WC QROUND: May 9 GDT - Finland vs. Latvia

[Shack]

Match: Finland vs. Latvia
Official Website: http://www.ihwc.net/english/
Online Statistics & Rosters: http://iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments....


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My prediction is Finland 4 - 2 Latvia

Click to read more...

 

[Dominus]

Well, this is a must win for Finland. Two good fights against USA and Canada were not enough to secure the spot in the quarter-finals. On the other hand it's good that we don't have to play meaningless games at this point of the tournament.

All the pressure is on us though. Finland is a heavy favourite and Latvia has nothing to lose. The longer they keep the score even, the better their chances are. Then all you need is a one good chance or lucky bounce and... Actually I'm not afraid of this game at all. It wouldn't be the end of the world if we lost, because in ice-hockey I'm very sympathetic toward Latvija, and I can only imagine what a great party they would have down there in Riga if they dropped us from the quarters...

Ok, I still hope Finland wins this. It may not be pretty, but we will win. Suomi 3, 4 - Latvija 1, 2. Jarkko Ruutu scores two "will-goals" in the third period and shuts up the nay-sayers.

 

[Cono]

My prediction is 3-0 for Finland.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

Finland hasnt lost to a weak nation in the world champs since aeons ago. 4-1 finland, maybe 4-2. Cant see the boys scoring more, and cant see our goaltenders pull a shutout.

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

3 - 2 Finland

 

[Cono]

Finland hasnt lost to a weak nation in the world champs since aeons ago.

I can´t see Latvija as a weak nation anymore. I think it´s a pretty good team nowadays.

 

[VanIslander]

2-0 Finland

They will sit on a one goal lead and it'll be enough, perhaps with a second one late.

 

[Leke]

Hi folks! New face here.

We really should not underestimate Latvia!
And look at what happened to Canada when they had a tough game against swedes before facing us!

Pikku-Hakki (Hagman) is on fire now! Im sure he will keep his game going. Maybe not as well as against Canada but Im sure he will play a good game today.

Let's just hope that coaching doesn't start acting stupid and bench Bäckström. He is a solid goalie and one who has some games under his belt.

I would say.. 3-1 for Finland.

 

[Bubba64]

FIN - LAT 3:2 Jokinen,Timonen,Hagman - Skrastins,Sprukts

 

[Streaker-man]

5-2 for Finland. As said earlier I believe that this will be a solid game for Finland but Latvia is too good to go with a shutout.

 

[Jokerit Wasp]

Fin 4-2 Lat

Is Backstrom continuing in goal?? if they wonna try Nurminen, tonights the last chance IMO.

 

[RorschachWJK]

I'm hoping for a 3-3 tie. These are my two favourite teams after all

 

[Pepper]

Can't see Finland scoring more than 3 so I'll go with 3-1

 

[Make]

Suomi tänään

Hagman - O.Jokinen - Kallio

Pärssinen - Kapanen - Hentunen

Peltonen - Viuhkola - J.Jokinen

Ruutu - Pakaslahti - Eloranta
Rita

Bäckström

Peltonen is back, D-pairings are still uncertain, Nummelin and Timonen possibly out.

I like our third line, it can even make something happen out there.Looks like Westerlund tries to make more depth to that lineup.

 

[ThinMcWhistle]

re:

Suomi tänään

Hagman - O.Jokinen - Kallio

Pärssinen - Kapanen - Hentunen

Peltonen - Viuhkola - J.Jokinen

Ruutu - Pakaslahti - Eloranta
Rita

Bäckström

Peltonen is back, D-pairings are still uncertain, Nummelin and Timonen possibly out.

I like our third line, it can even make something happen out there.Looks like Westerlund tries to make more depth to that lineup.

I don't think Finland will have a problem with Latvia. Irbe is a solid goalie, so the score will be around 2,3,4 for Finland... AAHHH , I would say 3-1 Finland.

 

[Padawan]

Peltonen is back, D-pairings are still uncertain, Nummelin and Timonen possibly out.

I think Timonen's loss we can handle. He was already out of the game against Team Canada and Team Finland played well but Nummelin? He was one of the best d-men we had in that game. I hope he can play.

 

[wilka91*]

Go Finland! I think we Russians have no chance against the bitter Latvians, so please, kick their ass!

 

[Kaizer]

Well, Are my calculations right ? Russia will play against USA if Finland win with "+6" goal difference and will play against Finladn if Finland win with less than "+6". Am I right ? Please, correct.

 

[wilka91*]

i think you're right

 

[Shack]

Suomi tänään

Hagman - O.Jokinen - Kallio

Pärssinen - Kapanen - Hentunen

Peltonen - Viuhkola - J.Jokinen

Ruutu - Pakaslahti - Eloranta
Rita

Nice to see that our coaching staff is awake.
It would have been stupid if they had changed Hagman back to 3rd. Peltonen is now at the right place according to his performance in this tournament.

 

[Everest]

Finland has been the most physicasl team of the tourney...and it shows on the roster (depleted) if they can pull a win out today...I'd be impressed! Should be a close one.

 

[Cono]

Well, Are my calculations right ? Russia will play against USA if Finland win with "+6" goal difference and will play against Finladn if Finland win with less than "+6". Am I right ? Please, correct.

"+5" is enough for Finland to beat USA.

 

[miss hockey]

Nice to see that our coaching staff is awake.
It would have been stupid if they had changed Hagman back to 3rd. Peltonen is now at the right place according to his performance in this tournament.

Swop Kallio and Jussi Jokinen and we have our ideal lines.. oh and scratch eloranta

Hagman-jokinen-jokinen
hentunen-kapanen-pärssinen
peltonen-viuhkola-kallio
ruutu-pakaslahti- hahl/rita

 

[Dominus]

Russia will play against USA if Finland win with "+6" goal difference and will play against Finladn if Finland win with less than "+6". Am I right ? Please, correct.

I think it's way too early for these kind of speculations. For example, if we win Latvia and if Canada loses to Ukraine, then you'll have to play Canada...

But of course Russia vs. Finland seems to be the most probable quarter-final pair. In Finnish Jatkoaika-forums there already seems to be a thread called "Quarter-finals Russia - Finland". Actually it would be pretty funny to read that thread after Latvija kicked our butt.

 

[Everest]

HUGE GAME: If Latvia upsets Finland...Finland will NOT qualify for the quarters for the first time since the 1950's!