World Cup of Hockey 2016 - All Purpose Thread

With Russia's win, NA is out. Another reason to change the format (should have been top 3 advance with top team in each group getting a bye to the semis).

On another note, if USA was a gigantic disappointment, Finland has to be an absolute disaster. They're the country on the rise and scored 1 goal the entire tourney. Maybe USA can match them.

Finland is a young team. A lot of their stars are still 18. Next time (in 4 years) things could be very different. Karlsson will wear the 'C', Stone will be on the team, Ovechkin may not make it.

And, no, I don't cheer for Montreal. I cheered for them when I lived there (and a little bit after I first move here in '92 -- the Cup run in '93 was unbelievable, like the Sens run 2 years ago but with a better ending).

I *may* cheer a bit for Russia especially when they aren't playing Canada. If Canada somehow loses I can only hope it's because Price gets injured and misses half the season.

wprager wrote:Finland is a young team.  A lot of their stars are still 18.  Next time (in 4 years) things could be very different.  Karlsson will wear the 'C', Stone will be on the team, Ovechkin may not make it.

And, no, I don't cheer for Montreal.  I cheered for them when I lived there (and a little bit after I first move here in '92 -- the Cup run in '93 was unbelievable, like the Sens run 2 years ago but with a better ending).

I *may* cheer a bit for Russia especially when they aren't playing Canada.  If Canada somehow loses I can only hope it's because Price gets injured and misses half the season.

That's funny, I'm sure I read somewhere that you were a Habs fan. Maybe even here on these boards. 

You did not read it from me. Look, is it really difficult to understand? I came to Canada when I was 14 and lived in Montreal for 20 years. The Sens did not exist until almost the time I left and came to Ottawa. I was a Habs fan when I lived there, and I still fondly remember the old Habs teams (which bear little to no resemblance to what's there now).

wprager wrote:You did not read it from me.  Look, is it really difficult to understand?  I came to Canada when I was 14 and lived in Montreal for 20 years.  The Sens did not exist until almost the time I left and came to Ottawa.  I was a Habs fan when I lived there, and I still fondly remember the old Habs teams (which bear little to no resemblance to what's there now).  

<----Are you familiar with this emoji?

spader wrote:

wprager wrote:You did not read it from me.  Look, is it really difficult to understand?  I came to Canada when I was 14 and lived in Montreal for 20 years.  The Sens did not exist until almost the time I left and came to Ottawa.  I was a Habs fan when I lived there, and I still fondly remember the old Habs teams (which bear little to no resemblance to what's there now).  

<----Are you familiar with this emoji?

spader wrote:

wprager wrote:You did not read it from me.  Look, is it really difficult to understand?  I came to Canada when I was 14 and lived in Montreal for 20 years.  The Sens did not exist until almost the time I left and came to Ottawa.  I was a Habs fan when I lived there, and I still fondly remember the old Habs teams (which bear little to no resemblance to what's there now).  

<----Are you familiar with this emoji?

No, never seen it before.

Is this all star tournament 'in the books' yet?

Not even close. Semi-final games Saturday and Sunday, then best-of-three Finals Tuesday, Thursday and, if necessary, next Saturday.

wprager wrote:Not even close.  Semi-final games Saturday and Sunday, then best-of-three Finals Tuesday, Thursday and, if necessary, next Saturday.

Although I haven't been able to watch many games because of classes and other engagements, I have to say I prefer having world cups of hockey rather than those world championships with half the players still in the playoffs. But I'm not liking how long the last leg is dragging on.

I'm looking forward to Canada-Russia, for sure. It's been a while since they've played a meaningful game. And Russia seems to have the goaltending this year so it's going to be a good game. I like Canada's chances but Price has to be on and they can't take unnecessary penalties.

As for the format, you have McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, Ekblad and a bunch of others not in. In that way it's similar to the IIHF Worlds (not all the best players are there). Say what you will, but the Olympics are the best ones, still (too bad they insist on playing them on the big ice).

What the hell?

#russia Pavel Datsuyk skating is not a foward at practice. He's skating as a D during line rushes. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 24, 2016

wprager wrote:What the hell?

#russia Pavel Datsuyk skating is not a foward at practice. He's skating as a D during line rushes. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 24, 2016

Feels good to sit down to watch an important hockey game.

Russia taking the lead. Prags doing laps around the TV.

Marchand answers to prags victory laps.

Contrary to popular belief among the small-minded, I was not sitting at home draped in my Russian flag. I was actually at the gym, on the bike. When Russia tied it up I did a tiny little fist-pump. But it was Price and Doughty, so sue me.

Overmatched the whole game. Bobrovsky kept them in for 2 periods. The second Marchand goal was not good, though. I really hope it'll be Team Sweden, now. Want to see what Karlsson does lining up against Doughty.