IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Unless thereīs a major improvement in play - basically a miracle (which could include Rangers and Bruins not making it to the next round - not that I donīt want them to make it r Norway sucking majorly as they are the ones we have to overcome) I donīt see it happening here either.
I wouldn't be so pessimistic in your place, you just have to either:
a) finish just 1 place higher than Norway
OR
b) finish 3 places higher than Germany;
OR
c) finish 3 spots higher than Switzerland.
So to me it sounds like most likely you will end up in the top 9. Especially considering that Norway and Germany can't (most likely) *both* get a spot in the QFs. Plus, the Norwegians/Germans will have to face a Danish dream team, instead of France. And the mighty Latvians ofc. So, all in all, they have no chances of advancing.
I wouldn't be so pessimistic in your place, you just have to either:
a) finish just 1 place higher than Norway
OR
b) finish 3 places higher than Germany;
OR
c) finish 3 spots higher than Switzerland.
So to me it sounds like most likely you will end up in the top 9. Especially considering that Norway and Germany can't (most likely) *both* get a spot in the QFs. Plus, the Norwegians/Germans will have to face a Danish dream team, instead of France. And the mighty Latvians ofc. So, all in all, they have no chances of advancing.
Have you seen the team play recently? If yes, you would know that option A is the only one that we have any chance of achieving baring a miracle. I donīt know whether people have noticed but in the last few years we have hardly ever managed to finish ahead of either Switzerland or Germany, yet alone 3 positiions higher than either of them. And thereīs nothing about this team so far that suggest it should end up otherwise this season.
2008 We finished 13th, while Germany was 10th and Switzerland 7th
2009 We finished 10th, Switzerland 9th and Germany 15th, but I doubt Germany will suck this much at the WC this year
2010 We finished 12th, while Switzerland was 5th and Germany 4th
2011 We finished 10th, while Switzerland was 9th and Germany 7th
So, yeah, it would be a miracle if managed to finish 3 spots ahead of either Germany or Switzerland, especially with the team we have...
He has had an injured shoulder for a long part of the season and he had to undergo a surgery shortly before the end of the regular season and isnīt fit yet.
Thats sad if he wont be able to recover for this.. Zaborsky was outstanding this year, what a great player.. I hoped to see him playing in the Worlds
I sure hope Z comes. He can make the difference between complete failure and making the quarterfinals. Sekera always plays really well with him, so at least we would have a great defensive pair. Our offense is what scares me.
What is Chara's history? Has he come always when he's free and in full condition?
Yes. Chara is actually the most professional player with great character which I've seen in a while. His work-ethic and off-ice stuff reminds me Gretzky.
If he is healthy, he will be our captain.
Wow really? Considering he has a pretty nice paycheck to pick up next season and isn't that old, it would seem odd.
I think heīs gonna play out his contract (even though he has thought about retiring before it expires as begbee wrote), but after that I think he will most likely retire.
Stumpel doesnīt retire.
Coach Vujtek for "hokejportal" in March: " Stumpel is too old, I want to play with younger players." When he saw Cibak as 1st line center against Denmark, he immediately call Stumpel. Stumpel told him: "Sorry coach, I finished season some weeks ago and I am on Florida with my family."
It is shame, because he was ready to play for national team this season and although 40 years old still one class better player than Cibak and company.
#goslovaks #90
