WC: May 2 GDT - Slovakia vs. Russia

[Preds666]

Match: Slovakia vs. Russia

Official Website: http://www.ihwc.net/english/
Online Statistics & Rosters: http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournamen...ontent/web_output/index.jsp@compId=1000000009

Click to read more...

 

[VanIslander]

In the first game Slovakia had several individualistic surges toward the net get turned aside (Zednik, Palffy) and a passing line florish (Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa). The team showed some cohesiveness in the third period.

In their first game Russia had many ineffective puck-hogging surges (Yashin, Kovalchuk, Afinogenov, Ovechkin) and some moments of good passing and team play (Malkin, Kovalev, Datsyuk). The players never quite put it together and even the powerplay didn't show a unified formation of passing to and fro the point.

Litmus test time: Which group of players will put it together and gel as a team?

It'll be the game of the day, IMO.

Prediction: 3-3

 

[stv11]

After their poor game against Austria, the best that could happen to Russia is to get their *** kicked before it's too late. I expect Slovakia to put a less impressive defensive effort than Austria, but they'll be much more effective on offense.

4-2 Slovakia

 

[wilka91*]

Go Russia but you better lose cuz I won't be able to watch the 1A - 1D game on Saturday because I'm going to a party! So I'd rather we finished 2nd!

 

[TORRUS]

Go Russia but you better lose cuz I won't be able to watch the 1A - 1D game on Saturday because I'm going to a party! So I'd rather we finished 2nd!

Who cares about your party?! I have a ticket for that game and they better win today!!! Go Russia, GO!

 

[e-e]

i'll go 4:3 slovakia
shots: 31:25 russia

 

[TORRUS]

I just hope the special teams will be up to the task. That's the key for this game!
And offcourse, no more stupidities by Sokolov like against Austria

Prediction: 4-2, Slovakia

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

I won't be surprised if Slovakia wins this one today.

 

[wilka91*]

Who cares about your party?! I have a ticket for that game and they better win today!!! Go Russia, GO!

I do! There's one girl at the party, I've been in love with her for like 8 years, and I'm gonna see her for the first time in 4 years! I can't wait!

 

[wilka91*]

Anyway, I think it's obvious that the Russians are better that the Slovaks, but is this Russian team capable of beating Slovakia today?

 

[VanIslander]

Anyway, I think it's obvious that the Russians are better that the Slovaks,...

Maybe it's clear to Russians.

But there's no equivalent to a Zdeno Chara on the blueline, no line as cohesive as Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa, though there are more Palffy-type rockets on the Russian team.

...but is this Russian team capable of beating Slovakia today?

That's the question. Either team could win the tourney or just as likely go home before the medal round.

It all depends if they can pass, battle along the boards, set up down low, move pucks to and from the point, get screens and rebounds, in effect... all the things the puck hogs didn't do in the first game (I'm talking about Kovalchuk, Zednik, Afinogenov, Palffy, Yashin).

I'm really looking forward to this game as a neutral Canadian only interested in seeing good hockey, team play and many, many talented NHLers giving it their all during the drought which is the lockout.

Game on. (soon)

 

[TORRUS]

I do! There's one girl at the party, I've been in love with her for like 8 years, and I'm gonna see her for the first time in 4 years! I can't wait!

Good luck!

 

[TORRUS]

Maybe it's clear to Russians.

But there's no equivalent to a Zdeno Chara on the blueline, no line as cohesive as Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa, though there are more Palffy-type rockets on the Russian team.


That's the question. Either team could win the tourney or just as likely go home before the medal round.

It all depends if they can pass, battle along the boards, set up down low, move pucks to and from the point, get screens and rebounds, in effect... all the things the puck hogs didn't do in the first game (I'm talking about Kovalchuk, Zednik, Afinogenov, Palffy, Yashin).

I'm really looking forward to this game as a neutral Canadian only interested in seeing good hockey, team play and many, many talented NHLers giving it their all during the drought which is the lockout.

Game on. (soon)

I tought the Canadians are not showing the game. Are they?

 

[VanIslander]

I tought the Canadians are not showing the game. Are they?

Not in Canada, no.

I'm a Canadian teaching English in South Korea. Thanks mediazone !

 

[wilka91*]

Good luck!

Thanks! I'll need some!

Go RUSSIA!

 

[wilka91*]

oh my god, kovalchuk and fedorov switched lines!

 

[Kaizer]

Kovalchuk with Yashin and Kozlov. Fedorov with Nepryaev and Antipov - looks like checking line.

Wow!!! What a save by Sokolov. El Magnifico

 

[Peter25]

How bad is Semin´s injury?

 

[Kaizer]

Afingenov went 1-on-1 after Ovechkin pass. Visnovsky handled Afinogenov. Good game so far.

 

[wassup77]

another big save by Sokolov. Russia will need him to play good in this tournament.

 

[Peter25]

My prediction:

Slovakia - Russia 6-1.

Russian defense will falter and Sokolov will let in a couple of softies.

 

[Kaizer]

Good attack by Russia. Viktor Kozlov looks very good. Lasak saved.

 

[Kaizer]

Now, It's our turn to attack.

Penalty. Ovechkin for holding.

 

[Kaizer]

Kalinin is turnover machine

 

[Kaizer]

Lasak with back to back saves on Afinogenov. Still 0-0