Riddarn said:
How the **** can you bench one of the few players able to keep the crease clean before an important game against the Finns?
.
well the reason is pretty clear. He (or Dahlén or whomever) felt that not letting a quality defenseman like Tärnström play a single game would not been fair. That is the only (stupid) explanation there can be (unless Ragnarsson had a minor injury, but I guess we would have known about that at this point).
I am 100% sure that the Swedish staff wouldn't have scratched Ragnarsson had this been the quarterfinal instead of a game in the group stage, and in a way that sort of gives out the attitude "this game is not that important".
Riddarn said:
Agreed. But why aren't they acting after their gameplan then. Seriously the only lines playing simple and smart are the grinders.
I actually think that Sundin's line is doing a pretty good job as well. Especially Alfie, who in the previous WC-tournament lost the puck several times.. now he is really dumping the puck.. and heck.. even trying to catch the dump himself
The main concern is the Forsberg line and a lot can be blamed on Foppa and Näslund. Zettergberg is an excellent "chaser" and Forsberg needs to get his act together, although obviously too much shouldn't be put on him since he is still recovering from his operation basically.
Riddarn said:
Why didn't Hardy just go with Johnsson - Ragnarsson? They know eachother well enough.
I wish we knew. But then again, too much shouldn't be put on the staff. It all comes down to the players not doing their job good enough. Johnsson hasn't been this shaky in his own end in previous international tournaments, he sure isn't this shaky with the Flyers.. so he sure as *bad word* shouldn't be it here.