blitz.fenix

Ah, hockey to quench the hockey thirst. Canada is the favorite to win, just look at the roster. Best team on paper hands down, now it's gotta be up to the players to win it all.

What are your thoughts, opinions, predictions?

ledsam

I hope Canada wins. It's been seven years since we've won the tournament and we're due. The Canadian roster is jam-packed: Crosby, Bergeron, Getzlaf, Ladd, Phaneuf ... it's their strongest team in years. Good to see lots of WHL players on there as well. But with the NHL lockout, these guys have a lot of pressure on them as the whole country is watching them even closer then before.

Gold: Canada
Silver: United States
Bronze: Czech Republic

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"We are always in our own company."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche

blitz.fenix

Game is over and Canada won 7-2 over a Mediocre slovak team. The Bergeron - Crosby - Perry line had a combined 8 points. Good way to start off the tournament if you ask me.

Ace_O_Spades

wasnt it 7-3?

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Feh.

canuckguy

yes, crosby was just amazing to watch, that kid is gonna be special.

Hard8s

Damn, why won't they show Hockey on TV out here in California???

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If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face!

Serpent

the USA games are on ESPN, next game is today (monday) at 9 eastern. ESPN 2 that is

Ace_O_Spades

Canada plays Sweden today do they not?

I'm excited for that game.

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Feh.

ledsam

Sweden is usually a strong opponent and they beat Germany 6-0 yesterday. Granted, it was Germany, but it should still be good.

__________________
"We are always in our own company."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche

canuckguy

7-1 as i type this, damn..... :-)

ledsam

8-1 final. Canada outshot them something like 45-17. Sweden's not a powerhouse but they're no slouch either and it's amazing to watch Canada literally skate circles around them. There's just so much talent on that team. Better be careful not to jinx them ...

*knocks on wood*

__________________
"We are always in our own company."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Ace_O_Spades

what a beating.... Bring on the real teams

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Feh.

Hard8s

Whoo hoo, found it. 2-0 US right now! Thanks man, now I can get my hockey fix somewhere other than the local rink!

__________________
If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face!

blitz.fenix

Canada vs Russia will be an absolute blast to watch. Can't wait to see Phaneuf smash Ovechkin.

Serpent

USA is starting to blow out the swiss, they let the swiss score two quick goals and then have scored three un answered goals... swiss goalie needs to be changed me thinks. So does the USA goalie now.. its 3-5 usa.. 4 -5, think i jinxxed them but montoya has let in two goals he should of easily stopped.

4-6 usa now.. too many goals in the third

Hard8s

8-9 goals scored in the third....And people say there is not enough scoring in hockey, HA!
SOme good talent out there, too bad it wasn't in the nets too. Most of those shots were stoppable. Except that powerplay goal short side upstairs. Man what a shot.

__________________
If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face!

blitz.fenix

Montoya is one of the best goalies in the tournament IMO. Plus the rules are different than NHL so it opens up the game to much more scoring than in the NHL.

Serpent

Yeah, the first goals he let in i don't think he could of done anything to stop. But the next two, were two he should of stopped, one he just looked like he wasn't awake, and the second one again looked like he was slow getting his 5 hole shut..

also is there a rule that makes 17 yearolds wear full face shields? i noticed all the 17 yearolds were wearing them.

ledsam

Under international hockey rules, all players under 18 have to wear a full face mask.

__________________
"We are always in our own company."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche

blitz.fenix

Yes, did you see how the Swedish goalies stick came and hit Crosby right in the neck/chin area? If he wasn't wearing that shield... Besides Crosby is the next great one so he has to protect himself as best he can.

Ace_O_Spades

Through three games, Canada: 24 goals for, 4 Goals against

when will we see some real competition? Hopefully soon... watching blowout hockey isn't much fun

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Feh.

Serpent

i was hopeing canada and the USA would get to play before the finals but i guess i will have to wait.

blitz.fenix

Finlad is suposedly going to be Canada's best competition so far. But I bet Canada will just steamroll them anyway. Go Crosby!

Ace_O_Spades

Don't count your chickens before they hatch... Czechs and Ruskies might have something to say about you just walking into the finals.

Same with finland on our side

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Feh.

Serpent

Czechs have nothing special, only russia could stop it, but they will have to fight their way to the semis as the USA will get the by there as well as canada. Not that we haven't beaten russia already though.

silent_jay

It all boils down to who has the better team on the day the game is played. It doesn't matter who has beat who how many times in the past. The team with the desire and the heart to win on the day the game is played is all that matters.

We all remember Belarus beating Sweden at the 2002 Olympics right? This shot of Salo having the puck bounce off his head.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/oly...en_belarus_ap/

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder

blitz.fenix

That reminds me of the Swedish goalie who got a slapshot off the helmet the other night. They've amended the rule so when a goalie gets hit in the mask the play is automatically stopped.

Serpent

usa vs belarus is on in an hour btw, espn 2 9:30, wednesday.

Serpent

guess i did speak too soon, usa loses to belarus 5-3

Ace_O_Spades

as a canucks fan i had very mixed feelings.

on one hand, it is the USA losing... on the other hand that's the Canucks draft choice in net there....

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Feh.

dylanmarsh

Oh, like it matters. If things keep going the way they are, we'll never see the NHL until these draftees are into their 30's.

Ace_O_Spades

no need to remind me of that small detail

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Feh.

FlatLand Flyer

Well, I am lucky enough that the WJC came to my school's rink and I am watching every game in person!

The USA looks absolutely horrible. They played well against the Russians, but have not been good since. That Belarus game was terrible. Neither goalie has played well and the defense is way to small.

Canada should runaway with this tournament, but the Russians may give them a run for their money.

I am really impressed with the Swiss team. They are one of those teams that I thought would suck every game like Germany, but they play well as a team and never give up. I really like watching them play.

Serpent

the USA game isn't on tv tonight here, college basketball is way bigger i guess.

Ace_O_Spades

ugh 8-0 Canada in the 3rd! This HAS to be the most dominating performance in a round robin at the international level ever.

Bring on the Semis!

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Feh.

silent_jay

The canadians are playing well, lets hope they can keep it up.


Anybody out there watching the Spengler Cup? Some decent hockey being played there. Seemed strange seeing Nash, Thornton, and St. Louis playing for Davos against the Canadians but I guess they did stick with their club teams

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Serpent

anyone know where there is an online broadcast (radio or video) of the USA game tonight?

silent_jay

No idea, I've been looking for the same thing, only for Canadian games.

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder

blitz.fenix

Where can one see the Spengler Cup? Television or internet wise that is.

silent_jay

Sportsnet has been brodcasting the Canadian Spengler Cup games, not too sure internet wise, but I'm still checking

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder