IIHF: Canada vs Latvia - 10:15am EST - Thu. May 7th, 2009

Im not "constantly" talking about those 2. I simply commented on Cash's comment by saying they have been awful 5 on 5 and are on for the entire PP padding stats against the weaker teams. What about that isnt true?

504Heater wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:That whole PP is based on Weber.

Well, no it's not obviously. Weber and Heatley continuously move guys around by passing back and forth, spreading out the D. Then you have an option beside the net in Spezza and a guy planted in the slot. Not to mention Hamhuis.

Take Weber off that PP and I would be willing to bet that their PP% goes down by almost 1/2.

I think people under estimate just what a HUGE shot like Weber's from the point brings to a PP. I dont think this was Weber's coming out party because people should know the name by now, but he has been this teams MVP, best D man, and best offensive weapon.

Neely4Life wrote:Im not "constantly" talking about those 2. I simply commented on Cash's comment by saying they have been awful 5 on 5 and are on for the entire PP padding stats against the weaker teams. What about that isnt true?

Your smarter than that. You know without Heatley and Spezza on the PP Canada would be out by now. Give credit where it's due.

Weber's the QB of the PP, but Spezza - and more specifically Heatley make teams fear taking penalties. If those three can't do it 5 on 5, it's the job of the team to give them a bit of a hand.

I never thought I'd ever say this, but Latvia is buzzing right now.

I dont know why people are shocked about how this game is turning out...

Lets face it. Neely will find a reason to dislike what Heatley and Spezza are doing regardless. He's already set this tournament up as being a waste of time and it shows nothing.

Why would he say that? Simple so he can cover himself in case Spezza is on a team that Wins a gold he can simply say Spezza is still a loser because this tournament is meaningless.

504Heater wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Im not "constantly" talking about those 2. I simply commented on Cash's comment by saying they have been awful 5 on 5 and are on for the entire PP padding stats against the weaker teams. What about that isnt true?

Your smarter than that. You know without Heatley and Spezza on the PP Canada would be out by now. Give credit where it's due.

Weber's the QB of the PP, but Spezza - and more specifically Heatley make teams fear taking penalties. If those three can't do it 5 on 5, it's the job of the team to give them a bit of a hand.

There are a lot of players that could be lighting it up on the PP for Canada. That PP unit is obviously clicking, but they still beat up on Belarus, Hungry, Czech (even then 5 on 5 Canada was the worse of the 2 teams), and we lost against Finland.

I dont think there is much that will convince me that Weber is the reason for its success. He is that good and makes that much of a difference... Put a Souray or Weber on the blueline in Ottawa, you would get the same thing.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Lets face it. Neely will find a reason to dislike what Heatley and Spezza are doing regardless. He's already set this tournament up as being a waste of time and it shows nothing.

Why would he say that? Simple so he can cover himself in case Spezza is on a team that Wins a gold he can simply say Spezza is still a loser because this tournament is meaningless.

Not quite, but good theory. Again, look at the teams and the players and tell me its something that Canada should hang its hat on.

They are barly beating Latvia and even then, this game could be going either way if it wasnt for awful reffing on Latvia's side.

Heater to the sin-bin...

you have to credit the Latvians, they won't give up.

Who does Ruff go with in net next game? Rollie or Mason....

Good showing by Latvia today, again, a country on the rise in terms of hockey.

Neely4Life wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Lets face it. Neely will find a reason to dislike what Heatley and Spezza are doing regardless. He's already set this tournament up as being a waste of time and it shows nothing.

Why would he say that? Simple so he can cover himself in case Spezza is on a team that Wins a gold he can simply say Spezza is still a loser because this tournament is meaningless.

Not quite, but good theory. Again, look at the teams and the players and tell me its something that Canada should hang its hat on.

They are barly beating Latvia and even then, this game could be going either way if it wasnt for awful reffing on Latvia's side.

If Canada wins Gold here I'm sure that's what you'll say Neely. Spezza is still a career loser except he'll have a Gold medal and despite what you say about this tournament that is still a championship under his belt and takes a little off that argument.

shabbs wrote:Who does Ruff go with in net next game? Rollie or Mason....

Ask me in 5 mins, stop time.

Latvian net is empty for their PP...

Vlasic to the sin-bin... big oppty here for Latvia... 2-man ad...

6-on-3...

shabbs wrote:Latvian net is empty for their PP...

its do or die time, who's out on the PK?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Lets face it. Neely will find a reason to dislike what Heatley and Spezza are doing regardless. He's already set this tournament up as being a waste of time and it shows nothing.

Why would he say that? Simple so he can cover himself in case Spezza is on a team that Wins a gold he can simply say Spezza is still a loser because this tournament is meaningless.

Not quite, but good theory. Again, look at the teams and the players and tell me its something that Canada should hang its hat on.

They are barly beating Latvia and even then, this game could be going either way if it wasnt for awful reffing on Latvia's side.

If Canada wins Gold here I'm sure that's what you'll say Neely. Spezza is still a career loser except he'll have a Gold medal and despite what you say about this tournament that is still a championship under his belt and takes a little off that argument.

It will be a championship under his belt, and you're right, I wont be able to use that in an arguement against him. Still wont change my opinion on him because even here you see how flawed his game is even strength. But good for him and Canada if they can win it.