WC QROUND: May 9 GDT - Finland vs. Latvia

[Everest]

Another "Irbism"...over 100 minutes without allowing a goal in this tourney.

 

[Leke]

And who would take the faceoff?

Good question.

Well, maybe he serves some purpose then

 

[Everest]

Finns trying to strike off hte wing...another Finn PP coming up

 

[RorschachWJK]

Finns trying to strike off hte wing...another Finn PP coming up

How has Latvia been? Lots of skating and effort?

 

[Everest]

Penalty killed...Finns not adapt at rebounds/traffic on the PP...Skrastins has more saves than Artus!!

 

[SergeiK]

Show me Tomi Kallio and I`ll show what`s wrong with Finnish hockey today.

Lots and lots of effort, lots of footwork and absolutely no results.

 

[Everest]

How has Latvia been? Lots of skating and effort?

Latvia is not pushing for goals yet...they have killed off several penalties and been playing "gutsy" on defence...I think they Latvia is content to wait until late in the game before they really press for scoring.

 

[Everest]

Shots 15-8 in favor of Suomi...Artus looking very confident and zoned in.

 

[RorschachWJK]

Latvia is not pushing for goals yet...they have killed off several penalties and been playing "gutsy" on defence...I think they Latvia is content to wait until late in the game before they really press for scoring.

Maybe they are hoping for the Finns to start showing signs of fatigue.

 

[Everest]

Latvia is handling the Finnish forwards and showing smart support on defence. Lots of trapping/shoot ins and game is past half way point still no score.

 

[Leke]

Second good scoring opportunity missed by Eloranta. Wake up man!

 

[Everest]

A rare Latvian giveaway...but Irbe stands tall.( )

 

[Padawan]

Irbe is phenomenal. Unfortunately.

 

[RorschachWJK]

Sounds like Irbe is carrying the team. No surprise there.

 

[FINNtastic]

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.

The right place for Peltonen would be on the bench. Right now he has nothing to offer. Third line was much more dangerous when Rita was playing. Rita at least brings some hustle to the ice. I'm just glad Westerlund had enough balls to take away Peltonen's "season-ticket" to the first line.

 

[Everest]

Pace is slow...Finns not bearing down on a few chances...
Kallio takes Ignatchiev out in Latvian crease and Latvian powerplayis on.

 

[Everest]

Latvians still not pressing! Maybe playing for the tie??

 

[RorschachWJK]

Latvians still not pressing! Maybe playing for the tie??

I hope so!

 

[Everest]

Pantalejev gets the best chance of the game for Latvia..from 15 feet,on a one timer...Backstrom stops it.

 

[Everest]

end of 2 periods...Latvia is helping out Artus nicely..blocking shots...But Finland is not powerful offensively...they can't seem to get any shots through/on net...many misses!
Artus looks so calm you can tell he has played alot of hockey

 

[Shack]

Really frustrating. Only our 2nd line can create something. Other lines just wait for lucky bounces.

Finland doesn't even deserve to continue in this tournament. Hopefully Latvia will show us how to score.

 

[Shack]

Irbe is phenomenal. Unfortunately.

Irbe is only standing there. He doesn't have to move, coz our players are shooting at him.

 

[SergeiK]

Team Finland has no offense in this game. Where is Olli Jokinen? The whole first unit is so out of touch.

 

[Everest]

Finland seems to be playing for the tie just as much as Latvia! BAD IDEA...Latvia is one shot from stealing this game! Artus over 120 mintues of "ShutOut" hockey now...
Pantalejev is the only Latvian shooter today...

 

[Shack]

The right place for Peltonen would be on the bench. Right now he has nothing to offer. Third line was much more dangerous when Rita was playing. Rita at least brings some hustle to the ice. I'm just glad Westerlund had enough balls to take away Peltonen's "season-ticket" to the first line.

I must agree with you after 2 period. Peltonen is useless now.

Our 2nd line was easy for Erkka to pick, but for godsake, why didn't he get Lehtinen and Koivu so he might have find two decent lines. Well at least it worked once.

Now we have only one good line. And our best line is only at the same level as Sweden or Canada has their second best line.