IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
after reading "20minutes", and their interview with R. Wick today, I'm more and more convinced, he won't make the roster. having low self-esteem at the moment and a leg he doesn't know how to put weight on properly.
when he's not scoring, he's not worth a spot (like Sprunger e.g) on internat. level
The goaliesituation will be very interesting to look at.
Even both had good season (Berra and Genoni). I guess Gerbs will begin the wc as nr. 1. and berra as nr. 2 but both will play. Genoni will be 3rd and Stephan will get the ticket home.
Indeed, that's a difficult decision. Even at 37, Gerber is still a very good goalie, but Berra/Genoni could be a challenge for him. I don't think Stephan has a shot for getting play-time. I also don't think that Hiller will come.
So I would not be surprised if Gerber is getting #1-minutes and Berra/Genoni both get their shot (perhaps vs. Finland/Canada).
problem is. with new format of the tournament. its not a"can-win" situation anymore, its a "have to win situation". So the teams better decide before the tournament which goalie or players you want to go to battle.
Finland
Canada
USA
Switzerland
Slovakia
Belarus
France
Kazakhstan
only top 4 Teams are playing in quarters so the swiss have to win vs. all team below. Last week the danes won twice vs. the slovaks (of course no of the teams had their final roster). But we know that for the swiss no win in this group is a matter of course. I dont hope so, but i think they will have trouble vs Belarus and the slovaks and wont make it to the quarterfinals.
That's true, but it's the same thing for the 3 teams above.
I don't think we'll see this ranking and I also don't think we'll see that the top-3 teams in this group win every game. It's not impossible that we'll see the USA out on place 5.
Rotating goalies doesn't have to be bad, as long as you have the same quality. And Switzerland does have 3 or 4 goalies with about the same quality (if Hiller's not here) and that makes it possible. Not all the teams are in that situation.
That's true, but it's the same thing for the 3 teams above.
I don't think we'll see this ranking and I also don't think we'll see that the top-3 teams in this group win every game. It's not impossible that we'll see the USA out on place 5.
Rotating goalies doesn't have to be bad, as long as you have the same quality. And Switzerland does have 3 or 4 goalies with about the same quality (if Hiller's not here) and that makes it possible. Not all the teams are in that situation.
yessir, your right. there are good goalies. Regardless of which goalie you play, you have a good backbone for the team. imo canada will be top notch (hopefully finland, but dont think so). Finland will be second. usa third. and switzerland or slovak 4th.
Of course USA is a big questionmark...... it totally depends on their roster and motivation. In one year they could compete for wc medals in the next they almost relegate. The canadien for sure will have a loaded roster. Finns will be top motivated, even there are only 3 confirmed nhl players, i guess they will have a strong team.
Slovaks are in a change so i dont except to much of them on a regular base, but even now they have enough talent to defeat one of the top teams or the swiss.
We'll see, I think we could see some surprises. Canada seems to have a strong team, but the Swiss showed more than one time in the past few years that they are beatable.
If Hiller comes, i will go with Gerber and Genoni as backup. If no, I would keep Gerber, Genoni and Stephan. However, Berra was very strong this year. It would be my choice...
If Hiller comes, i will go with Gerber and Genoni as backup. If no, I would keep Gerber, Genoni and Stephan. However, Berra was very strong this year. It would be my choice...
I know I repeat myself, but why Ambuhl on the 1st Line?
Let me explain:
He did look good on the Monnet-Brunner Line, I know. but Ambuhl does always look good on intern. Level, he doesn't need a Brunner (or any other big offensive talent)to look good, or being an impact player. and that's because he got a few things that are truly elite like skating, his shiftyness, forechecking or his work ethik, his hands in traffic are pretty good as well... unfortunately his playmaking and scoring skills are only average. That's why I think guys like Cunti, Plüss, Bykov, Romy or even Rubin would be "naturally" better Centers for Brunner IMO
If Simpson wants to put Ambuhl on the 1st Line, I'd prefer him on the wing. He could make some rushes with Brunner, show his excellent forechecking, and gain some puck possession deep in the offensive Zone...
but I'd like to see some shifts with Sprunger on the 1st line, at least as a try-out in Prep.games.
or maybe even Niederreiter... with his strong shot and physical play could suit well to guys like Brunner or Cunti, who are both very good at protecting the puck in open ice or the perimeter.
Game against Austria starts here live at 6pm today (thursday).
Pretty poor game, I didn't see any of the forward lines click well despite some nice goals. Makes you realise how Bern and ZSC players are important to the team.
Pretty poor game, I didn't see any of the forward lines click well despite some nice goals. Makes you realise how Bern and ZSC players are important to the team.
didnt see a minute of the game but result seemed to be clear........
how was the game? puck posession? quality chances? defence... goalie...
Switzerland had more puck possession and had many quality chances, but the poor coverage by the Austrian defense is to blame for most of those.
I didn't like the defense, too many needless penalty (and some plays which should have been penalties but were not called). The power play wasn't great either, the Swiss looked unable to handle the excessively agressive Austrian penatly killing.
With Streit, (hopefully) Sbisa, Furrer, Blindenbacher and Seger we still have 5 defenders to join. I only see Du Bois, Von Gunten (who was sitting yesterday) and Bezina as possibility for the WC.
With Streit, (hopefully) Sbisa, Furrer, Blindenbacher and Seger we still have 5 defenders to join. I only see Du Bois, Von Gunten (who was sitting yesterday) and Bezina as possibility for the WC.
you just named half of our defense !!
as per Blindenbacher (that i always liked), Seger ... they don't seem to be in the best shape they ever were.
as per Blindenbacher (that i always liked), Seger ... they don't seem to be in the best shape they ever were.
absolutely agree.
Blindenbacher, who always played good on internat. level, regardless of his prerformances in NLA, has lost an other step IMO (he was slow already before), maybe the step too much.
and Seger isn't on the level he showcased the last 2 years.
I hope they both get an invitation, but they will have a hard time making the final cuts.
The problem is, the Chiesa-Loeffel pair was dreadful yesterday, and Kukan and Blaser are obviously not ready. Streit, Sbisa and Von Gunten will obviously make the team, Dubois and Bezina should be there as well, then you have Furrer, Grossman and Blindenbacher fighting for the last spots. It means that if Simpson decides to go with 8 defensemen, there almost no choice but to take Blindenbacher, unless Vauclair is quickly fit again.
Gerber and Bykov out after their injuries, Vauclair on the other hand is back on the team. Blaser, Suri and Simek have been cut. Niederreiter will join next week already, while Streit won't travel to Sweden.
). Finland will be second. usa third. and switzerland or slovak 4th.
