GDT: U18s - CAN/USA @ 7:30AM, RUS/SWE @ 11:30 AM

[Zaddy]

Lol what? Analysts on Twitter said he had a great game..

Admittedly I didn't watch the whole 60 minutes but I saw probably 30-40 minutes of the game and he was not particularly impressive. I think it was also pretty telling that despite Russia trailing for most of the game Podkolzin didn't get much ice time. You'd think if he was seen as the big offensive weapon of the russians that the coach would put his line out there a lot more often than he did. And from what I did see in those 30-40 minutes was that Podkolzin was definitely not the best russian player on the ice so it absolutely seemed warranted.

So I don't really know what those analysts on twitter saw. Maybe they saw a flashy sequence like this below that was very noticeable, but something I didn't really like seeing even if he succeeded this time.



You do that in the NHL and turn the puck over (which he very nearly did) and your coach will bench you.

EDIT: Lol, I didn't even realize but in the Holmström gif I posted it is Podkolzin who has the turnover with a blind backhand pass from the boards and into the middle of the ice in his own zone that Holmström capitalizes on. "Had a great game"

 

[dustrock]

So far every time Russia plays I see a bunch of comments about how Podkolzin was the best player on the ice, blah blah blah, but man the US and Canadian kids sure have a lot of highlights showing that. Why isn't he threatening Kucherov or Ovechkin like numbers if he's simply that dominant?

I get the US has a rather stacked team and it's difficult to see who's zooming who but at least there is a sense of elite skill there.

All this talk and yet the actual scoring rates aren't there. I am certainly no scout but I don't get it. Hard pass. I see another Magnus Pajaarvi-Svensson potential.

 

[gordonhught]

I must say I really am starting to fall in love with Zegras' game. He's making me second guess Caufield as my favourite pick at 8. He just does so many amazing things out there.

I knew you would come around.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Quarterfinals tomorrow.

 

[5 14 6 1]

I'm so excited about this draft

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

I'm so excited about this draft

Same!

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Wow, US draw a tough matchup in the quarters despite going undefeated. Tommorrow:

7:30 AM: USA vs FIN, RUS vs BLR
11:30 AM: CAN vs LAT, SWE vs CZE

I'll provide with updates as usual. PM me if you want a stream!

All U18 prospects in our range will play tomorrow. Keep an eye out!

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Wow, US draw a tough matchup in the quarters despite going undefeated. Tommorrow:

7:30 AM: USA vs FIN, RUS vs BLR
11:30 AM: CAN vs LAT, SWE vs CZE

I'll provide with updates as usual. PM me if you want a stream!

All U18 prospects in our range will play tomorrow. Keep an eye out!

Are all the games televised on TSN?

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Are all the games televised on TSN?

I don’t think SWE vs CZE is, but the rest are.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Beniers breaks the ice, 1-0 USA.

 

[smokersarejokers]

Podklozin just made a pretty dumb play on the PP that led to a short handed breakaway for Belarus.

 

[Llamamoto]

Podklozin just made a pretty dumb play on the PP that led to a short handed breakaway for Belarus.

I'm watching the US - Finland game right now. Did he try to take on too any guys himself?

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Podklozin just made a pretty dumb play on the PP that led to a short handed breakaway for Belarus.

Thanks, could you continue to give updates on Podkolzin? I'm watching the other game.

 

[Llamamoto]

Zegras is partly playing the pest role on the Hughes line. He isn't afraid to go in front of the net and give a guy a full on cross-check, and I saw him give a few jabs behind the net.

I like.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Hughes scores, really nice feed by Zegras.

 

[Llamamoto]

US scores. Hughes, great pass from Zegras. He's so strong on his skates. Knocked a guy over in the process.

 

[CupofOil]

Man, Zegras is really good. I just wish that he'd shoot a little more but that playmaking is on point and pretty strong on his skates as well, he fended off a Finnish defender like an annoying fly.

 

[Llamamoto]

Man, Zegras is really good. I just wish that he'd shoot a little more but that playmaking is on point and pretty strong on his skates as well, he fended off a Finnish defender like an annoying fly.

Reminded me of when Drai knocked over Sam Girard in OT the one time.

 

[CupofOil]

It's hard to distinguish Hughes from Zegras at times, it's like the Sedins out there. (Not saying that Zegras is as good obviously)

 

[Llamamoto]

Some really nice plays by Hughes, Zegras, Caufield, and Turcotte there.

Also, Turcotte is insane on the dot and Knight is probably the best goalie I've ever seen at playing the puck. Saves a ton of time on the pp.

 

[Stud Muffin]

Podkolzin with an Assist on Russia’s opening goal.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Podkolzin with an Assist on Russia’s opening goal.

Not watching, what was the assist like?

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Hughes on a breakaway, 3-0.

 

[GMofOilers]

Hughes is so good. His skating is like McDavid's. it sets him apart from his peers.

 

[Stud Muffin]

Not watching, what was the assist like?

Really nice, he rushed in stopped and drew the defenders to him and put it on the tape for Nikolayev