World Juniors Hockey

[Youngblood]

Hey people, we are there. Dramatic fashion.

Let the puck drop for the gold and let's get on with it.

[CGM]

Who will Canada's opponent be?

[CFH]

Who will Canada's opponent be?

Those damn, dirty Swedes. The most hated nation on the face of the earth.

[Von Milash]

I thought we'd get by the Russians with little trouble. Was I wrong.

We have to tighten up on D or we'll never beat the Swedes.

[wesrman]

We would have won easier if our goalie could make a fucking save.

[CFH]

We would have won easier if our goalie could make a fucking save.

I wonder if Quinn is thinking about starting Pickard in the gold medal game.

[wesrman]

We would have won easier if our goalie could make a fucking save.

I wonder if Quinn is thinking about starting Pickard in the gold medal game.

Thinking about it?? LOL he should have started Pickard last game after the other guy shit the bed against the USA.

[Mikkel_K]

Who will Canada's opponent be?

Those damn, dirty Swedes. The most hated nation on the face of the earth.

Words spoken like a true Dane!

However, I watched yesterday's semi against Slovakia on Swedish tv (only thing I've watched of this tourney), and not only was it a good game, the Swedes looked real good _and_ entertaining. They could win tonight.

[Sidenote: Exactly how much do you hate Mats Sundin?]

[wesrman]

I missread what he said.

Sundin will be good for the Canucks. Hes a class guy and a great player.

[CFH]

[Sidenote: Exactly how much do you hate Mats Sundin?]

Not that much. We werent making the playoffs with him on the team anyway so why pay him that kind of money just to be mediocre??

We need to rebuild imo.

The Leafs would've been beyond stupid to resign Sundin. On a related note, do you think Kaberle will wave his NTC to go to a place like Vancouver? What kind of return do you think he'll bring?

[CFH]

Who will Canada's opponent be?

Those damn, dirty Swedes. The most hated nation on the face of the earth.

Words spoken like a true Dane!

However, I watched yesterday's semi against Slovakia on Swedish tv (only thing I've watched of this tourney), and not only was it a good game, the Swedes looked real good _and_ entertaining. They could win tonight.

[Sidenote: Exactly how much do you hate Mats Sundin?]

I don't hate the Swedes at all, I was trying to think of something specific they were disliked for before posting that, but I came up with nothing. I will be cheering against them on Monday though. Their weakest link seems to be Markstrom (sp?). His rebound control is very questionable and a team like Canada should make him pay for it. Hedman hasn't impressed me either from what I've seen. However, as discussed, the Canadian goaltending (and defense) has not been world class either. Should be a good game.

I'm very glad Sundin signed with the Canucks, but how much effect he will have at his age and after such a long lay-off remains to be seen. I'm cautiously optimistic that he will have an impact, but getting Luongo back is going to be much for important for the success of the team.

[Mikkel_K]

I don't hate the Swedes at all, I was trying to think of something specific they were disliked for before posting that, but I came up with nothing. I will be cheering against them on Monday though. Their weakest link seems to be Markstrom (sp?).

Well, we certainly have a love and hate relationship with them, going back many centuries. It's not quite in Finland though, where it is purely a hate relationship towards the Swedes (especially in, but not limited to, hockey). But I guess to the rest of the world they seem pretty nice and classy etc (which, incidentally, may fuel an inferior complex in the neighbouring countries). In terms of sports, this is probably the highpoint (lowpoint?) of Danish-Swedish rivalry of the last couple of decades. Haven't been so furious after a football match since, well, never.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XT0W...eature=related
[Not sure if the link really do justice, compared to the feeling of standing among 100,000 people, including 40-50,000 Swedes, just outside the stadium watching the team you want to beat the most in a game that you really cannot afford to lose]

It's funny that you single out Markström as the weakest link. I see a bit of SEL hockey, and he is generally considered to be not only the best young goalie, but the best goalie period. Hell, you have Swedish people discussing whether there has ever been a goalie who was better at his age (and no, I am not kidding - they seriosly do this). I haven't seen enough WJC hockey to really have an opinion, but he did pretty well against Slovakia, I think.

As for Sundin, it was just too obvious to not comment it. Could mention the Sedins or Ohlund as well... Quite a few in Vancouver

Good luck tmr!

[CFH]

I don't hate the Swedes at all, I was trying to think of something specific they were disliked for before posting that, but I came up with nothing. I will be cheering against them on Monday though. Their weakest link seems to be Markstrom (sp?).

Well, we certainly have a love and hate relationship with them, going back many centuries. It's not quite in Finland though, where it is purely a hate relationship towards the Swedes (especially in, but not limited to, hockey). But I guess to the rest of the world they seem pretty nice and classy etc (which, incidentally, may fuel an inferior complex in the neighbouring countries). In terms of sports, this is probably the highpoint (lowpoint?) of Danish-Swedish rivalry of the last couple of decades. Haven't been so furious after a football match since, well, never.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XT0W...eature=related[Not sure if the link really do justice, compared to the feeling of standing among 100,000 people, including 40-50,000 Swedes, just outside the stadium watching the team you want to beat the most in a game that you really cannot afford to lose]

It's funny that you single out Markström as the weakest link. I see a bit of SEL hockey, and he is generally considered to be not only the best young goalie, but the best goalie period. Hell, you have Swedish people discussing whether there has ever been a goalie who was better at his age (and no, I am not kidding - they seriosly do this). I haven't seen enough WJC hockey to really have an opinion, but he did pretty well against Slovakia, I think.

As for Sundin, it was just too obvious to not comment it. Could mention the Sedins or Ohlund as well... Quite a few in Vancouver

Good luck tmr!

I know he's considered a very good prospect, and I don't doubt that is the case or that he has tons of potential. It's just that, in the very limited amount I have seen, he hasn't been outstanding this tourny. I've heard several commentators mention the same thing. Odds are he's going to be a great goalie though.

As for the Sedin's and Ohlund, they might not be Canucks much longer. Though I will be genuinely pissed if they don't resign Ohlund (as long as it's for a resonable amount/term of course).