sweden 4 - 2 Czhech Rep
Canada 3 - 6 USA

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think either match-up is up for grabs. For the U.S. my keys are:

* The Bedard line (or specifically Bedard himself) is going to have to be contained somehow. Two goals or less for that line would be a win IMO
* The defense is going to have to be disciplined. I don't want to rein them in too much as the transition game is a strength of this team but they can't go full pond hockey
* Augustine will need to stand tall in net. He's going to have some high danger shots against

I will say this: The top U.S. line is very good with a ton of talent. Cooley isn't Bedard but he's top tier and his linemates support him well. I think they will be a handful especially with their d weaving in.

 

[SantosHalper]

Czechia! Czechia! Czechia! The Kari Jalonen-effect in full mode. Men won bronze, U20 & U18 teams lost the bronze medal game and women's team also won bronze. Now Czechia is going for a gold, U20 team starts the trend and time will tell does the other teams follow.

"Im not saying that the credit goes to Finland.............. But the credit goes to Finland"

 

[ORRFForever]

Would the gold medal game be on Friday?

Tomorrow.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

not deep like America, suspect defense and goalie. USA gunna put too much pressure on em

Ill give you goalies but Canada has a much better forward group and better def

 

[ORRFForever]

Ill give you goalies but Canada has a much better forward group and better defense

I agree.

It's moot. We'll all know the truth in about 8 hours.